Ressources

• 1: Minimum system requirements
• 2: Keyboard shortcuts
• 3: Supported publication formats
• 4: Glossary
• 5: Frequently asked questions
• 6: Stuck?

1 - Minimum system requirements

Platform support is provided by Electron as defined in Electron github repo Readme

Each Electron release provides binaries for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

• macOS (Big Sur and up): Electron provides 64-bit Intel and Apple Silicon / ARM binaries for macOS.
• Windows (Windows 10 and up): Electron provides ia32 (x86), x64 (amd64), and arm64 binaries for Windows. Windows on ARM support was added in Electron 5.0.8. Support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 was removed in Electron 23, in line with Chromium’s Windows deprecation policy.
• Linux: The prebuilt binaries of Electron are built on Ubuntu 20.04. They have also been verified to work on:
  • Ubuntu 18.04 and newer
  • Fedora 32 and newer
  • Debian 10 and newer

Thorium 3.0 has memories issues under Linux, as documented in Issue 2519

2 - Keyboard shortcuts

Create annotation (`AnnotationsCreate`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + KeyA

When a text is selected, it will be marked as annotation and the annotation dialog box will open to allow additional text and select of color and stroke.

Quick create annotation (`AnnotationsCreateQuick`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + KeyQ

When a text is selected, it will be marked as annotation without opening the annotation dialog box

Toggle annotation marks in the margin or in the text (`AnnotationsToggleMargin`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + KeyZ

Changes the Annotations marks from the text to the margin or reverse.

Next audio (`AudioNext`) Ctrl + Digit3

in reader window, calls the "next" command for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud, or "forward" for audiobooks)

Next audio Alternative (`AudioNextAlt`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Digit3

in reader window, calls the "next" command for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud, or "forward" for audiobooks)

Play or pause audio (`AudioPlayPause`) Ctrl + Digit2

in reader window, calls the "play" or "pause" toggle commands for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud)

Previous audio (`AudioPrevious`) Ctrl + Digit1

in reader window, calls the "previous" command for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud, or "rewind" for audiobooks)

Alternative previous audio (`AudioPreviousAlt`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + Digit1

in reader window, calls the "previous" command for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud, or "rewind" for audiobooks). Alternative shortcut key.

Stop audio (`AudioStop`) Ctrl + Digit4

in reader window, calls the "stop" command for audio (TTS or EPUB3 Media Overlays readaloud, or "pause" for audiobooks)

Close the book (`CloseReader`) Ctrl + KeyW

in reader window, closes the window and returns to the library view.

Fixed Layout Zoom In (`FXLZoomIn`) Ctrl + Digit9

Zoom in a fixed layout page

Fixed Layout Zoom out (`FXLZoomOut`) Ctrl + Digit8

Zoom out a fixed layout page

Fixed Layout Zoom (`FXLZoomReset`) Ctrl + Digit0

Reset to 100% zoom on a fixed layout page

Main content(`FocusMain`) Ctrl + F10

In reader and library windows, moves the keyboard focus to the "main" area landmark. in the reader view, the keyboard focus moves one step further into the frame that displays publication content (screen readers automatically read the currently-focussed HTML element inside the displayed document)

Main content deep (`FocusMainDeep`) Shift + Ctrl + F10

Just like "Main content" / FocusMainDeep in the reader view (see above), but the keyboard focus is forced deeper into the frame that displays publication content (this can help in cases where screen readers do not automatically read the currently-focussed HTML element inside the displayed document)

Go to page (`FocusReaderGotoPage`) Ctrl + Shift + KeyP

in reader window, moves the keyboard focus to the "goto page" section in the navigation panel

Navigation (`FocusReaderNavigation`) Ctrl + KeyN

in reader window, moves the keyboard focus to the navigation panel (table of contents, bookmarks, etc.)

Table Of Content (`FocusReaderNavigationTOC`) Ctrl + Shift + KeyN

in reader window, moves the keyboard focus to the navigation panel, but more specifically into the table of contents, and if possible at the detected heading / closest to the reading location.

Reader settings (`FocusReaderSettings`) Ctrl + KeyS

in reader window, moves the keyboard focus to the settings panel (user preferences for displaying publication content)

Search (`FocusSearch`) Ctrl + KeyF

Available from the library and the reading winfos. In library window, moves the keyboard focus to the search text input of local bookshelf or OPDS feed. In reader window, moves the keyboard focus to the publication-wide search text input.

