How to rezip an epub file?

meadowlarkOR · 12-04-2011, 01:02 PM

Hello all,

I'm new to the forum, just starting to learn to create epub files. I'm on a PC. I've been able to get at the files inside the epub. I changed the .epub extension to .zip and then right-clicked and chose Extract All. Everything was there and editable.

However, when I reverse the process, my epub file won't open and I get an error message that's way above my pay grade. I chose the folder all the files were in and gave it a .zip extension. Then I changed that extension to .epub. No dice!

Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong (or another resource I might try?)?

Thanks!

mtrahan · 12-04-2011, 01:07 PM

You need to zip the files in a specific way. Give ePubPack a try — very simple, and does exactly what you need.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/epubpack/

Btw, to do it by hand, here's what you need to do:

Create an empty .zip file with whatever name you like (See notes below for detailed instructions on how to do this.)
Copy the mimetype file into the zip file (don't use compression on this file)
Copy the rest of the files and folders mentioned above into the zip file *
Re-name the .zip extension to .epub

* The specification recommends that the books files go in an "OEBPS" folder inside the zip file. If you put them in another spot, be sure that container.xml in the META-INF folder points to the correct location of the *.opf file.

Info from: http://www.jedisaber.com/eBooks/Tutorial03.shtml

wallcraft · 12-04-2011, 03:10 PM

Another way to do this is to import the epub into Calibre and use its "Tweak ePub" option. Right click on a title with an ePub and select "Tweak ePub" then "explode epub", edit any contained files and then "rebuild".

JSWolf · 12-04-2011, 06:47 PM

When you extract the files from the ePub,m do not extract META-INF and metadata. Leave those alone. Then when you put back the rest of the files, the ePub will be compressed correctly (if it was correct before you extracted any of the contents).

dwig · 12-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meadowlarkOR

...I'm on a PC. I've been able to get at the files inside the epub. I changed the .epub extension to .zip and then right-clicked and chose Extract All. Everything was there and editable....

I avoid re-zipping the ePub. I simply view the files in the ZIP version and manually drag out copies of the file(s) that needs editing. I make my fixes and then drag the fixed version back into the ZIP archive replacing the original.

ghostyjack · 12-06-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwig

I avoid re-zipping the ePub. I simply view the files in the ZIP version and manually drag out copies of the file(s) that needs editing. I make my fixes and then drag the fixed version back into the ZIP archive replacing the original.

That's the approach I use.

Using the "open with" option using winzip, dragging the file out and then back in after modification works a treat. Not had a problem with this from the hundreds I've modified.

Only need to do this though until Sigil retains the original epub structure, and then you can open it in Sigil instead.

dwig · 12-06-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostyjack

...

Only need to do this though until Sigil retains the original epub structure, and then you can open it in Sigil instead...

There will still be need of this type of manipulation unless Sigil gets real sophisticated and adds the ability to have bitmaps be opened in an external app for editing. I find that adjusting images in Photoshop to be my most common use for this.

st_albert · 12-06-2011, 11:55 AM

Since you're on Windows, the makers of the Atlantis Word Processor have published a free stand-alone program called "tweak_epub.exe" which will let you open, edit, and repack the epub. (I don't remember where to find it, but Google is your friend.)

victorhugoa · 12-07-2011, 08:29 AM

Oxygen allows you to work inside any epub file without decompressing changing names or anything like that. Simple and direct tool that opens the files inside, keeps the structure and there is no necessity to compress again.

73ChargerFan · 01-13-2012, 02:02 PM

Calibre works just fine with unzipped/rezipped epub files using 7zip.

I'll try the other tools mentioned in this thread also.

12-04-2011, 01:02 PM	#1
meadowlarkOR Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: nook	How to rezip an epub file? Hello all, I'm new to the forum, just starting to learn to create epub files. I'm on a PC. I've been able to get at the files inside the epub. I changed the .epub extension to .zip and then right-clicked and chose Extract All. Everything was there and editable. However, when I reverse the process, my epub file won't open and I get an error message that's way above my pay grade. I chose the folder all the files were in and gave it a .zip extension. Then I changed that extension to .epub. No dice! Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong (or another resource I might try?)? Thanks!

12-04-2011, 01:07 PM	#2
mtrahan Colonel Mustard Posts: 90 Karma: 1426 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Device: iPhone 6, Kindle Paperwhite 2, iPad 2	You need to zip the files in a specific way. Give ePubPack a try — very simple, and does exactly what you need. http://sourceforge.net/projects/epubpack/ Btw, to do it by hand, here's what you need to do: Create an empty .zip file with whatever name you like (See notes below for detailed instructions on how to do this.) Copy the mimetype file into the zip file (don't use compression on this file) Copy the rest of the files and folders mentioned above into the zip file * Re-name the .zip extension to .epub * The specification recommends that the books files go in an "OEBPS" folder inside the zip file. If you put them in another spot, be sure that container.xml in the META-INF folder points to the correct location of the .opf file. Info from: http://www.jedisaber.com/eBooks/Tutorial03.shtml Last edited by mtrahan; 12-04-2011 at 01:10 PM. Reason: More details*

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12-04-2011, 03:10 PM	#3
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Another way to do this is to import the epub into Calibre and use its "Tweak ePub" option. Right click on a title with an ePub and select "Tweak ePub" then "explode epub", edit any contained files and then "rebuild".

12-04-2011, 06:47 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,475 Karma: 129668758 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	When you extract the files from the ePub,m do not extract META-INF and metadata. Leave those alone. Then when you put back the rest of the files, the ePub will be compressed correctly (if it was correct before you extracted any of the contents).

12-06-2011, 11:55 AM	#8
st_albert Guru Posts: 696 Karma: 150000 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	Since you're on Windows, the makers of the Atlantis Word Processor have published a free stand-alone program called "tweak_epub.exe" which will let you open, edit, and repack the epub. (I don't remember where to find it, but Google is your friend.)

12-07-2011, 08:29 AM	#9
victorhugoa Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Nook	Oxygen allows you to work inside any epub file without decompressing changing names or anything like that. Simple and direct tool that opens the files inside, keeps the structure and there is no necessity to compress again.

01-13-2012, 02:02 PM	#10
73ChargerFan Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kindle3	Calibre works just fine with unzipped/rezipped epub files using 7zip. I'll try the other tools mentioned in this thread also.