any free epub to pdf conversion tool for Windows?

[tatagi]

I might sound demanding but it is hard to understand why there're not so many epub-to-pdf converters in the market(free or paid) unlike audio players or text editors that are mostly freewares.

usually two options are available for free.

1. online converter(but with limitation in file size, number of files to be converted daily, etc)

2. desktop installation converter (many of them are just trial versions or sometimes a scam or virus)

Calibre gets the job done but it's too heavy program, overkill to ppl that are not using it intensively.

are there any free nitty offline converters that are fully functional without having to messing with epub myself for preoptimizing the file that's to be converted? recommendations are welcomed.

[meeera]

Maybe because there are very few good reasons to convert to pdf? Whenever I've wanted to save something to PDF, I've just used the print-to-pdf tool built in to my OS. (Does Windows not have that?) But that's very rare, and I've never had occasion to want to convert an epub to pdf, a much less usable format.

ETA: I just tested an epub-to-pdf conversion using Calibre. It took three keypresses and 14 seconds, and worked great. I guess I'm not seeing the problem?

[Comfy.n]

I know this might not suit you, since you made it clear that you want a nifty GUI program, but I've been using this one-line command in Windows, as part of a batch script that does Full Text Searches in Calibre Library and converts the results snippets to pdf:

ebook-convert file.epub file.pdf --unit millimeter --font-size-mapping=10 --custom-size 155x280 --pdf-page-margin-left 15 --pdf-page-margin-right 15 --pdf-page-margin-top 15 --pdf-page-margin-bottom 26 --pdf-standard-font sans --pdf-page-numbers --page-breaks-before "/" --chapter "/" --change-justification justify --pdf-mark-links --authors "Calibre FTS" --book-producer "Calibre FTS"

In the actual script I have even added a custom CSS, using the option --extra-css, and it does the job quite rapidly...

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by tatagi

usually two options are available for free.

1. online converter(but with limitation in file size, number of files to be converted daily, etc)

2. desktop installation converter (many of them are just trial versions or sometimes a scam or virus)

That is because those sites pour all their effort into "search engine optimization" instead of into producing something people actually want to use. So those end up on top of search results.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by tatagi

I might sound demanding but it is hard to understand why there're not so many epub-to-pdf converters in the market(free or paid) unlike audio players or text editors that are mostly freewares.

usually two options are available for free.

1. online converter(but with limitation in file size, number of files to be converted daily, etc)

2. desktop installation converter (many of them are just trial versions or sometimes a scam or virus)

Calibre gets the job done but it's too heavy program, overkill to ppl that are not using it intensively.

are there any free nitty offline converters that are fully functional without having to messing with epub myself for preoptimizing the file that's to be converted? recommendations are welcomed.

So, you want free, easy, don't need to know anything, don't want limitations on your use, don't want to learn anything and don't want to pay for it, right?

Gosh, who could overlook making something like that? Those fools! It's a shocker that I haven't overthrown my entire company, to leap into action to make a time-sucking, non-paying, no-money-deal program with apparently zero gratitude for its existence, like that, just for the sheer reward! Who could resist?

¯\_(⌣̯̀⌣́)_/¯



Hitch

[Turtle91]

Originally Posted by Hitch

So, you want free, easy, don't need to know anything, don't want limitations on your use, don't want to learn anything and don't want to pay for it, right?

Gosh, who could overlook making something like that? Those fools! It's a shocker that I haven't overthrown my entire company, to leap into action to make a time-sucking, non-paying, no-money-deal program with apparently zero gratitude for its existence, like that, just for the sheer reward! Who could resist?

¯\_(⌣̯̀⌣́)_/¯



Hitch

soooo......no??




Personally I don't understand the argument that calibre "is too heavy"... it's only 151mb... if you only use it for an occasional conversion to pdf () then that is well worth the small overhead. Yes, it is larger than a dos command, but if you can't find the goose that lays the golden eggs, then you can at least appreciate the golden eggs.

