BookCreator Tool v3.5

[Katti's Cat]

I have to be the thickest person on this thread. I have tried to read the lot but gave up after 11 pages of comments. Just did my head in.

Ok, here is what I did and trying to do:

I downloaded the version 3 file, I downloaded eBook publisher.
I created a 1 page test file without any titles etc and tried to convert it in Bookcreator into All files. Output was an .imp file

Not sure what to do with that - I have Calibre but it can't convert this file.

I then tried to convert the document into 1 format only - but where does it go? The document has only 361 words so shouldn't take too long.

I am sure the solution is simple and was discussed somewhere on this thread, but please see line 1 on this.

Terribly sorry if you have to answer for the thousands time this simple process, it's just I'm soo

[djgreedo]

Make sure that the Calibre path is correct: go to your 'program files' folder and see if you have a folder called 'Calibre' or one called 'Calibre2'.

Then in the box that pops up for you to create an ebook, go to the Calibre tab and make sure the path is correct (i.e. it is either 'Calibre' or 'Calibre2' based on the Calibre folder in 'Program Files'.

I've also noticed that the template doesn't work properly if the wrong settings are selected in Word's web options (I think the HTML it makes is not compatible with Calibre if the wrong settings are used.

My web options (Word 2010, should be identical in Word 2007, similar in Word 2003): Browser and Files tabs: everything ticked; Encoding tab: Unicode UTF8; Fonts tab: Character Set: multilingual/unicode/other script.

Also, make sure you're not using a really old Calibre as I believe the part of Calibre that converts the file has actually changed names since the older versions (now it is ebook-convert.exe whereas I think there used to be several, e.g. html2lrf.exe, etc.)

[Katti's Cat]

Thanks djgreedo for the tips. I followed your very clear instruction and am sure I got it all.

Tried to convert the test file again and now Word is stuck. Don't worry, I'll play around a bit and then throw the puter out. Has to be the hardware

Update: Euraka! I've done it. I have created my first ebooks. Now a tiny question - I have separated the cover from the book. Is there a recommended format to add the cover? Currently a wordfile but only comes out as a '?' on the created file.

[djgreedo]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

Update: Euraka! I've done it. I have created my first ebooks. Now a tiny question - I have separated the cover from the book. Is there a recommended format to add the cover? Currently a wordfile but only comes out as a '?' on the created file.

Are you adding the cover using the Bookcreator dialog box button? If so, just pick an image file. JPG or PNG should work. I usually use JPGs with no problem.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

Thanks djgreedo for the tips. I followed your very clear instruction and am sure I got it all.

Tried to convert the test file again and now Word is stuck. Don't worry, I'll play around a bit and then throw the puter out. Has to be the hardware

Update: Euraka! I've done it. I have created my first ebooks. Now a tiny question - I have separated the cover from the book. Is there a recommended format to add the cover? Currently a wordfile but only comes out as a '?' on the created file.

Yes use the method djgreedo mentioned. This however does not work for IMP so if you want to include a cover for IMP you will have to insert the picture in the word document.

As for the ? usually this happens when you import an HTML file into MS Word. The best work around is to import the picture in the word file. This is done in MS Word 2003 by selecting the "Insert | Picture | From File ..." menu option.

=X=

[Katti's Cat]

Thanks heaps for the help to my previous question. Just to keep you occupied, i got another one

I have managed to get the creator to work, included a cover and so on.

2 problems I found (which probably are just my stupidity again )

1. the pdf does not create proberly. I am sure it's the settings, but if I convert the word document, the pdf just shows heaps of little blank pages. Something is eating the words on the way from Word to pdf.

2. I struggled with the footnotes. Unfortunately there were a few of them in the document - is there a way to not only link them but also have them show up as a kind of comment box when hoovering with the mouse over it? - No forget this question. The answer is probably highly technical

[=X=]

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

1. the pdf does not create proberly. I am sure it's the settings, but if I convert the word document, the pdf just shows heaps of little blank pages. Something is eating the words on the way from Word to pdf.

Yes that is a known issue, I listed it on the first post of the "BookCreator 3.0 Released" thread but forgot to included that info on this thread.

It's a calibre issue here is the workaround

NOTE:
For those who wish to create PDF, the default output does not work. Users MUST select an output profile like "sony" for the PDF to get created properly. This option is on the "Page Layout" tab

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

2. I struggled with the footnotes. Unfortunately there were a few of them in the document - is there a way to not only link them but also have them show up as a kind of comment box when hoovering with the mouse over it? - No forget this question. The answer is probably highly technical

I think the pop up would be awesome unfortunately no eBook reader supports that feature.

As for the footnotes there is nothing special you have to to to BC to have them show up. It's completely a MS Word thing. You can either add them as Footnotes, I recommend you use the endnote option. Or you can use a combo of hyperlink and bookmarks.

=X=

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by =X=

I think the pop up would be awesome unfortunately no eBook reader supports that feature.
=X=

Actually, since calibre's reader supports javascript, you could make EPUB files that do this.

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Actually, since calibre's reader supports javascript, you could make EPUB files that do this.

Uh - do I want to know how? Or ist that going to involve programming?

[Katti's Cat]

Originally Posted by =X=

Yes that is a known issue, I listed it on the first post of the "BookCreator 3.0 Released" thread but forgot to included that info on this thread.

It's a calibre issue here is the workaround

...
=X=

Thanks =X= will have a go and play with the settings

[=X=]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Actually, since calibre's reader supports javascript, you could make EPUB files that do this.

Is there a way to pass in a JavaScript file to the calibe converter, or do I have to embed the JavaScript into the html file.

[kovidgoyal]

you can just use javascript like you would in a web page. The calibre viewer even makes jQuery available, so you can use it to do cool effects

[jmurphy]

Originally Posted by =X=

I think the pop up would be awesome unfortunately no eBook reader supports that feature.


=X=

Using MSLit, MSReader supports pop-up footnotes/endnotes.

[Tony Foley]

I'd just like to thank you for BookCreator Tool.

I'm new to making ebooks and of all the tools I've tried BookCreator is the simplest and for me the best!

Tony.

[=X=]

Thanks Tony I'm glad your making use of the tool.