html to epub conversion problems

DrPL · 12-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Hi,
Please be kind (first post)

I have an html and associated image files, which I used to create a Kindle version of my book. I am now trying to convert this to epub format, and started off using Calibre, which was a good initial first attempt, but it has thrown up some errors.

My book, as it stands at the moment, does not have a table of contents. Is it mandatory to include one in the content.opf file?

Secondly, when I run epubchecker, the first thing it spits out is:

"ERROR: /home/paul/TIS.epub/OEBPS/content.opf(90): required elements missing"

This line is simple "<guide/>" What does this mean? I've read that this could be used to include a front cover. If so, how do I go about doing this? I've had a look through the epub specs but some of the terminology is sadly opaque to me

Best wishes

Paul

--
http://www.paullee.com

DrPL · 12-21-2010, 03:15 PM

Just another quick question: is it mandatory for the images to be in a separate directory (ie OEBPS/images), and if so, do I need to specify this path in content.opf? All my images are currently in the OEBPS directory.

Jellby · 12-22-2010, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrPL

Just another quick question: is it mandatory for the images to be in a separate directory (ie OEBPS/images), and if so, do I need to specify this path in content.opf? All my images are currently in the OEBPS directory.

No, it's not necessary. But the full path (relative to where the .opf file is located) must be specified in the .opf.

charleski · 12-22-2010, 06:13 AM

I would recommend using Sigil instead (there's a whole forum for it here). Calibre is good for quick 'n' dirty conversions, but these often run into problems.

You don't need to have a meaningful table of contents, but it's strongly advisable to include one. Doing this in Calibre means telling it how to parse your html source to find the chapter headings, in Sigil you just need to apply the correct heading style to your titles. The epubcheck error sounds like it's missing a required metadata element, <title>, <identifier> and <language> are required, but Calibre often skips the <language> element.

Fabe · 12-22-2010, 07:13 AM

I second charleski's point: use Sigil.

1. Download Sigil to your computer. http://code.google.com/p/sigil/
2. Open your original HTML file in Sigil.
3. Break the opened file into logical chapters.
4. Give each chapter a name and those names heading designations (h1 or h2 for example).
5. Save as .epub.
6. Check out your Table of Contents in Sigil (Tools/TOC Editor...).
7. Validate your ePub file. It should pass easily.
8. View your new ePub file in any (and all) desktop readers you have.

That's the basics. Next you fine tune. - Fabe

12-21-2010, 02:35 PM	#1
DrPL Member Posts: 15 Karma: 302 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle	html to epub conversion problems Hi, Please be kind (first post) I have an html and associated image files, which I used to create a Kindle version of my book. I am now trying to convert this to epub format, and started off using Calibre, which was a good initial first attempt, but it has thrown up some errors. My book, as it stands at the moment, does not have a table of contents. Is it mandatory to include one in the content.opf file? Secondly, when I run epubchecker, the first thing it spits out is: "ERROR: /home/paul/TIS.epub/OEBPS/content.opf(90): required elements missing" This line is simple "<guide/>" What does this mean? I've read that this could be used to include a front cover. If so, how do I go about doing this? I've had a look through the epub specs but some of the terminology is sadly opaque to me Best wishes Paul -- http://www.paullee.com

12-22-2010, 07:13 AM	#5
Fabe Dylanologist Posts: 200 Karma: 146754 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hanover, New Hampshire, USA Device: none/all/any	Use Sigil I second charleski's point: use Sigil. 1. Download Sigil to your computer. http://code.google.com/p/sigil/ 2. Open your original HTML file in Sigil. 3. Break the opened file into logical chapters. 4. Give each chapter a name and those names heading designations (h1 or h2 for example). 5. Save as .epub. 6. Check out your Table of Contents in Sigil (Tools/TOC Editor...). 7. Validate your ePub file. It should pass easily. 8. View your new ePub file in any (and all) desktop readers you have. That's the basics. Next you fine tune. - Fabe

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Conversion Help Please - HTML to ePub	PocketGoddess	Calibre	1	11-22-2010 02:01 PM
epub conversion problems	Reko	Calibre	0	08-24-2010 12:03 AM
Help with HTML to ePub conversion...?	Nethfel	Calibre	4	05-10-2010 02:26 PM
Multiple html to epub conversion.	Barthelemy	ePub	4	03-30-2010 06:18 AM
Problems generating ePub from HTML/CSS	AlexBell	Calibre	3	07-17-2009 05:10 AM

12-21-2010, 03:15 PM	#2
DrPL Member Posts: 15 Karma: 302 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle	Just another quick question: is it mandatory for the images to be in a separate directory (ie OEBPS/images), and if so, do I need to specify this path in content.opf? All my images are currently in the OEBPS directory.

12-22-2010, 06:13 AM	#4
charleski Wizard Posts: 1,196 Karma: 1281258 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505	I would recommend using Sigil instead (there's a whole forum for it here). Calibre is good for quick 'n' dirty conversions, but these often run into problems. You don't need to have a meaningful table of contents, but it's strongly advisable to include one. Doing this in Calibre means telling it how to parse your html source to find the chapter headings, in Sigil you just need to apply the correct heading style to your titles. The epubcheck error sounds like it's missing a required metadata element, <title>, <identifier> and <language> are required, but Calibre often skips the <language> element.

Advert

Advert