diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index 8bb2d815..b543879d 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -40,8 +40,9 @@ const _allTypes = vcat([
     :polygon       => :shape,
   )
 
-ishistlike(lt::Symbol) = lt in (:hist, :density)
-islinelike(lt::Symbol) = lt in (:line, :path, :steppre, :steppost)
+like_histogram(linetype::Symbol) = linetype in (:hist, :density)
+like_line(linetype::Symbol)      = linetype in (:line, :path, :steppre, :steppost)
+like_surface(linetype::Symbol)   = linetype in (:contour, :heatmap, :surface, :wireframe)
 
 
 const _allStyles = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
diff --git a/src/backends/pyplot.jl b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
index aee0a3b8..6ec70367 100644
--- a/src/backends/pyplot.jl
+++ b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ function _add_series(pkg::PyPlotBackend, plt::Plot; kw...)
     # NOTE: this is unsupported because it does the wrong thing... it shifts the whole axis
     # extra_kwargs[:bottom] = d[:fill]
 
-    if ishistlike(lt)
+    if like_histogram(lt)
       extra_kwargs[:bins] = d[:nbins]
       extra_kwargs[:normed] = lt == :density
     else
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ function _add_series(pkg::PyPlotBackend, plt::Plot; kw...)
   end
 
   # do the plot
-  d[:serieshandle] = if ishistlike(lt)
+  d[:serieshandle] = if like_histogram(lt)
     plotfunc(d[:y]; extra_kwargs...)[1]
 
   elseif lt == :contour
diff --git a/src/components.jl b/src/components.jl
index 3b413e2f..9a676336 100644
--- a/src/components.jl
+++ b/src/components.jl
@@ -6,6 +6,23 @@ end
 get_xs(shape::Shape) = Float64[v[1] for v in shape.vertices]
 get_ys(shape::Shape) = Float64[v[2] for v in shape.vertices]
 
+function shape_coords(shape::Shape)
+    unzip(shape.vertices)
+end
+
+function shape_coords(shapes::AVec{Shape})
+    length(shapes) == 0 && return zeros(0), zeros(0)
+    xs = map(get_xs, shapes)
+    ys = map(get_ys, shapes)
+    x, y = unzip(shapes[1].vertices)
+    for shape in shapes[2:end]
+        tmpx, tmpy = unzip(shape.vertices)
+        x = vcat(x, NaN, tmpx)
+        y = vcat(y, NaN, tmpy)
+    end
+    x, y
+end
+
 "get an array of tuples of points on a circle with radius `r`"
 function partialcircle(start_θ, end_θ, n = 20, r=1)
   @compat(Tuple{Float64,Float64})[(r*cos(u),r*sin(u)) for u in linspace(start_θ, end_θ, n)]
@@ -235,8 +252,10 @@ end
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+abstract AbstractSurface
+
 "represents a contour or surface mesh"
-immutable Surface{M<:AMat}
+immutable Surface{M<:AMat} <: AbstractSurface
   # x::AVec
   # y::AVec
   surf::M
@@ -251,6 +270,12 @@ for f in (:length, :size)
 end
 Base.copy(surf::Surface) = Surface(copy(surf.surf))
 
+
+"For the case of representing a surface as a function of x/y... can possibly avoid allocations."
+immutable SurfaceFunction <: AbstractSurface
+    f::Function
+end
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 type OHLC{T<:Real}
diff --git a/src/plot.jl b/src/plot.jl
index daa991fb..215f3f35 100644
--- a/src/plot.jl
+++ b/src/plot.jl
@@ -88,7 +88,12 @@ function plot!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)
   _before_add_series(plt)
 
   # get the list of dictionaries, one per series
-  seriesArgList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(plt, groupargs..., args...; d...)
+  @show groupargs args
+  dumpdict(d, "before process_inputs")
+  process_inputs(plt, d, groupargs..., args...)
+  dumpdict(d, "after process_inputs")
+  seriesArgList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(plt, d)
+  # seriesArgList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(plt, groupargs..., args...; d...)
 
