Embedding metadata into epub files - Page 2

steve1977 · 06-18-2021, 11:52 AM

Don't think that what's got me in trouble. Anyhow, I now know per your description above how to add it back. So, this will keep me busy for a while.

I am still trying to figure out whether I have epub2 or epub3 ebooks. And whether series ir properly embedded in the tags. How can I see whether it is epub 2 and epub3. And any way to read what has been embedded?

theducks · 06-18-2021, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve1977

Don't think that what's got me in trouble. Anyhow, I now know per your description above how to add it back. So, this will keep me busy for a while.

I am still trying to figure out whether I have epub2 or epub3 ebooks. And whether series ir properly embedded in the tags. How can I see whether it is epub 2 and epub3. And any way to read what has been embedded?

you can always open it with the commandline viewer BEFORE you add.
It should already be on the start menu under Calibre,

if it has a NAV file it WAS (at sometime), a EPUB3.
If the INTERNAL OPF has a line says the version is other than 2.x

Section8 · 06-18-2021, 04:58 PM

Is your calibre library in a cloud synced folder (dropbox, OneDrive, Gdrive, etc) or a networked drive?

JSWolf · 06-18-2021, 05:09 PM

If I have a need to update the metadata in an ePub, I use the Calibre editor and update the OPF manually.

steve1977 · 06-18-2021, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section8

Is your calibre library in a cloud synced folder (dropbox, OneDrive, Gdrive, etc) or a networked drive?

Yes, a mapped network drive. Why you asking?

steve1977 · 06-18-2021, 07:24 PM

Thanks for your help!

I am still not fully clear whether it's an epub2 or epub3 format that my file is in.

I have used "edit books" and looked at the content.opf file. Does its existence confirm that it is an epub3 file?

The opf file has a line that says "<meta name="calibre:series" content="Die drei ??? Kids"/>", which I believe is a custom tag rather than epub compliant? Epub compliant would be "belongs-to-collection".

theducks · 06-18-2021, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve1977

Thanks for your help!

I am still not fully clear whether it's an epub2 or epub3 format that my file is in.

I have used "edit books" and looked at the content.opf file. Does its existence confirm that it is an epub3 file?

The opf file has a line that says "<meta name="calibre:series" content="Die drei ??? Kids"/>", which I believe is a custom tag rather than epub compliant? Epub compliant would be "belongs-to-collection".

Code:

<package xmlns="http://www.idpf.org/2007/opf" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:opf="http://www.idpf.org/2007/opf" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" prefix="a11y: http://www.idpf.org/epub/vocab/package/a11y/# calibre: https://calibre-ebook.com ibooks: http://vocabulary.itunes.apple.com/rdf/ibooks/vocabulary-extensions-1.0/" unique-identifier="bookid" version="3.0" xml:lang="en">

No matter what the rest of the tag line says: the RED part says 3.0

Section8 · 06-18-2021, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve1977

Yes, a mapped network drive. Why you asking?

Because Calibre doesn't support its library on a networked drive - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...rked-drive-nas - and the problems you're describing, where Calibre seems to lose track of your book files, sound like that might be the cause.

davidfor · 06-19-2021, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If I have a need to update the metadata in an ePub, I use the Calibre editor and update the OPF manually.

Why? Calibre is perfectly capable of doing that at various times. And unless you have disabled the EPUB Metadata writer plugin, will be overwritten when you send it to the device.

JSWolf · 06-19-2021, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Section8

Because Calibre doesn't support its library on a networked drive - https://manual.calibre-ebook.com/faq...rked-drive-nas - and the problems you're describing, where Calibre seems to lose track of your book files, sound like that might be the cause.

I have my Calibre libraries on a networked drive. It's not a NAS. It's just a drive letter mapped to a hard drive on another computer. So as far as Calibre is concerned, it's just a standard hard drive. I've been doing this for more then 6 years with not a single problem. If the drive is a NAS, I would not even attempt to use it for my active Calibre library.

JSWolf · 06-19-2021, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Why? Calibre is perfectly capable of doing that at various times. And unless you have disabled the EPUB Metadata writer plugin, will be overwritten when you send it to the device.

Once I edit the metadata in the ePub, I get Calibre to update the metadata from the ePub.

