plotlyjs png fix; NEWS update for 0.7.2

orientation aliases dir/direction; removed native support for sticks/hline/vline in pyplot; commented out arcdiagram
animation default file tempname; raised group warning to 100; check for empty vec in axis; use command_idx for slicing; move deletion of smooth outside loop
2016-06-16 20:58:44 -04:00 · 2016-06-16 17:31:10 -04:00 · 2016-06-16 10:03:01 -04:00 · 2016-06-16 00:48:35 -04:00 · 2016-06-15 15:36:36 -04:00 · 2016-06-15 13:02:31 -04:00
46 changed files with 8484 additions and 6150 deletions
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@
 .DS_Store
 examples/.ipynb_checkpoints/*
 examples/meetup/.ipynb_checkpoints/*
+deps/plotly-latest.min.js
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@ os:
  - linux
  - osx
 julia:
-  - 0.4
-  #- nightly
-
+  - release
+  - nightly
+matrix:
+  allow_failures:
+    - julia: nightly

 # # before install:
 # #   - if [[ "$TRAVIS_OS_NAME" == "osx" ]]; then brew update          ; fi
@@ -0,0 +1,208 @@
+
+# Plots.jl NEWS
+
+#### notes on release changes, ongoing development, and future planned work
+
+- All new development should target 0.7!
+
+---
+
+## 0.7 (current master/dev)
+
+#### 0.7.2
+
+- line_z arg for multicolored line segments
+- pyplot
+	- line_z (2d and 3d)
+	- pushed all fig updates into display pipeline
+	- remove native sticks/hline/vline in favor of recipes
+- unicodeplots cleanup, ijulia fixes, ascii canvas
+- `curves` series type
+- `iter_segments` iterator
+- moved arcdiagram out and into PlotRecipes (thanks @diegozea)
+- several other fixes/checks
+
+#### 0.7.1
+
+- inset (floating) subplots
+- change: when setting subplot/axis args from user recipes, they should apply only to their own subplot
+- trim for violin/boxplot
+- scatter3d recipe
+- removed plotly.js in favor of build.jl download
+- improvements/fixes to pgfplots backend
+- improvements/fixes to plotly/plotlyjs backends
+	- titles are annotations and properly placed with title_position
+	- hover attribute
+	- shapes (almost)
+	- scattergl
+- minimum perimeter logic in layout calc... fixed misaligned subplots
+- new clims attribute
+- more options for test_examples
+- GR refactor
+	- added transparency
+	- moved axis/grid logic out of series loop
+	- generalized 3d and polar projections
+- renamed get_mod to Base.cycle
+- pyplot log scale fixes
+- PLOTS_DEFAULTS environment var processing
+- rename :ellipse to :circle, :ellipse is now an alias
+- supported args/types cleanup
+- seriestype dependency methods and `@deps` macro
+- bbox `h_anchor`/`v_anchor`
+- new axis arg: `:link` is a list of subplots to link axes with
+- cleanup/simplification of glvisualize backend
+
+
+#### 0.7.0
+
+- Check out [the summary](http://plots.readthedocs.io/en/latest/plots_v0.7/)
+- Revamped and simplified internals
+- [Recipes, recipes, recipes](https://github.com/JuliaPlots/RecipesBase.jl/issues/6)
+- [Layouts and Subplots](https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/60)
+- DataFrames is loaded automatically when installed
+- Overhaul to GroupBy mechanic (now offloads to a recipe)
+- Replaced much of the argument processing with recipes
+- Added series recipes, and began to strip down un-needed backend code.  Some recipes:
+	- line, step, sticks, bar, histogram, histogram2d, boxplot, violin, quiver, errorbars, density, ohlc
+- Added `@shorthands` and `@userplot` macros for recipe convenience
+- Better handling of errorbars and ribbons
+- New Axis type
+	- Tracks extrema and discrete values
+	- New `link_axes` functionality
+- `linetype` has been renamed `seriestype` (the alias is reversed)
+- Many fixes and huge cleanup in GR
+- Brand new subplot layout mechanics:
+	- `@layout` macro
+	- AbstractLayout, Subplot, GridLayout, and everything related
+	- Added dependency on Measures.jl
+	- Computations of axis/guide sizes and precise positioning
+- Refactored and compartmentalized default dictionaries for attributes
+- Deprecated Gadfly and Immerse backends
+- Added `series_annotations` attribute (previously that functionality was merged with `annotations`, which are not series-specific)
+- Removed `axis` attribute... currently not supporting twin (right) y axes
+- Check for `ENV["PLOTS_USE_ATOM_PLOTPANE"]` and default to false
+- Improved backend interface to reduce redundant code.  Template updated.
+- Added `html_output_format`, primarily for choosing between png and svg output in IJulia.
+- Partial support of Julia v0.5
+- Switched testing to dump reference images to JuliaPlots/PlotReferenceImages.jl
+- Moved docs-specific code to new JuliaPlots/PlotDocs.jl
+- Moved example list from ExamplePlots into Plots.
+- Added several examples and improved others.
+- Many other smaller changes and bug fixes.
+
+
+---
+
+## Version 0.6
+
+#### 0.6.2
+
+- `linewidth` fixes
+- `markershape` fix
+- converted center calc to centroid for shapes
+- new dependency on [RecipesBase](https://github.com/JuliaPlots/RecipesBase.jl)
+- REQUIRE upper limit for RecipesBase: 0.0.1
+- GR fixes/improvements (@jheinen)
+  - support `zlims`, `bins`
+  - allow Plots colormaps
+  - other bug fixes
+  - native image support
+- PGFPlots fixes/improvements (@pkofod)
+- DataFrames are handled by recipes
+- Plotly: zaxis, tick rotation, 3d axis fix
+- Improvements in handling discrete data
+- Support for image display
+- `arrow` keyword and support for adding arrows to paths
+- changed quiver recipe to use arrows
+- Bug fixes for boxplots, heatmaps, and more
+
+#### 0.6.1
+
+- `rotation` keyword
+- improved supported graphs
+- subplot bug fix
+
+#### 0.6.0
+
+- `apply_series_recipe` framework for built-in recipes
+- [boxplot/violin recipes](https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl/blob/master/notebooks/boxplot.ipynb)
+- [errorbar/ribbon recipes](https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl/blob/master/notebooks/errorbars.ipynb)
+- [quiver recipe](https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl/blob/master/notebooks/quiver.ipynb)
+- `polar` coordinates
+- better support for shapes and custom polygons (see [batman](https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl/blob/master/notebooks/batman.ipynb))
+- z-axis keywords
+- 3D indexing overhaul: `push!`, `append!` support
+- matplotlib colormap constants (`:inferno` is the new default colormap for Plots)
+- `typealias KW Dict{Symbol,Any}` used in place of splatting in many places
+- png generation for plotly backend using wkhtmltoimage
+- `normalize` and `weights` keywords
+- background/foreground subcategories for fine-tuning of looks
+- `add_theme`/`set_theme` and ggplot2 theme (see [this issue](https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/201))
+- `PLOTS_DEFAULT_BACKEND` environment variable
+- `barh` linetype
+- support for non-gridded surfaces with pyplot's trisurface
+- pyplot surface zcolor
+- internal refactor of supported.jl
+- `wrap` method to bypass input processing
+- `translate`, `scale` and `rotate` methods for coordinates and shapes
+- and many more minor fixes and improvements
+
+---
+
+## Version 0.5
+
+#### 0.5.4
+
+- old heatmaps have been renamed to hist2d, and true heatmaps implemented (see https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/147)
+- lots of reorganization and redesign of the internals
+- lots of renaming to keep to conventions: AbstractPlot, AbstractBackend, etc
+- initial redesign of layouts
+- integration with Atom PlotPane
+- arc diagram and chord diagram (thanks to @diegozea: see https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/163)
+- work on GR, GLVisualize, and PGFPlots backends (thanks @jheinen @dlfivefifty @pkofod)
+- improvements to Plotly setup (thanks @spencerlyon2)
+- overhaul to series creation logic and groupby mechanic
+- replace Dict with `typealias KW Dict{Symbol,Any}` in many places, also replacing keyword arg splatting
+- new `shape` linetype for plotting polygons in plot-coordinates (see https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl/blob/master/notebooks/batman.ipynb)
+- many other fixes
+
+#### 0.5.3
+
+- `@gif` macro with `every`/`when` syntax
+- bezier curves and other graph drawing helpers
+- added FixedSizeArrays dependency with relevant functionality
+- merged lots of improvements to GR (thanks @jheinen)
+- `overwrite_figure`/`reuse` arg for reusing the same figure window
+- deprecated Qwt, Winston, and Bokeh backends
+- improved handling of 3D inputs (call `z=rand(10,10); surface(z)` for example)
+- fix IJulia display issue
+- lots of progress on PlotlyJS backend
+- and many other changes and fixes...
+
+#### 0.5.2
+
+- Added [GR.jl](https://github.com/jheinen/GR.jl) as a backend (unfinished but functional) All credit to @jheinen
+- Set defaults within backend calls (i.e. `gadfly(legend=false)`)
+- `abline!`; also extrema allows plotting functions without giving x (i.e. `plot(cos, 0, 10); plot!(sin)`) @pkofod @joshday
+- Integration with [PlotlyJS.jl](https://github.com/spencerlyon2/PlotlyJS.jl) for using Plotly inside a Blink window @spencerlyon2
+- The Plotly backend has been split into my built-in version (`plotly()`) and @spencerlyon2's backend (`plotlyjs()`)
+- Revamped backend setup code for easily adding new backends
+- New docs (WIP) at http://plots.readthedocs.org/
+- Overhaul to `:legend` keyword (see https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/135)
+- New dependency on Requires, allows auto-loading of DataFrames support
+- Support for plotting lists of Tuples and FixedSizeArrays
+- new `@animate` macro for super simple animations (see https://github.com/tbreloff/Plots.jl/issues/111#issuecomment-181515616)
+- allow Function for `:fillrange` and `zcolor` arguments (for example: `scatter(sin, 0:10, marker=15, fill=(cos,0.4), zcolor=sin)`)
+- allow vectors of PlotText without x/y coords (for example: `scatter(rand(10), m=20, ann=map(text, 1:10))`)
+- Lots and lots of fixes
+
+#### 0.5.1
+
+#### 0.5.0
+
+- `with` function for temporary defaults
+- contours
+- basic 3D plotting
+- preliminary support for Bokeh
+- `stroke` and `brush` for more fine-tuned control over visuals
+- smarter "magic" arguments: `line`, `marker`
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 julia 0.4

+RecipesBase
 Colors
 Reexport
 Compat
-Requires
 FixedSizeArrays
+Measures
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+
+#TODO: download https://cdn.plot.ly/plotly-latest.min.js to deps/ if it doesn't exist
+
+local_fn = joinpath(dirname(@__FILE__), "plotly-latest.min.js")
+if !isfile(local_fn)
+	info("Cannot find deps/plotly-latest.min.js... downloading latest version.")
+	download("https://cdn.plot.ly/plotly-latest.min.js", local_fn)
+end
@@ -6,17 +6,22 @@ module Plots
 using Compat
 using Reexport
@reexport using Colors
-using Requires
+# using Requires
 using FixedSizeArrays
+@reexport using RecipesBase
+using Base.Meta

 export
    AbstractPlot,
    Plot,
    Subplot,
-    SubplotLayout,
+    AbstractLayout,
    GridLayout,
-    RowsLayout,
-    FlexLayout,
+    grid,
+    EmptyLayout,
+    bbox,
+    plotarea,
+    @layout,
    AVec,
    AMat,
    KW,
@@ -27,60 +32,18 @@ export

    plot,
    plot!,
-    subplot,
-    subplot!,

    current,
    default,
    with,

-    scatter,
-    scatter!,
-    bar,
-    bar!,
-    barh,
-    barh!,
-    histogram,
-    histogram!,
-    histogram2d,
-    histogram2d!,
-    density,
-    density!,
-    heatmap,
-    heatmap!,
-    hexbin,
-    hexbin!,
-    sticks,
-    sticks!,
-    hline,
-    hline!,
-    vline,
-    vline!,
-    ohlc,
-    ohlc!,
+    @userplot,
+    @shorthands,
+
    pie,
    pie!,
-    contour,
-    contour!,
-    contour3d,
-    contour3d!,
-    surface,
-    surface!,
-    wireframe,
-    wireframe!,
-    path3d,
-    path3d!,
    plot3d,
    plot3d!,
-    scatter3d,
-    scatter3d!,
-    abline!,
-    boxplot,
-    boxplot!,
-    violin,
-    violin!,
-    quiver,
-    quiver!,

    title!,
    xlabel!,
@@ -109,10 +72,12 @@ export
    Shape,
    text,
    font,
+    Axis,
    stroke,
    brush,
    Surface,
    OHLC,
+    arrow,

    colorscheme,
    ColorScheme,
@@ -126,12 +91,11 @@ export

    debugplots,

-    supportedArgs,
-    supportedAxes,
-    supportedTypes,
-    supportedStyles,
-    supportedMarkers,
-    subplotSupported,
+    supported_args,
+    supported_types,
+    supported_styles,
+    supported_markers,
+    is_subplot_supported,

    Animation,
    frame,
@@ -144,6 +108,9 @@ export
    arcdiagram,
    chorddiagram,

+    test_examples,
+    iter_segments,
+
    translate,
    translate!,
    rotate,
@@ -157,69 +124,72 @@ export

 # ---------------------------------------------------------

+import Measures
+import Measures: Length, AbsoluteLength, Measure, BoundingBox, mm, cm, inch, pt, width, height, w, h
+typealias BBox Measures.Absolute2DBox
+export BBox, BoundingBox, mm, cm, inch, pt, px, pct, w, h
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+
 include("types.jl")
 include("utils.jl")
 include("colors.jl")
 include("components.jl")
+include("axes.jl")
 include("backends.jl")
 include("args.jl")
+include("themes.jl")
 include("plot.jl")
 include("series_args.jl")
-include("subplot.jl")
+include("series_new.jl")
 include("layouts.jl")
+include("subplots.jl")
 include("recipes.jl")
 include("animation.jl")
 include("output.jl")
+include("examples.jl")
+include("arg_desc.jl")


 # ---------------------------------------------------------

-scatter(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :scatter)
-scatter!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :scatter)
-bar(args...; kw...)        = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :bar)
-bar!(args...; kw...)       = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :bar)
-barh(args...; kw...)        = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :barh, orientation = :h)
-barh!(args...; kw...)       = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :barh, orientation = :h)
-histogram(args...; kw...)  = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :hist)
-histogram!(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :hist)
-histogram2d(args...; kw...)  = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :hist2d)
-histogram2d!(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :hist2d)
-density(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :density)
-density!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :density)
-heatmap(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :heatmap)
-heatmap!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :heatmap)
-hexbin(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :hexbin)
-hexbin!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :hexbin)
-sticks(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :sticks, marker = :ellipse)
-sticks!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :sticks, marker = :ellipse)
-hline(args...; kw...)      = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :hline)
-hline!(args...; kw...)     = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :hline)
-vline(args...; kw...)      = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :vline)
-vline!(args...; kw...)     = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :vline)
-ohlc(args...; kw...)       = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :ohlc)
-ohlc!(args...; kw...)      = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :ohlc)
-pie(args...; kw...)        = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :pie, aspect_ratio = :equal, grid=false, xticks=nothing, yticks=nothing)
-pie!(args...; kw...)       = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :pie, aspect_ratio = :equal, grid=false, xticks=nothing, yticks=nothing)
-contour(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :contour)
-contour!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :contour)
-contour3d(args...; kw...)  = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :contour3d)
-contour3d!(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :contour3d)
-surface(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :surface)
-surface!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :surface)
-wireframe(args...; kw...)  = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :wireframe)
-wireframe!(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :wireframe)
-path3d(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :path3d)
-path3d!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :path3d)
-plot3d(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :path3d)
-plot3d!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :path3d)
-scatter3d(args...; kw...)  = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :scatter3d)
-scatter3d!(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :scatter3d)
-boxplot(args...; kw...)    = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :box)
-boxplot!(args...; kw...)   = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :box)
-violin(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :violin)
-violin!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :violin)
-quiver(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  linetype = :quiver)
-quiver!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., linetype = :quiver)
+# define and export shorthand plotting method definitions
+macro shorthands(funcname::Symbol)
+    funcname2 = Symbol(funcname, "!")
+    esc(quote
+        export $funcname, $funcname2
+        $funcname(args...; kw...) = plot(args...; kw..., seriestype = $(quot(funcname)))
+        $funcname2(args...; kw...) = plot!(args...; kw..., seriestype = $(quot(funcname)))
+    end)
+end
+
+@shorthands scatter
+@shorthands bar
+@shorthands barh
+@shorthands histogram
+@shorthands histogram2d
+@shorthands density
+@shorthands heatmap
+@shorthands hexbin
+@shorthands sticks
+@shorthands hline
+@shorthands vline
+@shorthands ohlc
+@shorthands contour
+@shorthands contour3d
+@shorthands surface
+@shorthands wireframe
+@shorthands path3d
+@shorthands scatter3d
+@shorthands boxplot
+@shorthands violin
+@shorthands quiver
+@shorthands curves
+
+pie(args...; kw...)        = plot(args...; kw...,  seriestype = :pie, aspect_ratio = :equal, grid=false, xticks=nothing, yticks=nothing)
+pie!(args...; kw...)       = plot!(args...; kw..., seriestype = :pie, aspect_ratio = :equal, grid=false, xticks=nothing, yticks=nothing)
+plot3d(args...; kw...)     = plot(args...; kw...,  seriestype = :path3d)
+plot3d!(args...; kw...)    = plot!(args...; kw..., seriestype = :path3d)


 title!(s::AbstractString; kw...)                 = plot!(; title = s, kw...)
@@ -273,15 +243,14 @@ yaxis!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)                                     = plot!(pl
 const CURRENT_BACKEND = CurrentBackend(:none)

 function __init__()
+    setup_ijulia()
+    setup_atom()

-  # override IJulia inline display
-  if isijulia()
-    @eval import IJulia
-    IJulia.display_dict(plt::AbstractPlot) = Dict{ASCIIString, ByteString}("text/html" => sprint(writemime, "text/html", plt))
-  end
-
-  setup_dataframes()
-  setup_atom()
+    if haskey(ENV, "PLOTS_DEFAULTS")
+        for (k,v) in eval(parse(ENV["PLOTS_DEFAULTS"]))
+            default(k, v)
+        end
+    end
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@

 immutable Animation
-  dir::ASCIIString
-  frames::Vector{ASCIIString}
+  dir::Compat.ASCIIString
+  frames::Vector{Compat.ASCIIString}
 end

 function Animation()
-  tmpdir = convert(ASCIIString, mktempdir())
-  Animation(tmpdir, ASCIIString[])
+  tmpdir = convert(Compat.ASCIIString, mktempdir())
+  Animation(tmpdir, Compat.ASCIIString[])
 end

 function frame{P<:AbstractPlot}(anim::Animation, plt::P=current())
@@ -21,20 +21,27 @@ end

 "Wraps the location of an animated gif so that it can be displayed"
 immutable AnimatedGif
-  filename::ASCIIString
+  filename::Compat.ASCIIString
 end

-function gif(anim::Animation, fn::@compat(AbstractString) = "tmp.gif"; fps::Integer = 20)
+function gif(anim::Animation, fn = tempname()*".gif"; fps::Integer = 20)
  fn = abspath(fn)

  try

    # high quality
    speed = round(Int, 100 / fps)
-    run(`convert -delay $speed -loop 0 $(anim.dir)/*.png -alpha off $fn`)
+    file = joinpath(Pkg.dir("ImageMagick"), "deps","deps.jl")
+    if isfile(file) && !haskey(ENV, "MAGICK_CONFIGURE_PATH")
+        include(file)
+    end
+    prefix = get(ENV, "MAGICK_CONFIGURE_PATH", "")
+    run(`$(joinpath(prefix, "convert")) -delay $speed -loop 0 $(joinpath(anim.dir, "*.png")) -alpha off $fn`)

  catch err
-    warn("Tried to create gif using convert (ImageMagick), but got error: $err\nWill try ffmpeg, but it's lower quality...)")
+    warn("""Tried to create gif using convert (ImageMagick), but got error: $err
+    ImageMagick can be installed by executing `Pkg.add("ImageMagick")`
+    Will try ffmpeg, but it's lower quality...)""")

