The provided source material details a selection of free, downloadable fixed-layout EPUB samples. These resources are designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the EPUB3 fixed-layout format, particularly for publishers, designers, and developers interested in creating digital books that preserve the original print layout. The samples are available for direct download from various online repositories and are accompanied by information about their technical features, intended use cases, and platform compatibility.
Understanding Fixed-Layout EPUBs
Fixed-layout EPUBs are a digital book format that maintains the exact layout, typography, and design of the original print book. This format is particularly valuable for genres where visual layout is critical, such as children's illustrated books, cookbooks, art books, and comics. Unlike standard reflowable EPUBs, where text adjusts to fit different screen sizes, fixed-layout EPUBs present a consistent visual page. The source materials indicate that this format is optimised for tablet reading and is supported by major distribution platforms like Apple, Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
The format leverages HTML-based structures, allowing for enhanced features beyond static text and images. According to the source data, these features can include animated and interactive reader-activated elements, read-aloud audio tracks with optional word synchronization and highlight, sound effects and music, and embedded videos within customised frames.
Available Free Sample Downloads
The source documents list several specific fixed-layout EPUB samples that are available for free download. Each sample is designed to illustrate different technical capabilities and creative applications of the format.
Coffee-Table Fixed-Layout eBook Sample (ePub)
This sample is described as retaining the beautiful layout of an image-rich print book exactly in the eBook format. It is intended to showcase how fixed-layout EPUBs can preserve complex visual designs. The file is available for download, and the source notes that apps such as Google Play Books for iPad, Google Play Books for Android, and iBooks for iPad are required to read the EPUB files on respective devices.
Cookbook Sample (PDF)
While not an EPUB, this sample is listed alongside other downloadable resources. It is characterised by a fresh feel, a clean theme, and supporting images. Its inclusion highlights the variety of formats available for digital book demonstrations, though the primary focus of the source material is on fixed-layout EPUBs.
Enhanced Children’s eBook Sample (ePub)
This sample is designed to demonstrate interactive features suitable for children's content. It includes click-able sound buttons and animated elements like flying bees to create an engaging experience. This sample exemplifies how fixed-layout EPUBs can incorporate interactivity to enhance storytelling for younger audiences.
Fiction Novel Sample (ePub)
This sample is presented as a demonstration of thematic design in a fixed-layout format. The source describes it as a medieval-themed novel where designers have worked to recreate the story's essential atmosphere within a digital fixed-layout structure. It serves as an example of applying fixed-layout techniques to fiction, though the format is generally more common for visually intensive genres.
Technical and Interactive Demonstration Samples
A series of technical demonstration books are available, primarily from Infogrid Pacific. These are targeted at developers and designers to showcase the advanced potential of the EPUB3 fixed-layout specification.
FLO EPUB3 (6.6MB, 11.6MB, 7.61MB, 2.4MB, 10.1MB): These samples have various focuses, including sophisticated navigation, multiple page layout options, interactivity, and education. For instance, one sample uses "advanced multi-layer CSS and user-mixed audio," while another, titled "FLO Grows Up," is described as a designer-centric book that exploits EPUB3 specifications with features like asymmetrical pages, fixed layout viewports with sliding content, and vertical spread layout. Another sample, "Widget World," is an interactive demonstration of the AZARDI Interactive Engine (AIE), showcasing interactive and widget options. It is noted that this sample will work on EPUB3 Fixed layout capable reading systems that allow embedded JavaScript, specifically AZARDI and Apple iBooks at the time of its publication.
Recollections of War (28.3MB): This unique demonstration book combines reflowable and fixed layout EPUB3 to present historical archive data. It contains first-hand experience stories, a World War 2 flight log, and a collection of photographs. This sample illustrates the use of fixed layout for presenting historical and archive content in a new presentation method.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu (852KB): This is presented as a demonstration EPUB3 book, an ancient Chinese military treatise. Its purpose is to present list content within the fixed-layout framework.
Famous Paintings: A sample focused on sophisticated EPUB3 fixed-layout navigation and content interaction, optimised for 16:9/16:10 aspect ratio monitors. It is described as a demonstration of how fixed-layout image-centric books can be designed to deliver new content engagement experiences.
Antonio's Tale (6.6MB): This sample is described as a potential comic or interactive story for children. It uses advanced multi-layer CSS and user-mixed audio in a landscape-locked fixed layout with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Technical Considerations and Accessibility
The source materials highlight several technical considerations and challenges associated with fixed-layout EPUBs.
Platform Compatibility and Limitations: While fixed-layout EPUBs are supported by major distribution platforms, compatibility can vary across different reading systems. Some samples note specific limitations. For example, the "Famous Paintings" sample states that because it uses asymmetrical page layout and spine linear properties, it will not display as intended on reading systems with a partial or inflexible implementation of the fixed-layout specification. Similarly, the "Widget World" sample is noted to work on AZARDI and Apple iBooks but may not be supported on all EPUB3 readers. Another sample, "Antonio's Tale," mentions that audio mixing features may not be available on devices where only one track can be played at a time.
Accessibility Challenges: The fixed-layout format presents unique accessibility challenges. A document from the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) working group notes that fixed-layout publications can be partially or completely inaccessible to people with disabilities, especially those affecting vision or visual processing. An accessible fixed-layout EPUB file is defined as one that meets the accessibility requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.x level AA and EPUB Accessibility 1.1, including criteria for colour contrast, reading order, font layout, structural navigation, accessibility metadata, and text alternatives. However, the document acknowledges that not all WCAG success criteria are applicable to EPUB documents, and the fixed-layout format itself poses challenges to accessibility.
Development and Testing: The source materials mention the availability of development test books for fixed-layout EPUBs. These are not intended for entertainment but for presenting historical archive content and list content, allowing developers to test and understand the format's capabilities.
Conclusion
The provided source materials offer a range of free, downloadable fixed-layout EPUB samples that serve as demonstrations of the format's technical capabilities. These samples, available from various online repositories, are designed for educational and developmental purposes, showcasing applications from children's books and cookbooks to historical archives and interactive fiction. While the fixed-layout EPUB format enables rich visual and interactive digital book experiences, the sources also highlight important technical considerations, including platform compatibility and significant accessibility challenges. For consumers, these samples provide insight into the potential of digital books that preserve original print layouts, though they are primarily technical demonstrations rather than consumer-facing promotional offers or free product trials.