Fixed layout Epubs versus PDF!

I have this niggling thought that I can't seem to shake off, so I'll air
it out here:
What is the difference between a fixed-layout ePub and a PDF? I mean,
what is the intrinsic difference? Isn't a PDF precisely a fixed-layout
ePub, only better?
A PDF has searchable text. It can be enlarged or reduced at will on the
screen. In a fixed-layout ePub, the line breaks are fixed, as are the
position of the graphics.
So why a fixed-layout ePub??

EPUB allows access to new distribution options and new tooling and integration options (ex: HTML animation/interactivity) also become possible because EPUB is based on web technologies.
IMHO, it is the rise of ebook stores which has driven EPUB - I can sell an EPUB in a store, not so much with a PDF.
Here is the first EPUB that the team knows about which was created with the new FXL export feature:
iTunes - Books - Outside the Box by Karma Wilson
Obviously this could have been created as a PDF (which it was when they went to print it in on paper since the original files were InDesign) but by ALSO exporting to EPUB FXL it made it possible to reach this store.
In the end it is all about the specific reading-apps/device and what format you have to create in order to reach that app.
Douglas Waterfall
Architect, InDesign Engineering

Similar Messages

Embedded PDF in fixed layout ePub

Can anyone confirm if embedded pdf's are supported in a fixed layout ePub?
If I create a simple free flow ePub (version 2 or 3), embed a pdf in the ePub and have a link to the pdf on a page in the ePub, clicking the link opens the pdf.
However if I mark the same ePub as a fixed layout the link no longer opens the pdf - instead when the link is clicked a window opens as though the pdf is going to be shown, but the window remains empty.
Is this a bug in iBooks?

There is, you only have to add one navpoint inside toc.ncx, this will hide the "text TOC".
Read more about it in the iBookstore Asset Guide

How to create a fixed Layout ePub?

I'm trying to create a photography book to sell as an ePub and on the kindle store - I've made plenty of iBooks and published them in the iBookstore - unfortunately one has recently been rejected because of Apple's censorship rules. My books look exactly the way i want them to in iBooks and want to recreate them as closely as possible to sell as mobi and epubs. I've noticed that unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a program similar to iBooks Author for making epubs... I've tried InDesign CS6 for epubs but moved to Pages as I thought it might be simpler.
So far I can't find any thing that explains step by step how to make fixed Layout epubs - in any program- usually I use Lynda.com but they only have fixed layout epubs for the iBookstore. My knowledge on inDesign and iBooks author is quite good but my knowledge on HTML is limited. Is this accomplishable?

Hi Douglas,
How do this?
ID >> PDF export:
ID >> Fixed layout epub export:
Thanks in advance! [Soon, another problem …!]

Fixed layout ePub problem with facing pages

Hi,
I have a 240 page book made out of multiple inDesign files that I'm trying to convert to a fixed layout ePub. Everything works like a charm except the transition from one file to the next.
The book uses facing pages setting so when the file ends for example in page 40, it is a left hand page, and the next file starts from page 41 and that is a right hand page. After exporting to fixed layout epub, the resulting file has blank pages between the files. What I mean is after the left hand page 40 there is an empty right hand page, then an empty left hand page followed by right hand page 41.
What would be the easiest solution for this?

Hi,
I found the problem from the book panel so case closed. In "Book Page Numbering Options" I had "Insert Blank Page" selected. This didn't cause any problems when exporting to pdf but resulted in extra blank pages when exporting to ePub.
Attached is a screenshot from the book panel. The problem occurred between all the files.

Finding errors in fixed-layout EPUB

When I try to export my 58-page document from InDesign CC as a fixed-layout EPUB, Adobe Digital Editions reports the file cannot be opened due to errors.
It exports fine as a PDF.
I am new to this. Can anyone share the process I need to follow to find the unidentified errors? Thanks

Run your .epub file through an epub checker like this: pagina GmbH Publikationstechnologien: EPUB-Checker

Important Video Series on Fixed Layout EPUB from InDesign CC

I'm happy to announce that Anne-Marie Concepcion has released a video series on Lynda.com about creating Fixed Layout EPUB from InDesign CC. It's up-to-date to the latest InDesign CC version (October 2014).
Here's the link:
http://www.lynda.com/InDesign-tutorials/Creating-Fixed-Layout-EPUBs-InDesign-CC/169624-2.h tml
You can get a free week trial with Lynda.com when you register.

