[GUI Plugin] Extended Book Details - EBD

[Comfy.n]

Extended Book Details - EBD

Toggle Extended Book Details in the left pane, in place of the Tag browser, and tweak the narrow BD mode.

Installation
1. Download the latest release zip.
2. Preferences -> Plug-ins -> Load Plugin from File.
3. Select the zip, install, and restart Calibre.

License
This plugin is licensed under the GNU GPL v3.

Compatibility
- Calibre 6.29.0 or later
- Windows, macOS, Linux

Release notes

Spoiler:

Version 1.3.0
- moved the compact toggle button to sit beside the Tag Browser's Configure button
- translations updated
Version 1.2.0
- some fixes and several improvements
Version 1.1.0
- left BD panel is now lockable
- added context menu helpers for the narrow BD column lists
Version 1.0
- initial release

[Comfy.n]

reserved

[BetterRed]

Could the left edge BD be lockable?

I make frequent use of Book details->Show Book details in a separate locked window feature. Because it's in a separate window that stays on top, it can get in the way, which I solve by reducing the window to its title bar (Roll up), Having it on the left might be a better approach

The Configuration screen shots you've posted don't show the up/down/remove buttons for the Column 1/2/3 lists

Suggestion: for the various lists provide a context menu to move current item up/down and remove. Because the buttons are small I find them hard to click, that said I like them from an aesthetic perspective.

BR

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Could the left edge BD be lockable?

I make frequent use of Book details->Show Book details in a separate locked window feature. Because it's in a separate window that stays on top, it can get in the way, which I solve by reducing the window to its title bar (Roll up), Having it on the left might be a better approach

The Configuration screen shots you've posted don't show the up/down/remove buttons for the Column 1/2/3 lists

Suggestion: for the various lists provide a context menu to move current item up/down and remove. Because the buttons are small I find them hard to click, that said I like them from an aesthetic perspective.

BR

Thank you for the suggestions! I've uploaded a new version with both improvements.

[BetterRed]

Looks great, love the lock, definitely a keeper.

I'll be back

BR

[BetterRed]

1. To show EBD (on left edge) I must have the Tag browser showing. I only show the TB when I want to use it, which isn't often, most of the time it's hidden.
   
   I think I understand why… EBD shares the TB window. Maybe if its hidden when EBD is initiated, EBD could unhide it, and rehide it when EBD is closed.
   
2. The Toggle Extended Book Details shortcut doesn't work.
   
3. Could you provide a Shortcut to Toggle Lock/Unlock.
   
4. Could you apply the context menu used for the bottom edge BD lists, to the EBD list - with Remove removed or disabled. It's actually needed more there because you can position the other lists as you build them
   
5. I understand the intent of the Width fields on the three columns, but I don't understand how they are supposed to work as a collective.
   
6. When I send a Field to a BD Column, I'd like it to be removed from the list of Fields - i.e. a Move. Maybe it should be configurable, but why would you want the same field in more than one column?
   

BR

[sgmoore]

You add a little icon to the bottom of the Tag Browser to allow you to switch to EBD. It would be handy if the icon to switch back to the Tag Browser was in exactly the same position (bottom right), so we can flick between modes without moving the mouse.

Also switching between these views should not really change the value of 'Enable Left Panel at Startup' in settings.

[Comfy.n]

There are some changes in place already, @BR and @sgmoore.
Thank you for trying EBD

[Comfy.n]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I understand the intent of the Width fields on the three columns, but I don't understand how they are supposed to work as a collective.

BR

Calibre offers three Book Details "columns" for the narrow view: cover (with the splitter) + 2 more. On wide screens, especially when one needs more visible screen real estate for placement of fields with images such as the author #bio column (GR Author notes plugin), alongside the comments column, those 2 columns aren't enough.

What EBD does is to provide an additional column placement with a customizable relative factor. The proportions apply after accounting for the cover. Thus, if you use (1),(2),(1) this means the first column gets 25% of the available BD panel width, the second 50% and the third the remaining 25%.

@sgmoore:

It would be handy if the icon to switch back to the Tag Browser was in exactly the same position (bottom right), so we can flick between modes without moving the mouse.

I now find the new toggle button placement sometimes overlaps the Tag Browser 'Find' button... I'll see what can be done .

[Comfy.n]

Version 1.3.0
- moved the compact toggle button to sit beside the Tag Browser's Configure button
- translations updated

[BetterRed]

@Comfy.n - just want to ack your changes to configure, especially the move rather than copy, and the give focus to EBD shortcut In case you don't know there's a Focus the book list shortcut in the Miscellaneous and a Focus the Tab browser in the TB group.

Quickview has its own Focus the book list shortcut - I think its redundant - give it a P45

I have a swarm of ankle-biters wanting more cake.

BR

[Comfy.n]

Glad it's working fine for you. Now for the highly anticipated CCR 4.2.0 release in a bit.

[BetterRed]

Oh, but you shouldn't think I've no more requests for changes to EBD.

[Comfy.n]

Oh well.

[BetterRed]

This shortcut doesn't work, even when the TB is showing



This works even when the TB is hidden

---

What is this checkbox for - I can see if EBD is shown.

-

When I discovered the EnvVar that gets rid of icons on menu's I set it immediately: CALIBRE_NO_ICONS_IN_MENUS=True.

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Sometimes, the EBD button gets hidden behind the TB Find box



More to come

BR