Updating EPUB/MOBI metadata

Caleb666 · 08-06-2011, 01:24 PM

Hi,

After changing some of the book's metadata (including cover), how can I write these changes back to the EPUB/MOBI files?

speakingtohe · 08-06-2011, 06:53 PM

For covers you have to convert.
For other items you may or may not have to convert. Series for example you have to convert.

To see what information is contained/changed in the file use calibre's viewer and click in the info icon.

Helen

Drumm · 08-31-2011, 08:26 AM

I am running into this issue as well, the covers are not incorporated into the file, but converting from epub to epub has undesired results. It almost makes some books unreadable. So far the only way to safely do this that I have found is to "explode" and recreate after replacing the cover image.

Also, when converting you can end up with more than one cover image on the epub.

Drumm · 08-31-2011, 08:33 AM

IS there any way under convert to have it do nothing except update the metadata? It would be nice to be able to update in mass rather than one at a time.

itimpi · 08-31-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumm

Also, when converting you can end up with more than one cover image on the epub.

If this happens it means that the original image was not correctly marked as being a cover. It normally can be rectified by re-converting with the option to remove the first image set. Now that if yout do an epub->epub conversion the original epub is saved as ORIGINAL_EPUB this is less risky in terms of messing things up than it used to be as you can now revert to the pre-conversion version.

Note that if the cover image has been correctly marked in the file, then the Calibre "Save to Disk" and "Send to Device" options will replace the cover. However often this does not work because the cover has not been correctly marked.

As you have indicated often the only safe method is to either explode the file and replace the image with the one that you want, or to use a tool like Sigil to fix the issue.

itimpi · 08-31-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drumm

IS there any way under convert to have it do nothing except update the metadata? It would be nice to be able to update in mass rather than one at a time.

Not that I know of, although there has been talk of possibly creating a plugin that does this.

HarryT · 08-31-2011, 08:50 AM

Note that you don't need to do a convert UNLESS you change the cover. All other changed metadata will be automatically written to the book when you do a "Save to Disk" or "Send to Device".

Drumm · 08-31-2011, 09:08 AM

I'll take a look at Sigil, but try the save to disk first. Part of my problem is I have a substantial collection and went through and updated each book manually to get the correct data. I tried a batch update but it didn't always pick the best information and frequently left off series information. When I copied them all to my nook, I noticed that some did not have the covers updated, although I couldn't begin to say how many. Then Alkido freaked out and I had 2 copies of everything and so now I am doing a uninstall delete all books, reinstall, copy and import. Hopefully that will fix some of the problems.

user_none · 08-31-2011, 09:22 AM

The Nook (color and touch) has a nasty bug related to showing covers. They can be properly set in the file but the Nook won't show them. Sigil 0.4.1+ and a calibre EPUB to EPUB conversion will both ensure that the cover is set to avoid the Nook bug.

Drumm · 08-31-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by user_none

The Nook (color and touch) has a nasty bug related to showing covers. They can be properly set in the file but the Nook won't show them. Sigil 0.4.1+ and a calibre EPUB to EPUB conversion will both ensure that the cover is set to avoid the Nook bug.

I don't have that problem at all, but the I don't have a stock nook, it was too restictive as I don't reside within the US. It was easier to root it and find another reader app. Epub to Epub conversion is not a viable option as it tends to screw up some of the books. Sure I can do it one by one and revert when it has a problem, but I have over 100 books and that would take a lot of time.

Unless Sigil offers some easier solution exploding and recreating seems to be the only way to fix. Saving to disk is not updating the cover.

carmenchu · 09-01-2011, 01:58 PM

When I change the cover (and nothing else) I use the Tweak ePub option:
Explode ePub --> browse to ..\OEBPS\Images, drop my new cover, delete the old one, and RENAME the new to cover.jpeg (if the new one had already that name, just copy it and overwrite.
Warning: when the two covers have different sizes, it is convenient to edit (i.e., notepad) \OEBPS\Text\title.xhtml with the new dimensions.
Close the temporary folder and rebuild ePub: done!

