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I
Inélsòre
Inspiring
August 19, 2020
Answered

How to create an EPUB that supports both single page and 2-page spreads?

  • August 19, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 2741 views

Dear all,

I'm planning to move my EPUB production from Apple Pages to Adobe InDesign but I would like someone to explain to me exactly what the export options for spread management mean and how do they output. 

 

Here is what I need: the books will be created with facing pages in 2-ups spreads (like a very ordinary book). They will need to use fixed layout because apart from the introduction and commentary at the end they will contain pages of music which should not be scaled nor reflowed. 

Once the EPUB is opened by, for example Apple Books on both Mac and iPads (or any other system and app capable of reading EPUBs), I need the book to remain in one page when the iPad is in portrait and to show the two spreads when the device is rotated in landscape. When on Mac or PC I need the user to find the options for One Page and Two-Page view both available to click.

 

So far my trials have miserably failed as I have either had fixed spreads or fixed single pages.

Could someone help me here with this? The options for exporting EPUBs in InDesign seem quite capable so I just need to understand which option corresponds to said output.

 

Thanks a lot.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer rayek.elfin

Only reflowable epubs may be presented in a different format by the reader, if the reader supports that. So yes, the examples you saw are reflowable layouts.

 

It is actually possible to create two versions within the same FXL epub:

 

- create all the portrait pages.

- use the same page format, but place two pages on the same page on its side.

- on each page add a button which links to the alternative version (landscape/portrait button).

 

Ensure to re-use the same images for each landscape/portrait page version. Do not use the spread option. Keep pages singular.

 

That way users may switch to either version with a click/tap. It cannot be achieved through a device orientation action, however. It is also important to keep all the pages in reading order, of course. One drawback would be that users could potentially browse from portrait into the landscape version at the end of the book. This proposed solution is a hacky method after all.

4 replies

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Derek CrossCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 19, 2020

Most people seem to keep to single pages as keeps it simple for tablets and smart phones, which are most use for reading books on nowadays.

    I
    InélsòreAuthor
    Inspiring
    August 19, 2020

    Thank you both for chiming in. 

     

    Let's try to dig a bit further. 

    When I buy an EPUB (any epub) on the Apple Books Store it comes bundled with this capacity, ie, I can visualise it on one page, two pages, scrolling, though that may be for reflowable layout. 

    Assuming this can not be done in InDesign right now, though I hope it will be added in the future, does anyone know about other programs that could be used to create professional EPUBs with fixed layout but the possibility of showing 1 or 2 pages? 

     

    Last thing, in my post I asked if someone could explain to me the various options for spread management. 

    Could someone shed some light on that?

    Thanks

    rayek.elfin
    rayek.elfinCorrect answer
    Legend
    August 20, 2020

    Only reflowable epubs may be presented in a different format by the reader, if the reader supports that. So yes, the examples you saw are reflowable layouts.

     

    It is actually possible to create two versions within the same FXL epub:

     

    - create all the portrait pages.

    - use the same page format, but place two pages on the same page on its side.

    - on each page add a button which links to the alternative version (landscape/portrait button).

     

    Ensure to re-use the same images for each landscape/portrait page version. Do not use the spread option. Keep pages singular.

     

    That way users may switch to either version with a click/tap. It cannot be achieved through a device orientation action, however. It is also important to keep all the pages in reading order, of course. One drawback would be that users could potentially browse from portrait into the landscape version at the end of the book. This proposed solution is a hacky method after all.

      I
      InélsòreAuthor
      Inspiring
      August 20, 2020

      This sounds like a very good idea just ... I am sorry, my bad as I'm a total beginner with InDesign, I did not fully understood how to achieve this. 

      • Create all the portrait pages > I guess this is the InDesign file as it stands before export, right? May I keep the facing pages here or should I untick it?
      • Use the same page format, but place two pages on the same page on its side > This I'm sorry but I did not understand. Could you please explain this to me in a more dummy-proof way? Thanks!
      • Button thing > this I've never done but I guess I could manage it one way or another so let's fix point 2 by now! 

      Thank you so much for your help and patience!

        Frans v.d. Geest
        Community Expert
        Frans v.d. GeestCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 19, 2020

        Can't be done, sorry.

        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 19, 2020
        Not possible in any way that I know of.
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