Sorry guys... Wish I'd seen this earlier. I could've told you that highlighting and note taking capabilities are disabled intentionally in fixed layout EPUBs and Kindle KF8 books.
The only time you will see an FXL book that does support highlighting is if is in either B&N or Amazon's "Page Perfect" or "Page Replica" format - which is basically just a packaged PDF of sorts that can be read through Kindle and Nook apps (Other college book apps like kno.com and the old CourseSmart support Page Replica, too. CourseSmart was recently merged in with VitalSource, however, so I don't know what they are doing these days WRT page replicas). iBooks does not support any sort of print page replica. It's EPUB 3 FXL or iBooks Author only for Apple.

What resolution should I save images for fixed-layout epub?

I have produced an illustrated history book that was created with 300dpi images for print publication. My next step is to create a fixed-layout epub. Is there a particular resolution that I should set for the images? Is there a single resolution that I can use to target all tablets and e-readers that accept fixed-layout epubs?
My strategy was going to be to generate a PDF of the book (with no text) and import the PDF pages as the background images for the fixed-layout epub. I am guessing that I should use 150 dpi when saving the PDF.
I'm just a little worried that if I create the fixed-layout epub with 150 dpi images, it may not show up correctly on tablets that don't have high resolution screens?
Thanks,
Paul

Use the "Save for Web" option. Put in the resolution you want, and then dial down the quality, it will show you what it looks like. Go as low as you're willing given the quality it shows.

How do i add Edge animate .oam files to Fixed Layouts Epubs in Indesign cc 2014?

How do i add Edge animate .oam files to Fixed Layouts Epubs in Indesign?

Hi,
There is a bug on iOS7 which does not let edge animate work correctly here. This issue will happen on iPad and not on Mac OS.
There is a similar thread that explains in detail this issue you are facing:
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1513879
Regards,
Pooja

In a fixed-layout epub is there a way to turn off the faux spine effect for just one pair of pages?

I'm formatting a graphic novel as a fixed-layout epub. Because the pages are generated in Manga Studio with an intended print target, it by far makes the most sense to just use a single, large image for each page. I'm coding the .opf, .xhtml, and .css files by hand, and I more or less understand everything I'm doing.
Because the pages are often full bleed, I actually want the faux book chrome afforded by having <meta property="ibooks:binding">true</meta>. The shadow effect in the gutter gives a nice deliniation between the pages without me having to do anything additional with the formatting.
However... a handful of pages in the book are two-page spreads. These look good enough with the shadow spine in the middle, but they would obviously look better without it. What I'd like to do is identify these particular page pairs as two-page spreads and turn the binding chrome off for just that page pair. I could of course "fake it" by adding a shadow to the pages themselves (except the spreads) and turning off the binding chrome on the entire book, but it'd be a lot easier to be able to do it in software.
Apple's formatting guide mentioned nothing of the sort, and searching for a while hasn't turned up anything (not even anyone asking the same question so far as I can tell). I'm guessing this isn't possible, but it never hurts to ask. Anybody know of a way to do this?

Just found this... Sorry to waste the post...
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20083707-263/managing-mac-os-x-lions-applic ation-resume-feature/?tag=mncol;title

Another Blank Page in Fixed Layout Epub

Having trouble with a blank page in this epub (link to epub file on acrobat.com).
I've read a couple of threads, and have exported the indd as an indb and reopened (trying to mitigate the possibility of the file being corrupt). I had to fix a date in the content.opf that was in the MM/DD/YYYY format (reformatted to YYYY-MM-DD). To repackage the epub, I created a new zip file, and added the mimetype file first, and then added the META-INF and OEBPS folders. Everything checks out at EPUB Validator (beta) Results. The file looks horrid in Adobe Digital Editions 3.0, but looks great in Calibre.
As you can see from the file name, I've tried a number of things to try and deduce the issue (deleting multiple pages, one at a time, to see if there was an issue with a specific page, tried to build the epub without a cover image...)
It's always the 3rd page that is blank, even after removing multiple pages, which I find curious.
Any insights from others that have dealt with these problems trying to get Fixed Layout epubs from InDesign CC 2014 into Google Play Books is very much appreciated.

Hi,
The file is missing here: (link to epub file on acrobat.com). Could you post it again?
Did you see your exported FXL EPUB in any other reader? iBooks is recommended but Readium also supports FXL EPUB and would be equally good to verify this issue.
Regards,
Pooja

How to prevent page turn in margin tap on a fixed layout ePub ?

I have created a fixed layout ePub for Apple iPad with some on-touch animations on tap. It works fine except the pictures which are in extreme margins (left and right). On touch it activates page-turn rather than the required animation. Is there any way to prevent page turn? Please help.

event.preventDefault() should do the trick on your own controls. If you are using one of the built-in iBooks shortcuts (read-aloud start/stop button comes to mind) then you may not have full control.

Fixed Layout EPUB is not displaying correctly in any of the popular epub readers.

