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04-18-2018, 08:06 PM | #1 |
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Compression of space between lines of text decreases readability - MsWord to epub
When I compare the epub output in the Calibre reader side-by-side with the original MsWord text, it's obvious that the space between lines of text is significantly compressed in the converted text (I can provide screen shots if what I mean isn't clear). This book is designed for 6x9 trim, and the epub output is simply not easy to read. Is it possible to adjust this? If it matters, the font used in MsW is Times New Roman 11.
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04-18-2018, 08:16 PM | #2 |
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If you want to adjust the spacing between lines, the relevant setting in line height in the look & feel section of the conversion dialog.
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04-19-2018, 10:36 AM | #3 |
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MsWord allows for line spacing (line height, leading) to be adjusted by paragraph and style. However, it looks to me that Calibre overrides those setting, imposing a single rule if the minimum line height is set to say 135%. Yes?
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04-19-2018, 12:28 PM | #4 | |
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Conversion is not the end-all solution for complex layouts |
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04-19-2018, 06:00 PM | #5 | |
Wizard
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Also, ePub and the Kindle formats are reflowing formats without any true page concept. Word processors, on the other hand, are page orientated. This difference makes any attempt to do any precise formatting in the WP app and then trying to get the formatting to convert to an ebook format accurately is somewhat like pushing a rope. It is vastly better to do all serious formatting after conversion to ePub, or AZW3, using an appropriate editor like calibre's Editor or Sigil. |
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04-19-2018, 07:22 PM | #6 |
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Thanks for input from all.
My issue that goes with this thread is that my document is complex with different typefaces (different fonts, different point sizes). If I get the line spacing right for one major kind (using percent) it is wrong for another. As it stands, the book converts quite cleanly. The devil is however in the details. For instance, when I put the script dialog into tables so as to make the alignment constant, the line spacing went out. So I am finding that correcting one problem is creating another because I don't really know what I am doing. I am new to ebook production, and I am not and have never been an html programmer. However, whereas I am prepared to do donkey work to make corrections (like putting all the script dialog into tables), and will happily carry out technical directions, I don't want to sink hundreds of hours into learning the craft. My project is writing, not book production. If I can afford it, I will pay someone to tell me what to do. If you have such persons in mind, please send me a private message. |
04-19-2018, 07:30 PM | #7 | |
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<p class='your style for this P' allows you to code as many styles as you need for blocks of text one of the early things I did, was build a 'sampler' of code (with CSS) as experiments on look. In my case, I mainly did chapter heads, but any part of the book works. You learn: 'change this and it looks like : |
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04-19-2018, 09:08 PM | #8 | |
null operator (he/him)
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BTW Calibre isn't the only tool for converting DOCX to ePub, I also use the Mammoth converter via a Sigil plugin. There's also the highly regarded e-Book Tools, which is a Word add-in. As well as conversion to ePUB, it includes a number of other very useful tools such as Dialogue Checking, Search and Replace lists, and Mark words in a list. BR |
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04-20-2018, 12:16 AM | #9 | ||||
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Do you have a screenshot of a few pages of this book? And what you are trying to achieve? As theducks said, this is where CSS would come into play. If you designed your document properly using Word's Styles functionality, HTML Classes + CSS is similar. Quote:
Stuff like line-heights, font sizes, specific fonts... that's all customizable by the user so they can read how THEY prefer. So an ebook reader won't be reading using Times New Roman, they'll be reading using their preferred device's font. They won't be reading at "font size 11", they'll be reading anywhere from tiny, large, or larger (poor eyesight), or anywhere in between. They won't be reading on a 6"x9" page, they'll be reading on teeny weeny phones, up to large monitors. In Print, you are in full control of all those variables, where in ebooks, you are pretty much in control of none. Quote:
Good book design only needs a handful of fonts—3 or less (MAYBE 4 max, and that's really pushing it). In ebooks for sale, there are also multiple things you have to keep in mind when embedding fonts. One is that it requires licensing of fonts (unless you choose fonts that are freely embeddable, like CharisSIL). Times New Roman + many of the fonts you use in Microsoft Word are not legally embeddable in ebooks. Hitch wrote a little article about this: http://www.booknook.biz/ebook-micro-...font-embedding And you typically have to purchase each typeface (Regular, Bold, Italic, Bold/Italic) individually as a separate fee. |
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04-20-2018, 12:39 AM | #10 | |
null operator (he/him)
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Quote:
BR |
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04-20-2018, 02:02 PM | #11 |
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It would help you to learn the basics of the codes in the .css file. It's not that hard, and then you would be able to fix a lot of things.
Find the class used for the section you want to change the line-height. For example, if you want the line-height for the paragraphs in a certain section to be 1.2, then look for the class name: <p class="para">blah blah</p> In this example, the class name is "para." In the Calibre Editor, click on the .css file at the left (probably named stylesheet.css) and look for .para. In that section, add the following line: line-height: 1.2; (or whatever line-height number you prefer...) Continue to do this for all the classes in the sections you want to change. |
04-20-2018, 07:06 PM | #12 |
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Since you will be saving those CSS paragraph, header, etc. styles into your own CSS stylesheet, after a relatively short while, you will have a collection that allows you to format a page to your personal preferences.
As for the use of fonts? Do you really want to revisit the early days of WYSIWYG desktop publishing with the ransom note look? My personal preference is two fonts, one serif, one sans-serif with similar characteristics and a possible third cursive font for special uses. |
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