[tatagi]

Originally Posted by meeera

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Originally Posted by Comfy.n

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Originally Posted by j.p.s

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Originally Posted by Hitch

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Originally Posted by Turtle91

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Thank you all for the response.
I will give calibre a shot then. especially the command line conversion sound promising.

but still there's question that hasn't been answered in my mind.
so how can paid converters compete with calibre when it's compeletely free and open source? it's no contest.


another question : how can I quote multiple users in one post so that they know they're given feedback?

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by tatagi

another question : how can I quote multiple users in one post so that they know they're given feedback?

Use the multi-quote button to the right of the quote button. Use the quote button on the last post to be quoted.

[Turtle91]

You'll also find that a lot (most??) of those "paid converters" are just using the calibre code in the background... one that comes to mind...although with some changes to the original source... is Smashword's meatgrinder. I don't know if they license calibre software or what??

[meeera]

Originally Posted by tatagi

but still there's question that hasn't been answered in my mind.
so how can paid converters compete with calibre when it's compeletely free and open source? it's no contest.?

There's a sucker born every minute.

"Calibre's too haaard for you, here pay us and we'll make it easy" is a sales pitch that works on some people. As is just trading on people's ignorance of the tools available.

[JSWolf]

The answer to the question is CALIBRE.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by meeera

There's a sucker born every minute.

"Calibre's too haaard for you, here pay us and we'll make it easy" is a sales pitch that works on some people. As is just trading on people's ignorance of the tools available.

I wouldn't go that far (the sucker line). Look, my own business is that and print design/layout. There are folks who want to make their own eBooks and those that don't. It's pretty much that simple.

Those that do, will do what you've done, bang around, look at options; they'll bother to learn pesky stuff like Styles and Headings and get a fundamental grasp of the necessities of HTML (or at least MSFT Word, et al) and then they'll give it a go.

Then there are my clients--who range from "can't be bothered and can afford to pay for the service," to "couldn't find their DOWNLOADS folder with a search warrant, binoculars and a detailed map." That's just how it is. They also pay. And a good number that feel that they earn money when they are writing, not when they are formatting--so they pay us. Everybody's happy.

And of course, we have those that want the "whole enchilada," which is, they need a print interior designed AND they want their eBook to look/feel "just" like it--or channel the look/feel and for the typical ammy DIY eBooker, doing that is a bridge too far.

I dunno, I can't swear we'll still be here, chugging along in 5 years or even 5 months, for that matter, but we've muttered along for 13 years so far. Everybody is different and how they get to a formatted eBook--shrug--each takes their own path.

Hitch

[meeera]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I wouldn't go that far (the sucker line). Look, my own business is that and print design/layout. There are folks who want to make their own eBooks and those that don't.

Oh, for business purposes, sure. I didn't at all get the impression the OP was talking about commercial ebook production, just consumer conversion, given that they wanted a completely free and simple tool.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by meeera

Oh, for business purposes, sure. I didn't at all get the impression the OP was talking about commercial ebook production, just consumer conversion, given that they wanted a completely free and simple tool.

Oh, I know and my comment wasn't really directed to you. Just sort of an instant knee-jerk reaction--I get this a lot, 'round the web--people who do know how to roll their own with, say, a Word file, (or Calibre, whatever) telling newbies (and the odd bits and orts here and there) "never" to pay for formatting or conversion because formatters/covnerters/designers/yadda are all thieves or worse. It's just...it's habit with me to respond. That's all.

Sorry if it remotely sounded like I was talking at you. I truly wasn't. :-) As I said, force of habit. (And I can't blame a lot of the naysayers, by the way. I've seen some godawful work in my time and *I* get furious with the scum that are out there!!!)


Hitch

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Turtle91

You'll also find that a lot (most??) of those "paid converters" are just using the calibre code in the background... one that comes to mind...although with some changes to the original source... is Smashword's meatgrinder. I don't know if they license calibre software or what??

calibre's license is GPL v3, what additional licensing would be required for the above uses?