Problem exporting from DIN A4 PDF to EPUB

[mrmister1]

Hello, I really would need a bit of advice about how may I export a DIN A4 PDF document (a magazine) to EPUB. When I export it, I only get the cover perfectly exported. However, the text and the next pictures are floating everywhere without control. I would like all the pages maintain the original format of the PDF, and the original size of the PDF (Din A4).

Any recommendations about this?

Cheers

[Willi Adelberger]

It is only possible to export as EPUB with fixed layout.

[mrmister1]

Yes, but don't work. Even if I export it as fixed layout, I get the text floating everywhere and without control. Specially the pages that do not work well are those in which a picture is outside of the physical dimensions of the page, specially spreads. The only page working fine is the cover, because it is rasterized... however I only see well the pictures... the text fly away to the next pages...

[Derek Cross]

Do you have access to the original InDesign document?

[mrmister1]

Hi Derek, yes I have access I can open it. Why?

[Derek Cross]

Which version of InDesign do you have?

Do you want to produce a FXL ePub or Reflowable Text ePub?

Is it a simply designed book (one column) or complex?

[mrmister1]

Hi, I have the latest one, Indesign CC 2017.

I want to produce a FXL ePub (Fixed Layout EPUB).

It is a very complex Indesign document. Exactly it is a magazine. To understand the complexity think in Newsweek, VOGUE or Time.

I want the exported EPUB show the page perfectly, maintaining the vertical DIN A4

I think I am having problems also in the spreads, because the pages have pictures which go beyond of the physical dimensions of the DIN A4, and that is creating a strange EPUB file, when you open it you see very weird things, text out of control, going to next pages and pictures floating everywhere.

[Derek Cross]

I suggest you take a Lynda.com online video course and come back here with specific questions:

Creating Fixed-Layout EPUBs with InDesign CC

You can get a 10-day feee trial.

[mrmister1]

There is no way to maintain the same look in the EPUB as in the PDF without having to re-make all the design?

Perhaps rasterizing everything?

Thinking about having to remake everything gives me goosebumps!

[Marvest]

Can you post a sample of a few pages in .indd so we can test it? You can use Dropbox or similar and post the link here.

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

No you don't want to rasterise everything. As mentioned, have a look at the course and it will explain the strengths and weaknesses of FXLePub.