Sigil default styles in Android Epub readers

canopus56 · 07-29-2017, 09:54 PM

(1) I have been using Sigil as an authoring tool but notice that when using the Aldiko epub reader for Android that words marked for indexing are underlined, but when pressed do not go to the index. Is there some fix for this, e.g. - auto linking to the index on clicking or overriding the underlining for index hyperlink markups? Stylistically, this makes reading the document annoying. The document passes www3c and epub3 validation.

(2) To the Sigil generated document compatible with mobile epub readers, is there a default stylesheet url that links to the base Sigil styles, e.g. something similar to the declaration:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">

Or would such a step be redundant?

Thanks, Kurt

DiapDealer · 07-29-2017, 10:25 PM

There are no "base" Sigil styles. All styling is done via the epub itself, or the system rendering it.

As to the marked words; they are not links, they're anchors. That's why they don't take you anywhere. They're the targets for the links in the index. If Aldiko is underlining them, that's on Aldiko. You can try using css to eliminate the underline (the text-decoration property), but some reading systems automatically underline anything in an anchor tag--even if it's not a hyperlink. The epub (nor it's authoring system) can do anything about it if that's the case.

st_albert · 07-30-2017, 05:14 PM

Note that Aldiko has a setting to "override the publisher's formatting."

To find that setting, tap the middle of the reading screen, bringing up a menu bar at the bottom. Tap the "Tt" icon, then hit "more" and look for "Advanced formatting."

IIRC the override box is checked by default.

HTH
Albert

KevinH · 07-30-2017, 07:21 PM

FWIW ... You said it passed "epub3 validation" but your suggested DOCTYPE is not correct for epub3.

canopus56 · 08-01-2017, 09:55 PM

Thank you. I was able to change the index markers to normal type face with css:

/* Comment out to restore index entry hyperlinks */
.sigil_index_marker{color: black; a:link{color:black}; text-decoration: none;}

This works during day mode but not in night mode. Then the black text stays black and is invisible against the night mode black background.

Any suggestions for work-around code that also addresses the night-viewing mode would be appreciated. - Kurt

canopus56 · 08-02-2017, 10:39 AM

The work around that I came up with was to use the following style to have no text decoration on a Sigil index marker, e.g.

/* Comment out to restore index entry hyperlinks */
/* This works in dayvision mode but not in night vision. In night vision, the text stays black and thus is invisible against the black night background. So, encapsulate the index_marker link around a forced space character   and leave the usually wrapped text blank.*/
a.sigil_index_marker{color: black; a:link{color:black}; text-decoration: none;}

As a last production step, using regex, encapsulate the sigil index marker around a space and leave the text as ordinary unmarked text, e.g. -

Change this:

<a class="sigil_index_marker" title="Common whitetail dragonfly" id="sigil_index_id_1">Common whitetail dragonflies</a> 

to this:

<a class="sigil_index_marker" title="Common whitetail dragonfly" id="sigil_index_id_1"> </a>Common whitetail dragonflies

With this kludge, you get Sigil index markup and index cross-referencing but without any underlining of the index marked text. This works both in daytime and night vision modes. - Kurt

- Kurt

DiapDealer · 08-02-2017, 10:55 AM

Quote:

This works both in daytime and night vision modes.

In Aldiko.

The bottom line is that the epubs themselves can't detect the "themes" they're being rendered with. Color manipulation of text WILL cause problems in other reading systems, or interfere with some users' personal preferences.

If it's for your own personal use; that's one thing. But in general ... it's best not to attempt to micromanage the reader experience (stylistically speaking). People use the reading systems that best allows them to adjust things to their own needs. Hard-coded text-color tricks like this often prevent them from being able to do so. Be very careful with kludges.

st_albert · 08-03-2017, 07:31 PM

FWIW, I run into a similar problem with epub exports from InDesign v4, where for example every ID4 style which specifies "text color black" will, in the epub stylesheet's corresponding style, contain "color:rgb(0,0,0);" I deal with this by just removing or commenting out these statements.

That seems to allow the style to inherit whatever the reading system's default is, I suppose, thus working for both day and night mode.

Perhaps you could make an analogous style definition for "a" in your stylesheet. I.e. don't specify ANY color, and let it take the system defaults, which should be aware of the overall environment.