    # low quality
    run(`ffmpeg -v 0 -framerate $fps -i $(anim.dir)/%06d.png -y $fn`)
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+
+const _arg_desc = KW(
+
+# series args
+:label 				=> "String type. The label for a series, which appears in a legend.  If empty, no legend entry is added.",
+:seriescolor 		=> "Color Type. The base color for this series.  `:auto` (the default) will select a color from the subplot's `color_palette`, based on the order it was added to the subplot",
+:seriesalpha 		=> "Number in [0,1]. The alpha/opacity override for the series.  `nothing` (the default) means it will take the alpha value of the color.",
+:seriestype 		=> "Symbol. This is the identifier of the type of visualization for this series. Choose from $(_allTypes) or any series recipes which are defined.",
+:linestyle 			=> "Symbol. Style of the line (for path and bar stroke).  Choose from $(_allStyles)",
+:linewidth         	=> "Number. Width of the line (in pixels)",
+:linecolor         	=> "Color Type. Color of the line (for path and bar stroke).  `:match` will take the value from `:seriescolor`, (though histogram/bar types use `:black` as a default).",
+:linealpha         	=> "Number in [0,1]. The alpha/opacity override for the line.  `nothing` (the default) means it will take the alpha value of linecolor.",
+:fillrange         	=> "Number or AbstractVector.  Fills area from this to y for line-types, sets the base for bar/stick types, and similar for other types.",
+:fillcolor         	=> "Color Type. Color of the filled area of path or bar types.  `:match` will take the value from `:seriescolor`.",
+:fillalpha         	=> "Number in [0,1]. The alpha/opacity override for the fill area.  `nothing` (the default) means it will take the alpha value of fillcolor.",
+:markershape       	=> "Symbol, Shape, or AbstractVector. Choose from $(_allMarkers).",
+:markercolor       	=> "Color Type. Color of the interior of the marker or shape. `:match` will take the value from `:seriescolor`.",
+:markeralpha       	=> "Number in [0,1]. The alpha/opacity override for the marker interior.  `nothing` (the default) means it will take the alpha value of markercolor.",
+:markersize        	=> "Number or AbstractVector. Size (radius pixels) of the markers.",
+:markerstrokestyle 	=> "Symbol. Style of the marker stroke (border).  Choose from $(_allStyles)",
+:markerstrokewidth 	=> "Number. Width of the marker stroke (border. in pixels)",
+:markerstrokecolor 	=> "Color Type. Color of the marker stroke (border).  `:match` will take the value from `:seriescolor`.",
+:markerstrokealpha 	=> "Number in [0,1]. The alpha/opacity override for the marker stroke (border).  `nothing` (the default) means it will take the alpha value of markerstrokecolor.",
+:bins              	=> "Integer, NTuple{2,Integer}, AbstractVector. For histogram-types, defines the number of bins, or the edges, of the histogram.",
+:smooth            	=> "Bool.  Add a regression line?",
+:group             	=> "AbstractVector. Data is split into a separate series, one for each unique value in `group`.",
+:x                 	=> "Various. Input data. First Dimension",
+:y                 	=> "Various. Input data. Second Dimension",
+:z                 	=> "Various. Input data. Third Dimension. May be wrapped by a `Surface` for surface and heatmap types.",
+:marker_z          	=> "AbstractVector, Function `f(x,y,z) -> z_value`, or nothing. z-values for each series data point, which correspond to the color to be used from a markercolor gradient.",
+:line_z          	=> "AbstractVector, Function `f(x,y,z) -> z_value`, or nothing. z-values for each series line segment, which correspond to the color to be used from a linecolor gradient.  Note that for N points, only the first N-1 values are used (one per line-segment).",
+:levels            	=> "Integer, NTuple{2,Integer}. Number of levels (or x-levels/y-levels) for a contour type.",
+:orientation       	=> "Symbol.  Horizontal or vertical orientation for bar types.  Values `:h`, `:hor`, `:horizontal` correspond to horizontal (sideways, anchored to y-axis), and `:v`, `:vert`, and `:vertical` correspond to vertical (the default).",
+:bar_position      	=> "Symbol.  Choose from `:overlay` (default), `:stack`.  (warning: May not be implemented fully)",
+:bar_width         	=> "nothing or Number. Width of bars in data coordinates. When nothing, chooses based on x (or y when `orientation = :h`).",
+:bar_edges         	=> "Bool.  Align bars to edges (true), or centers (the default)?",
+:xerror            	=> "AbstractVector or 2-Tuple of Vectors. x (horizontal) error relative to x-value.  If 2-tuple of vectors, the first vector corresponds to the left error (and the second to the right)",
+:yerror            	=> "AbstractVector or 2-Tuple of Vectors. y (vertical) error relative to y-value.  If 2-tuple of vectors, the first vector corresponds to the bottom error (and the second to the top)",
+:ribbon            	=> "Number or AbstractVector.  Creates a fillrange around the data points.",
+:quiver            	=> "AbstractVector or 2-Tuple of vectors.  The directional vectors U,V which specify velocity/gradient vectors for a quiver plot.",
+:arrow             	=> "nothing (no arrows), Bool (if true, default arrows), Arrow object, or arg(s) that could be style or head length/widths.  Defines arrowheads that should be displayed at the end of path line segments (just before a NaN and the last non-NaN point).  Used in quiverplot, streamplot, or similar.",
+:normalize         	=> "Bool. Should normalize histogram types?  Trying for area == 1.",
+:weights           	=> "AbstractVector. Used in histogram types for weighted counts.",
+:contours          	=> "Bool. Add contours to the side-grids of 3D plots?  Used in surface/wireframe.",
+:match_dimensions  	=> "Bool. For heatmap types... should the first dimension of a matrix (rows) correspond to the first dimension of the plot (x-axis)?  The default is false, which matches the behavior of Matplotlib, Plotly, and others.  Note: when passing a function for z, the function should still map `(x,y) -> z`.",
+:subplot           	=> "Integer (subplot index) or Subplot object.  The subplot that this series belongs to.",
+:series_annotations => "AbstractVector of String or PlotText.  These are annotations which are mapped to data points/positions.",
+:primary            => "Bool.  Does this count as a 'real series'?  For example, you could have a path (primary), and a scatter (secondary) as 2 separate series, maybe with different data (see sticks recipe for an example).  The secondary series will get the same color, etc as the primary.",
+:hover 				=> "nothing or vector of strings. Text to display when hovering over each data point.",
+
+# plot args
+:plot_title               => "String. Title for the whole plot (not the subplots) (Note: Not currently implemented)",
+:background_color         => "Color Type.  Base color for all backgrounds.",
+:background_color_outside => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:background_color`).  Color outside the plot area(s)",
+:foreground_color         => "Color Type.  Base color for all foregrounds.",
+:size                     => "NTuple{2,Int}. (width_px, height_px) of the whole Plot",
+:pos                      => "NTuple{2,Int}. (left_px, top_px) position of the GUI window (note: currently unimplemented)",
+:window_title             => "String. Title of the window.",
+:show                     => "Bool.  Should this command open/refresh a GUI/display?  This allows displaying in scripts or functions without explicitly calling `display`",
+:layout                   => "Integer (number of subplots), NTuple{2,Integer} (grid dimensions), AbstractLayout (for example `grid(2,2)`), or the return from the `@layout` macro.  This builds the layout of subplots.",
+:link                     => "Symbol.  How/whether to link axis limits between subplots. Values: `:none`, `:x` (x axes are linked by columns), `:y` (y axes are linked by rows), `:both` (x and y are linked), `:all` (every subplot is linked together regardless of layout position).",
+:overwrite_figure         => "Bool.  Should we reuse the same GUI window/figure when plotting (true) or open a new one (false).",
+:html_output_format       => "Symbol.  When writing html output, what is the format?  `:png` and `:svg` are currently supported.",
+:inset_subplots 		  => "nothing or vector of 2-tuple (parent,bbox).  optionally pass a vector of (parent,bbox) tuples which are the parent layout and the relative bounding box of inset subplots",
+
+# subplot args
+:title                    => "String. Subplot title.",
+:title_location           => "Symbol. Position of subplot title. Values: `:left`, `:center`, `:right`",
+:titlefont                => "Font. Font of subplot title.",
+:background_color_subplot => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:background_color`).  Base background color of the subplot.",
+:background_color_legend  => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:background_color_subplot`).  Background color of the legend.",
+:background_color_inside  => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:background_color_subplot`).  Background color inside the plot area (under the grid).",
+:foreground_color_subplot => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color`).  Base foreground color of the subplot.",
+:foreground_color_legend  => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`).  Foreground color of the legend.",
+:foreground_color_grid    => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of grid lines.",
+:foreground_color_title   => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of subplot title.",
+:color_palette            => "Vector of colors (cycle through) or color gradient (generate list from gradient) or `:auto` (generate a color list using `Colors.distiguishable_colors` and custom seed colors chosen to contrast with the background).  The color palette is a color list from which series colors are automatically chosen.",
+:legend                   => "Bool (show the legend?) or Symbol (legend position).  Symbol values: `:none`, `:best`, `:right`, `:left`, `:top`, `:bottom`, `:inside`, `:legend`, `:topright`, `:topleft`, `:bottomleft`, `:bottomright` (note: only some may be supported in each backend)",
+:colorbar                 => "Bool (show the colorbar?) or Symbol (colorbar position).  Symbol values: `:none`, `:best`, `:right`, `:left`, `:top`, `:bottom`, `:legend` (matches legend value) (note: only some may be supported in each backend)",
+:clims 					  => "`:auto` or NTuple{2,Number}.  Fixes the limits of the colorbar.",
+:legendfont               => "Font. Font of legend items.",
+:grid                     => "Bool. Show the grid lines?",
+:annotations              => "(x,y,text) tuple(s).  Can be a single tuple or a list of them.  Text can be String or PlotText (created with `text(args...)`)  Add one-off text annotations at the x,y coordinates.",
+:projection               => "Symbol or String.  '3d' or 'polar'",
+:aspect_ratio             => "Symbol (:equal) or Number (width to height ratio of plot area).",
+:margin                   => "Measure (multiply by `mm`, `px`, etc). Base for individual margins... not directly used.  Specifies the extra padding around subplots.",
+:left_margin              => "Measure (multiply by `mm`, `px`, etc) or `:match` (matches `:margin`).  Specifies the extra padding to the left of the subplot.",
+:top_margin               => "Measure (multiply by `mm`, `px`, etc) or `:match` (matches `:margin`).  Specifies the extra padding on the top of the subplot.",
+:right_margin             => "Measure (multiply by `mm`, `px`, etc) or `:match` (matches `:margin`).  Specifies the extra padding to the right of the subplot.",
+:bottom_margin            => "Measure (multiply by `mm`, `px`, etc) or `:match` (matches `:margin`).  Specifies the extra padding on the bottom of the subplot.",
+:subplot_index            => "Integer.  Internal (not set by user).  Specifies the index of this subplot in the Plot's `plt.subplot` list.",
+
+# axis args
+:guide     				  => "String. Axis guide (label).",
+:lims      				  => "NTuple{2,Number}. Force axis limits.  Only finite values are used (you can set only the right limit with `xlims = (-Inf, 2)` for example).",
+:ticks     				  => "Vector of numbers (set the tick values), Tuple of (tickvalues, ticklabels), or `:auto`",
+:scale     				  => "Symbol. Scale of the axis: `:none`, `:ln`, `:log2`, `:log10`",
+:rotation  				  => "Number. Degrees rotation of tick labels.",
+:flip      				  => "Bool.  Should we flip (reverse) the axis?",
+:tickfont  				  => "Font. Font of axis tick labels.",
+:guidefont 				  => "Font. Font of axis guide (label).",
+:foreground_color_axis    => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of axis ticks.",
+:foreground_color_border  => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of plot area border (spines).",
+:foreground_color_text    => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of tick labels.",
+:foreground_color_guide   => "Color Type or `:match` (matches `:foreground_color_subplot`). Color of axis guides (axis labels).",
+
+)
@@ -0,0 +1,332 @@
+
+
+# xaxis(args...; kw...) = Axis(:x, args...; kw...)
+# yaxis(args...; kw...) = Axis(:y, args...; kw...)
+# zaxis(args...; kw...) = Axis(:z, args...; kw...)
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function Axis(sp::Subplot, letter::Symbol, args...; kw...)
+    # init with values from _plot_defaults
+    d = KW(
+        :letter => letter,
+        # :extrema => (Inf, -Inf),
+        :extrema => Extrema(),
+        :discrete_map => Dict(),   # map discrete values to discrete indices
+        :continuous_values => zeros(0),
+        :use_minor => false,
+        :show => true,  # show or hide the axis? (useful for linked subplots)
+    )
+
+    # get defaults from letter version, unless match
+    for (k,v) in _axis_defaults
+        lk = Symbol(letter, k)
+        lv = _axis_defaults_byletter[lk]
+        d[k] = (lv == :match ? v : lv)
+    end     
+
+    # merge!(d, _axis_defaults)
+    d[:discrete_values] = []
+
+    # update the defaults
+    update!(Axis(sp, d), args...; kw...)
+end
+
+function get_axis(sp::Subplot, letter::Symbol)
+    axissym = Symbol(letter, :axis)
+    if haskey(sp.attr, axissym)
+        sp.attr[axissym]
+    else
+        sp.attr[axissym] = Axis(sp, letter)
+    end
+end
+
+function process_axis_arg!(d::KW, arg, letter = "")
+    T = typeof(arg)
+    arg = get(_scaleAliases, arg, arg)
+
+    if typeof(arg) <: Font
+        d[Symbol(letter,:tickfont)] = arg
+        d[Symbol(letter,:guidefont)] = arg
+
+    elseif arg in _allScales
+        d[Symbol(letter,:scale)] = arg
+
+    elseif arg in (:flip, :invert, :inverted)
+        d[Symbol(letter,:flip)] = true
+
+    elseif T <: AbstractString
+        d[Symbol(letter,:guide)] = arg
+
+    # xlims/ylims
+    elseif (T <: Tuple || T <: AVec) && length(arg) == 2
+        sym = typeof(arg[1]) <: Number ? :lims : :ticks
+        d[Symbol(letter,sym)] = arg
+
+    # xticks/yticks
+    elseif T <: AVec
+        d[Symbol(letter,:ticks)] = arg
+
+    elseif arg == nothing
+        d[Symbol(letter,:ticks)] = []
+
+    elseif typeof(arg) <: Number
+        d[Symbol(letter,:rotation)] = arg
+
+    else
+        warn("Skipped $(letter)axis arg $arg")
+
+    end
+end
+
+# update an Axis object with magic args and keywords
+function update!(axis::Axis, args...; kw...)
+    # first process args
+    d = axis.d
+    for arg in args
+        process_axis_arg!(d, arg)
+    end
+
+    # then override for any keywords... only those keywords that already exists in d
+    for (k,v) in kw
+        if haskey(d, k)
+            if k == :discrete_values
+                # add these discrete values to the axis
+                for vi in v
+                    discrete_value!(axis, vi)
+                end
+            else
+                d[k] = v
+            end
+        end
+    end
+
+    # replace scale aliases
+    if haskey(_scaleAliases, d[:scale])
+        d[:scale] = _scaleAliases[d[:scale]]
+    end
+
+    axis
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Base.show(io::IO, axis::Axis) = dumpdict(axis.d, "Axis", true)
+# Base.getindex(axis::Axis, k::Symbol) = getindex(axis.d, k)
+Base.setindex!(axis::Axis, v, ks::Symbol...) = setindex!(axis.d, v, ks...)
+Base.haskey(axis::Axis, k::Symbol) = haskey(axis.d, k)
+Base.extrema(axis::Axis) = (ex = axis[:extrema]; (ex.emin, ex.emax))
+
+# get discrete ticks, or not
+function get_ticks(axis::Axis)
+    ticks = axis[:ticks]
+    dvals = axis[:discrete_values]
+    if !isempty(dvals) && ticks == :auto
+        axis[:continuous_values], dvals
+    else
+        ticks
+    end
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function expand_extrema!(ex::Extrema, v::Number)
+    ex.emin = min(v, ex.emin)
+    ex.emax = max(v, ex.emax)
+    ex
+end
+
+function expand_extrema!(axis::Axis, v::Number)
+    expand_extrema!(axis[:extrema], v)
+end
+function expand_extrema!{MIN<:Number,MAX<:Number}(axis::Axis, v::Tuple{MIN,MAX})
+    ex = axis[:extrema]
+    ex.emin = min(v[1], ex.emin)
+    ex.emax = max(v[2], ex.emax)
+    ex
+end
+function expand_extrema!{N<:Number}(axis::Axis, v::AVec{N})
+    ex = axis[:extrema]
+    for vi in v
+        expand_extrema!(ex, vi)
+    end
+    ex
+end
+
+
+function expand_extrema!(sp::Subplot, d::KW)
+    # first expand for the data
+    for letter in (:x, :y, :z)
+        data = d[letter]
+        axis = sp.attr[Symbol(letter, "axis")]
+        if eltype(data) <: Number
+            expand_extrema!(axis, data)
+        elseif isa(data, Surface) && eltype(data.surf) <: Number
+            expand_extrema!(axis, data)
+        elseif data != nothing
+            # TODO: need more here... gotta track the discrete reference value
+            #       as well as any coord offset (think of boxplot shape coords... they all
+            #       correspond to the same x-value)
+            # @show letter,eltype(data),typeof(data)
+            d[letter], d[Symbol(letter,"_discrete_indices")] = discrete_value!(axis, data)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # # expand for fillrange/bar_width
+    # fillaxis, baraxis = sp.attr[:yaxis], sp.attr[:xaxis]
+    # if isvertical(d)
+    #     fillaxis, baraxis = baraxis, fillaxis
+    # end
+
+    # expand for fillrange
+    vert = isvertical(d)
+    fr = d[:fillrange]
+    if fr == nothing && d[:seriestype] == :bar
+        fr = 0.0
+    end
+    if fr != nothing
+        axis = sp.attr[vert ? :yaxis : :xaxis]
+        if typeof(fr) <: Tuple
+            for fri in fr
+                expand_extrema!(axis, fri)
+            end
+        else
+            expand_extrema!(axis, fr)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # expand for bar_width
+    if d[:seriestype] == :bar
+        dsym = vert ? :x : :y
+        data = d[dsym]
+
+        bw = d[:bar_width]
+        if bw == nothing
+            bw = d[:bar_width] = mean(diff(data))
+        end
+        # @show data bw
+
+        axis = sp.attr[Symbol(dsym, :axis)]
+        expand_extrema!(axis, maximum(data) + 0.5maximum(bw))
+        expand_extrema!(axis, minimum(data) - 0.5minimum(bw))
+    end
+
+end
+
+function expand_extrema!(sp::Subplot, xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)
+    expand_extrema!(sp[:xaxis], (xmin, xmax))
+    expand_extrema!(sp[:yaxis], (ymin, ymax))
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# push the limits out slightly
+function widen(lmin, lmax)
+    span = lmax - lmin
+    # eps = max(1e-16, min(1e-2span, 1e-10))
+    eps = max(1e-16, 0.03span)
+    lmin-eps, lmax+eps
+end
+
+# figure out if widening is a good idea.  if there's a scale set it's too tricky,
+# so lazy out and don't widen
+function default_should_widen(axis::Axis)
+    should_widen = false
+    if axis[:scale] == :identity
+        for series in series_list(axis.sp)
+            if series.d[:seriestype] in (:scatter,) || series.d[:markershape] != :none
+                should_widen = true
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    should_widen
+end
+
+# using the axis extrema and limit overrides, return the min/max value for this axis
+function axis_limits(axis::Axis, should_widen::Bool = default_should_widen(axis))
+    ex = axis[:extrema]
+    amin, amax = ex.emin, ex.emax
+    lims = axis[:lims]
+    if (isa(lims, Tuple) || isa(lims, AVec)) && length(lims) == 2
+        if isfinite(lims[1])
+            amin = lims[1]
+        end
+        if isfinite(lims[2])
+            amax = lims[2]
+        end
+    end
+    if amax <= amin && isfinite(amin)
+        amax = amin + 1.0
+    end
+    if should_widen
+        widen(amin, amax)
+    else
+        amin, amax
+    end
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# these methods track the discrete (categorical) values which correspond to axis continuous values (cv)
+# whenever we have discrete values, we automatically set the ticks to match.
+# we return (continuous_value, discrete_index)
+function discrete_value!(axis::Axis, dv)
+    cv_idx = get(axis[:discrete_map], dv, -1)
+    # @show axis[:discrete_map], axis[:discrete_values], dv
+    if cv_idx == -1
+        ex = axis[:extrema]
+        cv = max(0.5, ex.emax + 1.0)
+        expand_extrema!(axis, cv)
+        push!(axis[:discrete_values], dv)
+        push!(axis[:continuous_values], cv)
+        cv_idx = length(axis[:discrete_values])
+        axis[:discrete_map][dv] = cv_idx
+        cv, cv_idx
+    else
+        cv = axis[:continuous_values][cv_idx]
+        cv, cv_idx
+    end
+end
+
+# continuous value... just pass back with axis negative index
+function discrete_value!(axis::Axis, cv::Number)
+    cv, -1
+end
+
+# add the discrete value for each item.  return the continuous values and the indices
+function discrete_value!(axis::Axis, v::AVec)
+    n = length(v)
+    cvec = zeros(n)
+    discrete_indices = zeros(Int, n)
+    for i=1:n
+        cvec[i], discrete_indices[i] = discrete_value!(axis, v[i])
+    end
+    cvec, discrete_indices
+end
+
+# add the discrete value for each item.  return the continuous values and the indices
+function discrete_value!(axis::Axis, v::AMat)
+    n,m = size(v)
+    cmat = zeros(n,m)
+    discrete_indices = zeros(Int, n, m)
+    for i=1:n, j=1:m
+        cmat[i,j], discrete_indices[i,j] = discrete_value!(axis, v[i,j])
+    end
+    cmat, discrete_indices
+end
+
+function discrete_value!(axis::Axis, v::Surface)
+    map(Surface, discrete_value!(axis, v.surf))
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function pie_labels(sp::Subplot, series::Series)
+    d = series.d
+    if haskey(d,:x_discrete_indices)
+        dvals = sp.attr[:xaxis].d[:discrete_values]
+        [dvals[idx] for idx in d[:x_discrete_indices]]
+    else
+        d[:x]
+    end
+end
@@ -12,16 +12,16 @@ _backend_instance(sym::Symbol) = haskey(_backendType, sym) ? _backendType[sym]()

 macro init_backend(s)
    str = lowercase(string(s))
-    sym = symbol(str)
-    T = symbol(string(s) * "Backend")
+    sym = Symbol(str)
+    T = Symbol(string(s) * "Backend")
    esc(quote
        immutable $T <: AbstractBackend end
        export $sym
-        $sym(; kw...) = (default(; kw...); backend(symbol($str)))
-        backend_name(::$T) = symbol($str)
-        push!(_backends, symbol($str))
-        _backendType[symbol($str)] = $T
-        _backendSymbol[$T] = symbol($str)
+        $sym(; kw...) = (default(; kw...); backend(Symbol($str)))
+        backend_name(::$T) = Symbol($str)
+        push!(_backends, Symbol($str))
+        _backendType[Symbol($str)] = $T
+        _backendSymbol[$T] = Symbol($str)
        include("backends/" * $str * ".jl")
    end)
 end
@@ -44,13 +44,31 @@ include("backends/web.jl")

 # ---------------------------------------------------------

+# don't do anything as a default
+_create_backend_figure(plt::Plot) = nothing
+_prepare_plot_object(plt::Plot) = nothing
+_initialize_subplot(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot) = nothing

-plot(pkg::AbstractBackend; kw...)                       = error("plot($pkg; kw...) is not implemented")
-plot!(pkg::AbstractBackend, plt::Plot; kw...)           = error("plot!($pkg, plt; kw...) is not implemented")
-_update_plot(pkg::AbstractBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)  = error("_update_plot($pkg, plt, d) is not implemented")
-_update_plot_pos_size{P<:AbstractBackend}(plt::AbstractPlot{P}, d::KW) = nothing
-subplot(pkg::AbstractBackend; kw...)                    = error("subplot($pkg; kw...) is not implemented")
-subplot!(pkg::AbstractBackend, subplt::Subplot; kw...)  = error("subplot!($pkg, subplt; kw...) is not implemented")
+_series_added(plt::Plot, series::Series) = nothing
+_series_updated(plt::Plot, series::Series) = nothing
+
+_before_layout_calcs(plt::Plot) = nothing
+
+title_padding(sp::Subplot) = sp[:title] == "" ? 0mm : sp[:titlefont].pointsize * pt
+guide_padding(axis::Axis) = axis[:guide] == "" ? 0mm : axis[:guidefont].pointsize * pt
+
+# Set the (left, top, right, bottom) minimum padding around the plot area
+# to fit ticks, tick labels, guides, colorbars, etc.
+function _update_min_padding!(sp::Subplot)
+    leftpad   = 10mm + sp[:left_margin]   + guide_padding(sp[:yaxis])
+    toppad    =  2mm + sp[:top_margin]    + title_padding(sp)
+    rightpad  =  3mm + sp[:right_margin]
+    bottompad =  5mm + sp[:bottom_margin] + guide_padding(sp[:xaxis])
+    # @show (leftpad, toppad, rightpad, bottompad)
+    sp.minpad = (leftpad, toppad, rightpad, bottompad)
+end
+
+_update_plot_object(plt::Plot) = nothing

 # ---------------------------------------------------------

@@ -68,7 +86,7 @@ function pickDefaultBackend()
    if env_default != ""
        try
            Pkg.installed(env_default)  # this will error if not installed
-            sym = symbol(lowercase(env_default))
+            sym = Symbol(lowercase(env_default))
            if haskey(_backendType, sym)
                return backend(sym)
            else
@@ -85,7 +103,7 @@ function pickDefaultBackend()
    # features, speed, and robustness
    for pkgstr in ("PyPlot", "GR", "PlotlyJS", "Immerse", "Gadfly", "UnicodePlots")
        if Pkg.installed(pkgstr) != nothing
-            return backend(symbol(lowercase(pkgstr)))
+            return backend(Symbol(lowercase(pkgstr)))
        end
    end

@@ -130,31 +148,82 @@ end
 Set the plot backend.
 """
 function backend(pkg::AbstractBackend)
-  CURRENT_BACKEND.sym = backend_name(pkg)
-  CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = pkg
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.sym = backend_name(pkg)
+    warn_on_deprecated_backend(CURRENT_BACKEND.sym)
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = pkg
 end

 function backend(modname::Symbol)
-  CURRENT_BACKEND.sym = modname
-  CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = _backend_instance(modname)
+    warn_on_deprecated_backend(modname)
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.sym = modname
+    CURRENT_BACKEND.pkg = _backend_instance(modname)
+end
+
+const _deprecated_backends = [:qwt, :winston, :bokeh, :gadfly, :immerse]
+
+function warn_on_deprecated_backend(bsym::Symbol)
+    if bsym in _deprecated_backends
+        warn("Backend $bsym has been deprecated.  It may not work as originally intended.")
+    end
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------

-supportedAxes(::AbstractBackend) = [:left]
-supportedTypes(::AbstractBackend) = []
-supportedStyles(::AbstractBackend) = [:solid]
-supportedMarkers(::AbstractBackend) = [:none]
-supportedScales(::AbstractBackend) = [:identity]
-subplotSupported(::AbstractBackend) = false
-stringsSupported(::AbstractBackend) = false
+supported_types(::AbstractBackend) = []
+supported_styles(::AbstractBackend) = [:solid]
+supported_markers(::AbstractBackend) = [:none]
+supported_scales(::AbstractBackend) = [:identity]
+is_subplot_supported(::AbstractBackend) = false
+is_string_supported(::AbstractBackend) = false
+nativeImagesSupported(b::AbstractBackend) = :image in supported_types(b)

-supportedAxes() = supportedAxes(backend())
-supportedTypes() = supportedTypes(backend())
-supportedStyles() = supportedStyles(backend())
-supportedMarkers() = supportedMarkers(backend())
-supportedScales() = supportedScales(backend())
-subplotSupported() = subplotSupported(backend())
-stringsSupported() = stringsSupported(backend())
+supported_types() = supported_types(backend())
+supported_styles() = supported_styles(backend())
+supported_markers() = supported_markers(backend())
+supported_scales() = supported_scales(backend())
+is_subplot_supported() = is_subplot_supported(backend())
+is_string_supported() = is_string_supported(backend())
+nativeImagesSupported() = nativeImagesSupported(backend())

 # ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+# these are args which every backend supports because they're not used in the backend code
+const _base_supported_args = [
+    :color_palette,
+    :background_color, :background_color_subplot,
+    :foreground_color, :foreground_color_subplot,
+    :group,
+    :seriestype,
+    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
+    :smooth,
+    :xerror, :yerror,
+    :subplot,
+    :x, :y, :z,
+    :show, :size,
+    :margin,
+    :left_margin,
+    :right_margin,
+    :top_margin,
+    :bottom_margin,
+    :html_output_format,
+    :layout,
+    :link,
+    :primary,
+    :series_annotations,
+    :subplot_index,
+    :discrete_values,
+    :projection,
+    
+]
+
+function merge_with_base_supported(v::AVec)
+    v = vcat(v, _base_supported_args)
+    for vi in v
+        if haskey(_axis_defaults, vi)
+            for letter in (:x,:y,:z)
+                push!(v, Symbol(letter,vi))
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    v
+end
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 # https://github.com/bokeh/Bokeh.jl


-supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
-    # :annotation,
+supported_args(::BokehBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    # :annotations,
    # :axis,
    # :background_color,
    :linecolor,
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
    # :legend,
    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
+    :seriestype,
    :linewidth,
    # :linealpha,
    :markershape,
@@ -37,13 +37,13 @@ supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
    # :show,
    :size,
    :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
+    # :window_title,
    :x,
-    # :xlabel,
+    # :xguide,
    # :xlims,
    # :xticks,
    :y,
-    # :ylabel,
+    # :yguide,
    # :ylims,
    # :yrightlabel,
    # :yticks,
@@ -58,13 +58,12 @@ supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
    # :grid,
    # :surface,
    # :levels,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::BokehBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::BokehBackend) = [:none, :path, :scatter] #,:steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline, :contour]
-supportedStyles(::BokehBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-supportedMarkers(::BokehBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::BokehBackend) = [:identity, :ln] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::BokehBackend) = false
+  ])
+supported_types(::BokehBackend) = [:path, :scatter]
+supported_styles(::BokehBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
+supported_markers(::BokehBackend) = [:none, :auto, :circle, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5]
+supported_scales(::BokehBackend) = [:identity, :ln]
+is_subplot_supported(::BokehBackend) = false


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -79,16 +78,9 @@ function _initialize_backend(::BokehBackend; kw...)
  end
 end

-# make255(x) = round(Int, 255 * x)
-
-# function bokehcolor(c::Colorant)
-#   @sprintf("rgba(%d, %d, %d, %1.3f)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]..., alpha(c))
-# end
-# bokehcolor(cs::ColorScheme) = bokehcolor(getColor(cs))
-

 const _glyphtypes = KW(
-    :ellipse    => :Circle,
+    :circle    => :Circle,
    :rect       => :Square,
    :diamond    => :Diamond,
    :utriangle  => :Triangle,
@@ -104,14 +96,14 @@ const _glyphtypes = KW(


 function bokeh_glyph_type(d::KW)
-  lt = d[:linetype]
+  st = d[:seriestype]
  mt = d[:markershape]
-  if lt == :scatter && mt == :none
-    mt = :ellipse
+  if st == :scatter && mt == :none
+    mt = :circle
  end

  # if we have a marker, use that
-  if lt == :scatter || mt != :none
+  if st == :scatter || mt != :none
    return _glyphtypes[mt]
  end

@@ -133,28 +125,30 @@ end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_plot(pkg::BokehBackend, d::KW)
+# function _create_plot(pkg::BokehBackend, d::KW)
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{BokehBackend})
  # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
  # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc

  datacolumns = Bokeh.BokehDataSet[]
  tools = Bokeh.tools()
  filename = tempname() * ".html"
-  title = d[:title]
-  w, h = d[:size]
-  xaxis_type = d[:xscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
-  yaxis_type = d[:yscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
-  # legend = d[:legend] ? xxxx : nothing
+  title = plt.attr[:title]
+  w, h = plt.attr[:size]
+  xaxis_type = plt.attr[:xscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
+  yaxis_type = plt.attr[:yscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
+  # legend = plt.attr[:legend] ? xxxx : nothing
  legend = nothing
  extra_args = KW()  # TODO: we'll put extra settings (xlim, etc) here
-  bplt = Bokeh.Plot(datacolumns, tools, filename, title, w, h, xaxis_type, yaxis_type, legend) #, extra_args)
+  Bokeh.Plot(datacolumns, tools, filename, title, w, h, xaxis_type, yaxis_type, legend) #, extra_args)

-  Plot(bplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+  # Plot(bplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
 end


-function _add_series(::BokehBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  bdata = Dict{Symbol, Vector}(:x => collect(d[:x]), :y => collect(d[:y]))
+# function _series_added(::BokehBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, series::Series)
+  bdata = Dict{Symbol, Vector}(:x => collect(series.d[:x]), :y => collect(series.d[:y]))

  glyph = Bokeh.Bokehjs.Glyph(
      glyphtype = bokeh_glyph_type(d),
@@ -168,17 +162,14 @@ function _add_series(::BokehBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
  legend = nothing  # TODO
  push!(plt.o.datacolumns, Bokeh.BokehDataSet(bdata, glyph, legend))

-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
+  # push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
+  # plt
 end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

 # TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{BokehBackend}, d::KW)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, d::KW)
 end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -197,29 +188,9 @@ end
 # end


-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  for ann in anns
-    # TODO: add the annotation to the plot
-  end
-end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{BokehBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-
-end
-
-
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{BokehBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

@@ -232,6 +203,6 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{BokehBackend})
  Bokeh.showplot(plt.o)
 end

-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{BokehBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the subplot
-end
+# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{BokehBackend})
+#   # TODO: display/show the subplot
+# end
@@ -2,20 +2,19 @@
 # https://github.com/dcjones/Gadfly.jl


-supportedArgs(::GadflyBackend) = [
-    :annotation,
+supported_args(::GadflyBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    :annotations,
    :background_color, :foreground_color, :color_palette,
-    :group, :label, :linetype,
+    :group, :label, :seriestype,
    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
    :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
    :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
    :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
    :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
    :bins, :n, :nc, :nr, :layout, :smooth,
-    :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
-    :x, :xlabel, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
-    :y, :ylabel, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
-    # :z, :zlabel, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip,
+    :title, :window_title, :show, :size,
+    :x, :xguide, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
+    :y, :yguide, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
    :z,
    :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
    :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
@@ -23,18 +22,17 @@ supportedArgs(::GadflyBackend) = [
    :xerror, :yerror,
    :ribbon, :quiver,
    :orientation,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::GadflyBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::GadflyBackend) = [
-        :none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks,
-        :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist,
-        :bar, :box, :violin, :quiver,
-        :hline, :vline, :contour, :shape
+  ])
+supported_types(::GadflyBackend) = [
+        :path,
+        :scatter, :hexbin,
+        :bar,
+        :contour, :shape
    ]
-supportedStyles(::GadflyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-supportedMarkers(::GadflyBackend) = vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::GadflyBackend) = [:identity, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::GadflyBackend) = true
+supported_styles(::GadflyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
+supported_markers(::GadflyBackend) = vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
+supported_scales(::GadflyBackend) = [:identity, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
+is_subplot_supported(::GadflyBackend) = true


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -59,8 +57,8 @@ function createGadflyPlotObject(d::KW)
    gplt.data_source = Gadfly.DataFrames.DataFrame()
    # gplt.layers = gplt.layers[1:0]
    gplt.layers = [Gadfly.layer(Gadfly.Geom.point(tag=:remove), x=zeros(1), y=zeros(1));] # x=MissingVec(), y=MissingVec());]
-    gplt.guides = Gadfly.GuideElement[Gadfly.Guide.xlabel(d[:xlabel]),
-                                   Gadfly.Guide.ylabel(d[:ylabel]),
+    gplt.guides = Gadfly.GuideElement[Gadfly.Guide.xlabel(d[:xguide]),
+                                   Gadfly.Guide.ylabel(d[:yguide]),
                                   Gadfly.Guide.title(d[:title])]
    gplt
 end
@@ -69,31 +67,31 @@ end


 function getLineGeom(d::KW)
-    lt = d[:linetype]
+    st = d[:seriestype]
    xbins, ybins = maketuple(d[:bins])
-    if lt == :hexb
+    if st == :hexb
        Gadfly.Geom.hexbin(xbincount = xbins, ybincount = ybins)
-    elseif lt == :hist2d
+    elseif st == :histogram2d
        Gadfly.Geom.histogram2d(xbincount = xbins, ybincount = ybins)
-    elseif lt == :hist
+    elseif st == :histogram
        Gadfly.Geom.histogram(bincount = xbins,
                              orientation = isvertical(d) ? :vertical : :horizontal,
                              position = d[:bar_position] == :stack ? :stack : :dodge)
-    elseif lt == :path
+    elseif st == :path
        Gadfly.Geom.path
-    elseif lt in (:bar, :sticks)
+    elseif st in (:bar, :sticks)
        Gadfly.Geom.bar
-    elseif lt == :steppost
+    elseif st == :steppost
        Gadfly.Geom.step
-    elseif lt == :steppre
+    elseif st == :steppre
        Gadfly.Geom.step(direction = :vh)
-    elseif lt == :hline
+    elseif st == :hline
        Gadfly.Geom.hline
-    elseif lt == :vline
+    elseif st == :vline
        Gadfly.Geom.vline
-    elseif lt == :contour
+    elseif st == :contour
        Gadfly.Geom.contour(levels = d[:levels])
-    # elseif lt == :shape
+    # elseif st == :shape
    #     Gadfly.Geom.polygon(fill = true, preserve_order = true)
    else
        nothing
@@ -116,13 +114,13 @@ function get_extra_theme_args(d::KW, k::Symbol)
 end

 function getGadflyLineTheme(d::KW)
-    lt = d[:linetype]
+    st = d[:seriestype]
    lc = convertColor(getColor(d[:linecolor]), d[:linealpha])
    fc = convertColor(getColor(d[:fillcolor]), d[:fillalpha])