Toolbar (`FocusToolbar`) Ctrl + KeyT

in reader and library windows, moves the keyboard focus to the top horizontal toolbar, immediately before the "skip" link (which itself moves focus to the "main" area landmark)

Next chapter (`NavigateNextChapter`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + ArrowRight

in reader window, move to previous or next "chapter" (spine item in the reading order of the publication). Note that the keyboard focus is automatically moved to the "main" area landmark, which is immediately before the frame that displays publication content (just like when following / activating a link in the table of contents).

Next chapter (`NavigateNextChapterAlt`) Ctrl + PageDown

in reader window, move to previous or next "chapter" (spine item in the reading order of the publication). Note that the keyboard focus is automatically moved to the "main" area landmark, which is immediately before the frame that displays publication content (just like when following / activating a link in the table of contents).

Next History (`NavigateNextHistory`) Ctrl + Shift + Backspace

in reader window, go back or forward in the navigation history: Beginning or End of the publication

Next library page (`NavigateNextLibraryPage`) Ctrl + Shift + ArrowRight

In the library view, display the next set of books

Next library page alternative(`NavigateNextLibraryPageAlt`) Ctrl + Shift + Period

In the library view, display the next set of books (alternative keyboard shortcut)

Next Catalogue page (`NavigateNextOPDSPage`) Ctrl + Shift + ArrowRight

in library window for Catalogues (OPD) feeds, activates the next pagination links

Next Catalogue page (`NavigateNextOPDSPageAlt`) Ctrl + Shift + Period

in library window for Catalogues (OPD) feeds, activates the next pagination links (alternative keyboard shortcut)

Next page (`NavigateNextPage`) ArrowRight

in reader window, move to previous or next "page" (or scroll unit, if pagination is disabled)

Next page (`NavigateNextPageAlt`) Ctrl + Period

in reader window, move to previous or next "page" (or scroll unit, if pagination is disabled)

Previous chapter (`NavigatePreviousChapter`) Alt + Ctrl + Shift + ArrowLeft

in reader window, move to previous "chapter" (spine item in the reading order of the publication). Note that the keyboard focus is automatically moved to the "main" area landmark, which is immediately before the frame that displays publication content (just like when following / activating a link in the table of contents).

Previous chapter (`NavigatePreviousChapterAlt`) Ctrl + PageUp

in reader window, move to previous "chapter" (spine item in the reading order of the publication). Note that the keyboard focus is automatically moved to the "main" area landmark, which is immediately before the frame that displays publication content (just like when following / activating a link in the table of contents).

Previous History(`NavigatePreviousHistory`) Ctrl + Backspace

in reader window, go back or forward in the navigation history: Beginning or End of the publication

(`NavigatePreviousLibraryPage`) Ctrl + Shift + ArrowLeft

In the library view, display the previous set of books

(`NavigatePreviousLibraryPageAlt`) Ctrl + Shift + Comma

In the library view, display the previous set of books (alternative keyboard shortcut)

Previous Catalogue page (`NavigatePreviousOPDSPage`)

Ctrl + Shift + ArrowLeft

Previous Catalogue page (`NavigatePreviousOPDSPageAlt`)

in library window for Catalogues (OPD) feeds, activates the previous pagination links (alternative keyboard shortcut)

Ctrl + Shift + Comma

Previous page (`NavigatePreviousPage`) ArrowLeft

in reader window, move to previous or next "page" (or scroll unit, if pagination is disabled)

Previous page (`NavigatePreviousPageAlt`) Ctrl + Comma

in reader window, move to previous or next "page" (or scroll unit, if pagination is disabled)

Go to Begining of the book (`NavigateToBegin`) Ctrl + Home

in reader window, goes to the beginning of the publication

Go to end of the book (`NavigateToEnd`) Ctrl + End

in reader window, goes to the end of the publication

Book information panel (`OpenReaderInfo`) Ctrl + KeyI

in reader window, publication info popup modal dialog (may be used in future Thorium version for similar feature in library window)

where am I (quick notification supported by Screen readers) (`SpeakReaderInfoWhereAmI`) Ctrl + Shift + KeyK

in reader window, this is the "where am I" feature, just as above, but only spoken via screen reader TTS thanks to an ARIA live region with assertive speech which interrupts the current narration.

where am I (`OpenReaderInfoWhereAmI`) Ctrl + Shift + KeyI

in reader window, publication info popup modal dialog with direct keyboard focus on section that displays the headings hierarchy trail and other contextual information for the current reading location, such as nearest preceding page break, as well as document index in the reading order (this is the "where am I" feature).

Next search result (`SearchNext`) F3

in reader window, when the publication-wide search text input is open, finds the previous / next match

SearchNextAlt Ctrl + KeyG

same as above (alternative keyboard shortcut)

previous search result (`SearchPrevious`) Shift + F3

in reader window, when the publication-wide search text input is open, finds the previous / next match

(`SearchPreviousAlt`) Ctrl + Shift + KeyG

same as above (alternative keyboard shortcut)

Bookmarks (`ToggleBookmark`) Ctrl + KeyB

in reader window, toggle bookmark (a notification is produced so that screen readers announce the change)

Fullscreen (`ToggleReaderFullscreen`) Ctrl + F11

In reader window, toggle fullscreen. Note that this is different from the Zen mode. Keyboard shortcut is the only way to go full screen.

3 - Supported publication formats

EPUB

(Electronic PUBlication) is an open file format for electronic publications. EPUB is a native semantic format allowing to use numerous standardised languages such as HTML, ARIA, MATHML, SVG and others. The actual version 3 is known to provide the best up to date reading experience. Obsolete EPUB2 files are also readable in Thorium.

DAISY

Usually produced and distributed by specialized libraries or NGOs, the DAISY format offers a significantly enhanced reading experience for ebooks that are not available in EPUB3. Thorium supports reading DAISY 3 and 2.02, both in their text only, audio only, and syncronised text and audio.

PDF

despite a well-known lack of flexibility (no reflow option) and accessibility, many ebooks are still available in PDF only, especially in public libraries.

Audiobooks

a standardized format for audiobooks has been designed by the W3C Publishing Working Group in 2020, and EDRLab was part of this WG. Thorium is supporting the packaged (LPF) audiobook format, which will soon be widely used by booksellers, or so we hope.

Visual narratives

EDRLab has designed a standard format for comics, manga, webtoons and other styles of digital works based on sequances of images. Divina is the name of this format. This is still an experimental format, and we hope that publishers will size it in 2021+.

4 - Glossary

Book information panel (Book Details)

Gives information about the digital book. This information is extracted from the file's metadata, its quality and quantity depends on the the attention paid during the production of the file by the publisher.

Adapted books

These are digital books produced by associations and made available to people with disabilities for reading. Worldwild, this system is governed by The Marrakech Treaty .

OPDS

Open Publication Distribution System

5 - Frequently asked questions

How can I enjoy Thorium in Fullscreen?

Ctrl + F11 in a reader window, will toggle this window fullscreen. Note that this is different from the Zen mode available from the top right pictogram. Keyboard shortcut is the only way to go full screen.

Why can't I open an ebook without it being save in the Thorium Reader library?

Thorium, like several other ebook readers and reading systems stores imported publications in its own filesystem space, as this provides a guarantee that per-publication state and external metadata (e.g. bookmarks, settings, annotations, DRM status, etc.) can be reliably attached.

Why is there no read aloud nor annotations for PDFs?

EDRLab prioritises its work on offering a great experience to EPUB users. In Thorium Reader, advanced features like TTS and annotations are consequently available for EPUB first, and we expect that other app developers will get the best from PDF files. It does not mean that advanced features will never be available on PDF in Thorium, simply that our limited budget is used for what we consider best for ebook readers.

I accidentally rotated my PDF pages, how can't get it back?

The shortcuts for rotating PDF pages are:

• Rotate the document clockwise: r
• Rotate the document counterclockwise: shift + r

I can't select the adequate voice for read aloud function (TTS)

Thorium uses the voices from the computer's operating system, in combination with the language information provided by the book.

• If you are using windows you can follow Microsoft’s guide Download the language pack for voice.
• If you are using Mac OSX the guide Change the voice that the Mac uses to pronounce text.

Once the required voice is installed, Thorium will choose the voice corresponding to the language of the book.

It may happen that the book has the wrong language. In this case, Thorium allows you to change the voice to one that is present in the system via the Voice menu

How can I transfer the entire book collection from one machine to another?

Having a UI for exporting the whole catalog is not a priority currently.

The publications are stored in a well-known directory.

• on Windows10: C:\Users\ user name \AppData\Roaming\EDRLab.ThoriumReader\publications\
• on MacOS: /Users/ user name /Library/Application Support/EDRLab.ThoriumReader/
• on Debian: /home/ user name /.config/EDRLab.ThoriumReader/publications-dev/

In case of a migration from one computer to another or similar usecases, you can copy all ebook files in this repository and open them in the new installation of Thorium.

6 - Stuck?

If you do not find the answer to your problem on this site, you can tell us your problem via our support tracking tool or contact form.

Here is the information we need:

• Operating system and it version
• Thorium version (it is indicated at the bottom of the library under the title About Thorium)