DBL 4.4 includes a new feature which will automate the creation of an ePub 3.0 file for any text entry stored in DBL.
The generated ePub includes a standard table of contents, an embedded HTML contents page, chapter and verse navigation links, and live links for all scripture references which were properly checked and validated within Paratext before submission to DBL. Vernacular book names and abbreviations used throughout the ePub are configured from the metadata supplied for the text in DBL. A variety of options are provided for configuring the ePub fonts, styles, and structure.
Samples
ePub generation is only available to IPC’s for their own managed text entries. A user wishing to generate an ePub file must be a member of the managing organization with Publisher role assigned. (Click here for help on managing users and roles in DBL.)
To generate an ePub file from DBL:
- Login to DBL and navigate to your organization’s Owned Entries listing (Admin > Organizations; select organization (if more than one is visible); select Entries tab).
- Click on the link for the entry that you wish to generate an ePub for (make sure that you are selecting an entry which is a text Type)
DBL will display the selected entry details page.
- Click on the Download heading. The available download options will appear. As an owner of the selected entry you will see options to download the project as its Owner, as well as to download the original Paratext project data.
- Select the final option to Generate and download ePub.
DBL will display a dialog with various options available for configuring the contents and style of the generated ePub.
- Select the Book List you wish to include within the ePub (book lists originate from the Project Canons setup in Paratext).
- Select a Font Profile. Font Profiles are predefined style configurations which may include fonts which are embedded in the final ePub (WOFF format). In some cases embedded fonts may be required in order to support the character set within the selected translation project text. There is an option to not include fonts and use the default e-reader’s fonts. Fonts are included which support extended Latin characters as well as Devanagari and Arabic script.
- Click Text Sizes to configure the relative sizes of different text features (body font, heading size, chapter number etc.)
- Click Text Colors to configure the heading color and chapter number color.
- Click ePub Structure to configure additional properties related to the ePub construction:
- Bespoke Book List allows you to supply an alternative list of scripture books to include within the ePub (which are not specified in one of the predefined Book Lists).
- Fallback Localization Language allows you to select a language for various user information texts found within the ePub (e.g. a section called “Navigation Aids”). This language will be used in the case that a localization for the language found within the selected translation text is not available.
- Configure the strategy used for compiling and constructing Notes content within the ePub. The proper selection will depend on factors such as the number of notes in the selected text, the way in which the most common e-readers in use for the language handle notes, support for ePub 3 pop-up notes, and personal preference.
- Select Include ePub 2.0 NCX file in order to provide additional backward compatibility support for older e-readers. (ePub files produced by DBL are ePub 3.0 format).
- Select Explicit (Underlined) Links to indicate that all text elements which are hyperlinks should have an underline style applied. This may result in a lot of underlined text in the e-reader display, but the presence of live links (e.g. for scripture references) is clear.
- Click the Make ePub button at the bottom right of the dialog. DBL will display a progress dialog.
When the ePub generation process is complete, click the Download to receive the generated ePub. The file name will include the ID of the source DBL text entry, the current revision number, current date, and the selected font profile name.
You may now use a third party ePub editor if additional adjustments or additions are needed to the ePub before final distribution.
Questions or concerns? Please email: support-dbl@biblesocieties.org