    Gadfly.Theme(;
-        default_color = (lt in (:hist,:hist2d,:hexbin,:bar,:sticks) ? fc : lc),
-        line_width = (lt == :sticks ? 1 : d[:linewidth]) * Gadfly.px,
+        default_color = (st in (:histogram,:histogram2d,:hexbin,:bar,:sticks) ? fc : lc),
+        line_width = (st == :sticks ? 1 : d[:linewidth]) * Gadfly.px,
        # line_style = Gadfly.get_stroke_vector(d[:linestyle]),
        lowlight_color = x->RGB(fc),  # fill/ribbon
        lowlight_opacity = alpha(fc), # fill/ribbon
@@ -136,10 +134,10 @@ function addGadflyLine!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, geoms...)
    gplt = getGadflyContext(plt)
    gfargs = vcat(geoms..., getGadflyLineTheme(d))
    kwargs = KW()
-    lt = d[:linetype]
+    st = d[:seriestype]

    # add a fill?
-    if d[:fillrange] != nothing && lt != :contour
+    if d[:fillrange] != nothing && st != :contour
        fillmin, fillmax = map(makevec, maketuple(d[:fillrange]))
        nmin, nmax = length(fillmin), length(fillmax)
        kwargs[:ymin] = Float64[min(y, fillmin[mod1(i, nmin)], fillmax[mod1(i, nmax)]) for (i,y) in enumerate(d[:y])]
@@ -147,20 +145,20 @@ function addGadflyLine!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, geoms...)
        push!(gfargs, Gadfly.Geom.ribbon)
    end

-    if lt in (:hline, :vline)
-        kwargs[lt == :hline ? :yintercept : :xintercept] = d[:y]
+    if st in (:hline, :vline)
+        kwargs[st == :hline ? :yintercept : :xintercept] = d[:y]

    else
-        if lt == :sticks
+        if st == :sticks
            w = 0.01 * mean(diff(d[:x]))
            kwargs[:xmin] = d[:x] - w
            kwargs[:xmax] = d[:x] + w
-        elseif lt == :contour
+        elseif st == :contour
            kwargs[:z] = d[:z].surf
            addGadflyContColorScale(plt, d[:linecolor])
        end

-        kwargs[:x] = d[lt == :hist ? :y : :x]
+        kwargs[:x] = d[st == :histogram ? :y : :x]
        kwargs[:y] = d[:y]

    end
@@ -183,14 +181,14 @@ getMarkerGeom(other) = gadflyshape(get_shape(other))
 # getMarkerGeom(shape::Symbol) = gadflyshape(_shapes[shape])
 # getMarkerGeom(shapes::AVec) = gadflyshape(map(gadflyshape, shapes)) # map(getMarkerGeom, shapes)
 function getMarkerGeom(d::KW)
-    if d[:linetype] == :shape
+    if d[:seriestype] == :shape
        Gadfly.Geom.polygon(fill = true, preserve_order = true)
    else
        getMarkerGeom(d[:markershape])
    end
 end

-function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, plotargs::KW)
+function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, attr::KW)
    c = getColor(d[:markercolor])
    α = d[:markeralpha]
    if α != nothing
@@ -216,15 +214,15 @@ function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, plotargs::KW)
 end

 function addGadflyContColorScale(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, c)
-    plt.plotargs[:colorbar] == :none && return
+    plt.attr[:colorbar] == :none && return
    if !isa(c, ColorGradient)
        c = default_gradient()
    end
    push!(getGadflyContext(plt).scales, Gadfly.Scale.ContinuousColorScale(p -> RGB(getColorZ(c, p))))
 end

-function addGadflyMarker!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, plotargs::KW, geoms...)
-    gfargs = vcat(geoms..., getGadflyMarkerTheme(d, plotargs), getMarkerGeom(d))
+function addGadflyMarker!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, attr::KW, geoms...)
+    gfargs = vcat(geoms..., getGadflyMarkerTheme(d, attr), getMarkerGeom(d))
    kwargs = KW()

    # handle continuous color scales for the markers
@@ -241,7 +239,7 @@ end
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 function addToGadflyLegend(plt::Plot, d::KW)
-    if plt.plotargs[:legend] != :none && d[:label] != ""
+    if plt.attr[:legend] != :none && d[:label] != ""
        gplt = getGadflyContext(plt)

        # add the legend if needed
@@ -297,21 +295,21 @@ function addGadflySeries!(plt::Plot, d::KW)
    end

    # special handling for ohlc and scatter
-    lt = d[:linetype]
-    if lt == :ohlc
-        error("Haven't re-implemented after refactoring")
-    elseif lt in (:hist2d, :hexbin) && (isa(d[:fillcolor], ColorGradient) || isa(d[:fillcolor], ColorFunction))
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    # if st == :ohlc
+    #     error("Haven't re-implemented after refactoring")
+    if st in (:histogram2d, :hexbin) && (isa(d[:fillcolor], ColorGradient) || isa(d[:fillcolor], ColorFunction))
        push!(gplt.scales, Gadfly.Scale.ContinuousColorScale(p -> RGB(getColorZ(d[:fillcolor], p))))
-    elseif lt == :scatter && d[:markershape] == :none
-        d[:markershape] = :ellipse
+    elseif st == :scatter && d[:markershape] == :none
+        d[:markershape] = :circle
    end

    # markers
-    if d[:markershape] != :none || lt == :shape
-        prepend!(layers, addGadflyMarker!(plt, length(gplt.layers), d, plt.plotargs, smooth...))
+    if d[:markershape] != :none || st == :shape
+        prepend!(layers, addGadflyMarker!(plt, length(gplt.layers), d, plt.attr, smooth...))
    end

-    lt in (:hist2d, :hexbin, :contour) || addToGadflyLegend(plt, d)
+    st in (:histogram2d, :hexbin, :contour) || addToGadflyLegend(plt, d)

    # now save the layers that apply to this series
    d[:gadflylayers] = layers
@@ -469,8 +467,8 @@ end
 function updateGadflyGuides(plt::Plot, d::KW)
    gplt = getGadflyContext(plt)
    haskey(d, :title) && findGuideAndSet(gplt, Gadfly.Guide.title, string(d[:title]))
-    haskey(d, :xlabel) && findGuideAndSet(gplt, Gadfly.Guide.xlabel, string(d[:xlabel]))
-    haskey(d, :ylabel) && findGuideAndSet(gplt, Gadfly.Guide.ylabel, string(d[:ylabel]))
+    haskey(d, :xguide) && findGuideAndSet(gplt, Gadfly.Guide.xlabel, string(d[:xguide]))
+    haskey(d, :yguide) && findGuideAndSet(gplt, Gadfly.Guide.ylabel, string(d[:yguide]))

    xlims, xfunc = addGadflyLimitsScale(gplt, d, true)
    ylims, yfunc = addGadflyLimitsScale(gplt, d, false)
@@ -570,28 +568,32 @@ end
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 # create a blank Gadfly.Plot object
-function _create_plot(pkg::GadflyBackend, d::KW)
-    gplt = createGadflyPlotObject(d)
-    Plot(gplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+# function _create_plot(pkg::GadflyBackend, d::KW)
+#     gplt = createGadflyPlotObject(d)
+#     Plot(gplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+# end
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend})
+    createGadflyPlotObject(plt.attr)
 end


 # plot one data series
-function _add_series(::GadflyBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+# function _series_added(::GadflyBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, series::Series)
    # first clear out the temporary layer
    gplt = getGadflyContext(plt)
    if gplt.layers[1].geom.tag == :remove
        gplt.layers = gplt.layers[2:end]
    end

-    addGadflySeries!(plt, d)
-    push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-    plt
+    addGadflySeries!(plt, series.d)
+    # push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
+    # plt
 end



-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, d::KW)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, d::KW)
    updateGadflyGuides(plt, d)
    updateGadflyPlotTheme(plt, d)
 end
@@ -622,12 +624,12 @@ end
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------


-# create the underlying object (each backend will do this differently)
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-    isbefore && return false # wait until after plotting to create the subplots
-    subplt.o = nothing
-    true
-end
+# # create the underlying object (each backend will do this differently)
+# function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
+#     isbefore && return false # wait until after plotting to create the subplots
+#     subplt.o = nothing
+#     true
+# end


 function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, isx::Bool)
@@ -647,31 +649,31 @@ end


 getGadflyContext(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}) = plt.o
-getGadflyContext(subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend}) = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)
+# getGadflyContext(subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend}) = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)

-# create my Compose.Context grid by hstacking and vstacking the Gadfly.Plot objects
-function buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt::Subplot)
-    rows = Any[]
-    row = Any[]
-    for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
-
-        # add the Plot object to the row
-        push!(row, getGadflyContext(subplt.plts[i]))
-
-        # add the row
-        if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
-            push!(rows, Gadfly.hstack(row...))
-            row = Any[]
-        end
-    end
-
-    # stack the rows
-    Gadfly.vstack(rows...)
-end
+# # create my Compose.Context grid by hstacking and vstacking the Gadfly.Plot objects
+# function buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt::Subplot)
+#     rows = Any[]
+#     row = Any[]
+#     for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
+#
+#         # add the Plot object to the row
+#         push!(row, getGadflyContext(subplt.plts[i]))
+#
+#         # add the row
+#         if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
+#             push!(rows, Gadfly.hstack(row...))
+#             row = Any[]
+#         end
+#     end
+#
+#     # stack the rows
+#     Gadfly.vstack(rows...)
+# end

 setGadflyDisplaySize(w,h) = Compose.set_default_graphic_size(w * Compose.px, h * Compose.px)
-setGadflyDisplaySize(plt::Plot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.plotargs[:size]...)
-setGadflyDisplaySize(subplt::Subplot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(getplotargs(subplt, 1)[:size]...)
+setGadflyDisplaySize(plt::Plot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.attr[:size]...)
+# setGadflyDisplaySize(subplt::Subplot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(getattr(subplt, 1)[:size]...)
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------


@@ -699,44 +701,44 @@ end


 function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{GadflyBackend})
-    setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.plotargs[:size]...)
+    setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.attr[:size]...)
    display(plt.o)
 end


-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend})
-    setGadflyDisplaySize(getplotargs(subplt,1)[:size]...)
-    ctx = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)
-
-    # taken from Gadfly since I couldn't figure out how to do it directly
-
-    filename = string(Gadfly.tempname(), ".html")
-    output = open(filename, "w")
-
-    plot_output = IOBuffer()
-    Gadfly.draw(Gadfly.SVGJS(plot_output, Compose.default_graphic_width,
-             Compose.default_graphic_height, false), ctx)
-    plotsvg = takebuf_string(plot_output)
-
-    write(output,
-      """
-      <!DOCTYPE html>
-      <html>
-        <head>
-          <title>Gadfly Plot</title>
-          <meta charset="utf-8">
-        </head>
-          <body>
-          <script charset="utf-8">
-              $(readall(Compose.snapsvgjs))
-          </script>
-          <script charset="utf-8">
-              $(readall(Gadfly.gadflyjs))
-          </script>
-          $(plotsvg)
-        </body>
-      </html>
-      """)
-    close(output)
-    Gadfly.open_file(filename)
-end
+# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend})
+#     setGadflyDisplaySize(getattr(subplt,1)[:size]...)
+#     ctx = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)
+#
+#     # taken from Gadfly since I couldn't figure out how to do it directly
+#
+#     filename = string(Gadfly.tempname(), ".html")
+#     output = open(filename, "w")
+#
+#     plot_output = IOBuffer()
+#     Gadfly.draw(Gadfly.SVGJS(plot_output, Compose.default_graphic_width,
+#              Compose.default_graphic_height, false), ctx)
+#     plotsvg = takebuf_string(plot_output)
+#
+#     write(output,
+#       """
+#       <!DOCTYPE html>
+#       <html>
+#         <head>
+#           <title>Gadfly Plot</title>
+#           <meta charset="utf-8">
+#         </head>
+#           <body>
+#           <script charset="utf-8">
+#               $(readall(Compose.snapsvgjs))
+#           </script>
+#           <script charset="utf-8">
+#               $(readall(Gadfly.gadflyjs))
+#           </script>
+#           $(plotsvg)
+#         </body>
+#       </html>
+#       """)
+#     close(output)
+#     Gadfly.open_file(filename)
+# end
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ function make_polygon(geom::ShapeGeometry, xs::AbstractArray, ys::AbstractArray,
    x = Compose.x_measure(xs[mod1(i, length(xs))])
    y = Compose.y_measure(ys[mod1(i, length(ys))])
    r = rs[mod1(i, length(rs))]
-    polys[i] = T[(x + r * sx, y + r * sy) for (sx,sy) in get_mod(geom.vertices, i)]
+    polys[i] = T[(x + r * sx, y + r * sy) for (sx,sy) in cycle(geom.vertices, i)]
  end
  Gadfly.polygon(polys, geom.tag)
 end
@@ -2,78 +2,47 @@

 # [WEBSITE]

-supportedArgs(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [
-    # :annotation,
-    # :axis,
-    # :background_color,
-    # :color_palette,
-    # :fillrange,
-    # :fillcolor,
-    # :fillalpha,
-    # :foreground_color,
-    # :group,
+supported_args(::GLVisualizeBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    # :annotations,
+    # :background_color_legend, :background_color_inside, :background_color_outside,
+    # :foreground_color_grid, :foreground_color_legend, :foreground_color_title,
+    # :foreground_color_axis, :foreground_color_border, :foreground_color_guide, :foreground_color_text,
    # :label,
-    # :layout,
-    # :legend,
-    # :linecolor,
-    # :linestyle,
-     :linetype
-    #  :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-    # :linewidth,
-    # :linealpha,
-    # :markershape,
-    # :markercolor,
-    # :markersize,
-    # :markeralpha,
-    # :markerstrokewidth,
-    # :markerstrokecolor,
-    # :markerstrokestyle,
-    # :n,
-    # :bins,
-    # :nc,
-    # :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    # :smooth,
-    # :show,
-    # :size,
-    # :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
-    # :x,
-    # :xlabel,
-    # :xlims,
-    # :xticks,
-    # :y,
-    # :ylabel,
-    # :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    # :yticks,
-    # :xscale,
-    # :yscale,
-    # :xflip,
-    # :yflip,
-    # :z,
-    # :tickfont,
-    # :guidefont,
-    # :legendfont,
-    # :grid,
-    # :surface
-    # :levels,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:surface] #, :path, :scatter ,:steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline, :contour]
-supportedStyles(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:auto, :solid] #, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-supportedMarkers(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse] #, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:identity] #, :log, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::GLVisualizeBackend) = false
+    # :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
+    # :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
+    # :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
+    # :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
+    # :bins, :bar_width, :bar_edges, :bar_position,
+    # :title, :title_location, :titlefont,
+    # :window_title,
+    # :guide, :lims, :ticks, :scale, :flip, :rotation,
+    # :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
+    # :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
+    # :marker_z, :levels,
+    # :ribbon, :quiver, :arrow,
+    # :orientation,
+    # :overwrite_figure,
+    # :polar,
+    # :normalize, :weights,
+    # :contours, :aspect_ratio,
+    # :match_dimensions,
+    # :clims,
+    # :inset_subplots,
+  ])
+supported_types(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:surface]
+supported_styles(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:auto, :solid]
+supported_markers(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:none, :auto, :circle]
+supported_scales(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:identity]
+is_subplot_supported(::GLVisualizeBackend) = false

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 function _initialize_backend(::GLVisualizeBackend; kw...)
-  @eval begin
-    import GLVisualize
-    export GLVisualize
-  end
+    @eval begin
+        import GLVisualize
+        export GLVisualize
+    end
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -82,90 +51,46 @@ immutable GLScreenWrapper
    window
 end

-function _create_plot(pkg::GLVisualizeBackend, d::KW)
-  # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
-  # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc
-
-  # TODO: this should be moved to the display method?
-  w=GLVisualize.glscreen()
-  @async GLVisualize.renderloop(w)
-  Plot(GLScreenWrapper(w), pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend})
+    # init a window
+    window = GLVisualize.glscreen()
+    @async GLVisualize.renderloop(window)
+    window
 end

+function gl_display(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend})
+    for sp in plt.subplots
+        # TODO: setup subplot

-function _add_series(::GLVisualizeBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  # TODO: add one series to the underlying package
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  # TODO: this should be moved to the display method?
-  x,y,z=map(Float32,d[:x]), map(Float32,d[:y]), map(Float32,d[:z].surf)
-  GLVisualize.view(GLVisualize.visualize((x*ones(y)', ones(x)*y', z), :surface),plt.o.window)
-  plt
+        for series in series_list(sp)
+            # TODO: setup series
+            d = series.d
+            st = d[:seriestype]
+            x, y, z = map(Float32, d[:x]), map(Float32, d[:y]), d[:z]
+
+            if st == :surface
+                ismatrix(x) || (x = repmat(x', length(y), 1))
+                ismatrix(y) || (y = repmat(y, 1, length(x)))
+                z = transpose_z(d, map(Float32, z.surf), false)
+                viz = GLVisualize.visualize((x, y, z), :surface)
+                GLVisualize.view(viz, plt.o)
+                return
+
+            else
+                error("Series type $st not supported by GLVisualize")
+            end
+
+        end
+    end
 end

-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  for ann in anns
-    # TODO: add the annotation to the plot
-  end
-end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend})
-end
-
-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{GLVisualizeBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# accessors for x/y data
-
-function getxy(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, i::Int)
-  # TODO:
-  # series = plt.o.lines[i]
-  # series.x, series.y
-  nothing, nothing
-end
-
-function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-  # TODO:
-  # series = plt.o.lines[i]
-  # series.x, series.y = xy
-  plt
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{GLVisualizeBackend})
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-end
-
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{GLVisualizeBackend})
-  # TODO: write a png to io
-end
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the plot
-
-  # NOTE: I think maybe this should be empty?  We can start with the assumption that creating
-  #       and adding to a plot will automatically open a window and draw to it, then the display
-  #       wouldn't actually need to do anything
-end
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{GLVisualizeBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the subplot
+# function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{GLVisualizeBackend})
+#     # TODO: write a png to io
+# end
+
+function _display(plt::Plot{GLVisualizeBackend})
+    gl_display(plt)
 end
@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@

 # https://github.com/JuliaGraphics/Immerse.jl

-supportedArgs(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedArgs(GadflyBackend())
-supportedAxes(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedAxes(GadflyBackend())
-supportedTypes(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedTypes(GadflyBackend())
-supportedStyles(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedStyles(GadflyBackend())
-supportedMarkers(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedMarkers(GadflyBackend())
-supportedScales(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedScales(GadflyBackend())
-subplotSupported(::ImmerseBackend) = true
+supported_args(::ImmerseBackend) = supported_args(GadflyBackend())
+supported_types(::ImmerseBackend) = supported_types(GadflyBackend())
+supported_styles(::ImmerseBackend) = supported_styles(GadflyBackend())
+supported_markers(::ImmerseBackend) = supported_markers(GadflyBackend())
+supported_scales(::ImmerseBackend) = supported_scales(GadflyBackend())
+is_subplot_supported(::ImmerseBackend) = true

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ end

 function createImmerseFigure(d::KW)
  w,h = d[:size]
-  figidx = Immerse.figure(; name = d[:windowtitle], width = w, height = h)
+  figidx = Immerse.figure(; name = d[:window_title], width = w, height = h)
  Immerse.Figure(figidx)
 end

@@ -29,24 +28,31 @@ end


 # create a blank Gadfly.Plot object
-function _create_plot(pkg::ImmerseBackend, d::KW)
-  # create the underlying Gadfly.Plot object
-  gplt = createGadflyPlotObject(d)
-
-  # save both the Immerse.Figure and the Gadfly.Plot
-  Plot((nothing,gplt), pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+# function _create_plot(pkg::ImmerseBackend, d::KW)
+#   # create the underlying Gadfly.Plot object
+#   gplt = createGadflyPlotObject(d)
+#
+#   # save both the Immerse.Figure and the Gadfly.Plot
+#   Plot((nothing,gplt), pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+# end
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend})
+    (nothing, createGadflyPlotObject(plt.attr))
 end


-# plot one data series
-function _add_series(::ImmerseBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  addGadflySeries!(plt, d)
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
+# # plot one data series
+# function _series_added(::ImmerseBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+#   addGadflySeries!(plt, d)
+#   push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
+#   plt
+# end
+
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend}, series::Series)
+    addGadflySeries!(plt, series.d)
 end


-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend}, d::KW)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend}, d::KW)
  updateGadflyGuides(plt, d)
  updateGadflyPlotTheme(plt, d)
 end
@@ -81,51 +87,51 @@ end
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------


-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  return false
-  # isbefore && return false
-end
-
-function showSubplotObject(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend})
-  # create the Gtk window with vertical box vsep
-  d = getplotargs(subplt,1)
-  w,h = d[:size]
-  vsep = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:v)
-  win = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(vsep, d[:windowtitle], w, h)
-
-  figindices = []
-  row = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:h)
-  push!(vsep, row)
-  for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
-    plt = subplt.plts[i]
-
-    # get the components... box is the main plot GtkBox, and canvas is the GtkCanvas where it's plotted
-    box, toolbar, canvas = Immerse.createPlotGuiComponents()
-
-    # add the plot's box to the row
-    push!(row, box)
-
-    # create the figure and store the index returned for destruction later
-    figidx = Immerse.figure(canvas)
-    push!(figindices, figidx)
-
-    fig = Immerse.figure(figidx)
-    plt.o = (fig, plt.o[2])
-
-    # add the row
-    if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
-      row = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:h)
-      push!(vsep, row)
-    end
-
-  end
-
-  # destructor... clean up plots
-  Gtk.on_signal_destroy((x...) -> ([Immerse.dropfig(Immerse._display,i) for i in figindices]; subplt.o = nothing), win)
-
-  subplt.o = win
-  true
-end
+# function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
+#   return false
+#   # isbefore && return false
+# end
+#
+# function showSubplotObject(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend})
+#   # create the Gtk window with vertical box vsep
+#   d = getattr(subplt,1)
+#   w,h = d[:size]
+#   vsep = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:v)
+#   win = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(vsep, d[:window_title], w, h)
+#
+#   figindices = []
+#   row = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:h)
+#   push!(vsep, row)
+#   for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
+#     plt = subplt.plts[i]
+#
+#     # get the components... box is the main plot GtkBox, and canvas is the GtkCanvas where it's plotted
+#     box, toolbar, canvas = Immerse.createPlotGuiComponents()
+#
+#     # add the plot's box to the row
+#     push!(row, box)
+#
+#     # create the figure and store the index returned for destruction later
+#     figidx = Immerse.figure(canvas)
+#     push!(figindices, figidx)
+#
+#     fig = Immerse.figure(figidx)
+#     plt.o = (fig, plt.o[2])
+#
+#     # add the row
+#     if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
+#       row = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:h)
+#       push!(vsep, row)
+#     end
+#
+#   end
+#
+#   # destructor... clean up plots
+#   Gtk.on_signal_destroy((x...) -> ([Immerse.dropfig(Immerse._display,i) for i in figindices]; subplt.o = nothing), win)
+#
+#   subplt.o = win
+#   true
+# end


 function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend}, isx::Bool)
@@ -144,14 +150,14 @@ end
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

 getGadflyContext(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend}) = plt.o[2]
-getGadflyContext(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend}) = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)
+# getGadflyContext(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend}) = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)


 function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend})

  fig, gplt = plt.o
  if fig == nothing
-    fig = createImmerseFigure(plt.plotargs)
+    fig = createImmerseFigure(plt.attr)
    Gtk.on_signal_destroy((x...) -> (Immerse.dropfig(Immerse._display, fig.figno); plt.o = (nothing,gplt)), fig.canvas)
    plt.o = (fig, gplt)
  end
@@ -161,20 +167,20 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend})
 end


-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend})
-
-  # if we haven't created the window yet, do it
-  if subplt.o == nothing
-    showSubplotObject(subplt)
-  end
-
-  # display the plots by creating a fresh Immerse.Figure object from the GtkCanvas and Gadfly.Plot
-  for plt in subplt.plts
-    fig, gplt = plt.o
-    Immerse.figure(fig.figno; displayfig = false)
-    display(gplt)
-  end
-
-  # o is the window... show it
-  showall(subplt.o)
-end
+# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend})
+#
+#   # if we haven't created the window yet, do it
+#   if subplt.o == nothing
+#     showSubplotObject(subplt)
+#   end
+#
+#   # display the plots by creating a fresh Immerse.Figure object from the GtkCanvas and Gadfly.Plot
+#   for plt in subplt.plts
+#     fig, gplt = plt.o
+#     Immerse.figure(fig.figno; displayfig = false)
+#     display(gplt)
+#   end
+#
+#   # o is the window... show it
+#   showall(subplt.o)
+# end
@@ -1,354 +1,321 @@
 # https://github.com/sisl/PGFPlots.jl

-supportedArgs(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [
-    # :annotation,
-    # :axis,
-     :background_color,
-    # :color_palette,
-    # :fillrange,
-     :fillcolor,
-     :fillalpha,
-    # :foreground_color,
-    # :group,
-    # :label,
-    # :layout,
-    # :legend,
-     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-     :linecolor,
-     :linestyle,
-     :linetype,
-     :linewidth,
-     :linealpha,
-     :markershape,
-     :markercolor,
-     :markersize,
-     :markeralpha,
-    # :markerstrokewidth,
-     :markerstrokecolor,
-     :markerstrokestyle,
-    # :n,
-    # :bins,
-    # :nc,
-    # :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    # :smooth,
-    # :show,
-    # :size,
-     :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
-     :x,
-     :xlabel,
-     :xlims,
-    # :xticks,
-     :y,
-     :ylabel,
-     :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    # :yticks,
-     :xscale,
-     :yscale,
-     :xflip,
-     :yflip,
-     :z,
-     :zscale,
-    # :tickfont,
-    # :guidefont,
-    # :legendfont,
-     :grid,
-    # :surface
-    # :levels,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:path, :path3d, :scatter, :line, :steppre, :stepmid, :steppost, :hist, :bar, :hist2d, :sticks, :ysticks, :xsticks, :contour] #  :hexbin, :hline, :vline,]
-supportedStyles(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-supportedMarkers(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :pentagon] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:identity, :log, :ln, :log2, :log10] # :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::PGFPlotsBackend) = false
+# significant contributions by: @pkofod
+
+supported_args(::PGFPlotsBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    # :annotations,
+    # :background_color_legend,
+    :background_color_inside,
+    # :background_color_outside,
+    # :foreground_color_legend, :foreground_color_grid, :foreground_color_axis,
+    #     :foreground_color_text, :foreground_color_border,
+    :label,
+    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
+    :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
+    :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
+    :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha, :markerstrokestyle,
+    :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
+    :bins,
+    # :bar_width, :bar_edges,
+    :title,
+    # :window_title,
+    :guide, :lims, :ticks, :scale, :flip, :rotation,
+    :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
+    :grid, :legend,
+    # :colorbar,
+    # :marker_z, :levels,
+    # :ribbon, :quiver, :arrow,
+    # :orientation,
+    # :overwrite_figure,
+    # :polar,
+    # :normalize, :weights, :contours,
+    :aspect_ratio,
+    # :match_dimensions,
+  ])
+supported_types(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:path, :path3d, :scatter, :steppre, :stepmid, :steppost, :histogram2d, :ysticks, :xsticks, :contour]
+supported_styles(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
+supported_markers(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :circle, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :pentagon] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
+supported_scales(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:identity, :ln, :log2, :log10]
+is_subplot_supported(::PGFPlotsBackend) = false