   # if we were able to extract guide information from the series inputs, then update the plot
   # @show xmeta, ymeta
diff --git a/src/series_args.jl b/src/series_args.jl
index 5e0e1bd3..50d8a964 100644
--- a/src/series_args.jl
+++ b/src/series_args.jl
@@ -77,8 +77,9 @@ compute_x(x::Void, y, z) = 1:size(y,1)
 compute_x(x::Function, y, z) = map(x, y)
 compute_x(x, y, z) = x
 
+compute_y(x::Void, y::Function, z) = error()
 compute_y(x::Void, y::Void, z) = 1:size(z,2)
-compute_y(x::Void, y, z) = 1:size(x,1)
+# compute_y(x::Void, y, z) = 1:size(z,2)
 compute_y(x, y::Function, z) = map(y, x)
 compute_y(x, y, z) = y
 
@@ -120,10 +121,14 @@ function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, kw::KW)
         # build the series arg dict
         numUncounted = pop!(d, :numUncounted, 0)
         n = plt.n + i + numUncounted
+
         dumpdict(d, "before getSeriesArgs")
         d = getSeriesArgs(plt.backend, getplotargs(plt, n), d, i + numUncounted, convertSeriesIndex(plt, n), n)
         dumpdict(d, "after getSeriesArgs")
+
+        @show xs[mod1(i,mx)] ys[mod1(i,my)] zs[mod1(i,mz)]
         d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = compute_xyz(xs[mod1(i,mx)], ys[mod1(i,my)], zs[mod1(i,mz)])
+        @show d[:x] d[:y] d[:z]
 
         # # NOTE: this should be handled by the time it gets here
         # lt = d[:linetype]
@@ -172,10 +177,21 @@ function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, kw::KW)
 end
 
 
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# process_inputs
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# These methods take a plot and the keyword arguments, and processes the input
+# arguments (x/y/z, group, etc), populating the KW dict with appropriate values.
+
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # 0 arguments
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+# don't do anything
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW)
+end
+
 # # TODO: all methods should probably do this... check for (and pop!) x/y/z values if they exist
 #
 # function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW)
@@ -205,118 +221,109 @@ end
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 # no special handling... assume x and z are nothing
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, y)
-    build_series_args(plt, d, nothing, y, nothing)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, y)
+    d[:y] = y
 end
 
 # matrix... is it z or y?
-function build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
     if all3D(d)
         n,m = size(mat)
-        build_series_args(plt, d, 1:n, 1:m, mat)
+        d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = 1:n, 1:m, mat
     else
-        build_series_args(plt, d, nothing, mat, nothing)
+        d[:y] = mat
     end
 end
 
+
 # plotting arbitrary shapes/polygons
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shape::Shape)
-    x, y = unzip(shape.vertices)
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y; linetype = :shape)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shape::Shape)
+    d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shape)
+    d[:linetype] = :shape
 end
-
-function shape_coords(shapes::AVec{Shape})
-    xs = map(get_xs, shapes)
-    ys = map(get_ys, shapes)
-    x, y = unzip(shapes[1].vertices)
-    for shape in shapes[2:end]
-        tmpx, tmpy = unzip(shape.vertices)
-        x = vcat(x, NaN, tmpx)
-        y = vcat(y, NaN, tmpy)
-    end
-    x, y
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AVec{Shape})
+    d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shapes)
+    d[:linetype] = :shape
 end
-
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AVec{Shape})
-    x, y = shape_coords(shapes)
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y; linetype = :shape)
-end
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AMat{Shape})
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AMat{Shape})
     x, y = [], []
     for j in 1:size(shapes, 2)
         tmpx, tmpy = shape_coords(vec(shapes[:,j]))
         push!(x, tmpx)
         push!(y, tmpy)
     end
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y; linetype = :shape)
+    d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
+    d[:linetype] = :shape
 end
 
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs)
-    build_series_args(plt, d, f, xmin(plt), xmax(plt))
+
+# function without range... use the current range of the x-axis
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs)
+    process_inputs(plt, d, f, xmin(plt), xmax(plt))
 end
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # 2 arguments
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x, y)
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y, nothing)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x, y)
+    d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
 end
 
-# list of functions
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, x)
+# if functions come first, just swap the order (not to be confused with parametric functions...
+# as there would be more than one function passed in)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, x)
     @assert !(typeof(x) <: FuncOrFuncs)  # otherwise we'd hit infinite recursion here
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, f)
+    process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
 end
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # 3 arguments
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+# no special handling... just pass them through
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x, y, z)
+    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, z
+end
+
 # 3d line or scatter
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zvec::AVec)
-    d = KW(kw)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zvec::AVec)
+    # default to path3d if we haven't set a 3d linetype
     if !(get(d, :linetype, :none) in _3dTypes)
         d[:linetype] = :path3d
     end
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y; z=zvec, d...)
+    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, z
 end
 
