How to add a new File Type

[msavazzi]

I'm a little confused on how to add a new file type in Calibre to recognize it as a book, like epub, aws etc..
It should be for physical books.

[Sirtel]

What do you mean? Physical books have no file type. You just create an empty book (right-click on Add Books -> Add empty book).

[msavazzi]

@sirtel
I do want to create a .pbook file as shown here https://www.davideaversa.it/blog/how...sical-library/
that uses TOML to describe book.
So I create a pbook file for each of my physical books and I'd like to have them behave like normal ebooks, so I can add them from folder and subfolder etc.
Also as it a plain text it would be great if with a double click the content is shown

here: https://github.com/msavazzi?tab=repositories
you can see the code I've developed to scan the books and create the pbook files.
I've also created a plugin to read them but it is not a full "ebook" support. It allows me to add them one by one

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

What do you mean? Physical books have no file type. You just create an empty book (right-click on Add Books -> Add empty book).

I'm following the idea of having a TOML file, .pbook, with some of the key data of the book there.
I can also add a location to find it

[theducks]

An empty book creates everything that any other format does EXCEPT there is no format file.

This is how I documented my Paper Library (note the only ting missing from this view is Book Formats)

You can even calibre search for these

formats:false

FWIW I have not tried to attach other 'data' files to one of these, simply because I don't use that feature ANYWHERE.

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by theducks

An empty book creates everything that any other format does EXCEPT there is no format file.

This is how I documented my Paper Library (note the only ting missing from this view is Book Formats)

You can even calibre search for these

formats:false

FWIW I have not tried to attach other 'data' files to one of these, simply because I don't use that feature ANYWHERE.

Sounds like what I want to do but I did not understood what im means "format:false" where you put it?
how you create the opf?

Thanks

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by msavazzi

Sounds like what I want to do but I did not understood what im means "format:false" where you put it?
how you create the opf?

Thanks

The opf is created automatically. Right-click on Add books -> Add empty book.

Format:false is what you enter in the search bar if you want to find your paper books (i.e. books without formats). You can save the search or create a virtual library based on it.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by msavazzi

. . .

So I create a pbook file for each of my physical books and I'd like to have them behave like normal ebooks, so I can add them from folder and subfolder etc.
Also as it a plain text it would be great if with a double click the content is shown
. . .

On Windows… not sure about MacOS and Linux.

Change the file type selector in the Add books->Add books from a single folder->Select Books dialogue to All files (*.*).



I have paperback and hardback file types (they're just text files), which I've set to open in Notepad (via Windows-File Explorer->Open with).



As can be seen I name the files with a <title> - <author> template

When View these books from calibre Notepad will pop:

Moderator Notice
I will move this thread to Library Management.

BR

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

On Windows… not sure about MacOS and Linux.

Change the file type selector in the Add books->Add books from a single folder->Select Books dialogue to All files (*.*).

Attachment 218725

I have paperback and hardback file types (they're just text files), which I've set to open in Notepad (via Windows-File Explorer->Open with).

Attachment 218726

As can be seen I name the files with a <title> - <author> template

When View these books from calibre Notepad will pop:

Attachment 218727


I will move this thread to Library Management.

BR

This is very nice I was doing something similar with the .pbook files and it works.
I was trying to use the:
Add Books -> Add from folders and sub-folders

but I understood it works only if the file format is recognized by calibre as an official "ebook".

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by theducks

An empty book creates everything that any other format does EXCEPT there is no format file.

This is how I documented my Paper Library (note the only ting missing from this view is Book Formats)

You can even calibre search for these

formats:false

FWIW I have not tried to attach other 'data' files to one of these, simply because I don't use that feature ANYWHERE.

I think I can create all the OPF from excel instead of pbook format and it will read all the info, so I will not need the .pbook plugin, is an easier option

[msavazzi]

the only weird thing is that when I import the OPF I end up in a folder with 2 opf files :O


it's weird
and if I double click it... in calibre... it does not open it

while with the pbook I have the pbook file and the metadata.opf

[BetterRed]

Have you considered using the Import List plugin.

BR

[theducks]

Originally Posted by msavazzi

This is very nice I was doing something similar with the .pbook files and it works.
I was trying to use the:
Add Books -> Add from folders and sub-folders

but I understood it works only if the file format is recognized by calibre as an official "ebook".

Is there anything IN that .pbook file? Or is it simply the file existence that represents you have that book?
If it is the former (empty file), do a (command prompt)

DIR *.pbook /S >foo.csv

then use the Import List plugin (using that foo.csv file)to make Calibre entries

use DIR /? to see what you can do with the DIR , I recursively scanned subdirs (/S) and redirected the normal screen output (>) to foo.csv in this case.
The Import List PI has a CSV tab and options.

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Have you considered using the Import List plugin.

BR

I was not aware of it amazing

[msavazzi]

Originally Posted by theducks

Is there anything IN that .pbook file? Or is it simply the file existence that represents you have that book?
If it is the former (empty file), do a (command prompt)

DIR *.pbook /S >foo.csv

then use the Import List plugin (using that foo.csv file)to make Calibre entries

use DIR /? to see what you can do with the DIR , I recursively scanned subdirs (/S) and redirected the normal screen output (>) to foo.csv in this case.
The Import List PI has a CSV tab and options.

In the file I usually put the metadata (name, isbn, author, tags, etc...) but I should be able to do it in excel

I did a test but it does not update the Sort Title correctly, I've updated the notes in the thread