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 function _initialize_backend(::PGFPlotsBackend; kw...)
-  @eval begin
-    import PGFPlots
-    export PGFPlots
-    # TODO: other initialization that needs to be eval-ed
-  end
-  # TODO: other initialization
+    @eval begin
+        import PGFPlots
+        export PGFPlots
+    end
 end
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 const _pgfplots_linestyles = KW(
    :solid => "solid",
    :dash => "dashed",
    :dot => "dotted",
    :dashdot => "dashdotted",
-    :dashdotdot => "dashdotdotted"
+    :dashdotdot => "dashdotdotted",
 )

 const _pgfplots_markers = KW(
-    :none => "mark = none,",
-    :cross => "mark = +,",
-    :xcross => "mark = x,",
-    :utriangle => "mark = triangle*,",
-    :dtriangle => "mark = triangle*,",
-    :ellipse => "mark = o*,",
-    :rect => "mark = square*,",
-    :star5 => "mark = star,",
-    :star6 => "mark = asterisk,",
-    :diamond => "mark = diamond*,",
-    :pentagon => "mark = pentagon*,"
+    :none => "none",
+    :cross => "+",
+    :xcross => "x",
+    :utriangle => "triangle*",
+    :dtriangle => "triangle*",
+    :circle => "*",
+    :rect => "square*",
+    :star5 => "star",
+    :star6 => "asterisk",
+    :diamond => "diamond*",
+    :pentagon => "pentagon*",
 )

-function _pgfplots_get_color(kwargs, symb)
-    c = typeof(kwargs[symb]) == Symbol ? convertColor(kwargs[symb]) : kwargs[symb].c
-    "{rgb,1:red,$(float(c.r));green,$(float(c.g));blue,$(float(c.b))}"
+const _pgfplots_legend_pos = KW(
+    :bottomleft => "south west",
+    :bottomright => "south east",
+    :topright => "north east",
+    :topleft => "north west",
+)
+
+
+const _pgf_series_extrastyle = KW(
+    :steppre => "const plot mark right",
+    :stepmid => "const plot mark mid",
+    :steppost => "const plot",
+    :sticks => "ycomb",
+    :ysticks => "ycomb",
+    :xsticks => "xcomb",
+)
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# takes in color,alpha, and returns color and alpha appropriate for pgf style
+function pgf_color(c, a = nothing)
+    c = getColor(c)
+    cstr = @sprintf("{rgb,1:red,%.8f;green,%.8f;blue,%.8f}", red(c), green(c), blue(c))
+    a = float(a == nothing ? alpha(c) : a)
+    cstr, a
 end

-function _pgfplots_get_linestyle!(kwargs, plt)
-    ls = plt[:linestyle]
-    if haskey(_pgfplots_linestyles, ls)
-        kwargs[:style] *= _pgfplots_linestyles[ls]*","
+function pgf_fillstyle(d::KW)
+    cstr,a = pgf_color(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+    "fill = $cstr, fill opacity=$a"
+end
+
+function pgf_linestyle(d::KW)
+    cstr,a = pgf_color(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha])
+    """
+    color = $cstr,
+    draw opacity=$a,
+    line width=$(d[:linewidth]),
+    $(get(_pgfplots_linestyles, d[:linestyle], "solid"))"""
+end
+
+function pgf_marker(d::KW)
+    shape = d[:markershape]
+    cstr, a = pgf_color(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
+    cstr_stroke, a_stroke = pgf_color(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha])
+    """
+    mark = $(get(_pgfplots_markers, shape, "*")),
+    mark size = $(0.5 * d[:markersize]),
+    mark options = {
+        color = $cstr_stroke, draw opacity = $a_stroke,
+        fill = $cstr, fill opacity = $a,
+        line width = $(d[:markerstrokewidth]),
+        rotate = $(shape == :dtriangle ? 180 : 0),
+        $(get(_pgfplots_linestyles, d[:markerstrokestyle], "solid"))
+    }"""
+end
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+function pgf_series(sp::Subplot, series::Series)
+    d = series.d
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    style = []
+    kw = KW()
+
+    push!(style, pgf_linestyle(d))
+    push!(style, pgf_marker(d))
+
+    if d[:fillrange] != nothing
+        push!(style, pgf_fillstyle(d))
    end

-    kwargs[:style] *= "line width = $(plt[:linewidth]) pt"*","
-end
-
-
-function _pgfplots_get_marker!(kwargs, plt)
-    # Control marker shape
-    mark = plt[:markershape]
-    kwargs[:style] *= _pgfplots_markers[mark]
-
-    # Control marker size
-    kwargs[:style] *= "mark size = $(plt[:markersize]/2),"
-
-    # Control marker colors and alphas
-    α = plt[:markeralpha] == nothing ? 1.0 : plt[:markeralpha]
-    kwargs[:style] *= "mark options = {color=$(_pgfplots_get_color(plt, :markerstrokecolor)),"
-    kwargs[:style] *= mark == :dtriangle ? "rotate=180," : ""
-    kwargs[:style] *= "fill=$(_pgfplots_get_color(plt, :markercolor)),"
-    kwargs[:style] *= "fill opacity = $α,"
-    markstrokestyle = plt[:markerstrokestyle]
-    if haskey(_pgfplots_linestyles, markstrokestyle)
-        kwargs[:style] *= _pgfplots_linestyles[markstrokestyle]
+    # add to legend?
+    if sp[:legend] != :none && should_add_to_legend(series)
+        kw[:legendentry] = d[:label]
    end
-    kwargs[:style] *= "},"
-end

-function _pgfplots_get_series_color!(kwargs, plt)
-    α = plt[:seriesalpha] == nothing ? 1.0 : plt[:seriesalpha]
-    kwargs[:style] *= "color=$(_pgfplots_get_color(plt, :seriescolor)),"
-    kwargs[:style] *= "draw opacity = $α,"
-end
-
-function _pgfplots_get_line_color!(kwargs, plt)
-    α = plt[:linealpha] == nothing ? 1.0 : plt[:linealpha]
-    kwargs[:style] *= "color=$(_pgfplots_get_color(plt, :linecolor)),"
-    kwargs[:style] *= "draw opacity = $α,"
-end
-
-function _pgfplots_get_fill_color!(kwargs, plt)
-    α = plt[:fillalpha] == nothing ? 1.0 : plt[:fillalpha]
-    kwargs[:style] *= "fill=$(_pgfplots_get_color(plt, :fillcolor)),"
-    kwargs[:style] *= "fill opacity = $α,"
-end
-
-function _pgfplots_get_plot_kwargs(plt)
-    kwargs = KW()
-    kwargs[:style] = ""
-    _pgfplots_get_linestyle!(kwargs, plt)
-    _pgfplots_get_marker!(kwargs, plt)
-    _pgfplots_get_series_color!(kwargs, plt)
-    kwargs
-end
-
-function _pgfplots_axis(plt_series)
-    line_type = plt_series[:linetype]
-    plt_kwargs = _pgfplots_get_plot_kwargs(plt_series)
-        if line_type == :path
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :path3d
-        PGFPlots.Linear3(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y], plt_series[:z]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :scatter
-        PGFPlots.Scatter(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :steppre
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "const plot mark right,"
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :stepmid
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "const plot mark mid,"
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :steppost
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "const plot,"
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :hist
-        #TODO patch this in PGFPlots.jl instead; the problem is that PGFPlots will
-        # save _all_ data points in the figure which can be quite heavy
-        plt_hist = hist(plt_series[:y])
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "ybar interval,"
-        _pgfplots_get_line_color!(plt_kwargs, plt_series)
-        _pgfplots_get_fill_color!(plt_kwargs, plt_series)
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_hist[1][1:end-1]+plt_hist[1].step/2, plt_hist[2]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :hist2d
-        PGFPlots.Histogram2(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y])
-    elseif line_type == :bar
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "ybar,"
-        _pgfplots_get_line_color!(plt_kwargs, plt_series)
-        _pgfplots_get_fill_color!(plt_kwargs, plt_series)
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :sticks || line_type == :ysticks
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "ycomb"
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :xsticks
-        plt_kwargs[:style] *= "xcomb"
-        PGFPlots.Linear(plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y]; plt_kwargs...)
-    elseif line_type == :contour
-        PGFPlots.Contour(plt_series[:z].surf, plt_series[:x], plt_series[:y])
+    # function args
+    args = if st  == :contour
+        d[:z].surf, d[:x], d[:y]
+    elseif is3d(st)
+        d[:x], d[:y], d[:z]
+    else
+        d[:x], d[:y]
    end
-end

-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    # PGFPlots can't handle non-Vector?
+    args = map(a -> if typeof(a) <: AbstractVector && typeof(a) != Vector
+            collect(a)
+        else
+            a
+        end, args)
+    # for (i,a) in enumerate(args)
+    #     if typeof(a) <: AbstractVector && typeof(a) != Vector
+    #         args[i] = collect(a)
+    #     end
+    # end

-function _create_plot(pkg::PGFPlotsBackend, d::KW)
-  # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
-  # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc
-  Plot(nothing, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+    # include additional style, then add to the kw
+    if haskey(_pgf_series_extrastyle, st)
+        push!(style, _pgf_series_extrastyle[st])
+    end
+    kw[:style] = join(style, ',')
+
+    # build/return the series object
+    func = if st == :path3d
+        PGFPlots.Linear3
+    elseif st == :scatter
+        PGFPlots.Scatter
+    elseif st == :histogram2d
+        PGFPlots.Histogram2
+    elseif st == :contour
+        PGFPlots.Contour
+    else
+        PGFPlots.Linear
+    end
+    func(args...; kw...)
 end


-function _add_series(::PGFPlotsBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  # TODO: add one series to the underlying package
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
-end
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  # set or add to the annotation_list
-  if haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
-  else
-    plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = anns
-  end
+function pgf_axis(sp::Subplot, letter)
+    axis = sp[Symbol(letter,:axis)]
+    style = []
+    kw = KW()
+
+    # axis guide
+    kw[Symbol(letter,:label)] = axis[:guide]
+
+    # flip/reverse?
+    axis[:flip] && push!(style, "$letter dir=reverse")
+
+    # scale
+    scale = axis[:scale]
+    if scale in (:log2, :ln, :log10)
+        kw[Symbol(letter,:mode)] = "log"
+        scale == :ln || push!(style, "log basis $letter=$(scale == :log2 ? 2 : 10)")
+    end
+
+    # limits
+    # TODO: support zlims
+    if letter != :z
+        lims = axis_limits(axis)
+        kw[Symbol(letter,:min)] = lims[1]
+        kw[Symbol(letter,:max)] = lims[2]
+    end
+
+    # return the style list and KW args
+    style, kw
 end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-end

-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, d::KW)
-end
+function _make_pgf_plot!(plt::Plot)
+    plt.o = PGFPlots.Axis[]
+    for sp in plt.subplots
+        # first build the PGFPlots.Axis object
+        style = ["unbounded coords=jump"]
+        kw = KW()

-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{PGFPlotsBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# accessors for x/y data
-
-# function getxy(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, i::Int)
-#   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-#   d[:x], d[:y]
-# end
-#
-# function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-#   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-#   d[:x], d[:y] = xy
-#   plt
-# end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{PGFPlotsBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-  true
-end
-
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _pgfplots_get_axis_kwargs(d)
-    axisargs = KW()
-    for arg in (:xlabel, :ylabel, :zlabel, :title)
-        axisargs[arg] = d[arg]
-    end
-    axisargs[:style] = ""
-    axisargs[:style] *= d[:xflip] == true ? "x dir=reverse," : ""
-    axisargs[:style] *= d[:yflip] == true ? "y dir=reverse," : ""
-    if d[:xscale] in (:log, :log2, :ln, :log10)
-        axisargs[:xmode] = "log"
-        if d[:xscale] == :log2
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis x=2,"
-        elseif d[:xscale] in (:log, :log10)
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis x=10,"
+        # add to style/kw for each axis
+        for letter in (:x, :y, :z)
+            if letter != :z || is3d(sp)
+                axisstyle, axiskw = pgf_axis(sp, letter)
+                merge!(kw, axiskw)
+            end
        end
-    end
-    if d[:yscale] in (:log, :log2, :ln, :log10)
-        axisargs[:ymode] = "log"
-        if d[:yscale] == :log2
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis y=2,"
-        elseif d[:yscale] in (:log, :log10)
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis x=10,"
+
+        # bounding box values are in mm
+        # note: bb origin is top-left, pgf is bottom-left
+        bb = bbox(sp)
+        push!(style, """
+            xshift = $(left(bb).value)mm,
+            yshift = $((height(bb) - (bottom(bb))).value)mm,
+            width = $(width(bb).value)mm,
+            height = $(height(bb).value)mm,
+            axis background/.style={fill=$(pgf_color(sp[:background_color_inside])[1])}
+        """)
+
+        if sp[:title] != ""
+            push!(style, "title = $(sp[:title])")
        end
-    end
-    if d[:zscale] in (:log, :log2, :ln, :log10)
-        axisargs[:zmode] = "log"
-        if d[:zscale] == :log2
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis z=2,"
-        elseif d[:zscale] in (:log, :log10)
-            axisargs[:style] *= "log basis x=10,"
+
+        sp[:grid] && push!(style, "grid = major")
+        if sp[:aspect_ratio] in (1, :equal)
+            kw[:axisEqual] = "true"
        end
-    end

-    # Control background color
-    axisargs[:style] *= "axis background/.style={fill=$(_pgfplots_get_color(d, :background_color))},"
-    # Control x/y-limits
-    if d[:xlims] !== :auto
-        axisargs[:xmin] = d[:xlims][1]
-        axisargs[:xmax] = d[:xlims][2]
-    end
-    if d[:ylims] !== :auto
-        axisargs[:ymin] = d[:ylims][1]
-        axisargs[:ymax] = d[:ylims][2]
-    end
-    if d[:grid] == true
-        axisargs[:style] *= "grid = major"
-    elseif d[:grid] == false
+        legpos = sp[:legend]
+        if haskey(_pgfplots_legend_pos, legpos)
+            kw[:legendPos] = _pgfplots_legend_pos[legpos]
+        end

-    end
+        o = PGFPlots.Axis(; style = style, kw...)

-    axisargs
+        # add the series object to the PGFPlots.Axis
+        for series in series_list(sp)
+            push!(o, pgf_series(sp, series))
+        end
+
+        # add the PGFPlots.Axis to the list
+        push!(plt.o, o)
+    end
 end

-# ----------------------------------------------------------------

-#################  This is the important method to implement!!! #################
-function _make_pgf_plot(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-    os = [_pgfplots_axis(plt_series) for plt_series in plt.seriesargs]
-    axisargs  =_pgfplots_get_axis_kwargs(plt.plotargs)
-    plt.o = PGFPlots.Axis([os...]; axisargs...)
+function _writemime(io::IO, mime::MIME"image/svg+xml", plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
+    _make_pgf_plot!(plt)
+    writemime(io, mime, plt.o)
 end

-function Base.writemime(io::IO, mime::MIME"image/svg+xml", plt::AbstractPlot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-  plt.o = _make_pgf_plot(plt)
-  writemime(io, mime, plt.o)
+function _writemime(io::IO, mime::MIME"application/pdf", plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
+    _make_pgf_plot!(plt)
+
+    # prepare the object
+    pgfplt = PGFPlots.plot(plt.o)
+
+    # save a pdf
+    fn = tempname()*".pdf"
+    PGFPlots.save(PGFPlots.PDF(fn), pgfplt)
+
+    # read it into io
+    write(io, readall(open(fn)))
+
+    # cleanup
+    PGFPlots.cleanup(plt.o)
 end

-# function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::AbstractPlot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-# end
+function _display(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
+    # prepare the object
+    _make_pgf_plot!(plt)
+    pgfplt = PGFPlots.plot(plt.o)

-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::AbstractPlot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-  plt.o = _make_pgf_plot(plt)
-  display(plt.o)
+    # save an svg
+    fn = string(tempname(), ".svg")
+    PGFPlots.save(PGFPlots.SVG(fn), pgfplt)
+
+    # show it
+    open_browser_window(fn)
+
+    # cleanup
+    PGFPlots.cleanup(plt.o)
 end
-
-# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{PGFPlotsBackend})
-#   # TODO: display/show the subplot
-# end
@@ -1,79 +1,48 @@

 # https://plot.ly/javascript/getting-started

-supportedArgs(::PlotlyBackend) = [
-    :annotation,
-    # :axis,
-    :background_color,
-    :color_palette,
-    :fillrange,
-    :fillcolor,
-    :fillalpha,
-    :foreground_color,
-    :group,
+supported_args(::PlotlyBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    :annotations,
+    :background_color_legend, :background_color_inside, :background_color_outside,
+    :foreground_color_legend, :foreground_color_guide,
+    # :foreground_color_grid, :foreground_color_axis,
+    :foreground_color_text, :foreground_color_border,
+    :foreground_color_title,
    :label,
-    :layout,
-    :legend,
    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-    :linecolor,
-    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
-    :linewidth,
-    :linealpha,
-    :markershape,
-    :markercolor,
-    :markersize,
-    :markeralpha,
-    :markerstrokewidth,
-    :markerstrokecolor,
-    :markerstrokestyle,
-    :n,
+    :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
+    :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
+    :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha, :markerstrokestyle,
+    :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
    :bins,
-    :nc,
-    :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    # :smooth,
-    :show,
-    :size,
-    :title,
-    :windowtitle,
-    :x,
-    :xlabel,
-    :xlims,
-    :xticks,
-    :y,
-    :ylabel,
-    :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    :yticks,
-    :xscale,
-    :yscale,
-    :xflip,
-    :yflip,
-    :z,
-    :marker_z,
-    :tickfont,
-    :guidefont,
-    :legendfont,
-    :grid,
-    :levels,
-    :xerror,
-    :yerror,
-    :ribbon,
-    :quiver,
+    :title, :title_location, :titlefont,
+    :window_title,
+    :guide, :lims, :ticks, :scale, :flip, :rotation,
+    :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
+    :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
+    :marker_z, :levels,
+    :ribbon, :quiver,
    :orientation,
+    # :overwrite_figure,
    :polar,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::PlotlyBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::PlotlyBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost,
-                                   :hist2d, :hist, :density, :bar, :contour, :surface, :path3d, :scatter3d,
-                                   :pie, :heatmap] #,, :sticks, :hexbin, :hline, :vline]
-supportedStyles(::PlotlyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-supportedMarkers(::PlotlyBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross,
-                                     :pentagon, :hexagon, :octagon, :vline, :hline] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::PlotlyBackend) = [:identity, :log10] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::PlotlyBackend) = true
-stringsSupported(::PlotlyBackend) = true
+    :normalize, :weights,
+    # :contours, :aspect_ratio,
+    :hover,
+    :inset_subplots,
+  ])
+
+supported_types(::PlotlyBackend) = [
+    :path, :scatter, :bar, :pie, :heatmap,
+    :contour, :surface, :path3d, :scatter3d, :shape, :scattergl,
+]
+supported_styles(::PlotlyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
+supported_markers(::PlotlyBackend) = [
+    :none, :auto, :circle, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle,
+    :cross, :xcross, :pentagon, :hexagon, :octagon, :vline, :hline
+]
+supported_scales(::PlotlyBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
+is_subplot_supported(::PlotlyBackend) = true
+is_string_supported(::PlotlyBackend) = true


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -84,7 +53,7 @@ function _initialize_backend(::PlotlyBackend; kw...)
    JSON._print(io::IO, state::JSON.State, dt::Union{Date,DateTime}) = print(io, '"', dt, '"')

    _js_path = Pkg.dir("Plots", "deps", "plotly-latest.min.js")
-    _js_code = open(readall, _js_path, "r")
+    _js_code = open(@compat(readstring), _js_path, "r")

    # borrowed from https://github.com/plotly/plotly.py/blob/2594076e29584ede2d09f2aa40a8a195b3f3fc66/plotly/offline/offline.py#L64-L71 c/o @spencerlyon2
    _js_script = """
@@ -112,230 +81,225 @@ function _initialize_backend(::PlotlyBackend; kw...)
  # TODO: other initialization
 end

-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _create_plot(pkg::PlotlyBackend, d::KW)
-  # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
-  # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc
-  Plot(nothing, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
-end
-
-
-function _add_series(::PlotlyBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  # TODO: add one series to the underlying package
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
-end
-
-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  # set or add to the annotation_list
-  if haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
-  else
-    plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = anns
-  end
-end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-end
-
-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# accessors for x/y data
-
-# function getxy(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, i::Int)
-#   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-#   d[:x], d[:y]
-# end
-#
-# function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-#   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-#   d[:x], d[:y] = xy
-#   plt
-# end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-  true
-end
-
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# TODO:
-# _plotDefaults[:yrightlabel]       = ""
-# _plotDefaults[:xlims]             = :auto
-# _plotDefaults[:ylims]             = :auto
-# _plotDefaults[:xticks]            = :auto
-# _plotDefaults[:yticks]            = :auto
-# _plotDefaults[:xscale]            = :identity
-# _plotDefaults[:yscale]            = :identity
-# _plotDefaults[:xflip]             = false
-# _plotDefaults[:yflip]             = false
-
-function plotlyfont(font::Font, color = font.color)
-  KW(
-      :family => font.family,
-      :size   => round(Int, font.pointsize*1.4),
-      :color  => webcolor(color),
+function plotly_font(font::Font, color = font.color)
+    KW(
+        :family => font.family,
+        :size   => round(Int, font.pointsize*1.4),
+        :color  => webcolor(color),
    )
 end

-function get_annotation_dict(x, y, val::Union{AbstractString,Symbol})
-  KW(
-      :text => val,
-      :xref => "x",
-      :x => x,
-      :yref => "y",
-      :y => y,
-      :showarrow => false,
+function plotly_annotation_dict(x, y, val; xref="paper", yref="paper")
+    KW(
+        :text => val,
+        :xref => xref,
+        :x => x,
+        :yref => xref,
+        :y => y,
+        :showarrow => false,
    )
 end

-function get_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt::PlotText)
-  merge(get_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt.str), KW(
-      :font => plotlyfont(ptxt.font),
-      :xanchor => ptxt.font.halign == :hcenter ? :center : ptxt.font.halign,
-      :yanchor => ptxt.font.valign == :vcenter ? :middle : ptxt.font.valign,
-      :rotation => ptxt.font.rotation,
+function plotly_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt::PlotText; xref="paper", yref="paper")
+    merge(plotly_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt.str; xref=xref, yref=yref), KW(
+        :font => plotly_font(ptxt.font),
+        :xanchor => ptxt.font.halign == :hcenter ? :center : ptxt.font.halign,
+        :yanchor => ptxt.font.valign == :vcenter ? :middle : ptxt.font.valign,
+        :rotation => ptxt.font.rotation,
    ))
 end

-function plotlyscale(scale::Symbol)
-  if scale == :log10
-    "log"
-  else
-    "-"
-  end
+# function get_annotation_dict_for_arrow(d::KW, xyprev::Tuple, xy::Tuple, a::Arrow)
+#     xdiff = xyprev[1] - xy[1]
+#     ydiff = xyprev[2] - xy[2]
+#     dist = sqrt(xdiff^2 + ydiff^2)
+#     KW(
+#         :showarrow => true,
+#         :x => xy[1],
+#         :y => xy[2],
+#         # :ax => xyprev[1] - xy[1],
+#         # :ay => xy[2] - xyprev[2],
+#         # :ax => 0,
+#         # :ay => -40,
+#         :ax => 10xdiff / dist,
+#         :ay => -10ydiff / dist,
+#         :arrowcolor => webcolor(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha]),
+#         :xref => "x",
+#         :yref => "y",
+#         :arrowsize => 10a.headwidth,
+#         # :arrowwidth => a.headlength,
+#         :arrowwidth => 0.1,
+#     )
+# end
+
+function plotly_scale(scale::Symbol)
+    if scale == :log10
+        "log"
+    else
+        "-"
+    end
 end

-use_axis_field(ticks) = !(ticks in (nothing, :none))

-tickssym(isx::Bool) = symbol((isx ? "x" : "y") * "ticks")
-limssym(isx::Bool) = symbol((isx ? "x" : "y") * "lims")
-flipsym(isx::Bool) = symbol((isx ? "x" : "y") * "flip")
-scalesym(isx::Bool) = symbol((isx ? "x" : "y") * "scale")
-labelsym(isx::Bool) = symbol((isx ? "x" : "y") * "label")
+# this method gets the start/end in percentage of the canvas for this axis direction
+function plotly_domain(sp::Subplot, letter)
+    figw, figh = sp.plt[:size]
+    pcts = bbox_to_pcts(sp.plotarea, figw*px, figh*px)
+    i1,i2 = (letter == :x ? (1,3) : (2,4))
+    [pcts[i1], pcts[i1]+pcts[i2]]
+end

-function plotlyaxis(d::KW, isx::Bool)
-  ax = KW(
-      :title      => d[labelsym(isx)],
-      :showgrid   => d[:grid],
-      :zeroline   => false,
+
+function plotly_axis(axis::Axis, sp::Subplot)
+    letter = axis[:letter]
+    ax = KW(
+        :title      => axis[:guide],
+        :showgrid   => sp[:grid],
+        :zeroline   => false,
    )

-  fgcolor = webcolor(d[:foreground_color])
-  tsym = tickssym(isx)
-
-  if use_axis_field(d[tsym])
-    ax[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(d[:guidefont], fgcolor)
-    ax[:type] = plotlyscale(d[scalesym(isx)])
-    ax[:tickfont] = plotlyfont(d[:tickfont], fgcolor)
-    ax[:tickcolor] = fgcolor
-    ax[:linecolor] = fgcolor
-
-    # xlims
-    lims = d[limssym(isx)]
-    if lims != :auto && limsType(lims) == :limits
-      ax[:range] = lims
+    if letter in (:x,:y)
+        ax[:domain] = plotly_domain(sp, letter)
+        ax[:anchor] = "$(letter==:x ? :y : :x)$(plotly_subplot_index(sp))"
    end

-    # xflip
-    if d[flipsym(isx)]
-      ax[:autorange] = "reversed"
+    rot = axis[:rotation]
+    if rot != 0
+        ax[:tickangle] = rot
    end

-    # xticks
-    ticks = d[tsym]
-    if ticks != :auto
-      ttype = ticksType(ticks)
-      if ttype == :ticks
-        ax[:tickmode] = "array"
-        ax[:tickvals] = ticks
-      elseif ttype == :ticks_and_labels
-        ax[:tickmode] = "array"
-        ax[:tickvals], ax[:ticktext] = ticks
-      end
+    if !(axis[:ticks] in (nothing, :none))
+        ax[:titlefont] = plotly_font(axis[:guidefont], axis[:foreground_color_guide])
+        ax[:type] = plotly_scale(axis[:scale])
+        ax[:tickfont] = plotly_font(axis[:tickfont], axis[:foreground_color_text])
+        ax[:tickcolor] = webcolor(axis[:foreground_color_border])
+        ax[:linecolor] = webcolor(axis[:foreground_color_border])
+
+        # lims
+        lims = axis[:lims]
+        if lims != :auto && limsType(lims) == :limits
+            ax[:range] = lims
+        end
+
+        # flip
+        if axis[:flip]
+            ax[:autorange] = "reversed"
+        end
+
+        # ticks
+        ticks = axis[:ticks]
+        if ticks != :auto
+            ttype = ticksType(ticks)
+            if ttype == :ticks
+                ax[:tickmode] = "array"
+                ax[:tickvals] = ticks
+            elseif ttype == :ticks_and_labels
+                ax[:tickmode] = "array"
+                ax[:tickvals], ax[:ticktext] = ticks
+            end
+        end
+    else
+        ax[:showticklabels] = false
+        ax[:showgrid] = false
    end

    ax
-  else
-    ax[:showticklabels] = false
-    ax[:showgrid] = false
-  end
-
-  ax
 end

-# function get_plot_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   d = plt.plotargs
-function plotly_layout(d::KW)
-  d_out = KW()
+function plotly_layout(plt::Plot)
+    d_out = KW()

-  d_out[:width], d_out[:height] = d[:size]
+    w, h = plt[:size]
+    d_out[:width], d_out[:height] = w, h
+    d_out[:paper_bgcolor] = webcolor(plt[:background_color_outside])
+    d_out[:margin] = KW(:l=>0, :b=>0, :r=>0, :t=>20)

-  bgcolor = webcolor(d[:background_color])
-  fgcolor = webcolor(d[:foreground_color])
+    d_out[:annotations] = KW[]

-  # set the fields for the plot
-  d_out[:title] = d[:title]
-  d_out[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(d[:guidefont], fgcolor)
-  d_out[:margin] = KW(:l=>35, :b=>30, :r=>8, :t=>20)
-  d_out[:plot_bgcolor] = bgcolor
-  d_out[:paper_bgcolor] = bgcolor
+    for sp in plt.subplots
+        spidx = plotly_subplot_index(sp)

