I don't want Calibre to generate a cover

lizzielou · 04-17-2022, 02:37 PM

I am using Calibre to generate an epub from a docx file. I have a cover in the metadata so that I can see it in my library, but I would prefer to generate the file without the embedded cover.

I am not technical enough to use Sigil or css - not even sure what they are, so I am hoping there is a simple option where I can opt not to have the cover generated.

Can anyone help please?

chaley · 04-17-2022, 02:51 PM

Have you tried the cover options in the conversion settings?

epub output: No default cover
epub output: No SVG cover

and

docx input: Do not try to autodetect a cover from images in the document

My guess based on no specific knowledge is that you want "No default cover" and "Do not try to autodetect ...". I further suspect that "No default cover" is the answer.

In addition to setting the options in Preferences, be sure to check the options when you are doing the convert as these override the general options set in Preferences and are remembered the next time you convert the book.

chaley · 04-17-2022, 02:54 PM

Moderator Notice
Moved to Conversion subforum

lizzielou · 04-17-2022, 03:31 PM

thank you for your suggestion but I have tried that and I still get the picture embedded. My reader is black and white and the covers look awful and I would really prefer not to have it. I can get around it by converting the files before updating the metadata with a cover but it seems there should be a tick box to say 'generate cover y/n'. That would be really helpful.

BetterRed · 04-17-2022, 05:45 PM

@lizzielou - FWIW: after converting a DOCX to EPUB, I use the Modify EPUB plugin to remove the generated cover from the EPUB. At the same time I also remove the embedded non Dublin Core metadata and insert a 'jacket' at the back of the book.

BR

lizzielou · 04-18-2022, 04:28 AM

Thank you very much for that. Just to get it straight, do I edit the epub and just delete the line that says 'titlepage.xhtml'?

I have never seen this sort of code before so just want to make sure I have understood before I alter hundreds of books I am converting to epub.

JSWolf · 04-18-2022, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@lizzielou - FWIW: after converting a DOCX to EPUB, I use the Modify EPUB plugin to remove the generated cover from the EPUB. At the same time I also remove the embedded non Dublin Core metadata and insert a 'jacket' at the back of the book.

BR

Do you then go into the ePub and fix the broken jacket code?

lizzielou · 04-18-2022, 05:06 AM

I have a follow up question. Is it possible to make the heading size smaller? The headings are such a large font that most of mine span two lines which doesn't look very nice. Sorry if this is a silly question.

JSWolf · 04-18-2022, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzielou

I have a follow up question. Is it possible to make the heading size smaller? The headings are such a large font that most of mine span two lines which doesn't look very nice. Sorry if this is a silly question.

Yes. Edit the CSS. But you have to do it for every eBook.

chaley · 04-18-2022, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Do you then go into the ePub and fix the broken jacket code?

As said in the Modify Epub thread, it isn't broken. It is epubcheck that is broken.

chaley · 04-18-2022, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzielou

Thank you very much for that. Just to get it straight, do I edit the epub and just delete the line that says 'titlepage.xhtml'?

No. Use the Modify Epub plugin to remove the cover. Also to create/move the jacket if you wish.

BetterRed · 04-18-2022, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzielou

Thank you very much for that. Just to get it straight, do I edit the epub and just delete the line that says 'titlepage.xhtml'?

I have never seen this sort of code before so just want to make sure I have understood before I alter hundreds of books I am converting to epub.

These are the Modify EPUB settings I use to: Add a jacket at the Back of the book; Remove the cover; and strip non Dublin Core metadata elements.

Click image for larger version

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The other settings reflect my minimalist ways, which also led me to remove all the decorative elements from the book-jacket template.

BR

04-17-2022, 02:37 PM	#1
lizzielou Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No longer near a beach in Spain - back in the UK Device: Sony PRS-505, 300, 350 & 650	I don't want Calibre to generate a cover I am using Calibre to generate an epub from a docx file. I have a cover in the metadata so that I can see it in my library, but I would prefer to generate the file without the embedded cover. I am not technical enough to use Sigil or css - not even sure what they are, so I am hoping there is a simple option where I can opt not to have the cover generated. Can anyone help please?

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04-17-2022, 02:51 PM	#2
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,447 Karma: 8012886 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Have you tried the cover options in the conversion settings? epub output: No default cover epub output: No SVG cover and docx input: Do not try to autodetect a cover from images in the document My guess based on no specific knowledge is that you want "No default cover" and "Do not try to autodetect ...". I further suspect that "No default cover" is the answer. In addition to setting the options in Preferences, be sure to check the options when you are doing the convert as these override the general options set in Preferences and are remembered the next time you convert the book.

04-17-2022, 02:54 PM	#3
chaley Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,447 Karma: 8012886 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Notts, England Device: Kobo Libra 2	Moderator Notice Moved to Conversion subforum

04-17-2022, 03:31 PM	#4
lizzielou Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No longer near a beach in Spain - back in the UK Device: Sony PRS-505, 300, 350 & 650	thank you for your suggestion but I have tried that and I still get the picture embedded. My reader is black and white and the covers look awful and I would really prefer not to have it. I can get around it by converting the files before updating the metadata with a cover but it seems there should be a tick box to say 'generate cover y/n'. That would be really helpful.

04-17-2022, 05:45 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,725 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@lizzielou - FWIW: after converting a DOCX to EPUB, I use the Modify EPUB plugin to remove the generated cover from the EPUB. At the same time I also remove the embedded non Dublin Core metadata and insert a 'jacket' at the back of the book. BR

04-18-2022, 04:28 AM	#6
lizzielou Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No longer near a beach in Spain - back in the UK Device: Sony PRS-505, 300, 350 & 650	Thank you very much for that. Just to get it straight, do I edit the epub and just delete the line that says 'titlepage.xhtml'? I have never seen this sort of code before so just want to make sure I have understood before I alter hundreds of books I am converting to epub.

04-18-2022, 05:06 AM	#8
lizzielou Connoisseur Posts: 65 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: No longer near a beach in Spain - back in the UK Device: Sony PRS-505, 300, 350 & 650	I have a follow up question. Is it possible to make the heading size smaller? The headings are such a large font that most of mine span two lines which doesn't look very nice. Sorry if this is a silly question.