Does the internal Calibre reader convert PDF files?

dotancohen · 02-03-2011, 07:33 AM

I suspect that the internal Calibre ebook reader converts PDFs to a different format for display. This is because much formatting is lost, yet one now has the ability to resize the fonts and change the font faces. Additionally, one of my CPU cores goes to 100% for a good minute or two before the PDF file opens.

Is there a way to have Calibre open the file in it's native PDF format, or should I continue opening the PDF files with Okular?

Thanks!

Lady Fitzgerald · 02-03-2011, 08:04 AM

If you want to open all your PDFs in the native format, you will need to use a different viewer. The easiest way to do that is to set the file association in your computer to open PDFs in the viewer of your choice, then, in calibre, go into Preferences, then Behavior, then uncheck PDFs under Use Internal Viewer For.

To change the file association in Windows, go into the Control Panel, double click on Folder Options, click on the File Types tab, find PDF and click on it, then, at the bottom half of the Folder Options window, click on Change. Find and select the reader you want to open your PDFs. Now, whenever you select a PDF to read from within calibre, calibre will open it in the viewer you chose instead of the internal viewer.

Someone familiar with Macs will have to jump in to explain how to do this on Macs.

Manichean · 02-03-2011, 08:13 AM

The Calibre internal book viewer converts all books to ePub before displaying.

user_none · 02-03-2011, 09:13 AM

He's using Linux with KDE. Keep using Okular if you wanthe PDF to display as is.

dotancohen · 02-03-2011, 10:05 AM

Thanks, all.

@Lady Fitzgerald, I do have Calibre configured to open PDF files in an external program. I meant to ask if there was a way to open the native PDF in the Calibre viewer without changing formats. I apologise for being unclear. I know understand that this is not possible, but I can happily continue using the terrific Okular.

Thanks!

02-03-2011, 07:33 AM	#1
dotancohen Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 68 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Be'er Sheva Device: none	Does the internal Calibre reader convert PDF files? I suspect that the internal Calibre ebook reader converts PDFs to a different format for display. This is because much formatting is lost, yet one now has the ability to resize the fonts and change the font faces. Additionally, one of my CPU cores goes to 100% for a good minute or two before the PDF file opens. Is there a way to have Calibre open the file in it's native PDF format, or should I continue opening the PDF files with Okular? Thanks!

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02-03-2011, 08:04 AM	#2
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	If you want to open all your PDFs in the native format, you will need to use a different viewer. The easiest way to do that is to set the file association in your computer to open PDFs in the viewer of your choice, then, in calibre, go into Preferences, then Behavior, then uncheck PDFs under Use Internal Viewer For. To change the file association in Windows, go into the Control Panel, double click on Folder Options, click on the File Types tab, find PDF and click on it, then, at the bottom half of the Folder Options window, click on Change. Find and select the reader you want to open your PDFs. Now, whenever you select a PDF to read from within calibre, calibre will open it in the viewer you chose instead of the internal viewer. Someone familiar with Macs will have to jump in to explain how to do this on Macs.

02-03-2011, 08:13 AM	#3
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	The Calibre internal book viewer converts all books to ePub before displaying.

02-03-2011, 09:13 AM	#4
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,488 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	He's using Linux with KDE. Keep using Okular if you wanthe PDF to display as is.

02-03-2011, 10:05 AM	#5
dotancohen Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 68 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Be'er Sheva Device: none	Thanks, all. @Lady Fitzgerald, I do have Calibre configured to open PDF files in an external program. I meant to ask if there was a way to open the native PDF in the Calibre viewer without changing formats. I apologise for being unclear. I know understand that this is not possible, but I can happily continue using the terrific Okular. Thanks!