Creating Fixed Layout ePub3 from InDesign

[flipick]

Hi,

I thought you would all like to know there is a new plug-in and cloud service called Flipick which can create fixed-layout epub3 files direct from Adobe InDesign.

Flipick is currently in a beta phase and is actively seeking beta testers to give structured feedback.

If you are one of many people who need a direct InDesign to fixed layout ePub3 conversion, then please sign up at www.flipick.com

We currently offer InDesign CS5.5 on Mac, and InDesign CS6 on PC, with the CS6 on Mac to be released next week. Currently the readers supported are iBooks and Readium and limited support on Kobo.

Thanks

[Toxaris]

Which format of fixed-layout? There are several and not cross-compatible. The ones that work on iBooks, do not work on the Kobo and vice versa.
The iBooks version of fixed-layout is not ePUB3, but lends from it. It is Apple's own flavor.

[flipick]

Flipick creates an ePub3 file based on the IDPF ePub3 standards, which do render correctly on the iPad and Readium. Kobo renders the layout correctly, but some of the interactivity may be missing.

Flipick will soon also be exporting to KF8 fixed layout from the same InDesign file, we will notify users via our newsletter when this is available.

[JSWolf]

So what software would actually work with ePub 3 standard fixed layout? All the fixed layout "supposed ePub" is not ePub 3.

While you can make the fixed layout ePub 3, we can't do anything with it.

[flipick]

The main reader to support this is iBooks, we have created and released books using the IDPF ePub3 fixed format onto the iTunes store, so we can say first hand that iBooks does support the standard.
We are trying to make Flipick a type of iBooks Author for InDesign, but with ePub3 fixed Layout instead of Apples proprietary format.

[Jim Lester]

Originally Posted by flipick

The main reader to support this is iBooks, we have created and released books using the IDPF ePub3 fixed format onto the iTunes store, so we can say first hand that iBooks does support the standard.
We are trying to make Flipick a type of iBooks Author for InDesign, but with ePub3 fixed Layout instead of Apples proprietary format.

For creating a standards based fixed format epub authoring tool you have 2 problems:

• There is no standard (yet).
• There are no readers that support the not yet there standard.

There is currently no Standard Fixed Format EPUB 3. The FXL informational document, is currently available, and while informational documents give you an idea of what will actually be included in the spec, they aren't part of the spec themselves. For this particular one we are working on updating this with some tweaks and mostly additional metadata items prior to inclusion on the 3.0.1 spec.

There is another effort also in the works: AHL - Advanced Hybrid Layout, that also pertains to Fixed Layout - allowing for guided sub region navigation (ie panel by panel navigation in a comic), mapping between a fixed rendition and a flowable rendition (like how Nook does it's ArticleView), and quite a few others.


For readers that support a fixed format epub like content (Nook, Apple, Amazon) - they all only support their own (and different) formats. So there is no reader for you to be able to test content that your tool created yet. The closest you are going to get is Readium, which I see you are already looking at (which without a catalog to deal with, will probably the quickest to react).

[AlPe]

Originally Posted by flipick

The main reader to support this is iBooks, we have created and released books using the IDPF ePub3 fixed format onto the iTunes store, so we can say first hand that iBooks does support the standard.

Sorry, but all you can say is "iBooks currently supports part of the EPUB 3 specs".

For example, it does not run correctly any JS you put into an EPUB 3 file (and being that EPUB file a completely legal EPUB 3 file).

[DaleDe]

Actually Kobo and Apple are the exact same format. See our wiki on Fixed layout ePub. Both Readium and Azardi will likely be able to test these and it looks like the standards committee is headed for similar to Apple or close enough a reader could read both without much effort.

Dale

[verydeepwater]

[QUOTE=DaleDe;2442795]Actually Kobo and Apple are the exact same format. See our wiki on Fixed layout ePub. Both Readium and Azardi will likely be able to test these and it looks like the standards committee is headed for similar to Apple or close enough a reader could read both without much effort.

You are touching on a subject that interests me at the moment. If you want to make a fixed layout epub for both ipad and kobo, are there any different requirements, or can you use exactly the same file for both? If you proof it on an ipad, can you feel fairly sure it will appear ok on a kobo?

[JSWolf]

You can't use the same file for both as the resolutions are different. That's where fixed layout falls flat.

[DaleDe]

You are touching on a subject that interests me at the moment. If you want to make a fixed layout epub for both ipad and kobo, are there any different requirements, or can you use exactly the same file for both? If you proof it on an ipad, can you feel fairly sure it will appear ok on a kobo?[/QUOTE]

Kobo has adopted the Apple format verbatim. Only a few Kobo devices understand fixed layout ePub.

Dale

[verydeepwater]

Kobo has adopted the Apple format verbatim. Only a few Kobo devices understand fixed layout ePub.

Dale

I understand the kobo arc will display fixed layout epubs. So if you have an epub that works ok on an ipad, are there changes you need to make to make it work on the arc. For example removing viewport line of text that apple wants you to put in each file.

[JSWolf]

Technically, you cannot call these fixed-layout eBooks ePub as they don't conform to any ePub standard.