-  # TODO: x/y axis tick values/labels
-  d_out[:xaxis] = plotlyaxis(d, true)
-  d_out[:yaxis] = plotlyaxis(d, false)
+        # add an annotation for the title... positioned horizontally relative to plotarea,
+        # but vertically just below the top of the subplot bounding box
+        if sp[:title] != ""
+            bb = plotarea(sp)
+            tpos = sp[:title_location]
+            xmm = if tpos == :left
+                left(bb)
+            elseif tpos == :right
+                right(bb)
+            else
+                0.5 * (left(bb) + right(bb))
+            end
+            titlex, titley = xy_mm_to_pcts(xmm, top(bbox(sp)), w*px, h*px)
+            titlefont = font(sp[:titlefont], :top, sp[:foreground_color_title])
+            push!(d_out[:annotations], plotly_annotation_dict(titlex, titley, text(sp[:title], titlefont)))
+        end

-  # legend
-  d_out[:showlegend] = d[:legend] != :none
-  if d[:legend] != :none
-    d_out[:legend] = KW(
-        :bgcolor  => bgcolor,
-        :bordercolor => fgcolor,
-        :font     => plotlyfont(d[:legendfont]),
-      )
-  end
+        d_out[:plot_bgcolor] = webcolor(sp[:background_color_inside])

-  # annotations
-  anns = get(d, :annotation_list, [])
-  if !isempty(anns)
-    d_out[:annotations] = [get_annotation_dict(ann...) for ann in anns]
-  end
+        # TODO: x/y axis tick values/labels

-  if get(d, :polar, false)
-      d_out[:direction] = "counterclockwise"
-  end
+        # if any(is3d, seriesargs)
+        if is3d(sp)
+            d_out[:scene] = KW(
+                Symbol("xaxis$spidx") => plotly_axis(sp[:xaxis], sp),
+                Symbol("yaxis$spidx") => plotly_axis(sp[:yaxis], sp),
+                Symbol("zaxis$spidx") => plotly_axis(sp[:zaxis], sp),
+            )
+        else
+            d_out[Symbol("xaxis$spidx")] = plotly_axis(sp[:xaxis], sp)
+            d_out[Symbol("yaxis$spidx")] = plotly_axis(sp[:yaxis], sp)
+        end

-  d_out
+        # legend
+        d_out[:showlegend] = sp[:legend] != :none
+        if sp[:legend] != :none
+            d_out[:legend] = KW(
+                :bgcolor  => webcolor(sp[:background_color_legend]),
+                :bordercolor => webcolor(sp[:foreground_color_legend]),
+                :font     => plotly_font(sp[:legendfont], sp[:foreground_color_legend]),
+            )
+        end
+
+        # annotations
+        append!(d_out[:annotations], KW[plotly_annotation_dict(ann...; xref = "x$spidx", yref = "y$spidx") for ann in sp[:annotations]])
+
+        # # arrows
+        # for sargs in seriesargs
+        #     a = sargs[:arrow]
+        #     if sargs[:seriestype] in (:path, :line) && typeof(a) <: Arrow
+        #         add_arrows(sargs[:x], sargs[:y]) do xyprev, xy
+        #             push!(d_out[:annotations], get_annotation_dict_for_arrow(sargs, xyprev, xy, a))
+        #         end
+        #     end
+        # end
+
+        if ispolar(sp)
+            d_out[:direction] = "counterclockwise"
+        end
+
+        d_out
+    end
+
+    # turn off hover if nothing's using it
+    if all(series -> series.d[:hover] in (false,:none), plt.series_list)
+        d_out[:hovermode] = "none"
+    end
+
+    d_out
 end

-function get_plot_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-  JSON.json(plotly_layout(plt.plotargs))
+function plotly_layout_json(plt::Plot)
+    JSON.json(plotly_layout(plt))
 end


 function plotly_colorscale(grad::ColorGradient, alpha = nothing)
-  [[grad.values[i], webcolor(grad.colors[i], alpha)] for i in 1:length(grad.colors)]
+    [[grad.values[i], webcolor(grad.colors[i], alpha)] for i in 1:length(grad.colors)]
 end
 plotly_colorscale(c, alpha = nothing) = plotly_colorscale(default_gradient(), alpha)

@@ -347,246 +311,250 @@ const _plotly_markers = KW(
    :star5      => "star-triangle-up",
    :vline      => "line-ns",
    :hline      => "line-ew",
-  )
+)
+
+function plotly_subplot_index(sp::Subplot)
+    spidx = sp[:subplot_index]
+    spidx == 1 ? "" : spidx
+end
+
+
+# the Shape contructor will automatically close the shape. since we need it closed,
+# we split by NaNs and then construct/destruct the shapes to get the closed coords
+function plotly_close_shapes(x, y)
+    xs, ys = nansplit(x), nansplit(y)
+    for i=1:length(xs)
+        shape = Shape(xs[i], ys[i])
+        xs[i], ys[i] = shape_coords(shape)
+    end
+    nanvcat(xs), nanvcat(ys)
+end

 # get a dictionary representing the series params (d is the Plots-dict, d_out is the Plotly-dict)
-function plotly_series(d::KW, plotargs::KW; plot_index = nothing)
-    # dumpdict(d,"series",true)
-  d_out = KW()
+function plotly_series(plt::Plot, series::Series)
+    d = series.d
+    sp = d[:subplot]
+    d_out = KW()

-  x, y = collect(d[:x]), collect(d[:y])
-  d_out[:name] = d[:label]
+    # these are the axes that the series should be mapped to
+    spidx = plotly_subplot_index(sp)
+    d_out[:xaxis] = "x$spidx"
+    d_out[:yaxis] = "y$spidx"
+    d_out[:showlegend] = should_add_to_legend(series)

-  lt = d[:linetype]
-  isscatter = lt in (:scatter, :scatter3d)
-  hasmarker = isscatter || d[:markershape] != :none
-  hasline = !isscatter
+    x, y = collect(d[:x]), collect(d[:y])
+    d_out[:name] = d[:label]
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    isscatter = st in (:scatter, :scatter3d, :scattergl)
+    hasmarker = isscatter || d[:markershape] != :none
+    # hasline = !isscatter
+    hasline = st in (:path, :path3d)

-  # set the "type"
-  if lt in (:line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost)
-    d_out[:type] = "scatter"
-    d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
-      hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
-    else
-      hasline ? "lines" : "none"
-    end
-    if d[:fillrange] == true || d[:fillrange] == 0
-      d_out[:fill] = "tozeroy"
-      d_out[:fillcolor] = webcolor(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-    elseif !(d[:fillrange] in (false, nothing))
-      warn("fillrange ignored... plotly only supports filling to zero. fillrange: $(d[:fillrange])")
-    end
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-
-  elseif lt == :bar
-    d_out[:type] = "bar"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-
-  elseif lt == :hist2d
-    d_out[:type] = "histogram2d"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    if isa(d[:bins], Tuple)
-      xbins, ybins = d[:bins]
-    else
-      xbins = ybins = d[:bins]
-    end
-    d_out[:nbinsx] = xbins
-    d_out[:nbinsy] = ybins
-
-  elseif lt in (:hist, :density)
-    d_out[:type] = "histogram"
-    isvert = isvertical(d)
-    d_out[isvert ? :x : :y] = y
-    d_out[isvert ? :nbinsx : :nbinsy] = d[:bins]
-    if lt == :density
-      d_out[:histnorm] = "probability density"
-    end
-
-  elseif lt == :heatmap
-    d_out[:type] = "heatmap"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-
-  elseif lt == :contour
-    d_out[:type] = "contour"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    # d_out[:showscale] = d[:colorbar] != :none
-    d_out[:ncontours] = d[:levels]
-    d_out[:contours] = KW(:coloring => d[:fillrange] != nothing ? "fill" : "lines")
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha])
-
-  elseif lt in (:surface, :wireframe)
-    d_out[:type] = "surface"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-
-  elseif lt == :pie
-    d_out[:type] = "pie"
-    d_out[:labels] = x
-    d_out[:values] = y
-    d_out[:hoverinfo] = "label+percent+name"
-
-  elseif lt in (:path3d, :scatter3d)
-    d_out[:type] = "scatter3d"
-    d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
-      hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
-    else
-      hasline ? "lines" : "none"
-    end
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = collect(d[:z])
-
-  else
-    warn("Plotly: linetype $lt isn't supported.")
-    return KW()
-  end
-
-  # add "marker"
-  if hasmarker
-    d_out[:marker] = KW(
-        :symbol => get(_plotly_markers, d[:markershape], string(d[:markershape])),
-        :opacity => d[:markeralpha],
-        :size => 2 * d[:markersize],
-        :color => webcolor(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha]),
-        :line => KW(
-            :color => webcolor(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha]),
-            :width => d[:markerstrokewidth],
-          ),
-      )
-
-    # gotta hack this (for now?) since plotly can't handle rgba values inside the gradient
-    if d[:marker_z] != nothing
-      # d_out[:marker][:color] = d[:marker_z]
-      # d_out[:marker][:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
-      # d_out[:showscale] = true
-      grad = ColorGradient(d[:markercolor], alpha=d[:markeralpha])
-      zmin, zmax = extrema(d[:marker_z])
-      d_out[:marker][:color] = [webcolor(getColorZ(grad, (zi - zmin) / (zmax - zmin))) for zi in d[:marker_z]]
-    end
-
-  end
-
-  # add "line"
-  if hasline
-    d_out[:line] = KW(
-        :color => webcolor(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha]),
-        :width => d[:linewidth],
-        :shape => if lt == :steppre
-          "vh"
-        elseif lt == :steppost
-          "hv"
+    # set the "type"
+    if st in (:path, :scatter, :scattergl)
+        d_out[:type] = st==:scattergl ? "scattergl" : "scatter"
+        d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
+            hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
        else
-          "linear"
-        end,
-        :dash => string(d[:linestyle]),
-        # :dash => "solid",
-      )
-  end
+            hasline ? "lines" : "none"
+        end
+        if d[:fillrange] == true || d[:fillrange] == 0
+            d_out[:fill] = "tozeroy"
+            d_out[:fillcolor] = webcolor(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+        elseif !(d[:fillrange] in (false, nothing))
+            warn("fillrange ignored... plotly only supports filling to zero. fillrange: $(d[:fillrange])")
+        end
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y

-  # convert polar plots x/y to theta/radius
-  if get(plotargs, :polar, false)
-      d_out[:t] = rad2deg(pop!(d_out, :x))
-      d_out[:r] = pop!(d_out, :y)
-  end
+    elseif st == :shape
+        # to draw polygons, we actually draw lines with fill
+        d_out[:type] = "scatter"
+        d_out[:mode] = "lines"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = plotly_close_shapes(x, y)
+        # @show map(length, (x,y,d_out[:x],d_out[:y]))
+        # @show d_out[:x] d_out[:y]
+        d_out[:fill] = "tozeroy"
+        d_out[:fillcolor] = webcolor(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
+        if d[:markerstrokewidth] > 0
+            d_out[:line] = KW(
+                :color => webcolor(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha]),
+                :width => d[:markerstrokewidth],
+                :dash => string(d[:markerstrokestyle]),
+            )
+        end

-  # # for subplots, we need to add the xaxis/yaxis fields
-  # if plot_index != nothing
-  #   d_out[:xaxis] = "x$(plot_index)"
-  #   d_out[:yaxis] = "y$(plot_index)"
-  # end

-  d_out
+
+    elseif st == :bar
+        d_out[:type] = "bar"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:orientation] = isvertical(d) ? "v" : "h"
+
+    # elseif st == :histogram2d
+    #     d_out[:type] = "histogram2d"
+    #     d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+    #     if isa(d[:bins], Tuple)
+    #         xbins, ybins = d[:bins]
+    #     else
+    #         xbins = ybins = d[:bins]
+    #     end
+    #     d_out[:nbinsx] = xbins
+    #     d_out[:nbinsy] = ybins
+    #     d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+
+    # elseif st in (:histogram, :density)
+    #     d_out[:type] = "histogram"
+    #     isvert = isvertical(d)
+    #     d_out[isvert ? :x : :y] = y
+    #     d_out[isvert ? :nbinsx : :nbinsy] = d[:bins]
+    #     if st == :density
+    #         d_out[:histogramnorm] = "probability density"
+    #     end
+
+    elseif st == :heatmap
+        d_out[:type] = "heatmap"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y], d_out[:z] = d[:x], d[:y], transpose_z(d, d[:z].surf, false)
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+
+    elseif st == :contour
+        d_out[:type] = "contour"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y], d_out[:z] = d[:x], d[:y], transpose_z(d, d[:z].surf, false)
+        # d_out[:showscale] = d[:colorbar] != :none
+        d_out[:ncontours] = d[:levels]
+        d_out[:contours] = KW(:coloring => d[:fillrange] != nothing ? "fill" : "lines")
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha])
+
+    elseif st in (:surface, :wireframe)
+        d_out[:type] = "surface"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y], d_out[:z] = d[:x], d[:y], transpose_z(d, d[:z].surf, false)
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+
+    elseif st == :pie
+        d_out[:type] = "pie"
+        d_out[:labels] = pie_labels(sp, series)
+        d_out[:values] = y
+        d_out[:hoverinfo] = "label+percent+name"
+
+    elseif st in (:path3d, :scatter3d)
+        d_out[:type] = "scatter3d"
+        d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
+            hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
+        else
+            hasline ? "lines" : "none"
+        end
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:z] = collect(d[:z])
+
+    else
+        warn("Plotly: seriestype $st isn't supported.")
+        return KW()
+    end
+
+    # add "marker"
+    if hasmarker
+        d_out[:marker] = KW(
+            :symbol => get(_plotly_markers, d[:markershape], string(d[:markershape])),
+            :opacity => d[:markeralpha],
+            :size => 2 * d[:markersize],
+            :color => webcolor(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha]),
+            :line => KW(
+                :color => webcolor(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha]),
+                :width => d[:markerstrokewidth],
+            ),
+        )
+
+        # gotta hack this (for now?) since plotly can't handle rgba values inside the gradient
+        if d[:marker_z] != nothing
+            # d_out[:marker][:color] = d[:marker_z]
+            # d_out[:marker][:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
+            # d_out[:showscale] = true
+            grad = ColorGradient(d[:markercolor], alpha=d[:markeralpha])
+            zmin, zmax = extrema(d[:marker_z])
+            d_out[:marker][:color] = [webcolor(getColorZ(grad, (zi - zmin) / (zmax - zmin))) for zi in d[:marker_z]]
+        end
+    end
+
+    # add "line"
+    if hasline
+        d_out[:line] = KW(
+            :color => webcolor(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha]),
+            :width => d[:linewidth],
+            :shape => if st == :steppre
+                "vh"
+            elseif st == :steppost
+                "hv"
+            else
+                "linear"
+            end,
+            :dash => string(d[:linestyle]),
+            # :dash => "solid",
+        )
+    end
+
+    # convert polar plots x/y to theta/radius
+    if ispolar(d[:subplot])
+        d_out[:t] = rad2deg(pop!(d_out, :x))
+        d_out[:r] = pop!(d_out, :y)
+    end
+
+    # hover text
+    hover = d[:hover]
+    if hover in (:none, false)
+        d_out[:hoverinfo] = "none"
+    elseif hover != nothing
+        d_out[:hoverinfo] = "text"
+        d_out[:text] = hover
+    end
+
+    d_out
 end

 # get a list of dictionaries, each representing the series params
-function get_series_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-  JSON.json(map(d -> plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs), plt.seriesargs))
-end
-
-function get_series_json(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-  ds = KW[]
-  for (i,plt) in enumerate(subplt.plts)
-    for d in plt.seriesargs
-      push!(ds, plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs, plot_index = i))
-    end
-  end
-  JSON.json(ds)
+function plotly_series_json(plt::Plot)
+    JSON.json(map(series -> plotly_series(plt, series), plt.series_list))
 end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function html_head(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
-  "<script src=\"$(Pkg.dir("Plots","deps","plotly-latest.min.js"))\"></script>"
+function html_head(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
+    "<script src=\"$(Pkg.dir("Plots","deps","plotly-latest.min.js"))\"></script>"
 end

 function html_body(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, style = nothing)
-  if style == nothing
-    w, h = plt.plotargs[:size]
-    style = "width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;"
-  end
-  uuid = Base.Random.uuid4()
-  html = """
-    <div id=\"$(uuid)\" style=\"$(style)\"></div>
-    <script>
-      PLOT = document.getElementById('$(uuid)');
-      Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(get_series_json(plt)), $(get_plot_json(plt)));
-    </script>
-  """
-  # @show html
-  html
+    if style == nothing
+        w, h = plt[:size]
+        style = "width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;"
+    end
+    uuid = Base.Random.uuid4()
+    html = """
+        <div id=\"$(uuid)\" style=\"$(style)\"></div>
+        <script>
+        PLOT = document.getElementById('$(uuid)');
+        Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(plotly_series_json(plt)), $(plotly_layout_json(plt)));
+        </script>
+    """
+    html
 end

 function js_body(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, uuid)
    js = """
          PLOT = document.getElementById('$(uuid)');
-          Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(get_series_json(plt)), $(get_plot_json(plt)));
+          Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(plotly_series_json(plt)), $(plotly_layout_json(plt)));
    """
 end


-function html_body(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-  w, h = subplt.plts[1].plotargs[:size]
-  html = ["<div style=\"width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;\">"]
-  nr = nrows(subplt.layout)
-  ph = h / nr
-
-  for r in 1:nr
-    push!(html, "<div style=\"clear:both;\">")
-
-    nc = ncols(subplt.layout, r)
-    pw = w / nc
-
-    for c in 1:nc
-      plt = subplt[r,c]
-      push!(html, html_body(plt, "float:left; width:$(pw)px; height:$(ph)px;"))
-    end
-
-    push!(html, "</div>")
-  end
-  push!(html, "</div>")
-
-  join(html)
-end
-
-
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
+
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
    writemime_png_from_html(io, plt)
 end

-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/svg+xml", plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
    write(io, html_head(plt) * html_body(plt))
-    # write(io, html_body(plt))
 end

-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
-  standalone_html_window(plt)
+function _display(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
+    standalone_html_window(plt)
 end
-
-# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   # TODO: display/show the subplot
-# end
@@ -1,79 +1,12 @@

 # https://github.com/spencerlyon2/PlotlyJS.jl

-supportedArgs(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [
-    :annotation,
-    # :axis,
-    :background_color,
-    :color_palette,
-    :fillrange,
-    :fillcolor,
-    :fillalpha,
-    :foreground_color,
-    :group,
-    :label,
-    :layout,
-    :legend,
-    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-    :linecolor,
-    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
-    :linewidth,
-    :linealpha,
-    :markershape,
-    :markercolor,
-    :markersize,
-    :markeralpha,
-    :markerstrokewidth,
-    :markerstrokecolor,
-    :markerstrokestyle,
-    :n,
-    :bins,
-    :nc,
-    :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    # :smooth,
-    :show,
-    :size,
-    :title,
-    :windowtitle,
-    :x,
-    :xlabel,
-    :xlims,
-    :xticks,
-    :y,
-    :ylabel,
-    :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    :yticks,
-    :xscale,
-    :yscale,
-    :xflip,
-    :yflip,
-    :z,
-    :marker_z,
-    :tickfont,
-    :guidefont,
-    :legendfont,
-    :grid,
-    :levels,
-    :xerror,
-    :yerror,
-    :ribbon,
-    :quiver,
-    :orientation,
-    :polar,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost,
-                                   :hist2d, :hist, :density, :bar, :contour, :surface, :path3d, :scatter3d,
-                                   :pie, :heatmap] #,, :sticks, :hexbin, :hline, :vline]
-supportedStyles(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-supportedMarkers(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross,
-                                     :pentagon, :hexagon, :octagon, :vline, :hline] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-supportedScales(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:identity, :log10] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-subplotSupported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true
-stringsSupported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true
+supported_args(::PlotlyJSBackend) = supported_args(PlotlyBackend())
+supported_types(::PlotlyJSBackend) = supported_types(PlotlyBackend())
+supported_styles(::PlotlyJSBackend) = supported_styles(PlotlyBackend())
+supported_markers(::PlotlyJSBackend) = supported_markers(PlotlyBackend())
+is_subplot_supported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true
+is_string_supported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@@ -83,124 +16,60 @@ function _initialize_backend(::PlotlyJSBackend; kw...)
        export PlotlyJS
    end

-    for (mime, fmt) in PlotlyJS._mimeformats
-        # mime == "image/png" && continue  # don't use plotlyjs's writemime for png
-        @eval Base.writemime(io::IO, m::MIME{symbol($mime)}, p::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}) = writemime(io, m, p.o)
-    end
-
-    # override IJulia inline display
-    if isijulia()
-        IJulia.display_dict(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyJSBackend}) = IJulia.display_dict(plt.o)
-    end
+    # # override IJulia inline display
+    # if isijulia()
+    #     IJulia.display_dict(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyJSBackend}) = IJulia.display_dict(plt.o)
+    # end
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_plot(pkg::PlotlyJSBackend, d::KW)
-    # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
-    # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc
-    # o = PlotlyJS.Plot(PlotlyJS.GenericTrace[], PlotlyJS.Layout(),
-    #                   Base.Random.uuid4(), PlotlyJS.ElectronDisplay())
-    # T = isijulia() ? PlotlyJS.JupyterPlot : PlotlyJS.ElectronPlot
-    # o = T(PlotlyJS.Plot())
-    o = PlotlyJS.plot()

-    Plot(o, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
+    PlotlyJS.plot()
 end


-function _add_series(::PlotlyJSBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, series::Series)
    syncplot = plt.o
-
-    # add to the data array
-    pdict = plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs)
+    pdict = plotly_series(plt, series)
    typ = pop!(pdict, :type)
    gt = PlotlyJS.GenericTrace(typ; pdict...)
    PlotlyJS.addtraces!(syncplot, gt)
-
-    push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-    plt
 end

-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-    # set or add to the annotation_list
-    if !haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-        plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = Any[]
-    end
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
+function _series_updated(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, series::Series)
+    xsym, ysym = (ispolar(series) ? (:t,:r) : (:x,:y))
+    PlotlyJS.restyle!(
+        plt.o,
+        findfirst(plt.series_list, series),
+        KW(xsym => (series.d[:x],), ysym => (series.d[:y],))
+    )
 end

+
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
-end
-
-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, d::KW)
-    pdict = plotly_layout(d)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
+    pdict = plotly_layout(plt)
    syncplot = plt.o
-    w,h = d[:size]
+    w,h = plt[:size]
    PlotlyJS.relayout!(syncplot, pdict, width = w, height = h)
 end


-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyJSBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-# accessors for x/y data
-
-# function getxy(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, i::Int)
-#   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-#   d[:x], d[:y]
-# end
-
-function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-  d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-  ispolar = get(plt.plotargs, :polar, false)
-  xsym = ispolar ? :t : :x
-  ysym = ispolar ? :r : :y
-  d[xsym], d[ysym] = xy
-  # TODO: this is likely ineffecient... we should make a call that ONLY changes the plot data
-  PlotlyJS.restyle!(plt.o, i, KW(xsym=>(d[xsym],), ysym=>(d[ysym],)))
-  plt
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/svg+xml", plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
+    writemime(io, MIME("text/html"), plt.o)
 end

-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyJSBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-  true
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
+    tmpfn = tempname() * ".png"
+    PlotlyJS.savefig(plt.o, tmpfn)
+    write(io, read(open(tmpfn)))
 end

-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# function Base.writemime(io::IO, m::MIME"text/html", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyJSBackend})
-#     Base.writemime(io, m, plt.o)
-# end
-
-# function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyJSBackend})
-#     println("here!")
-#     writemime_png_from_html(io, plt)
-# end
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
+function _display(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend})
    display(plt.o)
 end
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{PlotlyJSBackend})
-    error()
-end
@@ -2,52 +2,29 @@
 # https://github.com/tbreloff/Qwt.jl


-supportedArgs(::QwtBackend) = [
-    :annotation,
-    :axis,
-    :background_color,
+supported_args(::QwtBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    :annotations,
    :linecolor,
-    :color_palette,
    :fillrange,
    :fillcolor,
-    :foreground_color,
-    :group,
    :label,
-    :layout,
    :legend,
    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
    :linewidth,
    :markershape,
    :markercolor,
    :markersize,
-    :n,
    :bins,
-    :nc,
-    :nr,
    :pos,
-    :smooth,
-    :show,
-    :size,
    :title,
-    :windowtitle,
-    :x,
-    :xlabel,
-    :xlims,
-    :xticks,
-    :y,
-    :ylabel,
-    :ylims,
-    :yrightlabel,
-    :yticks,
-    :xscale,
-    :yscale,
-  ]
-supportedTypes(::QwtBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline]
-supportedMarkers(::QwtBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :star8, :hexagon]
-supportedScales(::QwtBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
-subplotSupported(::QwtBackend) = true
+    :window_title,
+    :guide, :lims, :ticks, :scale,
+  ])
+supported_types(::QwtBackend) = [:path, :scatter, :hexbin, :bar]
+supported_markers(::QwtBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :circle, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :star8, :hexagon]
+supported_scales(::QwtBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
+is_subplot_supported(::QwtBackend) = true


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -91,29 +68,29 @@ end

 function adjustQwtKeywords(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, iscreating::Bool; kw...)
  d = KW(kw)
-  lt = d[:linetype]
-  if lt == :scatter
-    d[:linetype] = :none
+  st = d[:seriestype]
+  if st == :scatter
+    d[:seriestype] = :none
    if d[:markershape] == :none
-      d[:markershape] = :ellipse
+      d[:markershape] = :circle
    end

-  elseif lt in (:hline, :vline)
+  elseif st in (:hline, :vline)
    addLineMarker(plt, d)
-    d[:linetype] = :none
-    d[:markershape] = :ellipse
+    d[:seriestype] = :none
+    d[:markershape] = :circle
    d[:markersize] = 1
-    if lt == :vline
+    if st == :vline
      d[:x], d[:y] = d[:y], d[:x]
    end

-  elseif !iscreating && lt == :bar
+  elseif !iscreating && st == :bar
    d = barHack(; kw...)
-  elseif !iscreating && lt == :hist
+  elseif !iscreating && st == :histogram
    d = barHack(; histogramHack(; kw...)...)
  end

-  replaceQwtAliases(d, :linetype)
+  replaceQwtAliases(d, :seriestype)
  replaceQwtAliases(d, :markershape)

  for k in keys(d)
@@ -128,21 +105,23 @@ function adjustQwtKeywords(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, iscreating::Bool; kw...)
  d
 end

-function _create_plot(pkg::QwtBackend, d::KW)
-  fixcolors(d)
-  dumpdict(d,"\n\n!!! plot")
-  o = Qwt.plot(zeros(0,0); d..., show=false)
-  plt = Plot(o, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
-  plt
+# function _create_plot(pkg::QwtBackend, d::KW)
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{QwtBackend})
+  fixcolors(plt.attr)
+  dumpdict(plt.attr,"\n\n!!! plot")
+  o = Qwt.plot(zeros(0,0); plt.attr..., show=false)
+  # plt = Plot(o, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+  # plt
 end

-function _add_series(::QwtBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  d = adjustQwtKeywords(plt, false; d...)
+# function _series_added(::QwtBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, series::Series)
+  d = adjustQwtKeywords(plt, false; series.d...)
  fixcolors(d)
  dumpdict(d,"\n\n!!! plot!")
  Qwt.oplot(plt.o; d...)
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
+  # push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
+  # plt
 end


@@ -182,16 +161,16 @@ function updateLimsAndTicks(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, d::KW, isx::Bool)
    # scaletype == :log       && w[:setAxisScaleEngine](axisid, Qwt.QWT.QwtLogScaleEngine(e))
    # scaletype == :log2      && w[:setAxisScaleEngine](axisid, Qwt.QWT.QwtLogScaleEngine(2))
    scaletype == :log10     && w[:setAxisScaleEngine](axisid, Qwt.QWT.QwtLog10ScaleEngine())
-    scaletype in supportedScales() || warn("Unsupported scale type: ", scaletype)
+    scaletype in supported_scales() || warn("Unsupported scale type: ", scaletype)
  end

 end


-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, d::KW)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, d::KW)
  haskey(d, :title) && Qwt.title(plt.o, d[:title])
-  haskey(d, :xlabel) && Qwt.xlabel(plt.o, d[:xlabel])
-  haskey(d, :ylabel) && Qwt.ylabel(plt.o, d[:ylabel])
+  haskey(d, :xguide) && Qwt.xlabel(plt.o, d[:xguide])
+  haskey(d, :yguide) && Qwt.ylabel(plt.o, d[:yguide])
  updateLimsAndTicks(plt, d, true)
  updateLimsAndTicks(plt, d, false)
 end
@@ -208,7 +187,7 @@ end
 function addLineMarker(plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, d::KW)
  for yi in d[:y]
    marker = Qwt.QWT.QwtPlotMarker()
-    ishorizontal = (d[:linetype] == :hline)
+    ishorizontal = (d[:seriestype] == :hline)
    marker[:setLineStyle](ishorizontal ? 1 : 2)
    marker[ishorizontal ? :setYValue : :setXValue](yi)
    qcolor = Qwt.convertRGBToQColor(getColor(d[:linecolor]))
@@ -267,28 +246,28 @@ end

