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• • August 16, 2011 at 7:26 am #60285
    anishbala

    Participant

    Hi, i use id 5.5 mac version, ive set up a small document with paragraph styles, there are two paragraphs which has 'split' option enabled. Unfortunately when i export to epub i just get a single column layout. I'm literally new to EPUB world. Any idea what i'm doing wrong

  • August 16, 2011 at 2:44 pm #60293
    Theunis De Jong

    Member

    You are expecting the epub to look exactly look like you made your InDesign document.

    Now that's wrong

  • August 17, 2011 at 2:31 am #60297
    anishbala

    Participant

    well, not exactly, but i still would like to retain some basic formatting and its possible. pl look at https://www.walrus-books.com/20…..epub-file/ before replying.

    Thanks for ur reply

  • August 17, 2011 at 3:24 am #60300
    Theunis De Jong

    Member

    Okay … I looked, but I don't see why this has to do with your Split Paragraphs question.

    The point is, InDesign does not export its epubs looking exactly as your InDesign documents. It's just not possible — Adobe realizes that, and thus they don't say they ID can do that. ID is not an epub editing program; the files that ID creates for you are only to help you on your way but you are supposed to do the rest of the work.

    Since you are 'entirely new' to the EPUB world, please take the time to explore what an epub “is”, how text appears on the screen of an ereader, and how you are supposed to create these files.

  • August 17, 2011 at 7:20 am #60302
    anishbala

    Participant

    i agree that ID cant do everything when it exports to epub. I'm just wondering is there any way out to get multi column format through indesign so that i can save some time while tweaking my css styles. I understand that Indesign retains the paragraph stylesheets when it exports to epub, so that only i created multi column format through split. On top of all these we are discussing about multi column format in epub with-in 'indesign secrets' forum.

  • August 17, 2011 at 8:36 am #60305
    Anne-Marie Concepcion

    Member

    Sorry, Anish, you cannot export multi-column layout from InDesign to EPUB. The split/span paragraph style has no equivalent in CSS. It's a great feature request, though: Adobe – Feature Request/Bug Report Form

    The work that Walrus Books is doing is pushing the edge of what's possible w/EPUBs. They have an incredible demo of what's possible with HTML 5 and CSS3 in other parts of their site; but I don't know of any visual layout program that can export to that yet. It *might* be possible with Dreamweaver CS 5.1, have you tried that?

    BTW that Walrus Books URL you include leads to a post about enhanced ebooks but the post doesn't describe multi-columned layouts. It does show embedded video, and that you can do with InDesign CS5.5.

    However at this point only the Apple iBooks app is capable of showing embedded video in an EPUB. They represent about 15% of the eBook marketplace. FYI.

    You might want to check out my video on EPUBs at Lynda.com; and/or read Liz Castro's book about it. Those would give you a good grounding on what's possible with real world EPUBs these days and what InDesign is capable of outputting.

    AM

  • August 17, 2011 at 10:52 am #60310
    anishbala

    Participant

    Thanks for your help AM. Its really disappointing that ID5.5 doesnt allow to export multi column format to epub. I'll hand-code the format. I use the following code in css to get multi column format. It may be useful for others.

    div.left{

    -moz-column-count:2;

    -webkit-column-count:2;

    column-count:2;

    }

    div.right{

    float:top;

    height:25%;

    }

    As far as the walrus web id is concerned, sorry for not giving the correct website address, it is https://www.walrus-books.com and just scroll down till you get demo3 video on epub. The embedded video code is https://vimeo.com/25185473 Not sure what s/w walrus guys have used to develop this wonderful demo. I really appreciate the hardwork and thought put in developing such a nice demo which sets the standards for guys like me. The interactive map is really gr8, looks like they've done it in js, not sure though.

    I still havent looked in to DW5.1 will give a try sooner

    The EPUB market is growing like a banyan tree, and knowing apple for their innovative products i'm sure every developer will start developing epub3 compataible device soon.

    Thanks for your spending your valuable time on this.

  • August 17, 2011 at 11:40 am #60312
    Anne-Marie Concepcion

    Member

    I would imagine they are hand-coding this, or using whatever web development app they normally use.

    Their stuff really *is* amazing, isn't it? But that demo3 book … you can't buy it on the iBookstore. It's a proof of concept.

    I believe their interactive map is done with hotspots on an SVG file.

    AM

  • August 18, 2011 at 1:45 am #60322
    anishbala

    Participant

    we are using a text editor to hand code, my guys are comfortable in doing it.

    The demo book is really amazing!! I didnt think of creating a book like that. Its just GREAT.

    Will it be possible to share your knowledge on how to create hotspot in SVG file and incorporating it in EPUB.

    May be let us create a seperate thread on this so that others can follow very easily.

    Can we also have a seperate forum on EPUB, is it beyond the scope of this forum by any chance?.

    AB

  • February 20, 2020 at 1:16 pm #12243971
    Rombout Versluijs

    Member

    Was this thread ever created?

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