Ebook cover is blank in Windows 10 file directory

Lucky113 · 09-01-2016, 02:02 PM

When converting the ebook from .azw3 to .ePub format and saving it to Windows directory, it seems 3 files are created; cover.jpg, .epub and metadata.dat files. The .ePub file has a blank book cover. How can I convert this ebook do that only one file is created with the book cover included and displays in Windows Explorer as such? Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated.

dwig · 09-01-2016, 02:29 PM

Assuming that the original AZW3 had a cover the EPUB conversion will also have an internal cover. The cover.jpg you see is a copy of that cover converted to JPEG. The metadata.dat file is also a copy of the metadata in the file. When viewing folder inside of Calibre's library you may be seeing a cover.jpg and/or metadata.dat file that contains data newer that that actually in the book if either the cover or metadata has been changed after importing or converting the book.

Calibre never displays the book's embedded cover. Doing so would be a nightmare. It makes a copy of that cover when the book is imported and saves the copy in JPEG format regardless of the embedded cover's format. That way Calibre can display the covers quickly and do so without having to conversion formats in realtime. By default, it also saves the external copies along with the book itself when using Save to Disk, though this can be changed in Preferences.

"Teaching" Windows Explorer to read the book's internal cover is outside of Calibre's domain. Extensions can be created for Explorer to give it additional skills like this, but Calibre doesn't provide one.

theducks · 09-01-2016, 02:36 PM

You have to open the book (viewer) to display the cover (if supported by format)

Preferences: Save to Disk: <adjust ticks> to prevent extra files

NB You do NOT need to save for normal library data maintenance

Lucky113 · 09-01-2016, 04:37 PM

Thanks for the explanation. Just wanted to know is there a way (after conversion) to be able to store and view all these converted ebooks in my Windows file directory instead of having to view them in Kindle for PC?

theducks · 09-01-2016, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky113

Thanks for the explanation. Just wanted to know is there a way (after conversion) to be able to store and view all these converted ebooks in my Windows file directory instead of having to view them in Kindle for PC?

Calibe Viewer (CLI stanalone) which is bundled with Calibre

BetterRed · 09-01-2016, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky113

Thanks for the explanation. Just wanted to know is there a way (after conversion) to be able to store and view all these converted ebooks in my Windows file directory instead of having to view them in Kindle for PC?

@Lucky113 - if by 'view' you mean read the books on the PC then I suggest you use the calibre viewer (press 'V') to read the ePubs and not even bother converting them to AZW3.

If you mean view the library, try 'Shift+Alt+G' to toggle Library List and Library Grid styles, and 'Shift+Alt+B' to show and hide Library Carousel. There are corresponding buttons at bottom right. I doubt there is any good reason to even have Kindle for PC, if you don't have a Kindle device.

BR

Lucky113 · 09-01-2016, 09:17 PM

If I want to save the ebooks on a flash drive, how can I save them and have the thumbnail of the ebook file appear with the book cover?

theducks · 09-01-2016, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky113

If I want to save the ebooks on a flash drive, how can I save them and have the thumbnail of the ebook file appear with the book cover?

It don't work that way. Filesystems don't know about ebooks (therefor, don't know there are covers)

You could put Calibre Portable on that Pen Drive
Then Copy-to-Library ,the one on the Pen drive>, those books of interest

09-01-2016, 02:02 PM	#1
Lucky113 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Device: Kindle for PC	Ebook cover is blank in Windows 10 file directory When converting the ebook from .azw3 to .ePub format and saving it to Windows directory, it seems 3 files are created; cover.jpg, .epub and metadata.dat files. The .ePub file has a blank book cover. How can I convert this ebook do that only one file is created with the book cover included and displays in Windows Explorer as such? Any help ASAP would be greatly appreciated.

09-01-2016, 04:37 PM	#4
Lucky113 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Device: Kindle for PC	How to view ebooks in Windows Thanks for the explanation. Just wanted to know is there a way (after conversion) to be able to store and view all these converted ebooks in my Windows file directory instead of having to view them in Kindle for PC?

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09-01-2016, 02:29 PM	#2
dwig Wizard Posts: 1,613 Karma: 6718541 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Paradise (Key West, FL) Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...	Assuming that the original AZW3 had a cover the EPUB conversion will also have an internal cover. The cover.jpg you see is a copy of that cover converted to JPEG. The metadata.dat file is also a copy of the metadata in the file. When viewing folder inside of Calibre's library you may be seeing a cover.jpg and/or metadata.dat file that contains data newer that that actually in the book if either the cover or metadata has been changed after importing or converting the book. Calibre never displays the book's embedded cover. Doing so would be a nightmare. It makes a copy of that cover when the book is imported and saves the copy in JPEG format regardless of the embedded cover's format. That way Calibre can display the covers quickly and do so without having to conversion formats in realtime. By default, it also saves the external copies along with the book itself when using Save to Disk, though this can be changed in Preferences. "Teaching" Windows Explorer to read the book's internal cover is outside of Calibre's domain. Extensions can be created for Explorer to give it additional skills like this, but Calibre doesn't provide one.

09-01-2016, 02:36 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,062 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	You have to open the book (viewer) to display the cover (if supported by format) Preferences: Save to Disk: <adjust ticks> to prevent extra files NB You do NOT need to save for normal library data maintenance

09-01-2016, 09:17 PM	#7
Lucky113 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2016 Device: Kindle for PC	If I want to save the ebooks on a flash drive, how can I save them and have the thumbnail of the ebook file appear with the book cover?