 # -------------------------------

-# create the underlying object (each backend will do this differently)
-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  isbefore && return false
-  i = 0
-  rows = Any[]
-  row = Any[]
-  for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
-    push!(row, subplt.plts[i].o)
-    if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
-      push!(rows, Qwt.hsplitter(row...))
-      row = Any[]
-    end
-  end
-  # for rowcnt in subplt.layout.rowcounts
-  #   push!(rows, Qwt.hsplitter([plt.o for plt in subplt.plts[(1:rowcnt) + i]]...))
-  #   i += rowcnt
-  # end
-  subplt.o = Qwt.vsplitter(rows...)
-  # Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, getplotargs(subplt,1)[:size]...)
-  # Qwt.moveToLastScreen(subplt.o)  # hack so it goes to my center monitor... sorry
-  true
-end
+# # create the underlying object (each backend will do this differently)
+# function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
+#   isbefore && return false
+#   i = 0
+#   rows = Any[]
+#   row = Any[]
+#   for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
+#     push!(row, subplt.plts[i].o)
+#     if c == ncols(subplt.layout, r)
+#       push!(rows, Qwt.hsplitter(row...))
+#       row = Any[]
+#     end
+#   end
+#   # for rowcnt in subplt.layout.rowcounts
+#   #   push!(rows, Qwt.hsplitter([plt.o for plt in subplt.plts[(1:rowcnt) + i]]...))
+#   #   i += rowcnt
+#   # end
+#   subplt.o = Qwt.vsplitter(rows...)
+#   # Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, getattr(subplt,1)[:size]...)
+#   # Qwt.moveToLastScreen(subplt.o)  # hack so it goes to my center monitor... sorry
+#   true
+# end

 function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{QwtBackend}, isx::Bool)
  for series in plt.o.lines
@@ -309,13 +288,13 @@ function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot{QwtBackend})
  write(io, readall("/tmp/dfskjdhfkh.png"))
 end

-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend})
-  for plt in subplt.plts
-    Qwt.refresh(plt.o)
-  end
-  Qwt.savepng(subplt.o, "/tmp/dfskjdhfkh.png")
-  write(io, readall("/tmp/dfskjdhfkh.png"))
-end
+# function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend})
+#   for plt in subplt.plts
+#     Qwt.refresh(plt.o)
+#   end
+#   Qwt.savepng(subplt.o, "/tmp/dfskjdhfkh.png")
+#   write(io, readall("/tmp/dfskjdhfkh.png"))
+# end


 function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{QwtBackend})
@@ -323,9 +302,9 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{QwtBackend})
  Qwt.showwidget(plt.o)
 end

-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend})
-  for plt in subplt.plts
-    Qwt.refresh(plt.o)
-  end
-  Qwt.showwidget(subplt.o)
-end
+# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{QwtBackend})
+#   for plt in subplt.plts
+#     Qwt.refresh(plt.o)
+#   end
+#   Qwt.showwidget(subplt.o)
+# end
@@ -1,698 +0,0 @@
-#
-# supportedAxes(::AbstractBackend) = [:left]
-# supportedTypes(::AbstractBackend) = []
-# supportedStyles(::AbstractBackend) = [:solid]
-# supportedMarkers(::AbstractBackend) = [:none]
-# supportedScales(::AbstractBackend) = [:identity]
-# subplotSupported(::AbstractBackend) = false
-# stringsSupported(::AbstractBackend) = false
-#
-# supportedAxes() = supportedAxes(backend())
-# supportedTypes() = supportedTypes(backend())
-# supportedStyles() = supportedStyles(backend())
-# supportedMarkers() = supportedMarkers(backend())
-# supportedScales() = supportedScales(backend())
-# subplotSupported() = subplotSupported(backend())
-# stringsSupported() = stringsSupported(backend())
-
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-#
-# supportedArgs(::GadflyBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     :background_color, :foreground_color, :color_palette,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
-#     :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
-#     :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
-#     :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
-#     :bins,
-#     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
-#     :smooth,
-#     :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
-#     :x, :xlabel, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
-#     :y, :ylabel, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
-#     # :z, :zlabel, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip,
-#     :z,
-#     :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
-#     :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
-#     :marker_z, :levels,
-#     :xerror, :yerror,
-#     :ribbon, :quiver,
-#     :orientation,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::GadflyBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::GadflyBackend) = [
-#         :none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks,
-#         :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist,
-#         :bar, :box, :violin, :quiver,
-#         :hline, :vline, :contour, :shape
-#     ]
-# supportedStyles(::GadflyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::GadflyBackend) = vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::GadflyBackend) = [:identity, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::GadflyBackend) = true
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-# supportedArgs(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedArgs(GadflyBackend())
-# supportedAxes(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedAxes(GadflyBackend())
-# supportedTypes(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedTypes(GadflyBackend())
-# supportedStyles(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedStyles(GadflyBackend())
-# supportedMarkers(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedMarkers(GadflyBackend())
-# supportedScales(::ImmerseBackend) = supportedScales(GadflyBackend())
-# subplotSupported(::ImmerseBackend) = true
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-#
-# supportedArgs(::PyPlotBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     :background_color, :foreground_color, :color_palette,
-#     :background_color_legend, :background_color_inside, :background_color_outside,
-#     :foreground_color_legend, :foreground_color_grid, :foreground_color_axis,
-#         :foreground_color_text, :foreground_color_border,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
-#     :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
-#     :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
-#     :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
-#     :bins,
-#     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
-#     :smooth,
-#     :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
-#     :x, :xlabel, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
-#     :y, :ylabel, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
-#     :axis, :yrightlabel,
-#     :z, :zlabel, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip,
-#     :z,
-#     :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
-#     :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
-#     :marker_z, :levels,
-#     :xerror, :yerror,
-#     :ribbon, :quiver,
-#     :orientation,
-#     :overwrite_figure,
-#     :polar,
-#     :normalize, :weights, :contours, :aspect_ratio
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::PyPlotBackend) = _allAxes
-# supportedTypes(::PyPlotBackend) = [
-#         :none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :shape,
-#         :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :density,
-#         :bar, :sticks, :box, :violin, :quiver,
-#         :hline, :vline, :heatmap, :pie,
-#         :contour, :contour3d, :path3d, :scatter3d, :surface, :wireframe
-#     ]
-# supportedStyles(::PyPlotBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::PyPlotBackend) = vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::PyPlotBackend) = [:identity, :ln, :log2, :log10]
-# subplotSupported(::PyPlotBackend) = true
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-#
-# supportedArgs(::GRBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     :background_color, :foreground_color, :color_palette,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linecolor, :linestyle, :linewidth, :linealpha,
-#     :markershape, :markercolor, :markersize, :markeralpha,
-#     :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
-#     :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
-#     :bins,
-#     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
-#     :smooth,
-#     :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
-#     :x, :xlabel, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
-#     :y, :ylabel, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
-#     :axis, :yrightlabel,
-#     :z, :zlabel, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip,
-#     :z,
-#     :tickfont, :guidefont, :legendfont,
-#     :grid, :legend, :colorbar,
-#     :marker_z, :levels,
-#     :xerror, :yerror,
-#     :ribbon, :quiver,
-#     :orientation,
-#     :overwrite_figure,
-#     :polar,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::GRBackend) = _allAxes
-# supportedTypes(::GRBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks,
-#                                :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :density, :bar,
-#                                :hline, :vline, :contour, :heatmap, :path3d, :scatter3d, :surface,
-#                                :wireframe, :ohlc, :pie]
-# supportedStyles(::GRBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::GRBackend) = vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::GRBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
-# subplotSupported(::GRBackend) = true
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-#
-# supportedArgs(::QwtBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     :axis,
-#     :background_color,
-#     :linecolor,
-#     :color_palette,
-#     :fillrange,
-#     :fillcolor,
-#     :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :layout,
-#     :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :linewidth,
-#     :markershape,
-#     :markercolor,
-#     :markersize,
-#     :n,
-#     :bins,
-#     :nc,
-#     :nr,
-#     :pos,
-#     :smooth,
-#     :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     :xlabel,
-#     :xlims,
-#     :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     :ylabel,
-#     :ylims,
-#     :yrightlabel,
-#     :yticks,
-#     :xscale,
-#     :yscale,
-#   ]
-# supportedTypes(::QwtBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline]
-# supportedMarkers(::QwtBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :star8, :hexagon]
-# supportedScales(::QwtBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
-# subplotSupported(::QwtBackend) = true
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-# supportedArgs(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [
-#     # :annotation,
-#     # :args,
-#     # :axis,
-#     # :background_color,
-#     # :linecolor,
-#     # :fill,
-#     # :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     # :heatmap_c,
-#     # :kwargs,
-#     :label,
-#     # :layout,
-#     :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     # :linewidth,
-#     :markershape,
-#     # :markercolor,
-#     # :markersize,
-#     # :markerstrokewidth,
-#     # :markerstrokecolor,
-#     # :markerstrokestyle,
-#     # :n,
-#     :bins,
-#     # :nc,
-#     # :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :reg,
-#     # :ribbon,
-#     :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     :xlabel,
-#     :xlims,
-#     # :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     :ylabel,
-#     :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     # :yticks,
-#     # :xscale,
-#     # :yscale,
-#     # :xflip,
-#     # :yflip,
-#     # :z,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline]
-# supportedStyles(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid]
-# supportedMarkers(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse]
-# supportedScales(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:identity]
-# subplotSupported(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = true
-#
-#
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-# supportedArgs(::WinstonBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     # :args,
-#     # :axis,
-#     # :background_color,
-#     :linecolor,
-#     :color_palette,
-#     :fillrange,
-#     :fillcolor,
-#     # :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     # :heatmap_c,
-#     # :kwargs,
-#     :label,
-#     # :layout,
-#     :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :linewidth,
-#     :markershape,
-#     :markercolor,
-#     :markersize,
-#     # :markerstrokewidth,
-#     # :markerstrokecolor,
-#     # :markerstrokestyle,
-#     # :n,
-#     :bins,
-#     # :nc,
-#     # :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     :smooth,
-#     # :ribbon,
-#     :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     :xlabel,
-#     :xlims,
-#     # :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     :ylabel,
-#     :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     # :yticks,
-#     :xscale,
-#     :yscale,
-#     # :xflip,
-#     # :yflip,
-#     # :z,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::WinstonBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::WinstonBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :sticks, :scatter, :hist, :bar]
-# supportedStyles(::WinstonBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::WinstonBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5]
-# supportedScales(::WinstonBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
-# subplotSupported(::WinstonBackend) = false
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-#
-#
-# supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
-#     # :annotation,
-#     # :axis,
-#     # :background_color,
-#     :linecolor,
-#     # :color_palette,
-#     # :fillrange,
-#     # :fillcolor,
-#     # :fillalpha,
-#     # :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     # :label,
-#     # :layout,
-#     # :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :linewidth,
-#     # :linealpha,
-#     :markershape,
-#     :markercolor,
-#     :markersize,
-#     # :markeralpha,
-#     # :markerstrokewidth,
-#     # :markerstrokecolor,
-#     # :markerstrokestyle,
-#     # :n,
-#     # :bins,
-#     # :nc,
-#     # :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :smooth,
-#     # :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     # :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     # :xlabel,
-#     # :xlims,
-#     # :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     # :ylabel,
-#     # :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     # :yticks,
-#     # :xscale,
-#     # :yscale,
-#     # :xflip,
-#     # :yflip,
-#     # :z,
-#     # :tickfont,
-#     # :guidefont,
-#     # :legendfont,
-#     # :grid,
-#     # :surface,
-#     # :levels,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::BokehBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::BokehBackend) = [:none, :path, :scatter] #,:steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline, :contour]
-# supportedStyles(::BokehBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::BokehBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::BokehBackend) = [:identity, :ln] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::BokehBackend) = false
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# supportedArgs(::PlotlyBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     # :axis,
-#     :background_color,
-#     :color_palette,
-#     :fillrange,
-#     :fillcolor,
-#     :fillalpha,
-#     :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :layout,
-#     :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linecolor,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :linewidth,
-#     :linealpha,
-#     :markershape,
-#     :markercolor,
-#     :markersize,
-#     :markeralpha,
-#     :markerstrokewidth,
-#     :markerstrokecolor,
-#     :markerstrokestyle,
-#     :n,
-#     :bins,
-#     :nc,
-#     :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :smooth,
-#     :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     :xlabel,
-#     :xlims,
-#     :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     :ylabel,
-#     :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     :yticks,
-#     :xscale,
-#     :yscale,
-#     :xflip,
-#     :yflip,
-#     :z,
-#     :marker_z,
-#     :tickfont,
-#     :guidefont,
-#     :legendfont,
-#     :grid,
-#     :levels,
-#     :xerror,
-#     :yerror,
-#     :ribbon,
-#     :quiver,
-#     :orientation,
-#     :polar,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::PlotlyBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::PlotlyBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost,
-#                                    :hist2d, :hist, :density, :bar, :contour, :surface, :path3d, :scatter3d,
-#                                    :pie, :heatmap] #,, :sticks, :hexbin, :hline, :vline]
-# supportedStyles(::PlotlyBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::PlotlyBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross,
-#                                      :pentagon, :hexagon, :octagon, :vline, :hline] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::PlotlyBackend) = [:identity, :log10] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::PlotlyBackend) = true
-# stringsSupported(::PlotlyBackend) = true
-#
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# supportedArgs(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [
-#     :annotation,
-#     # :axis,
-#     :background_color,
-#     :color_palette,
-#     :fillrange,
-#     :fillcolor,
-#     :fillalpha,
-#     :foreground_color,
-#     :group,
-#     :label,
-#     :layout,
-#     :legend,
-#     :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     :linecolor,
-#     :linestyle,
-#     :linetype,
-#     :linewidth,
-#     :linealpha,
-#     :markershape,
-#     :markercolor,
-#     :markersize,
-#     :markeralpha,
-#     :markerstrokewidth,
-#     :markerstrokecolor,
-#     :markerstrokestyle,
-#     :n,
-#     :bins,
-#     :nc,
-#     :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :smooth,
-#     :show,
-#     :size,
-#     :title,
-#     :windowtitle,
-#     :x,
-#     :xlabel,
-#     :xlims,
-#     :xticks,
-#     :y,
-#     :ylabel,
-#     :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     :yticks,
-#     :xscale,
-#     :yscale,
-#     :xflip,
-#     :yflip,
-#     :z,
-#     :marker_z,
-#     :tickfont,
-#     :guidefont,
-#     :legendfont,
-#     :grid,
-#     :levels,
-#     :xerror,
-#     :yerror,
-#     :ribbon,
-#     :quiver,
-#     :orientation,
-#     :polar,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost,
-#                                    :hist2d, :hist, :density, :bar, :contour, :surface, :path3d, :scatter3d,
-#                                    :pie, :heatmap] #,, :sticks, :hexbin, :hline, :vline]
-# supportedStyles(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross,
-#                                      :pentagon, :hexagon, :octagon, :vline, :hline] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [:identity, :log10] #, :ln, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true
-# stringsSupported(::PlotlyJSBackend) = true
-#
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# supportedArgs(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [
-#     # :annotation,
-#     # :axis,
-#     # :background_color,
-#     # :color_palette,
-#     # :fillrange,
-#     # :fillcolor,
-#     # :fillalpha,
-#     # :foreground_color,
-#     # :group,
-#     # :label,
-#     # :layout,
-#     # :legend,
-#     # :linecolor,
-#     # :linestyle,
-#      :linetype
-#     #  :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#     # :linewidth,
-#     # :linealpha,
-#     # :markershape,
-#     # :markercolor,
-#     # :markersize,
-#     # :markeralpha,
-#     # :markerstrokewidth,
-#     # :markerstrokecolor,
-#     # :markerstrokestyle,
-#     # :n,
-#     # :bins,
-#     # :nc,
-#     # :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :smooth,
-#     # :show,
-#     # :size,
-#     # :title,
-#     # :windowtitle,
-#     # :x,
-#     # :xlabel,
-#     # :xlims,
-#     # :xticks,
-#     # :y,
-#     # :ylabel,
-#     # :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     # :yticks,
-#     # :xscale,
-#     # :yscale,
-#     # :xflip,
-#     # :yflip,
-#     # :z,
-#     # :tickfont,
-#     # :guidefont,
-#     # :legendfont,
-#     # :grid,
-#     # :surface
-#     # :levels,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:surface] #, :path, :scatter ,:steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :heatmap, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline, :contour]
-# supportedStyles(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:auto, :solid] #, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse] #, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [:identity] #, :log, :log2, :log10, :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::GLVisualizeBackend) = false
-# 
-# # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# supportedArgs(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [
-#     # :annotation,
-#     # :axis,
-#      :background_color,
-#     # :color_palette,
-#     # :fillrange,
-#      :fillcolor,
-#      :fillalpha,
-#     # :foreground_color,
-#     # :group,
-#     # :label,
-#     # :layout,
-#     # :legend,
-#      :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
-#      :linecolor,
-#      :linestyle,
-#      :linetype,
-#      :linewidth,
-#      :linealpha,
-#      :markershape,
-#      :markercolor,
-#      :markersize,
-#      :markeralpha,
-#     # :markerstrokewidth,
-#      :markerstrokecolor,
-#      :markerstrokestyle,
-#     # :n,
-#     # :bins,
-#     # :nc,
-#     # :nr,
-#     # :pos,
-#     # :smooth,
-#     # :show,
-#     # :size,
-#      :title,
-#     # :windowtitle,
-#      :x,
-#      :xlabel,
-#      :xlims,
-#     # :xticks,
-#      :y,
-#      :ylabel,
-#      :ylims,
-#     # :yrightlabel,
-#     # :yticks,
-#      :xscale,
-#      :yscale,
-#      :xflip,
-#      :yflip,
-#      :z,
-#      :zscale,
-#     # :tickfont,
-#     # :guidefont,
-#     # :legendfont,
-#      :grid,
-#     # :surface
-#     # :levels,
-#   ]
-# supportedAxes(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-# supportedTypes(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:path, :path3d, :scatter, :line, :steppre, :stepmid, :steppost, :hist, :bar, :hist2d, :sticks, :ysticks, :xsticks, :contour] #  :hexbin, :hline, :vline,]
-# supportedStyles(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
-# supportedMarkers(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse, :rect, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5, :pentagon] #vcat(_allMarkers, Shape)
-# supportedScales(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [:identity, :log, :ln, :log2, :log10] # :asinh, :sqrt]
-# subplotSupported(::PGFPlotsBackend) = false
@@ -1,87 +1,75 @@

-# TODO: find/replace all [PkgName] with CamelCase, all [pkgname] with lowercase
+# TODO: find/replace all [PkgName] with CamelCase

-# [WEBSITE]
+# [ADD BACKEND WEBSITE]

-function _initialize_backend(::[PkgName]AbstractBackend; kw...)
-  @eval begin
-    import [PkgName]
-    export [PkgName]
-    # TODO: other initialization that needs to be eval-ed
-  end
-  # TODO: other initialization
+function _initialize_backend(::[PkgName]Backend; kw...)
+    @eval begin
+        import [PkgName]
+        export [PkgName]
+        # todo: other initialization that needs to be eval-ed
+    end
+    # todo: other initialization
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_plot(pkg::[PkgName]AbstractBackend, d::KW)
-  # TODO: create the window/canvas/context that is the plot within the backend (call it `o`)
-  # TODO: initialize the plot... title, xlabel, bgcolor, etc
-  Plot(nothing, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+# Create the window/figure for this backend.
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
+    nothing
 end

-
-function _add_series(::[PkgName]AbstractBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  # TODO: add one series to the underlying package
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
-end
-
-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  for ann in anns
-    # TODO: add the annotation to the plot
-  end
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend})
-end
-
-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-# ----------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# accessors for x/y data
-
-# function getxy(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, i::Int)
-#   # TODO: return a tuple of (x, y) vectors
-# end
-#
-# function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-#   # TODO: set the plot data from the (x,y) tuple
-#   plt
+# # this is called early in the pipeline, use it to make the plot current or something
+# function _prepare_plot_object(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
 # end

+# Set up the subplot within the backend object.
+function _initialize_subplot(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend}, sp::Subplot{[PkgName]Backend})
+end
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# Add one series to the underlying backend object.
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend}, series::Series)
+end
+
+# When series data is added/changed, this callback can do dynamic updates to the backend object.
+# note: if the backend rebuilds the plot from scratch on display, then you might not do anything here.
+function _series_updated(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend}, series::Series)
+end
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# called just before updating layout bounding boxes... in case you need to prep
+# for the calcs
+function _before_layout_calcs(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
+end
+
+# Set the (left, top, right, bottom) minimum padding around the plot area
+# to fit ticks, tick labels, guides, colorbars, etc.
+function _update_min_padding!(sp::Subplot{[PkgName]Backend})
+    sp.minpad = (20mm, 5mm, 2mm, 10mm)
+end
+
+
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-end
-
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
+# Override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc), and add annotations (d[:annotations])
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
 end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend})
-  # TODO: write a png to io
+# Write a png to io.  You could define methods for:
+    # "application/eps"         => "eps",
+    # "image/eps"               => "eps",
+    # "application/pdf"         => "pdf",
+    # "image/png"               => "png",
+    # "application/postscript"  => "ps",
+    # "image/svg+xml"           => "svg"
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
 end

-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the plot
-end
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{[PkgName]AbstractBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the subplot
+# Display/show the plot (open a GUI window, or browser page, for example).
+function _display(plt::Plot{[PkgName]Backend})
 end
@@ -1,73 +1,37 @@

 # https://github.com/Evizero/UnicodePlots.jl

-supportedArgs(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [
-    # :annotation,
-    # :args,
-    # :axis,
-    # :background_color,
-    # :linecolor,
-    # :fill,
-    # :foreground_color,
-    :group,
-    # :heatmap_c,
-    # :kwargs,
+supported_args(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
    :label,
-    # :layout,
    :legend,
-    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
+    :seriescolor,
+    :seriesalpha,
    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
-    # :linewidth,
    :markershape,
-    # :markercolor,
-    # :markersize,
-    # :markerstrokewidth,
-    # :markerstrokecolor,
-    # :markerstrokestyle,
-    # :n,
    :bins,
-    # :nc,
-    # :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    # :reg,
-    # :ribbon,
-    :show,
-    :size,
    :title,
-    :windowtitle,
-    :x,
-    :xlabel,
-    :xlims,
-    # :xticks,
-    :y,
-    :ylabel,
-    :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    # :yticks,
-    # :xscale,
-    # :yscale,
-    # :xflip,
-    # :yflip,
-    # :z,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :steppre, :steppost, :sticks, :scatter, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar, :hline, :vline]
-supportedStyles(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid]
-supportedMarkers(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :ellipse]
-supportedScales(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:identity]
-subplotSupported(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = true
-
+    :guide, :lims,
+  ])
+supported_types(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [
+    :path, :scatter,
+    :histogram2d
+]
+supported_styles(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:auto, :solid]
+supported_markers(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:none, :auto, :circle]
+supported_scales(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [:identity]
+is_subplot_supported(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = true


+# don't warn on unsupported... there's just too many warnings!!
+warnOnUnsupported_args(pkg::UnicodePlotsBackend, d::KW) = nothing

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 function _initialize_backend(::UnicodePlotsBackend; kw...)
-  @eval begin
-    import UnicodePlots
-    export UnicodePlots
-  end
+    @eval begin
+        import UnicodePlots
+        export UnicodePlots
+    end
 end

 # -------------------------------
@@ -75,189 +39,125 @@ end

 # do all the magic here... build it all at once, since we need to know about all the series at the very beginning
 function rebuildUnicodePlot!(plt::Plot)
+    plt.o = []

-  # figure out the plotting area xlim = [xmin, xmax] and ylim = [ymin, ymax]
-  sargs = plt.seriesargs
-  iargs = plt.plotargs
+    for sp in plt.subplots
+        xaxis = sp[:xaxis]
+        yaxis = sp[:yaxis]
+        xlim =  axis_limits(xaxis)
+        ylim =  axis_limits(yaxis)

-  # get the x/y limits
-  if get(iargs, :xlims, :auto) == :auto
-    xlim = [Inf, -Inf]
-    for d in sargs
-      _expand_limits(xlim, d[:x])
+        # make vectors
+        xlim = [xlim[1], xlim[2]]
+        ylim = [ylim[1], ylim[2]]
+
+        # we set x/y to have a single point, since we need to create the plot with some data.
+        # since this point is at the bottom left corner of the plot, it shouldn't actually be shown
+        x = Float64[xlim[1]]
+        y = Float64[ylim[1]]
+
+        # create a plot window with xlim/ylim set, but the X/Y vectors are outside the bounds
+        width, height = plt[:size]
+        canvas_type = isijulia() ? UnicodePlots.AsciiCanvas : UnicodePlots.BrailleCanvas
+        o = UnicodePlots.Plot(x, y, canvas_type;
+            width = width,
+            height = height,
+            title = sp[:title],
+            xlim = xlim,
+            ylim = ylim,
+            border = isijulia() ? :ascii : :solid
+        )
+
+        # set the axis labels
+        UnicodePlots.xlabel!(o, xaxis[:guide])
+        UnicodePlots.ylabel!(o, yaxis[:guide])
+
+        # now use the ! functions to add to the plot
+        for series in series_list(sp)
+            addUnicodeSeries!(o, series.d, sp[:legend] != :none, xlim, ylim)
+        end
+
+        # save the object
+        push!(plt.o, o)
    end
-  else
-    xmin, xmax = iargs[:xlims]
-    xlim = [xmin, xmax]
-  end
-
-  if get(iargs, :ylims, :auto) == :auto
-    ylim = [Inf, -Inf]
-    for d in sargs
-      _expand_limits(ylim, d[:y])
-    end
-  else
-    ymin, ymax = iargs[:ylims]
-    ylim = [ymin, ymax]
-  end
-
-  # we set x/y to have a single point, since we need to create the plot with some data.
-  # since this point is at the bottom left corner of the plot, it shouldn't actually be shown
-  x = Float64[xlim[1]]
-  y = Float64[ylim[1]]
-
-  # create a plot window with xlim/ylim set, but the X/Y vectors are outside the bounds
-  width, height = iargs[:size]
-  o = UnicodePlots.Plot(x, y; width = width,
-                                height = height,
-                                title = iargs[:title],
-                                # labels = iargs[:legend],
-                                xlim = xlim,
-                                ylim = ylim)
-
-  # set the axis labels
-  UnicodePlots.xlabel!(o, iargs[:xlabel])
-  UnicodePlots.ylabel!(o, iargs[:ylabel])
-
-  # now use the ! functions to add to the plot
-  for d in sargs
-    addUnicodeSeries!(o, d, iargs[:legend] != :none, xlim, ylim)
-  end
-
-  # save the object
-  plt.o = o
 end


 # add a single series
 function addUnicodeSeries!(o, d::KW, addlegend::Bool, xlim, ylim)
-
-  # get the function, or special handling for step/bar/hist
-  lt = d[:linetype]
-
-  # handle hline/vline separately
-  if lt in (:hline,:vline)
-    for yi in d[:y]
-      if lt == :hline
-        UnicodePlots.lineplot!(o, xlim, [yi,yi])
-      else
-        UnicodePlots.lineplot!(o, [yi,yi], ylim)
-      end
+    # get the function, or special handling for step/bar/hist
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    if st == :histogram2d
+        UnicodePlots.densityplot!(o, d[:x], d[:y])
+        return
    end
-    return
-  end

