epub3 back button?

Well, after spending hours and hours experimenting and researching, I have decided to go back to plan A - use PDF and NOT epub3. I output my document in both and suddenly realized some more limitations and problems in the epub3 that simply will not be acceptable, namely:

1. transparent objects not transparent - the point of this was to make a cool looking "ebook" but many of the graphics I had used in the original print document had transparent backgrounds to float over a page background. For example I had a film reel, and when I thought it would be fun to animate it in the mobile version, I realized the transparency was gone. So after another 1/2 hour researching, I discovered you can't use them in epub.

2. back button - there is just no easy built in solution in indesign for epub. And although the button doesn't work in all ios PDF readers, it works in some and will hopefully be added to others.

3. size - I was shocked to see how different in size the two exports were - the epub was 44 MB and the PDF was 1.2 MB!!! Maybe there is some optimization I could do with the epub, but they were both exporting at about 150 dpi. I was wondering why the epub was taking so long to load into ibooks!

4. Compatibility - the PDF is essentially 100% compatible with anyone's system be it phone, tablet or computer, mac/pc, ios/android. The epub is compatible on tablets/phones and only with a special download is it compatible on computers (even adobe's digital editions sucks on my windows machine).

5. #4 is important for this reason - I am designing this so people can print it - I know that sounds weird, but this is a program schedule, and is replacing a printed program. My surveys of participants tell me they like to print out the schedule before they come. So I am designing this so it can be opened in adobe reader and then printed multiple up - 6 on a page fit perfectly and is still quite readable (I'll just set the button menus to not print).

7. #4 is also important for proofing. I had included some cool scrolling frames (Ajar) and I really really liked them - until it came time to a) edit the text in them (possible, but tedious) and b) print them for me and my client to proof. Since this document will have numerous last minute changes, editability and proofing are critical. I need to avoid anything that will make that process more difficult.

8. And finally, I KNOW how to make a PDF - I create them all the time and have designed numerous highly interactive complex documents for large books with tons of cross references and even a back button. But knowing the problems with PDF reader limitations, and hoping to find that the epub was superior regarding interactivity, I delved into that as the format for this project, especially after seeing Terry White's video comparing them. He did not mention any of these limitations (or work arounds if there are any). So, while I feel that I didn't exactly waste time exploring this option, especially since technology is constantly changing and it's good for me to keep up with new features and formats, but I confirmed that PDF is still a superior and controllable format. Nothing is perfect, and my already knowing the limitations (and capabilities) for the PDF are the clincher here. Also, I can report that PDF Expert and GoodReader ARE compatible with nearly everything I build in, including the BACK BUTTON. We tell people who buy our interactive books to purchase those readers (they're great anyway - PDF expert is my favorite). And hopefully Adobe and Apple will finally get their apps updated (Adobe - are you listening - you need your ios reader to be compatible with the documents your program generates - if other programs can do it you can too. Shame for creating a substandard reader.)

Thanks for all the suggestions. If I'm missing something, I'm still open to exporting this as a EPUB - I still have a year before the conference. And of course I can output it as both and let the reader choose, and maybe something will change in the next year with export functions in indesign to allow for the back button and transparency - adobe - are you listening?

Have a look at CircularFLO Home - CircularFLO

Moving to InDesign EPUB forum