-# contours or surfaces... function grid
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zf::Function)
-    # only allow sorted x/y for now
-    # TODO: auto sort x/y/z properly
-    @assert x == sort(x)
-    @assert y == sort(y)
-    surface = Float64[zf(xi, yi) for xi in x, yi in y]
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y, surface)  # passes it to the zmat version
+# surface-like... function
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zf::Function)
+    x, y = sort(x), sort(y)
+    d[:z] = Surface(zf, x, y)  # TODO: replace with SurfaceFunction when supported
+    d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
 end
 
-# contours or surfaces... matrix grid
-function build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, x::AVec, y::AVec, zmat::AMat{T})
-    # only allow sorted x/y for now
-    # TODO: auto sort x/y/z properly
-    @assert x == sort(x)
-    @assert y == sort(y)
+# surface-like... matrix grid
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zmat::AMat{T})
     @assert size(zmat) == (length(x), length(y))
-    d = KW(kw)
-    d[:z] = Surface(convert(Matrix{Float64}, zmat))
-    if !(get(d, :linetype, :none) in (:contour, :heatmap, :surface, :wireframe))
+    if !issorted(x) || !issorted(y)
+        x_idx = sortperm(x)
+        y_idx = sortperm(y)
+        x, y = x[x_idx], y[y_idx]
+        zmat = z[x_idx, y_idx]
+    end
+    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, Surface{Matrix{Float64}}(zmat)
+    if !like_surface(get(d, :linetype, :none))
         d[:linetype] = :contour
     end
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, y; d...) #, z = surf)
 end
 
-# contours or surfaces... general x, y grid
-function build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, x::AMat{T}, y::AMat{T}, zmat::AMat{T})
+# surfaces-like... general x, y grid
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AMat{T}, y::AMat{T}, zmat::AMat{T})
     @assert size(zmat) == size(x) == size(y)
-    surf = Surface(convert(Matrix{Float64}, zmat))
-    d = KW(kw)
-    d[:z] = Surface(convert(Matrix{Float64}, zmat))
-    if !(get(d, :linetype, :none) in (:contour, :heatmap, :surface, :wireframe))
+    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = Any[x], Any[y], Surface{Matrix{Float64}}(zmat)
+    if !like_surface(get(d, :linetype, :none))
         d[:linetype] = :contour
     end
-    build_series_args(plt, d, Any[x], Any[y]; d...) #kw..., z = surf, linetype = :contour)
 end
 
 
@@ -325,57 +332,74 @@ end
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 # special handling... xmin/xmax with function(s)
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
     width = get(plt.plotargs, :size, (100,))[1]
-    x = collect(linspace(xmin, xmax, width))  # we don't need more than the width
-    build_series_args(plt, d, x, f)
+    x = linspace(xmin, xmax, width)
+    process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
 end
 
-
 # special handling... xmin/xmax with parametric function(s)
-build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = build_series_args(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
-build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, u::AVec{T}, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs) = build_series_args(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
-build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, numPoints::Int = 1000) = build_series_args(plt, d, fx, fy, linspace(umin, umax, numPoints))
+process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
+process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, u::AVec{T}, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
+process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, numPoints::Int = 1000) = process_inputs(plt, d, fx, fy, linspace(umin, umax, numPoints))
 
 # special handling... 3D parametric function(s)
-build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = build_series_args(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fz, u))
-build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, u::AVec{T}, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs) = build_series_args(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fz, u))
-build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, numPoints::Int = 1000) = build_series_args(plt, d, fx, fy, fz, linspace(umin, umax, numPoints))
+process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fz, u))
+process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, u::AVec{T}, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fz, u))
+process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, numPoints::Int = 1000) = process_inputs(plt, d, fx, fy, fz, linspace(umin, umax, numPoints))
 
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Lists of tuples and FixedSizeArrays
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+# if we get an unhandled tuple, just splat it in
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, tup::Tuple)
+    process_inputs(plt, d, tup...)
+end
+
 # (x,y) tuples
-function build_series_args{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, xy::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2}})
-    build_series_args(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
+function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2}})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
 end
-function build_series_args{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, xy::Tuple{R1,R2})
-    build_series_args(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
+function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::Tuple{R1,R2})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
 end
 
