Writing on side loaded epub files

talaivan · 02-19-2022, 05:36 PM

I just got an Elipsa and have been experimenting with using the pencil to annotate side-loaded ePub files. So far, this is what I have discovered. If you convert an ePub file to ePub 3 with Calibre (an option under ePub output), you can write on it on the Elipsa. If you convert it to a kePub file, with Calibre's output set to ePub 3, Calibre will produce a file that ends in kePub. You have to add .ePub at the end (e.g. book.kepub.epub) for the Elipsa to recognize it, but you cannot edit it with the pencil even though it was theoretically ePub 3. BUT if you take away the kepub from the file's name (book.kepub.epub -> book.epub), you can write on it with the pencil but the Elipsa will not include the kepub features (such as telling you how many pages remain in the chapter). Apparently, Elipsa only recognizes kepub files as special Kobo files if they end in kepub.epub, but such side loaded files cannot be edited with the pencil even if they are ePub 3. This is rather confusing, but at least you can edit ePub files with the pencil if you make them ePub 3 and forego the kepub features. I like the Elipsa a lot -- my only gripe is that out of its case it is tough to turn on and off with the tiny button on the side.

Quoth · 02-20-2022, 07:06 AM

And how do you get the pencil annotation back into a PC to use it?

cpimentel · 02-20-2022, 10:17 PM

@Talaivan, you are correct, it is confusing. Kepubs can be annotated only if they are downloaded from the Kobo Store. It does not matter if you paid or if it is free. Confusing and annoying!

@quoth, epubs/kepubs annotations are stored in a folder, I don't remember which one, but for a human to pick it, it is a nightmare. I started developing a tool to export it with all the annotations but I gave up. As far as I know, for now, there is not way to export epub/kepub annotations. If you annotate on a PDF, via Calibre or Dropbox, saves the annotations on the PDF itself, so you can just move to you PC and annotations should be there.

Quoth · 02-21-2022, 08:22 AM

Even if you can copy them, they are not text so hugely inferior to annotations entered as text. No Handwriting to text recognition on book annotations unlike the Advanced Notebook so I only use the pen/stylus to annotate image based PDFs.

02-19-2022, 05:36 PM	#1
talaivan Groupie Posts: 188 Karma: 4710362 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Sony prs-505	Writing on side loaded epub files I just got an Elipsa and have been experimenting with using the pencil to annotate side-loaded ePub files. So far, this is what I have discovered. If you convert an ePub file to ePub 3 with Calibre (an option under ePub output), you can write on it on the Elipsa. If you convert it to a kePub file, with Calibre's output set to ePub 3, Calibre will produce a file that ends in kePub. You have to add .ePub at the end (e.g. book.kepub.epub) for the Elipsa to recognize it, but you cannot edit it with the pencil even though it was theoretically ePub 3. BUT if you take away the kepub from the file's name (book.kepub.epub -> book.epub), you can write on it with the pencil but the Elipsa will not include the kepub features (such as telling you how many pages remain in the chapter). Apparently, Elipsa only recognizes kepub files as special Kobo files if they end in kepub.epub, but such side loaded files cannot be edited with the pencil even if they are ePub 3. This is rather confusing, but at least you can edit ePub files with the pencil if you make them ePub 3 and forego the kepub features. I like the Elipsa a lot -- my only gripe is that out of its case it is tough to turn on and off with the tiny button on the side.

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02-20-2022, 07:06 AM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,670 Karma: 103503501 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	And how do you get the pencil annotation back into a PC to use it?

02-20-2022, 10:17 PM	#3
cpimentel Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Device: Kobo Elipsa	@Talaivan, you are correct, it is confusing. Kepubs can be annotated only if they are downloaded from the Kobo Store. It does not matter if you paid or if it is free. Confusing and annoying! @quoth, epubs/kepubs annotations are stored in a folder, I don't remember which one, but for a human to pick it, it is a nightmare. I started developing a tool to export it with all the annotations but I gave up. As far as I know, for now, there is not way to export epub/kepub annotations. If you annotate on a PDF, via Calibre or Dropbox, saves the annotations on the PDF itself, so you can just move to you PC and annotations should be there.

02-21-2022, 08:22 AM	#4
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,670 Karma: 103503501 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Even if you can copy them, they are not text so hugely inferior to annotations entered as text. No Handwriting to text recognition on book annotations unlike the Advanced Notebook so I only use the pen/stylus to annotate image based PDFs.

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