-  stepstyle = :post
-  if lt == :path
-    func = UnicodePlots.lineplot!
-  elseif lt == :scatter || d[:markershape] != :none
-    func = UnicodePlots.scatterplot!
-  elseif lt == :steppost
-    func = UnicodePlots.stairs!
-  elseif lt == :steppre
-    func = UnicodePlots.stairs!
-    stepstyle = :pre
-  else
-    error("Linestyle $lt not supported by UnicodePlots")
-  end
-
-  # get the series data and label
-  x, y = [collect(float(d[s])) for s in (:x, :y)]
-  label = addlegend ? d[:label] : ""
-
-  # if we happen to pass in allowed color symbols, great... otherwise let UnicodePlots decide
-  color = d[:linecolor] in UnicodePlots.color_cycle ? d[:linecolor] : :auto
-
-  # add the series
-  func(o, x, y; color = color, name = label, style = stepstyle)
-end
-
-
-function handlePlotColors(::UnicodePlotsBackend, d::KW)
-  # TODO: something special for unicodeplots, since it doesn't take kindly to people messing with its color palette
-  d[:color_palette] = [RGB(0,0,0)]
-end
-
-# -------------------------------
-
-
-function _create_plot(pkg::UnicodePlotsBackend, d::KW)
-  plt = Plot(nothing, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
-
-  # do we want to give a new default size?
-  if !haskey(plt.plotargs, :size) || plt.plotargs[:size] == _plotDefaults[:size]
-    plt.plotargs[:size] = (60,20)
-  end
-
-  plt
-end
-
-function _add_series(::UnicodePlotsBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  if d[:linetype] in (:sticks, :bar)
-    d = barHack(; d...)
-  elseif d[:linetype] == :hist
-    d = barHack(; histogramHack(; d...)...)
-  end
-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
-end
-
-
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend}, d::KW)
-  for k in (:title, :xlabel, :ylabel, :xlims, :ylims)
-    if haskey(d, k)
-      plt.plotargs[k] = d[k]
+    if st == :path
+        func = UnicodePlots.lineplot!
+    elseif st == :scatter || d[:markershape] != :none
+        func = UnicodePlots.scatterplot!
+    else
+        error("Linestyle $st not supported by UnicodePlots")
    end
-  end
-end

+    # get the series data and label
+    x, y = [collect(float(d[s])) for s in (:x, :y)]
+    label = addlegend ? d[:label] : ""
+
+    # if we happen to pass in allowed color symbols, great... otherwise let UnicodePlots decide
+    color = d[:linecolor] in UnicodePlots.color_cycle ? d[:linecolor] : :auto
+
+    # add the series
+    func(o, x, y; color = color, name = label)
+end

 # -------------------------------

 # since this is such a hack, it's only callable using `png`... should error during normal `writemime`
-function png(plt::AbstractPlot{UnicodePlotsBackend}, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
-  fn = addExtension(fn, "png")
+function png(plt::AbstractPlot{UnicodePlotsBackend}, fn::AbstractString)
+    fn = addExtension(fn, "png")

-  # make some whitespace and show the plot
-  println("\n\n\n\n\n\n")
-  gui(plt)
+    # make some whitespace and show the plot
+    println("\n\n\n\n\n\n")
+    gui(plt)

-  @osx_only begin
-    # BEGIN HACK
+    # @osx_only begin
+    @compat @static if is_apple()
+        # BEGIN HACK

-    # wait while the plot gets drawn
-    sleep(0.5)
+        # wait while the plot gets drawn
+        sleep(0.5)

-    # use osx screen capture when my terminal is maximized and cursor starts at the bottom (I know, right?)
-    # TODO: compute size of plot to adjust these numbers (or maybe implement something good??)
-    run(`screencapture -R50,600,700,420 $fn`)
+        # use osx screen capture when my terminal is maximized and cursor starts at the bottom (I know, right?)
+        # TODO: compute size of plot to adjust these numbers (or maybe implement something good??)
+        run(`screencapture -R50,600,700,420 $fn`)

-    # END HACK (phew)
-    return
-  end
+        # END HACK (phew)
+        return
+    end

-  error("Can only savepng on osx with UnicodePlots (though even then I wouldn't do it)")
+    error("Can only savepng on osx with UnicodePlots (though even then I wouldn't do it)")
 end

 # -------------------------------

 # we don't do very much for subplots... just stack them vertically

-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{UnicodePlotsBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  isbefore && return false
-  true
-end
-
-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
+  w, h = plt[:size]
+  plt.attr[:size] = div(w, 10), div(h, 20)
+  plt.attr[:color_palette] = [RGB(0,0,0)]
  rebuildUnicodePlot!(plt)
-  show(plt.o)
+end
+
+function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/plain", plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
+  map(show, plt.o)
+  nothing
 end


-
-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
-  for plt in subplt.plts
-    gui(plt)
-  end
+function _display(plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
+  map(show, plt.o)
+  nothing
 end
+
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # CREDIT: parts of this implementation were inspired by @joshday's PlotlyLocal.jl


-function standalone_html(plt::AbstractPlot; title::AbstractString = get(plt.plotargs, :window_title, "Plots.jl"))
+function standalone_html(plt::AbstractPlot; title::AbstractString = get(plt.attr, :window_title, "Plots.jl"))
    """
    <!DOCTYPE html>
    <html>
@@ -20,14 +20,20 @@ function standalone_html(plt::AbstractPlot; title::AbstractString = get(plt.plot
 end

 function open_browser_window(filename::AbstractString)
-    @osx_only   return run(`open $(filename)`)
-    @linux_only return run(`xdg-open $(filename)`)
-    @windows_only return run(`$(ENV["COMSPEC"]) /c start $(filename)`)
+    @compat @static if is_apple()
+        return run(`open $(filename)`)
+    end
+    @compat @static if is_linux()
+        return run(`xdg-open $(filename)`)
+    end
+    @compat @static if is_windows()
+        return run(`$(ENV["COMSPEC"]) /c start $(filename)`)
+    end
    warn("Unknown OS... cannot open browser window.")
 end

 function write_temp_html(plt::AbstractPlot)
-    html = standalone_html(plt; title = plt.plotargs[:title])
+    html = standalone_html(plt; title = plt.attr[:window_title])
    filename = string(tempname(), ".html")
    output = open(filename, "w")
    write(output, html)
@@ -51,7 +57,7 @@ function writemime_png_from_html(io::IO, plt::AbstractPlot)

    # convert that html file to a temporary png file using wkhtmltoimage
    png_fn = tempname() * ".png"
-    w, h = plt.plotargs[:size]
+    w, h = plt.attr[:size]
    html_to_png(html_fn, png_fn, w, h)

    # now read that file data into io
@@ -3,64 +3,29 @@

 # credit goes to https://github.com/jverzani for contributing to the first draft of this backend implementation

-supportedArgs(::WinstonBackend) = [
-    :annotation,
-    # :args,
-    # :axis,
-    # :background_color,
+supported_args(::WinstonBackend) = merge_with_base_supported([
+    :annotations,
    :linecolor,
-    :color_palette,
    :fillrange,
    :fillcolor,
-    # :foreground_color,
-    :group,
-    # :heatmap_c,
-    # :kwargs,
    :label,
-    # :layout,
    :legend,
    :seriescolor, :seriesalpha,
    :linestyle,
-    :linetype,
    :linewidth,
    :markershape,
    :markercolor,
    :markersize,
-    # :markerstrokewidth,
-    # :markerstrokecolor,
-    # :markerstrokestyle,
-    # :n,
    :bins,
-    # :nc,
-    # :nr,
-    # :pos,
-    :smooth,
-    # :ribbon,
-    :show,
-    :size,
    :title,
-    :windowtitle,
-    :x,
-    :xlabel,
-    :xlims,
-    # :xticks,
-    :y,
-    :ylabel,
-    :ylims,
-    # :yrightlabel,
-    # :yticks,
-    :xscale,
-    :yscale,
-    # :xflip,
-    # :yflip,
-    # :z,
-  ]
-supportedAxes(::WinstonBackend) = [:auto, :left]
-supportedTypes(::WinstonBackend) = [:none, :line, :path, :sticks, :scatter, :hist, :bar]
-supportedStyles(::WinstonBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
-supportedMarkers(::WinstonBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :ellipse, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5]
-supportedScales(::WinstonBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
-subplotSupported(::WinstonBackend) = false
+    :window_title,
+    :guide, :lims, :scale,
+  ])
+supported_types(::WinstonBackend) = [:path, :scatter, :bar]
+supported_styles(::WinstonBackend) = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot]
+supported_markers(::WinstonBackend) = [:none, :auto, :rect, :circle, :diamond, :utriangle, :dtriangle, :cross, :xcross, :star5]
+supported_scales(::WinstonBackend) = [:identity, :log10]
+is_subplot_supported(::WinstonBackend) = false


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -87,7 +52,7 @@ end

@compat const winston_marker = KW(:none=>".",
                            :rect => "square",
-                            :ellipse=>"circle",
+                            :circle=>"circle",
                            :diamond=>"diamond",
                            :utriangle=>"triangle",
                            :dtriangle=>"down-triangle",
@@ -96,17 +61,18 @@ end
                            :star5 => "asterisk"
                           )

-function _before_add_series(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
+function _before_update(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
  Winston.ghf(plt.o)
 end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-
-function _create_plot(pkg::WinstonBackend, d::KW)
-  wplt = Winston.FramedPlot(title = d[:title], xlabel = d[:xlabel], ylabel = d[:ylabel])
-
-  Plot(wplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
+function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
+    Winston.FramedPlot(
+        title = plt.attr[:title],
+        xlabel = plt.attr[:xguide],
+        ylabel = plt.attr[:yguide]
+    )
 end

 copy_remove(d::KW, s::Symbol) = delete!(copy(d), s)
@@ -126,11 +92,12 @@ function getWinstonItems(plt::Plot)
  window, canvas, wplt
 end

-function _add_series(::WinstonBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
+function _series_added(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend}, series::Series)
+    d = series.d
  window, canvas, wplt = getWinstonItems(plt)

  # until we call it normally, do the hack
-  if d[:linetype] == :bar
+  if d[:seriestype] == :bar
    d = barHack(;d...)
  end

@@ -148,11 +115,11 @@ function _add_series(::WinstonBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)



-  ## lintype :path, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :dots, :none, :hist2d, :hexbin, :hist, :bar
-  if d[:linetype] == :none
+  ## lintype :path, :step, :stepinverted, :sticks, :dots, :none, :histogram2d, :hexbin, :histogram, :bar
+  if d[:seriestype] == :none
    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Points(d[:x], d[:y]; copy_remove(e, :kind)..., color=getColor(d[:markercolor])))

-  elseif d[:linetype] == :path
+  elseif d[:seriestype] == :path
    x, y = d[:x], d[:y]
    Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Curve(x, y; e...))

@@ -166,38 +133,38 @@ function _add_series(::WinstonBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)
      Winston.add(wplt, Winston.FillBetween(x, y, x, y2, fillcolor=getColor(d[:fillcolor])))
    end

-  elseif d[:linetype] == :scatter
+  elseif d[:seriestype] == :scatter
    if d[:markershape] == :none
-      d[:markershape] = :ellipse
+      d[:markershape] = :circle
    end

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :step
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :step
  #     fn = Winston.XXX

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :stepinverted
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :stepinverted
  #     fn = Winston.XXX

-  elseif d[:linetype] == :sticks
+  elseif d[:seriestype] == :sticks
      Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Stems(d[:x], d[:y]; e...))

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :dots
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :dots
  #     fn = Winston.XXX

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :hist2d
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :histogram2d
  #     fn = Winston.XXX

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :hexbin
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :hexbin
  #     fn = Winston.XXX

-  elseif d[:linetype] == :hist
+  elseif d[:seriestype] == :histogram
      hst = hist(d[:y], d[:bins])
      Winston.add(wplt, Winston.Histogram(hst...; copy_remove(e, :bins)...))

-  # elseif d[:linetype] == :bar
+  # elseif d[:seriestype] == :bar
  #     # fn = Winston.XXX

  else
-    error("linetype $(d[:linetype]) not supported by Winston.")
+    error("seriestype $(d[:seriestype]) not supported by Winston.")

  end

@@ -209,10 +176,10 @@ function _add_series(::WinstonBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)


  # optionally add a regression line
-  d[:smooth] && d[:linetype] != :hist && addRegressionLineWinston(d, wplt)
+  d[:smooth] && d[:seriestype] != :histogram && addRegressionLineWinston(d, wplt)

-  push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
-  plt
+  # push!(plt.seriesargs, d)
+  # plt
 end


@@ -225,9 +192,9 @@ end
    :yscale => :ylog,
  )

-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend}, d::KW)
+function _update_plot_object(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend}, d::KW)
  window, canvas, wplt = getWinstonItems(plt)
-  for k in (:xlabel, :ylabel, :title, :xlims, :ylims)
+  for k in (:xguide, :yguide, :title, :xlims, :ylims)
    if haskey(d, k)
      Winston.setattr(wplt, string(get(_winstonNames, k, k)), d[k])
    end
@@ -259,14 +226,14 @@ end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

-function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{WinstonBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
-  # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
-end
+# function _create_subplot(subplt::Subplot{WinstonBackend}, isbefore::Bool)
+#   # TODO: build the underlying Subplot object.  this is where you might layout the panes within a GUI window, for example
+# end

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------

 function addWinstonLegend(plt::Plot, wplt)
-  if plt.plotargs[:legend] != :none
+  if plt.attr[:legend] != :none
    Winston.legend(wplt, [sd[:label] for sd in plt.seriesargs])
  end
 end
@@ -287,9 +254,9 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
      error("Gtk is the only supported display for Winston in Plots.  Set `output_surface = gtk` in src/Winston.ini")
    end
    # initialize window
-    w,h = plt.plotargs[:size]
+    w,h = plt.attr[:size]
    canvas = Gtk.GtkCanvasLeaf()
-    window = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(canvas, plt.plotargs[:windowtitle], w, h)
+    window = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(canvas, plt.attr[:window_title], w, h)
    plt.o = (window, canvas, wplt)
  end

@@ -300,6 +267,6 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
 end


-function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{WinstonBackend})
-  # TODO: display/show the Subplot object
-end
+# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{WinstonBackend})
+#   # TODO: display/show the Subplot object
+# end
@@ -18,10 +18,13 @@ colorscheme(c::Colorant; kw...) = ColorWrapper(c; kw...)
 # --------------------------------------------------------------


-convertColor(c::@compat(Union{AbstractString, Symbol})) = parse(Colorant, string(c))
+convertColor(c::AbstractString) = parse(Colorant, c)
+convertColor(c::Symbol) = parse(Colorant, string(c))
 convertColor(c::Colorant) = c
 convertColor(cvec::AbstractVector) = map(convertColor, cvec)
 convertColor(c::ColorScheme) = c
+convertColor(v::Void) = RGBA(0,0,0,0)
+convertColor(b::Bool) = b ? RGBA(0,0,0,1) : RGBA(0,0,0,0)

 function convertColor(c, α::Real)
  c = convertColor(c)
@@ -118,6 +121,11 @@ function ColorGradient(grad::ColorGradient; alpha = nothing)
  ColorGradient(convertColor(grad.colors, alpha), grad.values)
 end

+# anything else just gets the default gradient
+function ColorGradient(cw; alpha=nothing)
+    ColorGradient(default_gradient(), alpha=alpha)
+end
+
 getColor(gradient::ColorGradient, idx::Int) = gradient.colors[mod1(idx, length(gradient.colors))]

 function getColorZ(gradient::ColorGradient, z::Real)
@@ -294,7 +302,7 @@ function generate_colorgradient(bgcolor = colorant"white";
  gradient_from_list(colors)
 end

-function get_color_palette(palette, bgcolor::@compat(Union{Colorant,ColorWrapper}), numcolors::Integer)
+function get_color_palette(palette, bgcolor::Union{Colorant,ColorWrapper}, numcolors::Integer)
  grad = if palette == :auto
    generate_colorgradient(bgcolor)
  else
@@ -304,7 +312,8 @@ function get_color_palette(palette, bgcolor::@compat(Union{Colorant,ColorWrapper
  RGBA[getColorZ(grad, z) for z in zrng]
 end

-function get_color_palette(palette::Vector{RGBA}, bgcolor::@compat(Union{Colorant,ColorWrapper}), numcolors::Integer)
+function get_color_palette{C<:Colorant}(palette::Vector{C},
+            bgcolor::Union{Colorant,ColorWrapper}, numcolors::Integer)
  palette
 end

@@ -347,10 +356,10 @@ end
 make255(x) = round(Int, 255 * x)

 function webcolor(c::Color)
-  @sprintf("rgb(%d, %d, %d)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]...)
+    @sprintf("rgb(%d, %d, %d)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]...)
 end
 function webcolor(c::TransparentColor)
-  @sprintf("rgba(%d, %d, %d, %1.3f)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]..., alpha(c))
+    @sprintf("rgba(%d, %d, %d, %1.3f)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]..., alpha(c))
 end
 webcolor(cs::ColorScheme) = webcolor(getColor(cs))
 webcolor(c) = webcolor(convertColor(c))
@@ -358,63 +367,12 @@ webcolor(c, α) = webcolor(convertColor(getColor(c), α))

 # ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-# TODO: allow the setting of the algorithm, either by passing a symbol (:colordiff, :fixed, etc) or a function?
-
-function handlePlotColors(::AbstractBackend, d::KW)
-    if :background_color in supportedArgs()
-        bgcolor = convertColor(d[:background_color])
-    else
-        bgcolor = _plotDefaults[:background_color]
-        if d[:background_color] != _plotDefaults[:background_color]
-            warn("Cannot set background_color with backend $(backend())")
-        end
-    end
-
-
-    d[:color_palette] = get_color_palette(get(d, :color_palette, :auto), bgcolor, 100)
-
-
-    # set the foreground color (text, ticks, gridlines) to be white or black depending
-    # on how dark the background is.
-    fgcolor = get(d, :foreground_color, :auto)
-    fgcolor = if fgcolor == :auto
-        isdark(bgcolor) ? colorant"white" : colorant"black"
-    else
-        convertColor(fgcolor)
-    end
-
-    # bg/fg color
-    d[:background_color] = colorscheme(bgcolor)
-    d[:foreground_color] = colorscheme(fgcolor)
-
-    # update sub-background colors
-    for bgtype in ("legend", "inside", "outside")
-        bgsym = symbol("background_color_" * bgtype)
-        if d[bgsym] == :match
-            d[bgsym] = d[:background_color]
-        elseif d[bgsym] == nothing
-            d[bgsym] = colorscheme(RGBA(0,0,0,0))
-        end
-    end
-
-    # update sub-foreground colors
-    for fgtype in ("legend", "grid", "axis", "text", "border", "guide")
-        fgsym = symbol("foreground_color_" * fgtype)
-        if d[fgsym] == :match
-            d[fgsym] = d[:foreground_color]
-        elseif d[fgsym] == nothing
-            d[fgsym] = colorscheme(RGBA(0,0,0,0))
-        end
-    end
-
-
-end

 # converts a symbol or string into a colorant (Colors.RGB), and assigns a color automatically
-function getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs::KW, n::Int)
+function getSeriesRGBColor(c, sp::Subplot, n::Int)

  if c == :auto
-    c = autopick(plotargs[:color_palette], n)
+    c = autopick(sp[:color_palette], n)
  end

  # c should now be a subtype of ColorScheme
@@ -12,23 +12,24 @@ compute_angle(v::P2) = (angle = atan2(v[2], v[1]); angle < 0 ? 2π - angle : ang
 # -------------------------------------------------------------

 immutable Shape
-  # vertices::AVec
-  x::AVec
-  y::AVec
+    x::Vector{Float64}
+    y::Vector{Float64}
+    function Shape(x::AVec, y::AVec)
+        if x[1] != x[end] || y[1] != y[end]
+            new(vcat(x, x[1]), vcat(y, y[1]))
+        else
+            new(x, y)
+        end
+    end
 end
-
-# Shape(x, y) = Shape(collect(zip(x, y)))
 Shape(verts::AVec) = Shape(unzip(verts)...)

-# get_xs(shape::Shape) = Float64[v[1] for v in shape.vertices]
-# get_ys(shape::Shape) = Float64[v[2] for v in shape.vertices]
 get_xs(shape::Shape) = shape.x
 get_ys(shape::Shape) = shape.y
 vertices(shape::Shape) = collect(zip(shape.x, shape.y))


 function shape_coords(shape::Shape)
-    # unzip(shape.vertices)
    shape.x, shape.y
 end

@@ -36,14 +37,10 @@ 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 = shapes[1].x, shapes[1].y #unzip(shapes[1].vertices)
    x, y = map(copy, shape_coords(shapes[1]))
    for shape in shapes[2:end]
-        # tmpx, tmpy = unzip(shape.vertices)
        nanappend!(x, shape.x)
        nanappend!(y, shape.y)
-        # x = vcat(x, NaN, tmpx)
-        # y = vcat(y, NaN, tmpy)
    end
    x, y
 end
@@ -62,9 +59,6 @@ function weave(x,y; ordering = Vector[x,y])
      try
          push!(ret, shift!(o))
      end
-      # try
-      #     push!(ret, shift!(y))
-      # end
    end
    done = isempty(x) && isempty(y)
  end
@@ -106,8 +100,29 @@ function makearrowhead(angle; h = 2.0, w = 0.4)
        from_polar(angle + 0.5π, w) - tip, (0,0)])
 end

+const _shape_keys = Symbol[
+  :circle,
+  :rect,
+  :star5,
+  :diamond,
+  :hexagon,
+  :cross,
+  :xcross,
+  :utriangle,
+  :dtriangle,
+  :pentagon,
+  :heptagon,
+  :octagon,
+  :star4,
+  :star6,
+  :star7,
+  :star8,
+  :vline,
+  :hline,
+]
+
 const _shapes = KW(
-    :ellipse    => makeshape(20),
+    :circle    => makeshape(20),
    :rect       => makeshape(4, offset=-0.25),
    :diamond    => makeshape(4),
    :utriangle  => makeshape(3),
@@ -123,12 +138,30 @@ const _shapes = KW(
  )

 for n in [4,5,6,7,8]
-  _shapes[symbol("star$n")] = makestar(n)
+  _shapes[Symbol("star$n")] = makestar(n)
 end

 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------

-center(shape::Shape) = (mean(shape.x), mean(shape.y))
+
+# uses the centroid calculation from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroid#Centroid_of_polygon
+function center(shape::Shape)
+    x, y = shape_coords(shape)
+    n = length(x)
+    A, Cx, Cy = 0.0, 0.0, 0.0
+    for i=1:n
+        ip1 = i==n ? 1 : i+1
+        A += x[i] * y[ip1] - x[ip1] * y[i]
+    end
+    A *= 0.5
+    for i=1:n
+        ip1 = i==n ? 1 : i+1
+        m = (x[i] * y[ip1] - x[ip1] * y[i])
+        Cx += (x[i] + x[ip1]) * m
+        Cy += (y[i] + y[ip1]) * m
+    end
+    Cx / 6A, Cy / 6A
+end

 function Base.scale!(shape::Shape, x::Real, y::Real = x, c = center(shape))
    sx, sy = shape_coords(shape)
@@ -213,7 +246,14 @@ function font(args...)
  for arg in args
    T = typeof(arg)

-    if arg == :center
+    if T == Font
+      family = arg.family
+      pointsize = arg.pointsize
+      halign = arg.halign
+      valign = arg.valign
+      rotation = arg.rotation
+      color = arg.color
+    elseif arg == :center
      halign = :hcenter
      valign = :vcenter
    elseif arg in (:hcenter, :left, :right)
@@ -222,7 +262,7 @@ function font(args...)
      valign = arg
    elseif T <: Colorant
      color = arg
-    elseif T <: @compat Union{Symbol,AbstractString}
+    elseif T <: Symbol || T <: AbstractString
      try
        color = parse(Colorant, string(arg))
      catch
@@ -242,15 +282,25 @@ end

 "Wrap a string with font info"
 immutable PlotText
-  str::@compat(AbstractString)
+  str::AbstractString
  font::Font
 end
 PlotText(str) = PlotText(string(str), font())

+text(t::PlotText) = t
+text(str::AbstractString, f::Font) = PlotText(str, f)
 function text(str, args...)
  PlotText(string(str), font(args...))
 end

+
+annotations(::Void) = []
+annotations(anns::AVec) = anns
+annotations(anns) = Any[anns]
+
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------

 immutable Stroke
@@ -261,10 +311,6 @@ immutable Stroke
 end

 function stroke(args...; alpha = nothing)
-  # defaults
-  # width = 1
-  # color = colorant"black"
-  # style = :solid
  width = nothing
  color = nothing
  style = nothing
@@ -277,14 +323,12 @@ function stroke(args...; alpha = nothing)
      style = arg
    elseif T <: Colorant
      color = arg
-    elseif T <: @compat Union{Symbol,AbstractString}
+    elseif T <: Symbol || T <: AbstractString
      try
        color = parse(Colorant, string(arg))
      end
-    # elseif trueOrAllTrue(a -> typeof(a) <: Real && a > 0 && a < 1, arg)
    elseif allAlphas(arg)
      alpha = arg
-    # elseif typeof(arg) <: Real
    elseif allReals(arg)
      width = arg
    else
@@ -303,9 +347,6 @@ immutable Brush
 end

 function brush(args...; alpha = nothing)
-  # defaults
-  # sz = 1
-  # color = colorant"black"
  size = nothing
  color = nothing

@@ -314,14 +355,12 @@ function brush(args...; alpha = nothing)

    if T <: Colorant
      color = arg
-    elseif T <: @compat Union{Symbol,AbstractString}
+    elseif T <: Symbol || T <: AbstractString
      try
        color = parse(Colorant, string(arg))
      end
-    # elseif trueOrAllTrue(a -> typeof(a) <: Real && a > 0 && a < 1, arg)
    elseif allAlphas(arg)
      alpha = arg
-    # elseif typeof(arg) <: Real
    elseif allReals(arg)
      size = arg
    else
@@ -350,12 +389,10 @@ abstract AbstractSurface

 "represents a contour or surface mesh"
 immutable Surface{M<:AMat} <: AbstractSurface
-  # x::AVec
-  # y::AVec
  surf::M
 end

-Surface(f::Function, x, y) = Surface(Float64[f(xi,yi) for xi in x, yi in y])
+Surface(f::Function, x, y) = Surface(Float64[f(xi,yi) for yi in y, xi in x])

 Base.Array(surf::Surface) = surf.surf

@@ -363,7 +400,15 @@ for f in (:length, :size)
  @eval Base.$f(surf::Surface, args...) = $f(surf.surf, args...)
 end
 Base.copy(surf::Surface) = Surface(copy(surf.surf))
+Base.eltype(surf::Surface) = eltype(surf.surf)

+function expand_extrema!(a::Axis, surf::Surface)
+    ex = a[:extrema]
+    for vi in surf.surf
+        expand_extrema!(ex, vi)
+    end
+    ex
+end

 "For the case of representing a surface as a function of x/y... can possibly avoid allocations."
 immutable SurfaceFunction <: AbstractSurface
@@ -372,67 +417,106 @@ end

 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------

-type OHLC{T<:Real}
-  open::T
-  high::T
-  low::T
-  close::T
+# style is :open or :closed (for now)
+immutable Arrow
+    style::Symbol
+    headlength::Float64
+    headwidth::Float64
+end
+
+function arrow(args...)
+    style = :simple
+    headlength = 0.3
+    headwidth = 0.3
+    setlength = false
+    for arg in args
+        T = typeof(arg)
+        if T == Symbol
+            style = arg
+        elseif T <: Number
+            # first we apply to both, but if there's more, then only change width after the first number
+            headwidth = Float64(arg)
+            if !setlength
+                headlength = headwidth
+            end
+            setlength = true
+        elseif T <: Tuple && length(arg) == 2
+            headlength, headwidth = Float64(arg[1]), Float64(arg[2])
+        else
+            warn("Skipped arrow arg $arg")
+        end
+    end
+    Arrow(style, headlength, headwidth)
 end


-# @require FixedSizeArrays begin
-
-  type BezierCurve{T <: FixedSizeArrays.Vec}
-      control_points::Vector{T}
-  end
-
-  function Base.call(bc::BezierCurve, t::Real)
-      p = zero(P2)
-      n = length(bc.control_points)-1
-      for i in 0:n
-          p += bc.control_points[i+1] * binomial(n, i) * (1-t)^(n-i) * t^i
-      end
-      p
-  end
-
-  Base.mean(x::Real, y::Real) = 0.5*(x+y)
-  Base.mean{N,T<:Real}(ps::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{N,T}...) = sum(ps) / length(ps)
-
-  curve_points(curve::BezierCurve, n::Integer = 30; range = [0,1]) = map(curve, linspace(range..., n))
-
-  # build a BezierCurve which leaves point p vertically upwards and arrives point q vertically upwards.
-  # may create a loop if necessary.  Assumes the view is [0,1]
-  function directed_curve(p::P2, q::P2; xview = 0:1, yview = 0:1)
-    mn = mean(p, q)
-    diff = q - p
-
-    minx, maxx = minimum(xview), maximum(xview)
-    miny, maxy = minimum(yview), maximum(yview)
-    diffpct = P2(diff[1] / (maxx - minx),
-                 diff[2] / (maxy - miny))
-
-    # these points give the initial/final "rise"
-    # vertical_offset = P2(0, (maxy - miny) * max(0.03, min(abs(0.5diffpct[2]), 1.0)))
-    vertical_offset = P2(0, max(0.15, 0.5norm(diff)))
-    upper_control = p + vertical_offset
-    lower_control = q - vertical_offset
-
-    # try to figure out when to loop around vs just connecting straight
-    # TODO: choose loop direction based on sign of p[1]??
-    # x_close_together = abs(diffpct[1]) <= 0.05
-    p_is_higher = diff[2] <= 0
-    inside_control_points = if p_is_higher
-      # add curve points which will create a loop
-      sgn = mn[1] < 0.5 * (maxx + minx) ? -1 : 1
-      inside_offset = P2(0.3 * (maxx - minx), 0)
-      additional_offset = P2(sgn * diff[1], 0)  # make it even loopier
-      [upper_control + sgn * (inside_offset + max(0,  additional_offset)),
-       lower_control + sgn * (inside_offset + max(0, -additional_offset))]
-    else
-      []
+# allow for do-block notation which gets called on every valid start/end pair which
+# we need to draw an arrow
+function add_arrows(func::Function, x::AVec, y::AVec)
+    for i=2:length(x)
+        xyprev = (x[i-1], y[i-1])
+        xy = (x[i], y[i])
+        if ok(xyprev) && ok(xy)
+            if i==length(x) || !ok(x[i+1], y[i+1])
+                # add the arrow from xyprev to xy
+                func(xyprev, xy)
+            end
+        end
    end
+end