-
-unzip{T}(x::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}}) = T[xi[1] for xi in x], T[xi[2] for xi in x]
-unzip{T}(x::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}) = T[x[1]], T[x[2]]
-
-function build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, xy::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}})
-    build_series_args(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
+# (x,y,z) tuples
+function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xyz::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2,R3}})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xyz)...)
+end
+function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xyz::Tuple{R1,R2,R3})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, [xyz[1]], [xyz[2]], [xyz[3]])
 end
 
-function build_series_args{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, xy::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T})
-    build_series_args(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
+# 2D FixedSizeArrays
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
+end
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
+end
+
+# 3D FixedSizeArrays
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xyz::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T}})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xyz)...)
+end
+function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xyz::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T})
+    process_inputs(plt, d, [xyz[1]], [xyz[2]], [xyz[3]])
 end
 
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # handle grouping
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, groupby::GroupBy, args...)
+function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, groupby::GroupBy, args...)
     ret = Any[]
+    error("unfinished after series reorg")
     for (i,glab) in enumerate(groupby.groupLabels)
         # TODO: don't automatically overwrite labels
-        kwlist, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(plt, d, args...,
+        kwlist, xmeta, ymeta = process_inputs(plt, d, args...,
                                             idxfilter = groupby.groupIds[i],
                                             label = string(glab),
                                             numUncounted = length(ret))  # we count the idx from plt.n + numUncounted + i
@@ -391,8 +415,13 @@ end
 function setup_dataframes()
     @require DataFrames begin
 
-        function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
-            build_series_args(plt, d, args..., dataframe = df)
+        # function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+        #     process_inputs(plt, d, args..., dataframe = df)
+        # end
+
+        function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+            d[:dataframe] = df
+            process_inputs(plt, d, args...)
         end
 
         # expecting the column name of a dataframe that was passed in... anything else should error
diff --git a/src/subplot.jl b/src/subplot.jl
index bbe4e244..1ffa8a67 100644
--- a/src/subplot.jl
+++ b/src/subplot.jl
@@ -209,8 +209,9 @@ function subplot!(subplt::Subplot, args...; kw...)
     delete!(d, :group)
   end
 
-
-  kwList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(subplt, groupargs..., args...; d...)
+  process_inputs(subplt, d, groupargs..., args...)
+  kwList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(subplt, d)
+  # kwList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(subplt, groupargs..., args...; d...)
 
   # TODO: something useful with meta info?
 
diff --git a/src/utils.jl b/src/utils.jl
index b75f93cc..45ba9501 100644
--- a/src/utils.jl
+++ b/src/utils.jl
@@ -121,19 +121,24 @@ nop() = nothing
 
 get_mod(v::AVec, idx::Int) = v[mod1(idx, length(v))]
 get_mod(v::AMat, idx::Int) = size(v,1) == 1 ? v[1, mod1(idx, size(v,2))] : v[:, mod1(idx, size(v,2))]
-get_mod(v, idx::Int) = v
+get_mod(v, idx::Int)       = v
 
 makevec(v::AVec) = v
 makevec{T}(v::T) = T[v]
 
 "duplicate a single value, or pass the 2-tuple through"
-maketuple(x::Real) = (x,x)
+maketuple(x::Real)                     = (x,x)
 maketuple{T,S}(x::@compat(Tuple{T,S})) = x
 
-mapFuncOrFuncs(f::Function, u::AVec) = map(f, u)
+mapFuncOrFuncs(f::Function, u::AVec)        = map(f, u)
 mapFuncOrFuncs(fs::AVec{Function}, u::AVec) = [map(f, u) for f in fs]
 
-unzip{T,S}(v::AVec{@compat(Tuple{T,S})}) = [vi[1] for vi in v], [vi[2] for vi in v]
+unzip{T,S}(xy::AVec{Tuple{T,S}})              = [x[1] for x in xy], [y[2] for y in xy]
+unzip{T,S,R}(xyz::AVec{Tuple{T,S,R}})         = [x[1] for x in xyz], [y[2] for y in xyz], [z[3] for z in xyz]
+unzip{T}(xy::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}})  = T[x[1] for x in xy], T[y[2] for y in xy]
+unzip{T}(xy::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T})        = T[xy[1]], T[xy[2]]
+unzip{T}(xyz::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T}}) = T[x[1] for x in xyz], T[y[2] for y in xyz], T[z[3] for z in xyz]
+unzip{T}(xyz::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T})       = T[xyz[1]], T[xyz[2]], T[xyz[3]]
 
