"Design Custom Epub Layout" Dialogue

pete6055 · 12-10-2024, 11:08 AM

Hi,

Is there any documentation for the "Design Custom Epub Layout" dialogue under tools? I did not see it in the user guide and want to unserstand the tool better.

I use the Calibre Viewer/Reader and most times it takes too long to load, so I'm trying to evaluate if Sigil's Design Tool can put my epub in calibre's format to shorten my initial load.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

KevinH · 12-10-2024, 12:00 PM

Try Sigil's Restructure Epub to Sigil Norm tool.

The Custom design tool is to create a custom folder structure for a new EMPTY epub, not to restructure an existing one. With this tool you can create any folder structure you like and then drag and drop file type markers into folders to say where files of specific types should be stored. Again, only to design an empty epub to be filled in later.

My guess is Calibre has its own restructure tool. FWIW, The biggest things causing long loading times for most epubs are when people do not split chapters into separate files, mistakenly trying to keep all of the text in one file. Both Calibre and Sigil have tools to help properly split files into chapters.

You can also use Sigil's BookBrowser right-click pop-up menu to move files between folders while maintaining links. I am sure Calibre has something similar.

BetterRed · 12-10-2024, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete6055

. . .

I use the Calibre Viewer/Reader

Which version of calibre, Kovid made changes in version 7.19 to shorten (significantly) initial load times . See https://calibre-ebook.com/whats-new

BR

pete6055 · 12-10-2024, 01:36 PM

Thanks Kevin and BR!

I think Calibre reformats some code, such as how covers are executed. In any event it appears to me there is too much overhead in making changes, even in the current version, 7.22. Sigil standard format does not solve the problem.

It's no big thing though, I'm retired so I can hurry-up and wait

KevinH · 12-10-2024, 01:37 PM

How large are single xhtml files in your epub?

pete6055 · 12-10-2024, 02:22 PM

Not very large, mostly short story size.

KevinH · 12-10-2024, 02:27 PM

Then I have no idea why it would take any e-reader long to load an epub with xhtml files that size.

Sorry

BetterRed · 12-10-2024, 03:07 PM

Have you tried an epub-only viewer, they're usually a lot faster.

Turtle91 · 12-10-2024, 03:37 PM

Multiple large images???

pete6055 · 12-10-2024, 04:35 PM

BR: Originally I used ADE.
Turtle: No large images other than the Covers, and even they are capped at 660W and 880H (pixels)
Kevin: Me too. I'm stumped. Eventually a good answer will turn up, as they normally do, and I will apply it and report back. It does not demand more of anyone's time. Thank you all for trying.

12-10-2024, 11:08 AM	#1
pete6055 Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	"Design Custom Epub Layout" Dialogue Hi, Is there any documentation for the "Design Custom Epub Layout" dialogue under tools? I did not see it in the user guide and want to unserstand the tool better. I use the Calibre Viewer/Reader and most times it takes too long to load, so I'm trying to evaluate if Sigil's Design Tool can put my epub in calibre's format to shorten my initial load. Thank you for any help you can give me.

12-10-2024, 12:00 PM	#2
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,754 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	Try Sigil's Restructure Epub to Sigil Norm tool. The Custom design tool is to create a custom folder structure for a new EMPTY epub, not to restructure an existing one. With this tool you can create any folder structure you like and then drag and drop file type markers into folders to say where files of specific types should be stored. Again, only to design an empty epub to be filled in later. My guess is Calibre has its own restructure tool. FWIW, The biggest things causing long loading times for most epubs are when people do not split chapters into separate files, mistakenly trying to keep all of the text in one file. Both Calibre and Sigil have tools to help properly split files into chapters. You can also use Sigil's BookBrowser right-click pop-up menu to move files between folders while maintaining links. I am sure Calibre has something similar. Last edited by KevinH; 12-10-2024 at 12:52 PM.

12-10-2024, 01:36 PM	#4
pete6055 Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	Thanks Thanks Kevin and BR! I think Calibre reformats some code, such as how covers are executed. In any event it appears to me there is too much overhead in making changes, even in the current version, 7.22. Sigil standard format does not solve the problem. It's no big thing though, I'm retired so I can hurry-up and wait

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12-10-2024, 01:37 PM	#5
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,754 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	How large are single xhtml files in your epub?

12-10-2024, 02:22 PM	#6
pete6055 Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	Not very large, mostly short story size.

12-10-2024, 02:27 PM	#7
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 8,754 Karma: 5706256 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	Then I have no idea why it would take any e-reader long to load an epub with xhtml files that size. Sorry

12-10-2024, 03:07 PM	#8
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,715 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Have you tried an epub-only viewer, they're usually a lot faster.

12-10-2024, 03:37 PM	#9
Turtle91 A Hairy Wizard Posts: 3,347 Karma: 20171571 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Charleston, SC today Device: iPhone 15/11/X/6/iPad 1,2,Air & Air Pro/Surface Pro/Kindle PW & Fire	Multiple large images???

12-10-2024, 04:35 PM	#10
pete6055 Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: none	BR: Originally I used ADE. Turtle: No large images other than the Covers, and even they are capped at 660W and 880H (pixels) Kevin: Me too. I'm stumped. Eventually a good answer will turn up, as they normally do, and I will apply it and report back. It does not demand more of anyone's time. Thank you all for trying.

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