Hi,
After creating the doc in the Indesign cc, I exported it to the fixed layout epub format. The result was catastrophic! The images, text, font size - everything was chaos. I needed the epub to be working in ipads and android tablets.
Can anybody help? Need to deliver it to my customer on priority.
I tried the output in ibooks, Aldiko, ADE and a few other popular readers.
Thx
VJ

Hi Ananda,
Adobe Digital Editions has come up with a new update ADE 4. You can view your Fixed Layout EPUB here. Please note that ADE 4 on Mac works fine with FXL EPUB exported from InDesign CC 2014, you might see some issue on Windows though. We are aware of the issues and the team is working on fixing these issues with ADE on Windows.
Readium is also a good reader which displays FXL EPUB fine.
Regards,
Pooja

Use of cookies in fixed-layout EPUBs

I am creating a fixed-layout picture ebook in EPUB2 format to be published on the iBookstore.
In order to start some CSS3 animations at the same time on both pages of a page spread, I'd like to use a mechanism to synchronize the start time for the animations. This is because I noted that, in the iBook reader running on my iPad2, the left and right pages of a spread get loaded at different times and usually the right page is loaded approximately 1s later than the left page, though the delay is extremely variable.
I am thinking about using some javascript to set a cookie in order to check whether both pages in a spread are loaded and consequently start the animations. This is based on the assumption that both pages of a spread use a webview built upon the same common Safari rendering engine which uses a single set of cookies.
My questions are:
Is it allowed to use cookies in an EPUB to be published on the Apple iBookstore? On page 29 of the iBookstore Asset Guide 5.0 it is specified that "Books must not rely on external resources", but are cookies to be considered "external resources"?
If cookies are not allowed, is there any other way to synchronize the two pages of a page spread on the iBook reader?

Hi Steve, I am a regular subscriber to Creative Cloud and have updated all apps. My version of Adobe InDesign does show 2014.1 under About InDesign.
Believe it or not, one of the more helpful videos out in Adobe TV land showed interactive under the Object menu:
See 5:30 on this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/interactivity-fixed-layout-epub.html?set=indesign- -key-techniques--epub-fixed-layout I finally found the answer here at Adobe forums (monica). Now I have it installed in the panel on the right.
I'm on an iMac and use all Apple products. I've tossed Windows to the wind.
Thank you so much for your support.
Mary

Fixed Layout EPUBs in Adobe Indesign CC 2014

Hi Friends,
I'm fascinated with the prospects of the Fixed Layout EPUBs.   In the few video tutorials that are more current, Adobe host shows the ability to PREVIEW the EPUBs using the menu item OBJECT > INTERACTIVE > Epub Previewer. But no go.
So, I've now installed from Creative Cloud, the Extend Script tool kit as well as Extension Manager.   I also installed Edge Inspect CC.
Am I on the right track to find or install the Interactive > Fixed Layout EPUB Previewer?    I need your guidance and have not found anything through my searches online.
I exported my Fixed Layout EPUB yesterday and the slider I created by following one of the few tutorials caused some sort of problem because that entire SPREAD was blank, although all other pages were present.
Thanks for any guidance.
Sincerely
mary

Hi Steve, I am a regular subscriber to Creative Cloud and have updated all apps. My version of Adobe InDesign does show 2014.1 under About InDesign.
Believe it or not, one of the more helpful videos out in Adobe TV land showed interactive under the Object menu:
See 5:30 on this page: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/how-to/interactivity-fixed-layout-epub.html?set=indesign- -key-techniques--epub-fixed-layout I finally found the answer here at Adobe forums (monica).   Now I have it installed in the panel on the right.
I'm on an iMac and use all Apple products.   I've tossed Windows to the wind.
Thank you so much for your support.
Mary

No fixed-layout EPUB export at 144ppi?

Just curious. I created a nice EPUB in InDesign, all my images are full-page/screen, 1024x768. I exported it as a fixed-layout EPUB and specified 150ppi to cover the iPad's Retina resolution. However, Apple's iBooks wouldn't accept it due to the pixel dimensions being too large. I had to re-export at 96ppi (which was then accepted on iBooks Store). I was hoping for 144ppi, which would be equivalent to an iPad's retina resolution (2048x1536), but it's not an option in the pulldown menu. Am I off-track here? Any idea if this needs to be addressed? Thank you.

Currently InDesign does not let you enter your preferred resolution while exporting. it has to be from the available choices-72,96,150,300 ppi.
To allow the user to be able to pick his own resolution setting is something which is in our backlog for EPUB Enhancements and might get addressed in later updates.
Regards,
Pooja

Fixed layout Epubs versus PDF!

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