Preferences-Save to Disk Template

[phossler]

I wanted to 're-arrange' my Calibre library folder and file name structure to make books easier to manage on my Kindle. I know Calibre can Manage Device and Send To Device, but I like to copy myself

I had been using the default template which uses

... \Calibre\John Gray\Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus (39)\Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus - John Gray.epub

i.e. ...\Carlibre\{author_sort}\{title}\{title} - {authors}.epub


I wanted to go with something a little flatter

i.e. ...\Carlibre\{authors}\{authors} - {title}.epub

It seems to ignore this template

{authors}/{authors} - {title}

Q1: Will Calibre automatically restructure if I change the template (didn't seem to)

Q2: Do I have to delete and re-add books to have them fit into the new template (didn't seem to work)

Q3: (Most important) Am I doing something wrong?

Q4: Is there a better way?

Q5: The template only works for making copy using Save To Disk, correct?? And the basic Calibre database folder structure is always that way??


I guess I can live with that.... Never mind

Paul

[unboggling]

It sounds like you need to investigate metadata plugboard (for displaying book metadata on specific device). As opposed to save template for Save to Disk, Send to Device, or each specific device save template. The relevant save template only governs the file path and filename on device. But usually device actually displays metadata it reads from the format's internal metadata fields -- which is what the metadata plugboards massage.

Originally Posted by phossler

...It seems to ignore this template

{authors}/{authors} - {title}

Q1: Will Calibre automatically restructure if I change the template (didn't seem to)

Not the calibre library on computer, no.

Originally Posted by phossler

Q2: Do I have to delete and re-add books to have them fit into the new template (didn't seem to work)

Probably yes, after you set relevant metadata plugboard or save template, if you mean the books on device.

Originally Posted by phossler

Q3: (Most important) Am I doing something wrong?

Yes. Investigate metadata plugboards and plugboard templates. Usually device actually displays metadata it reads from the format's internal metadata fields -- which is what the metadata plugboards massage and set. Metadata plugboards set metadata as I like it on my Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard.

Originally Posted by phossler

Q4: Is there a better way?

Yes. Investigate metadata plugboard. Or if you really mean the path and filename on the device, investigate the Kindle save template while Kindle is connected, under the Device icon, Configure this Device.

Originally Posted by phossler

Q5: The template only works for making copy using Save To Disk, correct??

Save to Disk save template, yes. There is also Send to Device save template; and there are also specific device save templates that can be different from the generic Send to Device save template. Save templates set the path and filename on the computer or device (excluding the calibre library folders on computer).

Originally Posted by phossler

And the basic Calibre database folder structure is always that way??

The folder/file structure in the calibre library on the computer can't be changed. The folder/file structure (path and filename) of the books on the device can be changed with the save template in Send Books to Device, which is overridden by a specific device template for the Kindle if that is different (in Configure this Device while connected, or Preferences > Advanced > Plugins > Device Interface Plugins > whichever Kindle driver is relevant > save template). But again, my Kindles don't read the metadata from the path/filename, they read it from the internal fields as set by metadata plugboard.

Originally Posted by phossler

I guess I can live with that.... Never mind

Paul

Thought you might like confirmation.

Edit: What kind of kindle is it?

[phossler]

Kindle Touch

I have a script to 'sweep' my Calibre library and copy my AZW3 to a single folder (one level deep) and my EPUB files to another one level deep folder

That way it's easy to use Explorer to move files and manage my KT, and iFunBox for the iPad and BlueFire Reader

And thanks for confirming
Paul

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by phossler

Kindle Touch

I have a script to 'sweep' my Calibre library and copy my AZW3 to a single folder (one level deep) and my EPUB files to another one level deep folder

That way it's easy to use Explorer to move files and manage my KT, and iFunBox for the iPad and BlueFire Reader

And thanks for confirming
Paul

In that case, metadata plugboards won't massage/set the formats' internal fields because you're not exporting the books through calibre. The save template for path and filename won't apply because you're externally copying direct from the calibre folder rather than saving from calibre. If you want either plugboard or save template (or both) to apply, export from calibre to the relevant folder.

That assumes your script doesn't use calibre Command Line Interface commands. If it doesn't, you can change the script to use them. I don't use the CLI, but I assume that when using the appropriate CLI syntax in a script, the relevant calibre settings would apply. If not, I'm sure someone will soon correct me.

[phossler]

Added the following to my script and it works wonderfully


This is the epub sweep and I have a azw3 sweep also

calibredb export --all --dont-save-cover --dont-update-metadata
    --dont-write-opf --format epub --replace-whitespace
    --single-dir --template {author}-{title}
    --to-dir "L:\ePub Books"

Saves all my epubs to a single 'holding folder' one level deep and the same for the azw3s.

Then I can use Explorer to drag back and forth to the Kindle and the iPad

Paul

[unboggling]

Originally Posted by phossler

Added the following to my script and it works wonderfully


This is the epub sweep and I have a azw3 sweep also

calibredb export --all --dont-save-cover --dont-update-metadata
    --dont-write-opf --format epub --replace-whitespace
    --single-dir --template {author}-{title}
    --to-dir "L:\ePub Books"

Saves all my epubs to a single 'holding folder' one level deep and the same for the azw3s.

Then I can use Explorer to drag back and forth to the Kindle and the iPad

Paul

Jolly good show! Backthump. and