Newbie-Technophobe needs help: Polish charcters conversion problems to mobi

sachabrady · 04-23-2011, 10:34 AM

Hi.

I'm new to Calibre, but already love the programme. I mostly use it to convert Polish PDFs into mobi files for my wife's KINDLE 3, and I've occasionally encountered problems that I have no idea how to fix.

Most of the files have converted have been fine. However, some converted PDF-to-mobi files replace the Polish characters with superscript numbers, punctuation marks or non-Polish alternatives. These problematic PDFs look perfect while opened directly or through the Calibre viewer.

I've tried to read related posts on the topic but it's rocket science to me. If I understand correctly, Calibre hasn't been able to auto detect the language script in these PDF and is using its default for the conversion; hence, the problem.

If so, how do I tell calibre what to do? I've tried to fix it myself by looking through the look&feel and input options sections of the preferences section and cannot see anything which looks remotely relevant. This has lead me here--my last resort.

Can someone please explain to a lay person how to overcome the problem? I'd be extremely grateful. Thanks.

S.

kovidgoyal · 04-23-2011, 10:36 AM

Some PDF files uses embedded non unicode fonts and special character mappings. This kind of PDF file conversion will never work in calibre as for it to work calibre has to read the embedded font and try to figure out what the actual character is. I would suggest you try converting them to html or txt using adobe acrobat and then convert that in calibre.

04-23-2011, 10:34 AM	#1
sachabrady Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: kindle 3	Newbie-Technophobe needs help: Polish charcters conversion problems to mobi Hi. I'm new to Calibre, but already love the programme. I mostly use it to convert Polish PDFs into mobi files for my wife's KINDLE 3, and I've occasionally encountered problems that I have no idea how to fix. Most of the files have converted have been fine. However, some converted PDF-to-mobi files replace the Polish characters with superscript numbers, punctuation marks or non-Polish alternatives. These problematic PDFs look perfect while opened directly or through the Calibre viewer. I've tried to read related posts on the topic but it's rocket science to me. If I understand correctly, Calibre hasn't been able to auto detect the language script in these PDF and is using its default for the conversion; hence, the problem. If so, how do I tell calibre what to do? I've tried to fix it myself by looking through the look&feel and input options sections of the preferences section and cannot see anything which looks remotely relevant. This has lead me here--my last resort. Can someone please explain to a lay person how to overcome the problem? I'd be extremely grateful. Thanks. S. Last edited by sachabrady; 04-23-2011 at 10:37 AM.

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04-23-2011, 10:36 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Some PDF files uses embedded non unicode fonts and special character mappings. This kind of PDF file conversion will never work in calibre as for it to work calibre has to read the embedded font and try to figure out what the actual character is. I would suggest you try converting them to html or txt using adobe acrobat and then convert that in calibre.

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