 # given 2-element lims and a vector of data x, widen lims to account for the extrema of x
 function _expand_limits(lims, x)
@@ -203,29 +208,29 @@ isijulia() = isdefined(Main, :IJulia) && Main.IJulia.inited
 isatom() = isdefined(Main, :Atom) && Atom.isconnected()
 
 istuple(::Tuple) = true
-istuple(::Any) = false
+istuple(::Any)   = false
 isvector(::AVec) = true
-isvector(::Any) = false
+isvector(::Any)  = false
 ismatrix(::AMat) = true
-ismatrix(::Any) = false
+ismatrix(::Any)  = false
 isscalar(::Real) = true
-isscalar(::Any) = false
+isscalar(::Any)  = false
 
 
 
 
 # ticksType{T<:Real,S<:Real}(ticks::@compat(Tuple{T,S})) = :limits
-ticksType{T<:Real}(ticks::AVec{T}) = :ticks
-ticksType{T<:AbstractString}(ticks::AVec{T}) = :labels
-ticksType{T<:AVec,S<:AVec}(ticks::@compat(Tuple{T,S})) = :ticks_and_labels
-ticksType(ticks) = :invalid
+ticksType{T<:Real}(ticks::AVec{T})                      = :ticks
+ticksType{T<:AbstractString}(ticks::AVec{T})            = :labels
+ticksType{T<:AVec,S<:AVec}(ticks::@compat(Tuple{T,S}))  = :ticks_and_labels
+ticksType(ticks)                                        = :invalid
 
-limsType{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::@compat(Tuple{T,S})) = :limits
-limsType(lims::Symbol) = lims == :auto ? :auto : :invalid
-limsType(lims) = :invalid
+limsType{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::@compat(Tuple{T,S}))    = :limits
+limsType(lims::Symbol)                                  = lims == :auto ? :auto : :invalid
+limsType(lims)                                          = :invalid
 
 
-Base.convert{T<:Real}(::Type{Vector{T}}, rng::Range{T}) = T[x for x in rng]
+Base.convert{T<:Real}(::Type{Vector{T}}, rng::Range{T})         = T[x for x in rng]
 Base.convert{T<:Real,S<:Real}(::Type{Vector{T}}, rng::Range{S}) = T[x for x in rng]
 
 Base.merge(a::AbstractVector, b::AbstractVector) = sort(unique(vcat(a,b)))
@@ -238,14 +243,14 @@ wraptuple(x) = (x,)
 trueOrAllTrue(f::Function, x::AbstractArray) = all(f, x)
 trueOrAllTrue(f::Function, x) = f(x)
 
-allLineTypes(arg) = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_typeAliases, a, a) in _allTypes, arg)
-allStyles(arg) = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_styleAliases, a, a) in _allStyles, arg)
-allShapes(arg) = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_markerAliases, a, a) in _allMarkers, arg) ||
-                  trueOrAllTrue(a -> isa(a, Shape), arg)
-allAlphas(arg) = trueOrAllTrue(a -> (typeof(a) <: Real && a > 0 && a < 1) ||
-                                    (typeof(a) <: AbstractFloat && (a == zero(typeof(a)) || a == one(typeof(a)))), arg)
-allReals(arg)   = trueOrAllTrue(a -> typeof(a) <: Real, arg)
-allFunctions(arg) = trueOrAllTrue(a -> isa(a, Function), arg)
+allLineTypes(arg)   = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_typeAliases, a, a) in _allTypes, arg)
+allStyles(arg)      = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_styleAliases, a, a) in _allStyles, arg)
+allShapes(arg)      = trueOrAllTrue(a -> get(_markerAliases, a, a) in _allMarkers, arg) ||
+                        trueOrAllTrue(a -> isa(a, Shape), arg)
+allAlphas(arg)      = trueOrAllTrue(a -> (typeof(a) <: Real && a > 0 && a < 1) ||
+                        (typeof(a) <: AbstractFloat && (a == zero(typeof(a)) || a == one(typeof(a)))), arg)
+allReals(arg)       = trueOrAllTrue(a -> typeof(a) <: Real, arg)
+allFunctions(arg)   = trueOrAllTrue(a -> isa(a, Function), arg)
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -429,11 +434,11 @@ end
 # used in updating an existing series
 
