Create an FXL from a PDF
What are the types of Fixed Layout eBooks?
You can use SL Write (in the Premium or Unlimited version) to create your Fixed Layout ePub3 (FXL) starting from the PDF file of your book. Unlike reflowable books, fixed-layout books maintain their layout as it is defined (e.g. page size, position of the various elements, etc.), we suggest you read this article to understand when the Fixed Layout ePub format is right for you.
Once you have established that the Fixed Layout ePub is right for you, there is another thing you need to know. StreetLib Write allows you to create different types of Fixed Layout ePub, based on the content of your eBook:
- Kids Book - suitable for children's books (illustrated). It provides the option to import text + image so, if there is text, it is imported as html and can, for example, be searched within the ePub. It also provides the ability to add one or more text frames on each page of the book, which will be automatically transformed into "Popup Text".
- Comic Book - suitable for creating comics. It provides the ability to create interactive vignettes, also called Pop-up view.
- Fixed Layout Book - convert the PDF into an ePub where each page is a static image. No other content elements are added to the html. They are useful for producing a manual, a magazine or any other type of fixed layout publication that does not require any further editing.
Creating a Fixed Layout eBook
To create your ePub, click on "Create a new book":
and click on Upload File to upload your single-page PDF file by selecting the appropriate function.
Once you have uploaded your File, Write will ask you to choose the type of eBook you want to create, among those available:
Once you have selected the type of book, click on Continue Import to import your PDF file into the Write editor.
Kids Books
If you select the "Kids Books" type, Write will suggest you choose whether to import the pages as images or import them as text and images.
What is the difference?
- If you choose to import the pages as images, you will have a better quality of the page (or image), however the pages cannot be edited or modified later.
- If you choose to import the pages as text and images, any text that is present in the book will be extracted and included in the book structure in html format, and can therefore be modified in the future. This type of import may result in slightly lower image quality resolution.
Once the import process is complete, regardless of the type of Fixed Layout Book you have chosen, StreetLib Write will show you a preview of the pages created. You can delete the ones you want by deselecting them. You will also be asked to confirm whether or not the first page of the imported book corresponds to the cover. To complete the process, click on Import.
Now enter the title and author in the appropriate spaces and click on “ Finish”.
Done! You will find your book ready in the StreetLib Write editor, where each page will be imported as an image.
Adding pages to an imported book
You can add pages after importing your book by clicking on “Add”. Loading pages from the Write editor requires that the pages are loaded in image format (.jpg). We suggest opting for images that have the same dimensions and resolution already adopted in the PDF used in the first import.
Create the Fixed Layout ePub from scratch
By clicking on "Create a new book" you can first choose which type of book to create from those available:
Once you have entered the title of your book, you can start adding each page by uploading files in image format (.jpg):
The text box and the vignette
Once you have uploaded the contents of your Fixed Layout book, based on the type of book chosen (e.g. Children's Book or Comics) you can take advantage of various active options, such as the function for creating the Interactive Text Box or the creation of the Interactive Vignette. For more information, we suggest you read this article.
Final steps. Complete and download the Fixed Layout ePub
To complete the creation of your Fixed Layout ePub, you will need to include additional information that will complete the structure of your ebook and make it perfect for use on all e-reader devices. We suggest you refer to the guides below: