Uploading a book to Blurb

[Persio]

Gentlemen,
Please help me clarify the Blurb uploading process (if possible).
The LR upload process seems to be very strange.
I would think that once the album is ready for uploading LR would compile the album, generate a compiled-album-file, and then start the uploading process.
LR compiles and uploads "on-the-fly" (without generating a compiled file) which is not very efficient because if you loose connection the whole process is lost since LR starts the process from the beginning. If you had the compiled-album-file it would only require the uploading process.
Another issue with the current process is that one can not save a back-up file of the compiled album to submit for printing at a later time.

Am I missing something?
Is there such an option which I failed to see?

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.
Persio.

[john beardsworth]

It actually generates a couple of PDFs (one for the cover) and uploads them. They're stored in a temporary folder and deleted after the upload is complete. So you can copy these files while they're uploading.

Alternatively, switch the book to a PDF (Book Settings panel) and export these PDFs to your desktop. You can then upload them manually.

John

[Persio]

John,
Thank you for your reply.
Do you mean that the "compiled-file" is the PDF file generated by LR?
And that Blurb takes the PDF file as the source for printing?

I was under the impression that Blurb was receiving a proprietary-formatted file like other services do.
Please confirm that my understanding is correct.
Regards,
Persio.

[john beardsworth]

Yes

[Iluvmycam]

OP...don't know. But my LR4 book kept failing when uploaded to Blurb, so I used their 'in house' book designer and it worked fine. I'm working on book #2 now.