Epub strangeness

ekbell · 02-10-2016, 03:34 PM

I recently converted a kindle book to epub using calibre and then loaded it into iBooks where I found that I needed to tap the left side instead of the right side to go forward (and the progress bar also showed the beginning position at the far right side rather then left side).

The book reads as normal using my other reader apps so it's not a problem or even an inconvenience but I`m left wondering what could cause this.

dgatwood · 02-11-2016, 03:44 AM

There's an option in there that controls the page turn direction for languages that use right-to-left (RTL) text. I think iBooks is just about the only reading system that actually supports the feature correctly. It sounds like for some reason Calibre incorrectly used that feature in the EPUB when converting it.

To fix this:

Extract the EPUB (it's just a ZIP file, basically) and open up the .opf file.
Look for the page-progression-direction attribute on the spine element and change it from rtl to ltr (or remove it).
Recompress the ZIP archive in a way that ensures that the MANIFEST file comes first.

HarryT · 02-11-2016, 07:54 AM

Alternatively, the language code for the book may be incorrectly set. If the language is set to one that has a right-to-left reading direction, such as Arabic (language code "ar"), that's the way the book will behave.

JSWolf · 02-11-2016, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgatwood

There's an option in there that controls the page turn direction for languages that use right-to-left (RTL) text. I think iBooks is just about the only reading system that actually supports the feature correctly. It sounds like for some reason Calibre incorrectly used that feature in the EPUB when converting it.

To fix this:

Extract the EPUB (it's just a ZIP file, basically) and open up the .opf file.
Look for the page-progression-direction attribute on the spine element and change it from rtl to ltr (or remove it).
Recompress the ZIP archive in a way that ensures that the MANIFEST file comes first.

Why extract anything from the ePub when it's easier to use Calibre's eBook editor?

dgatwood · 02-12-2016, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why extract anything from the ePub when it's easier to use Calibre's eBook editor?

That would be because I've never used Calibre except to check to see how it renders my books, so I wasn't aware of the feature.

JSWolf · 02-12-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgatwood

That would be because I've never used Calibre except to check to see how it renders my books, so I wasn't aware of the feature.

Edits like you've mentioned are very easy to do with Calibre's editor.

Turtle91 · 02-12-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Edits like you've mentioned are very easy to do with Calibre's editor.

Sigil ePub editor also works very well....ummm...editing ePubs.

JSWolf · 02-12-2016, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turtle91

Sigil ePub editor also works very well....ummm...editing ePubs.

But it is easier to use the Calibre editor because the eBook in question is already in a Calibre library.

Toxaris · 02-12-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But it is easier to use the Calibre editor because the eBook in question is already in a Calibre library.

I don't agree. Both can be started with the press of one button. Some find the Calibre editor easier to use, others Sigil. To each its own.

ekbell · 02-12-2016, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Alternatively, the language code for the book may be incorrectly set. If the language is set to one that has a right-to-left reading direction, such as Arabic (language code "ar"), that's the way the book will behave.

When poking through the content.opf file I did indeed come across <dc:language>ar</dc:language>

So I fixed it, reimported it into iBooks and now everything works just as expected.

Thanks

HarryT · 02-12-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekbell

When poking through the content.opf file I did indeed come across <dc:language>ar</dc:language>

So I fixed it, reimported it into iBooks and now everything works just as expected.

Thanks

My pleasure. Pleased that it solved your problem.

02-10-2016, 03:34 PM	#1
ekbell Guru Posts: 627 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	Epub strangeness I recently converted a kindle book to epub using calibre and then loaded it into iBooks where I found that I needed to tap the left side instead of the right side to go forward (and the progress bar also showed the beginning position at the far right side rather then left side). The book reads as normal using my other reader apps so it's not a problem or even an inconvenience but I`m left wondering what could cause this.

02-11-2016, 03:44 AM	#2
dgatwood Curmudgeon Posts: 629 Karma: 1623086 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: iPad, iPhone, Nook Simple Touch	There's an option in there that controls the page turn direction for languages that use right-to-left (RTL) text. I think iBooks is just about the only reading system that actually supports the feature correctly. It sounds like for some reason Calibre incorrectly used that feature in the EPUB when converting it. To fix this: Extract the EPUB (it's just a ZIP file, basically) and open up the .opf file. Look for the page-progression-direction attribute on the spine element and change it from rtl to ltr (or remove it). Recompress the ZIP archive in a way that ensures that the MANIFEST file comes first. Last edited by dgatwood; 02-11-2016 at 03:47 AM.

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02-11-2016, 07:54 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Alternatively, the language code for the book may be incorrectly set. If the language is set to one that has a right-to-left reading direction, such as Arabic (language code "ar"), that's the way the book will behave.