Calibre: Is it possible to convert format automatically on save to disk

jbenwell · 06-25-2025, 04:57 PM

Is it possible to convert format automatically on save to disk?

Thanks!

theducks · 06-25-2025, 05:10 PM

Look under (right click) Connect share: Connect to folder:

You can configure it to emulate a specific device. That shoul us the defaults for that device (which should force a convert when needed)

jbenwell · 06-25-2025, 05:21 PM

Thank you! I have "Connect to Folder" working without choosing a device, but when I choose my device type (a Kobo Libra Colour) it does not work. I notice there is an instruction about copying some files from the device to the folder.

I hope you don't mind another couple questions:

1. Which file(s) should I copy into the my folder to make this work?
2. Will Calibre 8.5 automatically convert the files to kepub?

Thanks!

JSWolf · 06-25-2025, 05:22 PM

That is a really good solution.

theducks · 06-25-2025, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbenwell

Thank you! I have "Connect to Folder" working without choosing a device, but when I choose my device type (a Kobo Libra Colour) it does not work. I notice there is an instruction about copying some files from the device to the folder.

I hope you don't mind another couple questions:

1. Which file(s) should I copy into the my folder to make this work?
2. Will Calibre 8.5 automatically convert the files to kepub?

Thanks!

I have only ever used it in dumb mode (your first try)

So I have no clue what folders the driver expects (needs) to do a KLC.
I assume there is a reason that you don't just plug in the Kobo.

PeterT · 06-25-2025, 08:48 PM

Simplest approach would be just copy the .kobo directory structure from your device to the folder you want to use for the Connect to folder location. (In reality you don't need the entire .kobo; just .kobo/version and .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite)

The only thing which might appear strange is that after sending content to the folder, it will (on the next connection) not show the books as being on the device, due to their not having been loaded into the Kobo database.

And yes, calibre will follow whatever options you have set the Kobo driver to as far as what formats will be sent.

In fact, you've shown me a new way of saving kEpub formats to my Google Drive/Rakuten Kobo folder for access from the device.

jillmess · 06-25-2025, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

In fact, you've shown me a new way of saving kEpub formats to my Google Drive/Rakuten Kobo folder for access from the device.

Exactly why my eyes lit up when I saw this. Tried briefly this morning with just a .kobo folder but will have a further play when I have time this evening.

PeterT · 06-26-2025, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmess

Exactly why my eyes lit up when I saw this. Tried briefly this morning with just a .kobo folder but will have a further play when I have time this evening.

In my bastardised environment it worked perfectly. On my GoogleDrive Rakuten Kobo folder I just created a .kobo folder and placed a copy of the version file and the KoboReader.sqlite in it and it worked perfectly. (This is on a ChromeBook that has Google Drive mounted at /mnt/chromeos/GoogleDrive/MyDrive).

I had tried for an enhancement to handle this use case (see Enhancement Request: kepub and Save to disk) but it wasn't accepted.

jillmess · 06-26-2025, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

On my GoogleDrive Rakuten Kobo folder I just created a .kobo folder and placed a copy of the version file and the KoboReader.sqlite in it and it worked perfectly.

Thank you. Success with my Dropbox.

Interestingly, when using Connect to Folder without choosing a device, then 'send specific format' and selecting kepub, a copy of the kepub is saved in the main library where one did not exist previously. Happily this does not happen when a device is chosen.

jbenwell · 06-26-2025, 08:51 PM

Thanks to everyone. Copying the version and sqllite files to a folder and then using Connect to Folder/Send to Device works for me too.

My intention is similar to the above. I have a folder of ebooks that I like to share between a few devices (Kobos, laptops, phones) and I prefer kepubs on the Kobos.

06-25-2025, 04:57 PM	#1
jbenwell Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Kobo Forma	Calibre: Is it possible to convert format automatically on save to disk Is it possible to convert format automatically on save to disk? Thanks!

06-25-2025, 08:48 PM	#6
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,463 Karma: 78880114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Simplest approach would be just copy the .kobo directory structure from your device to the folder you want to use for the Connect to folder location. (In reality you don't need the entire .kobo; just .kobo/version and .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite) The only thing which might appear strange is that after sending content to the folder, it will (on the next connection) not show the books as being on the device, due to their not having been loaded into the Kobo database. And yes, calibre will follow whatever options you have set the Kobo driver to as far as what formats will be sent. In fact, you've shown me a new way of saving kEpub formats to my Google Drive/Rakuten Kobo folder for access from the device. Last edited by PeterT; 06-25-2025 at 08:53 PM.

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06-25-2025, 05:10 PM	#2
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,008 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Look under (right click) Connect share: Connect to folder: You can configure it to emulate a specific device. That shoul us the defaults for that device (which should force a convert when needed)

06-25-2025, 05:21 PM	#3
jbenwell Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Kobo Forma	Thank you! I have "Connect to Folder" working without choosing a device, but when I choose my device type (a Kobo Libra Colour) it does not work. I notice there is an instruction about copying some files from the device to the folder. I hope you don't mind another couple questions: 1. Which file(s) should I copy into the my folder to make this work? 2. Will Calibre 8.5 automatically convert the files to kepub? Thanks!

06-25-2025, 05:22 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,641 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	That is a really good solution.

06-26-2025, 08:51 PM	#10
jbenwell Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Kobo Forma	Thanks to everyone. Copying the version and sqllite files to a folder and then using Connect to Folder/Send to Device works for me too. My intention is similar to the above. I have a folder of ebooks that I like to share between a few devices (Kobos, laptops, phones) and I prefer kepubs on the Kobos.

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