 extendSeriesByOne(v::UnitRange{Int}, n::Int = 1) = isempty(v) ? (1:n) : (minimum(v):maximum(v)+n)
-extendSeriesByOne(v::AVec, n::Integer = 1) = isempty(v) ? (1:n) : vcat(v, (1:n) + maximum(v))
-extendSeriesData{T}(v::Range{T}, z::Real) = extendSeriesData(float(collect(v)), z)
-extendSeriesData{T}(v::Range{T}, z::AVec) = extendSeriesData(float(collect(v)), z)
-extendSeriesData{T}(v::AVec{T}, z::Real) = (push!(v, convert(T, z)); v)
-extendSeriesData{T}(v::AVec{T}, z::AVec) = (append!(v, convert(Vector{T}, z)); v)
+extendSeriesByOne(v::AVec, n::Integer = 1)       = isempty(v) ? (1:n) : vcat(v, (1:n) + maximum(v))
+extendSeriesData{T}(v::Range{T}, z::Real)        = extendSeriesData(float(collect(v)), z)
+extendSeriesData{T}(v::Range{T}, z::AVec)        = extendSeriesData(float(collect(v)), z)
+extendSeriesData{T}(v::AVec{T}, z::Real)         = (push!(v, convert(T, z)); v)
+extendSeriesData{T}(v::AVec{T}, z::AVec)         = (append!(v, convert(Vector{T}, z)); v)
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -453,22 +458,15 @@ function supportGraph(allvals, func)
       end
   end
   n = length(vals)
-
-  scatter(x,y,
-          m=:rect,
-          ms=10,
-          size=(300,100+18*n),
-          # xticks=(collect(1:length(bs)), bs),
-          leg=false
-         )
+  scatter(x, y, m=:rect, ms=10, size=(300,100+18*n), leg=false)
 end
 
-supportGraphArgs() = supportGraph(_allArgs, supportedArgs)
-supportGraphTypes() = supportGraph(_allTypes, supportedTypes)
-supportGraphStyles() = supportGraph(_allStyles, supportedStyles)
+supportGraphArgs()    = supportGraph(_allArgs, supportedArgs)
+supportGraphTypes()   = supportGraph(_allTypes, supportedTypes)
+supportGraphStyles()  = supportGraph(_allStyles, supportedStyles)
 supportGraphMarkers() = supportGraph(_allMarkers, supportedMarkers)
-supportGraphScales() = supportGraph(_allScales, supportedScales)
-supportGraphAxes() = supportGraph(_allAxes, supportedAxes)
+supportGraphScales()  = supportGraph(_allScales, supportedScales)
+supportGraphAxes()    = supportGraph(_allAxes, supportedAxes)
 
 function dumpSupportGraphs()
   for func in (supportGraphArgs, supportGraphTypes, supportGraphStyles,
@@ -483,16 +481,18 @@ end
 
 # Some conversion functions
 # note: I borrowed these conversion constants from Compose.jl's Measure
-const PX_PER_INCH = 100
-const DPI = PX_PER_INCH
-const MM_PER_INCH = 25.4
-const MM_PER_PX = MM_PER_INCH / PX_PER_INCH
-inch2px(inches::Real) = float(inches * PX_PER_INCH)
-px2inch(px::Real) = float(px / PX_PER_INCH)
-inch2mm(inches::Real) = float(inches * MM_PER_INCH)
-mm2inch(mm::Real) = float(mm / MM_PER_INCH)
-px2mm(px::Real) = float(px * MM_PER_PX)
-mm2px(mm::Real) = float(px / MM_PER_PX)
+
+const PX_PER_INCH   = 100
+const DPI           = PX_PER_INCH
+const MM_PER_INCH   = 25.4
+const MM_PER_PX     = MM_PER_INCH / PX_PER_INCH
+
+inch2px(inches::Real)   = float(inches * PX_PER_INCH)
+px2inch(px::Real)       = float(px / PX_PER_INCH)
+inch2mm(inches::Real)   = float(inches * MM_PER_INCH)
+mm2inch(mm::Real)       = float(mm / MM_PER_INCH)
+px2mm(px::Real)         = float(px * MM_PER_PX)
+mm2px(mm::Real)         = float(px / MM_PER_PX)
 
 
 "Smallest x in plot"