"When in doubt, take the defaults."

Albert

07-29-2017, 09:54 PM	#1
canopus56 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: Andriod	Sigil default styles in Android Epub readers (1) I have been using Sigil as an authoring tool but notice that when using the Aldiko epub reader for Android that words marked for indexing are underlined, but when pressed do not go to the index. Is there some fix for this, e.g. - auto linking to the index on clicking or overriding the underlining for index hyperlink markups? Stylistically, this makes reading the document annoying. The document passes www3c and epub3 validation. (2) To the Sigil generated document compatible with mobile epub readers, is there a default stylesheet url that links to the base Sigil styles, e.g. something similar to the declaration: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd"> Or would such a step be redundant? Thanks, Kurt

07-29-2017, 10:25 PM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,549 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	There are no "base" Sigil styles. All styling is done via the epub itself, or the system rendering it. As to the marked words; they are not links, they're anchors. That's why they don't take you anywhere. They're the targets for the links in the index. If Aldiko is underlining them, that's on Aldiko. You can try using css to eliminate the underline (the text-decoration property), but some reading systems automatically underline anything in an anchor tag--even if it's not a hyperlink. The epub (nor it's authoring system) can do anything about it if that's the case. Last edited by DiapDealer; 07-29-2017 at 10:43 PM.

08-01-2017, 09:55 PM	#5
canopus56 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: Andriod	Thank you. I was able to change the index markers to normal type face with css: /* Comment out to restore index entry hyperlinks / .sigil_index_marker{color: black; a:link{color:black}; text-decoration: none;} This works during day mode but not in night mode. Then the black text stays black and is invisible against the night mode black background. Any suggestions for work-around code that also addresses the night-viewing mode would be appreciated. - Kurt Last edited by canopus56; 08-01-2017 at 10:30 PM.*

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07-30-2017, 05:14 PM	#3
st_albert Guru Posts: 696 Karma: 150000 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	Note that Aldiko has a setting to "override the publisher's formatting." To find that setting, tap the middle of the reading screen, bringing up a menu bar at the bottom. Tap the "Tt" icon, then hit "more" and look for "Advanced formatting." IIRC the override box is checked by default. HTH Albert

07-30-2017, 07:21 PM	#4
KevinH Sigil Developer Posts: 7,644 Karma: 5433388 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: many	FWIW ... You said it passed "epub3 validation" but your suggested DOCTYPE is not correct for epub3.

08-02-2017, 10:39 AM	#6
canopus56 Junior Member Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2017 Device: Andriod	The work around that I came up with was to use the following style to have no text decoration on a Sigil index marker, e.g. /* Comment out to restore index entry hyperlinks / / This works in dayvision mode but not in night vision. In night vision, the text stays black and thus is invisible against the black night background. So, encapsulate the index_marker link around a forced space character   and leave the usually wrapped text blank.*/ a.sigil_index_marker{color: black; a:link{color:black}; text-decoration: none;} As a last production step, using regex, encapsulate the sigil index marker around a space and leave the text as ordinary unmarked text, e.g. - Change this: <a class="sigil_index_marker" title="Common whitetail dragonfly" id="sigil_index_id_1">Common whitetail dragonflies</a>  to this: <a class="sigil_index_marker" title="Common whitetail dragonfly" id="sigil_index_id_1"> </a>Common whitetail dragonflies With this kludge, you get Sigil index markup and index cross-referencing but without any underlining of the index marked text. This works both in daytime and night vision modes. - Kurt - Kurt

08-03-2017, 07:31 PM	#8
st_albert Guru Posts: 696 Karma: 150000 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: none	FWIW, I run into a similar problem with epub exports from InDesign v4, where for example every ID4 style which specifies "text color black" will, in the epub stylesheet's corresponding style, contain "color:rgb(0,0,0);" I deal with this by just removing or commenting out these statements. That seems to allow the style to inherit whatever the reading system's default is, I suppose, thus working for both day and night mode. Perhaps you could make an analogous style definition for "a" in your stylesheet. I.e. don't specify ANY color, and let it take the system defaults, which should be aware of the overall environment. "When in doubt, take the defaults." Albert

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