Note: this assumes a standard Calibre-generated ePub: others may have different folder/files names, but they can be worked upon just the same.

Drumm · 09-02-2011, 07:33 AM

Thanks, that makes life a little easier. Having the metadata editor do that automatically would be better but nothing is perfect.

Dopedangel · 09-02-2011, 12:13 PM

you can use the modify plugin from here to update metadata and covers without converting at least for epubs\

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=165

08-06-2011, 01:24 PM	#1
Caleb666 Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 400000 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: iPad 2 64GB	Updating EPUB/MOBI metadata Hi, After changing some of the book's metadata (including cover), how can I write these changes back to the EPUB/MOBI files?

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08-06-2011, 06:53 PM	#2
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	For covers you have to convert. For other items you may or may not have to convert. Series for example you have to convert. To see what information is contained/changed in the file use calibre's viewer and click in the info icon. Helen

08-31-2011, 08:26 AM	#3
Drumm Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Siena, Italy Device: Nook Color(CM10), NookTouch & Meadiacom 850i	I am running into this issue as well, the covers are not incorporated into the file, but converting from epub to epub has undesired results. It almost makes some books unreadable. So far the only way to safely do this that I have found is to "explode" and recreate after replacing the cover image. Also, when converting you can end up with more than one cover image on the epub.

08-31-2011, 08:33 AM	#4
Drumm Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Siena, Italy Device: Nook Color(CM10), NookTouch & Meadiacom 850i	IS there any way under convert to have it do nothing except update the metadata? It would be nice to be able to update in mass rather than one at a time.

08-31-2011, 08:50 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Note that you don't need to do a convert UNLESS you change the cover. All other changed metadata will be automatically written to the book when you do a "Save to Disk" or "Send to Device".

08-31-2011, 09:08 AM	#8
Drumm Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Siena, Italy Device: Nook Color(CM10), NookTouch & Meadiacom 850i	I'll take a look at Sigil, but try the save to disk first. Part of my problem is I have a substantial collection and went through and updated each book manually to get the correct data. I tried a batch update but it didn't always pick the best information and frequently left off series information. When I copied them all to my nook, I noticed that some did not have the covers updated, although I couldn't begin to say how many. Then Alkido freaked out and I had 2 copies of everything and so now I am doing a uninstall delete all books, reinstall, copy and import. Hopefully that will fix some of the problems.

08-31-2011, 09:22 AM	#9
user_none Sigil & calibre developer Posts: 2,487 Karma: 1063785 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida, USA Device: Nook STR	The Nook (color and touch) has a nasty bug related to showing covers. They can be properly set in the file but the Nook won't show them. Sigil 0.4.1+ and a calibre EPUB to EPUB conversion will both ensure that the cover is set to avoid the Nook bug.

09-01-2011, 01:58 PM	#11
carmenchu Groupie Posts: 183 Karma: 266070 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Win7,Win10,Lubuntu,smartphone	When I change the cover (and nothing else) I use the Tweak ePub option: Explode ePub --> browse to ..\OEBPS\Images, drop my new cover, delete the old one, and RENAME the new to cover.jpeg (if the new one had already that name, just copy it and overwrite. Warning: when the two covers have different sizes, it is convenient to edit (i.e., notepad) \OEBPS\Text\title.xhtml with the new dimensions. Close the temporary folder and rebuild ePub: done! Note: this assumes a standard Calibre-generated ePub: others may have different folder/files names, but they can be worked upon just the same.

09-02-2011, 07:33 AM	#12
Drumm Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Siena, Italy Device: Nook Color(CM10), NookTouch & Meadiacom 850i	Thanks, that makes life a little easier. Having the metadata editor do that automatically would be better but nothing is perfect.

09-02-2011, 12:13 PM	#13
Dopedangel Wizard Posts: 1,791 Karma: 30548723 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Device: Boyue	you can use the modify plugin from here to update metadata and covers without converting at least for epubs\ https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=165

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