One thing I forget to mention is that when I am updating the metadata if need be, I'm also editing the ePub for other changes such as adding a proper cover, removing embedded font, fixing some CSS, removing all unused CSS, etc.

davidfor · 06-19-2021, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If I have a need to update the metadata in an ePub, I use the Calibre editor and update the OPF manually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Once I edit the metadata in the ePub, I get Calibre to update the metadata from the ePub.

One thing I forget to mention is that when I am updating the metadata if need be, I'm also editing the ePub for other changes such as adding a proper cover, removing embedded font, fixing some CSS, removing all unused CSS, etc.

Huh? The first quote says you edit the OPF when editing the book using the calibre editor. The second says that you let calibre do this for you. Which is it?

davidfor · 06-19-2021, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have my Calibre libraries on a networked drive. It's not a NAS. It's just a drive letter mapped to a hard drive on another computer. So as far as Calibre is concerned, it's just a standard hard drive. I've been doing this for more then 6 years with not a single problem. If the drive is a NAS, I would not even attempt to use it for my active Calibre library.

Really? So, you are using another Windows machine as the host for your calibre library. And mounting across the network. Using exactly the same protocols as for a NAS or any other server mounted this way. You are in exactly the same situation as the person you are criticising. It will work until it doesn't.

Honestly, I'd trust my NAS to do this a lot more than trusting another Windows machine.

DNSB · 06-20-2021, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have my Calibre libraries on a networked drive. It's not a NAS. It's just a drive letter mapped to a hard drive on another computer. So as far as Calibre is concerned, it's just a standard hard drive. I've been doing this for more then 6 years with not a single problem. If the drive is a NAS, I would not even attempt to use it for my active Calibre library.

Jon, to quote from the relevant calibre FAQ:

Quote:

I am getting errors with my calibre library on a networked drive/NAS?¶

Do not put your calibre library on a networked drive.

Sorry but over the years I've seen enough oddities with Windows mapped drives that I would place you in the same category as anyone not using locally attached storage: It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.

steve1977 · 06-22-2021, 09:49 AM

Thanks again for your help.

I am trying to improve my workflow in Calibre.

* I have epub2 files that I like to convert to epub3 and also to embed metadata. Do I first use convert from toolbar and then the poilish books plugin (update metadata in the book files)

* Do I need the opf file if I embed the metadata? If not necessarily, how can I stop Calibre from creating it?

* Do I need to keep the "original_epub" file? Do I need to keep multiple formats per ebook? Can I set up Calibre to delete pdf or epub2 after converting?

Thanks again for the helpful on this forum. Really great!

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06-18-2021, 11:52 AM	#16
steve1977 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Ipad	Don't think that what's got me in trouble. Anyhow, I now know per your description above how to add it back. So, this will keep me busy for a while. I am still trying to figure out whether I have epub2 or epub3 ebooks. And whether series ir properly embedded in the tags. How can I see whether it is epub 2 and epub3. And any way to read what has been embedded?

06-18-2021, 04:58 PM	#18
Section8 Addict Posts: 254 Karma: 2092424 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Arlington, TX Device: Kindle PW4, Moon+ Reader on a cheap Android tablet	Is your calibre library in a cloud synced folder (dropbox, OneDrive, Gdrive, etc) or a networked drive?

06-18-2021, 05:09 PM	#19
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,041 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If I have a need to update the metadata in an ePub, I use the Calibre editor and update the OPF manually.

06-18-2021, 07:24 PM	#21
steve1977 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Ipad	Thanks for your help! I am still not fully clear whether it's an epub2 or epub3 format that my file is in. I have used "edit books" and looked at the content.opf file. Does its existence confirm that it is an epub3 file? The opf file has a line that says "<meta name="calibre:series" content="Die drei ??? Kids"/>", which I believe is a custom tag rather than epub compliant? Epub compliant would be "belongs-to-collection".

06-22-2021, 09:49 AM	#30
steve1977 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2021 Device: Ipad	Thanks again for your help. I am trying to improve my workflow in Calibre. * I have epub2 files that I like to convert to epub3 and also to embed metadata. Do I first use convert from toolbar and then the poilish books plugin (update metadata in the book files) * Do I need the opf file if I embed the metadata? If not necessarily, how can I stop Calibre from creating it? * Do I need to keep the "original_epub" file? Do I need to keep multiple formats per ebook? Can I set up Calibre to delete pdf or epub2 after converting? Thanks again for the helpful on this forum. Really great!

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