include images

[Libersofter]

How can I create an epub with images, especially a cover image?

[vkbo]

You can't. novelWriter only produces manuscript stage output. It is not a full self-publishing suite. Any further processing should be done in other software designed to handle the complexities of generating ebooks.

An Epub format may be added, but this too is only intended for producing output for beta readers. Not a distributable result.

[Libersofter]

I would suggest to add a field to the settings where the user can specify an executable to be called after the build. The executable could be passed the complete path of the created file. The executable then could be a (user-defined) script that calls something like epub-tools.

[vkbo]

As I said, this is out of scope for novelWriter.

[moustaleurie]

Hello dear @vkbo , I understand your view concerning images. Although, I would like to ask if an implementation of a pointer to images would be acceptable from your side.

With my very little (close to none) knowledge on this topic from a developer's point of view, my suggestion is a directory per project dedicated for images, and the ability to link the specific image to the text. I hope this is not a suggestion that does not make sense, if it is I apologize beforehand. For me, there is no need to show or print the image if this is not something you want to implement, but to give us a way to easily find the specific image we wanted to place in a specific area of the novel. Does this sound like a feature that aligns with novelWriter's scope?

Quick example, my current novel involves some chess matches that reflect real life matches, giving some subtext information for my characters in this process. As you may know, describing a chess match move by move can be difficult and requires extra bits of storytelling to keep the reader away from boredom. Although, this makes it quite difficult for the reader to easily keep track of the moves on the chess mat. So , some images here and there feel like obligatory from my point of view. Having an easy way to navigate to those images even while writing the scene is very helpful. And using a separate app, just for that when I can keep all the other information for my novel in one place (novelWriter) is a pity. I am sure there are other examples that images play a significant role in the storytelling.

Whatever you decide, I support you. I am more than satisfied with your incredible app. Thank you very much for your contribution!
Take care

[vkbo]

Attachments is a planned feature. See #1060. I'm not sure when I will get to that.

With the new story comments feature you should at least be able to add notes for later reference in the places where you want to inject images in your manuscript. A sort of "image goes here" kind of note. You could define your own %Note.Image: comment for this, and CSV exports from the Outline should list them in a column of its own making them easier to track in the manuscript, as well as the notes themselves will be included in the text.

As mentioned, full image support will not be added. Anyone who's tried to play around with image placements in Word, Writer, LaTeX, or any format that supports them, can imagine how difficult it is to handle properly and in a way that suits everyone. novelWriter is a project made in my spare time, and I simply don't want to deal with such complex structures in the text and user interface. It's the same reason why there won't be tables either.

[vkbo]

Response from @moustaleurie by email, moved here:

Thank you very much or your response!
I do use the new story comments for this goal! I didn't thought about the csv exports though! I will definitely try this!

As I wrote in my comment, I totally understand why you don't want to handle images. Especially for publishing them within the script. No argument there.
I am really excited for the attachments feature! But no pressure here. I am happy with being positively surprised in a future update!

Have a great weekend and thanks again for this great app!

Take car,
Nikolaos Yitsis