-    BezierCurve([p, upper_control, inside_control_points..., lower_control, q])
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+type BezierCurve{T <: FixedSizeArrays.Vec}
+  control_points::Vector{T}
+end
+
+@compat function (bc::BezierCurve)(t::Real)
+  p = zero(P2)
+  n = length(bc.control_points)-1
+  for i in 0:n
+      p += bc.control_points[i+1] * binomial(n, i) * (1-t)^(n-i) * t^i
  end
+  p
+end

-# end
+Base.mean(x::Real, y::Real) = 0.5*(x+y)
+Base.mean{N,T<:Real}(ps::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{N,T}...) = sum(ps) / length(ps)
+
+curve_points(curve::BezierCurve, n::Integer = 30; range = [0,1]) = map(curve, linspace(range..., n))
+
+# build a BezierCurve which leaves point p vertically upwards and arrives point q vertically upwards.
+# may create a loop if necessary.  Assumes the view is [0,1]
+function directed_curve(p::P2, q::P2; xview = 0:1, yview = 0:1)
+mn = mean(p, q)
+diff = q - p
+
+minx, maxx = minimum(xview), maximum(xview)
+miny, maxy = minimum(yview), maximum(yview)
+diffpct = P2(diff[1] / (maxx - minx),
+             diff[2] / (maxy - miny))
+
+# these points give the initial/final "rise"
+# vertical_offset = P2(0, (maxy - miny) * max(0.03, min(abs(0.5diffpct[2]), 1.0)))
+vertical_offset = P2(0, max(0.15, 0.5norm(diff)))
+upper_control = p + vertical_offset
+lower_control = q - vertical_offset
+
+# try to figure out when to loop around vs just connecting straight
+# TODO: choose loop direction based on sign of p[1]??
+# x_close_together = abs(diffpct[1]) <= 0.05
+p_is_higher = diff[2] <= 0
+inside_control_points = if p_is_higher
+  # add curve points which will create a loop
+  sgn = mn[1] < 0.5 * (maxx + minx) ? -1 : 1
+  inside_offset = P2(0.3 * (maxx - minx), 0)
+  additional_offset = P2(sgn * diff[1], 0)  # make it even loopier
+  [upper_control + sgn * (inside_offset + max(0,  additional_offset)),
+   lower_control + sgn * (inside_offset + max(0, -additional_offset))]
+else
+  []
+end
+
+BezierCurve([p, upper_control, inside_control_points..., lower_control, q])
+end
@@ -0,0 +1,349 @@
+"""
+Holds all data needed for a documentation example... header, description, and plotting expression (Expr)
+"""
+type PlotExample
+  header::AbstractString
+  desc::AbstractString
+  exprs::Vector{Expr}
+end
+
+# the _examples we'll run for each
+const _examples = PlotExample[
+
+PlotExample("Lines",
+    "A simple line plot of the columns.",
+    [:(begin
+        plot(Plots.fakedata(50,5), w=3)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Functions, adding data, and animations",
+    "Plot multiple functions.  You can also put the function first, or use the form `plot(f, xmin, xmax)` where f is a Function or AbstractVector{Function}.\n\nGet series data: `x, y = plt[i]`.  Set series data: `plt[i] = (x,y)`. Add to the series with `push!`/`append!`.\n\nEasily build animations.  (`convert` or `ffmpeg` must be available to generate the animation.)  Use command `gif(anim, filename, fps=15)` to save the animation.",
+    [:(begin
+        p = plot([sin,cos], zeros(0), leg=false)
+        anim = Animation()
+        for x in linspace(0, 10π, 100)
+            push!(p, x, Float64[sin(x), cos(x)])
+            frame(anim)
+        end
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Parametric plots",
+    "Plot function pair (x(u), y(u)).",
+    [:(begin
+        plot(sin, x->sin(2x), 0, 2π, line=4, leg=false, fill=(0,:orange))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Colors",
+    "Access predefined palettes (or build your own with the `colorscheme` method).  Line/marker colors are auto-generated from the plot's palette, unless overridden.  Set the `z` argument to turn on series gradients.",
+    [:(begin
+        y = rand(100)
+        plot(0:10:100,rand(11,4),lab="lines",w=3,palette=:grays,fill=(0,:auto), α=0.6)
+        scatter!(y, zcolor=abs(y-.5), m=(:heat,0.8,stroke(1,:green)), ms=10*abs(y-0.5)+4, lab="grad")
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Global",
+    "Change the guides/background/limits/ticks.  Convenience args `xaxis` and `yaxis` allow you to pass a tuple or value which will be mapped to the relevant args automatically.  The `xaxis` below will be replaced with `xlabel` and `xlims` args automatically during the preprocessing step. You can also use shorthand functions: `title!`, `xaxis!`, `yaxis!`, `xlabel!`, `ylabel!`, `xlims!`, `ylims!`, `xticks!`, `yticks!`",
+    [:(begin
+        y = rand(20,3)
+        plot(y, xaxis=("XLABEL",(-5,30),0:2:20,:flip), background_color = RGB(0.2,0.2,0.2), leg=false)
+        hline!(mean(y,1)+rand(1,3), line=(4,:dash,0.6,[:lightgreen :green :darkgreen]))
+        vline!([5,10])
+        title!("TITLE")
+        yaxis!("YLABEL", :log10)
+    end)]
+),
+
+# PlotExample("Two-axis",
+#             "Use the `axis` arguments.",
+#             [
+#               :(plot(Vector[randn(100), randn(100)*100], axis = [:l :r], ylabel="LEFT", yrightlabel="RIGHT", xlabel="X", title="TITLE"))
+#             ]), 
+
+PlotExample("Images",
+    "Plot an image.  y-axis is set to flipped",
+    [:(begin
+        import Images
+        img = Images.load(Pkg.dir("PlotReferenceImages","Plots","pyplot","0.7.0","ref1.png"))
+        plot(img)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Arguments",
+    "Plot multiple series with different numbers of points.  Mix arguments that apply to all series (marker/markersize) with arguments unique to each series (colors).  Special arguments `line`, `marker`, and `fill` will automatically figure out what arguments to set (for example, we are setting the `linestyle`, `linewidth`, and `color` arguments with `line`.)  Note that we pass a matrix of colors, and this applies the colors to each series.",
+    [:(begin
+        ys = Vector[rand(10), rand(20)]
+        plot(ys, color=[:black :orange], line=(:dot,4), marker=([:hex :d],12,0.8,stroke(3,:gray)))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Build plot in pieces",
+    "Start with a base plot...",
+    [:(begin
+        plot(rand(100)/3, reg=true, fill=(0,:green))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("",
+    "and add to it later.",
+    [:(begin
+        scatter!(rand(100), markersize=6, c=:orange)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Histogram2D",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        histogram2d(randn(10000), randn(10000), nbins=20)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Line types",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        linetypes = [:path :steppre :steppost :sticks :scatter]
+        n = length(linetypes)
+        x = Vector[sort(rand(20)) for i in 1:n]
+        y = rand(20,n)
+        plot(x, y, line=(linetypes,3), lab=map(string,linetypes), ms=15)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Line styles",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        styles = filter(s -> s in supported_styles(), [:solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot])'
+        n = length(styles)
+        y = cumsum(randn(20,n),1)
+        plot(y, line = (5, styles), label = map(string,styles))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Marker types",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        markers = filter(m -> m in supported_markers(), Plots._shape_keys)'
+        n = length(markers)
+        x = linspace(0,10,n+2)[2:end-1]
+        y = repmat(reverse(x)', n, 1)
+        scatter(x, y, m=(8,:auto), lab=map(string,markers), bg=:linen, xlim=(0,10), ylim=(0,10))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Bar",
+    "x is the midpoint of the bar. (todo: allow passing of edges instead of midpoints)",
+    [:(begin
+        bar(randn(99))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Histogram",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        histogram(randn(1000), nbins=20)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Subplots",
+    """
+    Use the `layout` keyword, and optionally the convenient `@layout` macro to generate arbitrarily complex subplot layouts.
+    """,
+    [:(begin
+        l = @layout([a{0.1h}; b [c;d e]])
+        plot(randn(100,5), layout=l, t=[:line :histogram :scatter :steppre :bar], leg=false, ticks=nothing, border=false)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Adding to subplots",
+    "Note here the automatic grid layout, as well as the order in which new series are added to the plots.",
+    [:(begin
+        plot(Plots.fakedata(100,10), layout=4, palette=[:grays :blues :heat :lightrainbow], bg_inside=[:orange :pink :darkblue :black])
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        srand(111)
+        plot!(Plots.fakedata(100,10))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Open/High/Low/Close",
+    "Create an OHLC chart.  Pass in a list of (open,high,low,close) tuples as your `y` argument.  This uses recipes to first convert the tuples to OHLC objects, and subsequently create a :path series with the appropriate line segments.",
+    [:(begin
+        n=20
+        hgt=rand(n)+1
+        bot=randn(n)
+        openpct=rand(n)
+        closepct=rand(n)
+        y = OHLC[(openpct[i]*hgt[i]+bot[i], bot[i]+hgt[i], bot[i], closepct[i]*hgt[i]+bot[i]) for i in 1:n]
+        ohlc(y)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Annotations",
+    "The `annotations` keyword is used for text annotations in data-coordinates.  Pass in a tuple (x,y,text) or a vector of annotations.  `annotate!(ann)` is shorthand for `plot!(; annotation=ann)`.  Series annotations are used for annotating individual data points.  They require only the annotation... x/y values are computed.  A `PlotText` object can be build with the method `text(string, attr...)`, which wraps font and color attributes.",
+    [:(begin
+        y = rand(10)
+        plot(y, annotations = (3,y[3],text("this is #3",:left)), leg=false)
+        annotate!([(5, y[5], text("this is #5",16,:red,:center)), (10, y[10], text("this is #10",:right,20,"courier"))])
+        scatter!(linspace(2,8,6), rand(6), marker=(50,0.2,:orange), series_annotations = ["series","annotations","map","to","series",text("data",:green)])
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Custom Markers",
+    "A `Plots.Shape` is a light wrapper around vertices of a polygon.  For supported backends, pass arbitrary polygons as the marker shapes.  Note: The center is (0,0) and the size is expected to be rougly the area of the unit circle.",
+    [:(begin
+        verts = [(-1.0,1.0),(-1.28,0.6),(-0.2,-1.4),(0.2,-1.4),(1.28,0.6),(1.0,1.0),
+                 (-1.0,1.0),(-0.2,-0.6),(0.0,-0.2),(-0.4,0.6),(1.28,0.6),(0.2,-1.4),
+                 (-0.2,-1.4),(0.6,0.2),(-0.2,0.2),(0.0,-0.2),(0.2,0.2),(-0.2,-0.6)]
+        x = 0.1:0.2:0.9
+        y = 0.7rand(5)+0.15
+        plot(x, y, line = (3,:dash,:lightblue), marker = (Shape(verts),30,RGBA(0,0,0,0.2)),
+                   bg=:pink, fg=:darkblue, xlim = (0,1), ylim=(0,1), leg=false)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Contours",
+    "Any value for fill works here.  We first build a filled contour from a function, then an unfilled contour from a matrix.",
+    [:(begin
+        x = 1:0.5:20
+        y = 1:0.5:10
+        f(x,y) = (3x+y^2)*abs(sin(x)+cos(y))
+        X = repmat(x', length(y), 1)
+        Y = repmat(y, 1, length(x))
+        Z = map(f, X, Y)
+        p1 = contour(x, y, f, fill=true)
+        p2 = contour(x, y, Z)
+        plot(p1, p2)
+    end)]
+    # [:(begin
+    #     x = 1:0.3:20
+    #     y = x
+    #     f(x,y) = sin(x)+cos(y)
+    #     contour(x, y, f, fill=true)
+    # end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Pie",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        x = ["Nerds", "Hackers", "Scientists"]
+        y = [0.4, 0.35, 0.25]
+        pie(x, y, title="The Julia Community", l=0.5)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("3D",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        n = 100
+        ts = linspace(0,8π,n)
+        x = ts .* map(cos,ts)
+        y = 0.1ts .* map(sin,ts)
+        z = 1:n
+        plot(x, y, z, zcolor=reverse(z), m=(10,0.8,:blues,stroke(0)), leg=false, cbar=true, w=5)
+        plot!(zeros(n),zeros(n),1:n, w=10)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("DataFrames",
+    "Plot using DataFrame column symbols.",
+    [:(begin
+        import RDatasets
+        iris = RDatasets.dataset("datasets", "iris")
+        scatter(iris, :SepalLength, :SepalWidth, group=:Species,
+            title = "My awesome plot", xlabel = "Length", ylabel = "Width",
+            marker = (0.5, [:+ :h :star7], 12), bg=RGB(.2,.2,.2))
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Groups and Subplots",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        group = rand(map(i->"group $i",1:4),100)
+        plot(rand(100), layout=@layout([a b;c]), group=group, linetype=[:bar :scatter :steppre])
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Polar Plots",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        Θ = linspace(0,1.5π,100)
+        r = abs(0.1randn(100)+sin(3Θ))
+        plot(Θ, r, proj=:polar, m=2)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Heatmap, categorical axes, and aspect_ratio",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        xs = [string("x",i) for i=1:10]
+        ys = [string("y",i) for i=1:4]
+        z = float((1:4)*(1:10)')
+        heatmap(xs, ys, z, aspect_ratio=1)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Layouts, margins, label rotation, title location",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        plot(rand(100,6),layout=@layout([a b; c]),title=["A" "B" "C"],
+                        title_location=:left, left_margin=[20mm 0mm],
+                        bottom_margin=50px, xrotation=60)
+    end)]
+),
+
+PlotExample("Boxplot and Violin series recipes",
+    "",
+    [:(begin
+        import RDatasets
+        singers = RDatasets.dataset("lattice", "singer")
+        violin(singers, :VoicePart, :Height, marker = (0.2, :blue, stroke(0)))
+        boxplot!(singers, :VoicePart, :Height, marker = (0.3, :orange, stroke(2)))
+    end)]
+)
+
+]
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# make and display one plot
+function test_examples(pkgname::Symbol, idx::Int; debug = false, disp = true)
+  Plots._debugMode.on = debug
+  info("Testing plot: $pkgname:$idx:$(_examples[idx].header)")
+  backend(pkgname)
+  backend()
+  map(eval, _examples[idx].exprs)
+  plt = current()
+  if disp
+    gui(plt)
+  end
+  plt
+end
+
+# generate all plots and create a dict mapping idx --> plt
+function test_examples(pkgname::Symbol; debug = false, disp = true, sleep = nothing,
+                                        skip = [], only = nothing)
+  Plots._debugMode.on = debug
+  plts = Dict()
+  for i in 1:length(_examples)
+    only != nothing && !(i in only) && continue
+    i in skip && continue
+    try
+      plt = test_examples(pkgname, i, debug=debug, disp=disp)
+      plts[i] = plt
+    catch ex
+      # TODO: put error info into markdown?
+      warn("Example $pkgname:$i:$(_examples[i].header) failed with: $ex")
+    end
+    if sleep != nothing
+        Base.sleep(sleep)
+    end
+  end
+  plts
+end
@@ -1,178 +1,674 @@

+# NOTE: (0,0) is the top-left !!!
+
+# allow pixels and percentages
+const px = AbsoluteLength(0.254)
+const pct = Length{:pct, Float64}(1.0)
+
+to_pixels(m::AbsoluteLength) = m.value / 0.254
+
+const _cbar_width = 5mm
+
+@compat Base.:.*(m::Measure, n::Number) = m * n
+@compat Base.:.*(n::Number, m::Measure) = m * n
+@compat Base.:-(m::Measure, a::AbstractArray) = map(ai -> m - ai, a)
+@compat Base.:-(a::AbstractArray, m::Measure) = map(ai -> ai - m, a)
+Base.zero(::Type{typeof(mm)}) = 0mm
+Base.one(::Type{typeof(mm)}) = 1mm
+Base.typemin(::typeof(mm)) = -Inf*mm
+Base.typemax(::typeof(mm)) = Inf*mm
+Base.convert{F<:AbstractFloat}(::Type{F}, l::AbsoluteLength) = convert(F, l.value)
+
+# TODO: these are unintuitive and may cause tricky bugs
+# @compat Base.:+(m1::AbsoluteLength, m2::Length{:pct}) = AbsoluteLength(m1.value * (1 + m2.value))
+# @compat Base.:+(m1::Length{:pct}, m2::AbsoluteLength) = AbsoluteLength(m2.value * (1 + m1.value))
+# @compat Base.:-(m1::AbsoluteLength, m2::Length{:pct}) = AbsoluteLength(m1.value * (1 - m2.value))
+# @compat Base.:-(m1::Length{:pct}, m2::AbsoluteLength) = AbsoluteLength(m2.value * (m1.value - 1))
+
+@compat Base.:*(m1::AbsoluteLength, m2::Length{:pct}) = AbsoluteLength(m1.value * m2.value)
+@compat Base.:*(m1::Length{:pct}, m2::AbsoluteLength) = AbsoluteLength(m2.value * m1.value)
+@compat Base.:/(m1::AbsoluteLength, m2::Length{:pct}) = AbsoluteLength(m1.value / m2.value)
+@compat Base.:/(m1::Length{:pct}, m2::AbsoluteLength) = AbsoluteLength(m2.value / m1.value)
+
+
+Base.zero(::Type{typeof(pct)}) = 0pct
+Base.one(::Type{typeof(pct)}) = 1pct
+Base.typemin(::typeof(pct)) = 0pct
+Base.typemax(::typeof(pct)) = 1pct
+
+const defaultbox = BoundingBox(0mm, 0mm, 0mm, 0mm)
+
+left(bbox::BoundingBox) = bbox.x0[1]
+top(bbox::BoundingBox) = bbox.x0[2]
+right(bbox::BoundingBox) = left(bbox) + width(bbox)
+bottom(bbox::BoundingBox) = top(bbox) + height(bbox)
+Base.size(bbox::BoundingBox) = (width(bbox), height(bbox))
+
+# @compat Base.:*{T,N}(m1::Length{T,N}, m2::Length{T,N}) = Length{T,N}(m1.value * m2.value)
+ispositive(m::Measure) = m.value > 0
+
+# union together bounding boxes
+@compat function Base.:+(bb1::BoundingBox, bb2::BoundingBox)
+    # empty boxes don't change the union
+    ispositive(width(bb1))  || return bb2
+    ispositive(height(bb1)) || return bb2
+    ispositive(width(bb2))  || return bb1
+    ispositive(height(bb2)) || return bb1
+
+    l = min(left(bb1), left(bb2))
+    t = min(top(bb1), top(bb2))
+    r = max(right(bb1), right(bb2))
+    b = max(bottom(bb1), bottom(bb2))
+    BoundingBox(l, t, r-l, b-t)
+end
+
+# this creates a bounding box in the parent's scope, where the child bounding box
+# is relative to the parent
+function crop(parent::BoundingBox, child::BoundingBox)
+    l = left(parent) + left(child)
+    t = top(parent) + top(child)
+    w = width(child)
+    h = height(child)
+    BoundingBox(l, t, w, h)
+end
+
+# convert x,y coordinates from absolute coords to percentages...
+# returns x_pct, y_pct
+function xy_mm_to_pcts(x::AbsoluteLength, y::AbsoluteLength, figw, figh, flipy = true)
+    xmm, ymm = x.value, y.value
+    if flipy
+        ymm = figh.value - ymm  # flip y when origin in bottom-left
+    end
+    xmm / figw.value, ymm / figh.value
+end
+
+# convert a bounding box from absolute coords to percentages...
+# returns an array of percentages of figure size: [left, bottom, width, height]
+function bbox_to_pcts(bb::BoundingBox, figw, figh, flipy = true)
+    mms = Float64[f(bb).value for f in (left,bottom,width,height)]
+    if flipy
+        mms[2] = figh.value - mms[2]  # flip y when origin in bottom-left
+    end
+    mms ./ Float64[figw.value, figh.value, figw.value, figh.value]
+end
+
+function Base.show(io::IO, bbox::BoundingBox)
+    print(io, "BBox{l,t,r,b,w,h = $(left(bbox)),$(top(bbox)), $(right(bbox)),$(bottom(bbox)), $(width(bbox)),$(height(bbox))}")
+end
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+# AbstractLayout
+
+Base.show(io::IO, layout::AbstractLayout) = print(io, "$(typeof(layout))$(size(layout))")
+
+# create a new bbox
+function bbox(x, y, w, h; h_anchor = :left, v_anchor = :top)
+    left = if h_anchor == :left
+        x
+    else
+        x - w * (h_anchor == :right ? 1.0 : 0.5)
+    end
+    top = if v_anchor == :top
+        y
+    else
+        y - h * (v_anchor == :bottom ? 1.0 : 0.5)
+    end
+    BoundingBox(left, top, w, h)
+end
+
+# this is the available area for drawing everything in this layout... as percentages of total canvas
+bbox(layout::AbstractLayout) = layout.bbox
+bbox!(layout::AbstractLayout, bb::BoundingBox) = (layout.bbox = bb)
+
+# layouts are recursive, tree-like structures, and most will have a parent field
+Base.parent(layout::AbstractLayout) = layout.parent
+parent_bbox(layout::AbstractLayout) = bbox(parent(layout))
+
+# padding_w(layout::AbstractLayout) = left_padding(layout) + right_padding(layout)
+# padding_h(layout::AbstractLayout) = bottom_padding(layout) + top_padding(layout)
+# padding(layout::AbstractLayout) = (padding_w(layout), padding_h(layout))
+
+update_position!(layout::AbstractLayout) = nothing
+update_child_bboxes!(layout::AbstractLayout, minimum_perimeter = [0mm,0mm,0mm,0mm]) = nothing
+
+left(layout::AbstractLayout) = left(bbox(layout))
+top(layout::AbstractLayout) = top(bbox(layout))
+right(layout::AbstractLayout) = right(bbox(layout))
+bottom(layout::AbstractLayout) = bottom(bbox(layout))
+width(layout::AbstractLayout) = width(bbox(layout))
+height(layout::AbstractLayout) = height(bbox(layout))
+
+# pass these through to the bbox methods if there's no plotarea
+plotarea(layout::AbstractLayout) = bbox(layout)
+plotarea!(layout::AbstractLayout, bb::BoundingBox) = bbox!(layout, bb)
+
+attr(layout::AbstractLayout, k::Symbol) = layout.attr[k]
+attr(layout::AbstractLayout, k::Symbol, v) = get(layout.attr, k, v)
+attr!(layout::AbstractLayout, v, k::Symbol) = (layout.attr[k] = v)
+hasattr(layout::AbstractLayout, k::Symbol) = haskey(layout.attr, k)
+
+leftpad(layout::AbstractLayout)   = 0mm
+toppad(layout::AbstractLayout)    = 0mm
+rightpad(layout::AbstractLayout)  = 0mm
+bottompad(layout::AbstractLayout) = 0mm
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+# RootLayout
+
+# this is the parent of the top-level layout
+immutable RootLayout <: AbstractLayout end
+
+Base.parent(::RootLayout) = nothing
+parent_bbox(::RootLayout) = defaultbox
+bbox(::RootLayout) = defaultbox
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+# EmptyLayout
+
+# contains blank space
+type EmptyLayout <: AbstractLayout
+    parent::AbstractLayout
+    bbox::BoundingBox
+    attr::KW  # store label, width, and height for initialization
+    # label  # this is the label that the subplot will take (since we create a layout before initialization)
+end
+EmptyLayout(parent = RootLayout(); kw...) = EmptyLayout(parent, defaultbox, KW(kw))
+
+Base.size(layout::EmptyLayout) = (0,0)
+Base.length(layout::EmptyLayout) = 0
+Base.getindex(layout::EmptyLayout, r::Int, c::Int) = nothing
+
+_update_min_padding!(layout::EmptyLayout) = nothing
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------
 # GridLayout
-# -----------------------------------------------------------

-"Simple grid, indices are row-major."
-immutable GridLayout <: SubplotLayout
-    nr::Int
-    nc::Int
+# nested, gridded layout with optional size percentages
+type GridLayout <: AbstractLayout
+    parent::AbstractLayout
+    minpad::Tuple # leftpad, toppad, rightpad, bottompad
+    bbox::BoundingBox
+    grid::Matrix{AbstractLayout} # Nested layouts. Each position is a AbstractLayout, which allows for arbitrary recursion
+    widths::Vector{Measure}
+    heights::Vector{Measure}
+    attr::KW
 end

-Base.length(layout::GridLayout) = layout.nr * layout.nc
-Base.start(layout::GridLayout) = 1
-Base.done(layout::GridLayout, state) = state > length(layout)
-function Base.next(layout::GridLayout, state)
-  r = div(state-1, layout.nc) + 1
-  c = mod1(state, layout.nc)
-  (r,c), state + 1
+grid(args...; kw...) = GridLayout(args...; kw...)
+
+function GridLayout(dims...;
+                    parent = RootLayout(),
+                    widths = zeros(dims[2]),
+                    heights = zeros(dims[1]),
+                    kw...)
+    grid = Matrix{AbstractLayout}(dims...)
+    layout = GridLayout(
+        parent,
+        (20mm, 5mm, 2mm, 10mm),
+        defaultbox,
+        grid,
+        Measure[w*pct for w in widths],
+        Measure[h*pct for h in heights],
+        # convert(Vector{Float64}, widths),
+        # convert(Vector{Float64}, heights),
+        KW(kw))
+    fill!(grid, EmptyLayout(layout))
+    layout
 end

-nrows(layout::GridLayout) = layout.nr
-ncols(layout::GridLayout) = layout.nc
-ncols(layout::GridLayout, row::Int) = layout.nc
-
-# get the plot index given row and column
-Base.getindex(layout::GridLayout, r::Int, c::Int) = (r-1) * layout.nc + c
-
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-# RowsLayout
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-
-"Number of plots per row"
-immutable RowsLayout <: SubplotLayout
-    numplts::Int
-    rowcounts::AbstractVector{Int}
+Base.size(layout::GridLayout) = size(layout.grid)
+Base.length(layout::GridLayout) = length(layout.grid)
+Base.getindex(layout::GridLayout, r::Int, c::Int) = layout.grid[r,c]
+function Base.setindex!(layout::GridLayout, v, r::Int, c::Int)
+    layout.grid[r,c] = v
 end

-Base.length(layout::RowsLayout) = layout.numplts
-Base.start(layout::RowsLayout) = 1
-Base.done(layout::RowsLayout, state) = state > length(layout)
-function Base.next(layout::RowsLayout, state)
-  r = 1
-  c = 0
-  for i = 1:state
-    c += 1
-    if c > layout.rowcounts[r]
-      r += 1
-      c = 1
-    end
-  end
-  (r,c), state + 1
+leftpad(layout::GridLayout)   = layout.minpad[1]
+toppad(layout::GridLayout)    = layout.minpad[2]
+rightpad(layout::GridLayout)  = layout.minpad[3]
+bottompad(layout::GridLayout) = layout.minpad[4]
+
+
+# here's how this works... first we recursively "update the minimum padding" (which 
+# means to calculate the minimum size needed from the edge of the subplot to plot area)
+# for the whole layout tree.  then we can compute the "padding borders" of this
+# layout as the biggest padding of the children on the perimeter.  then we need to
+# recursively pass those borders back down the tree, one side at a time, but ONLY
+# to those perimeter children.
+
+# leftpad, toppad, rightpad, bottompad
+function _update_min_padding!(layout::GridLayout)
+    map(_update_min_padding!, layout.grid)
+    layout.minpad = (
+        maximum(map(leftpad,   layout.grid[:,1])),
+        maximum(map(toppad,    layout.grid[1,:])),
+        maximum(map(rightpad,  layout.grid[:,end])),
+        maximum(map(bottompad, layout.grid[end,:]))
+    )
 end

-nrows(layout::RowsLayout) = length(layout.rowcounts)
-ncols(layout::RowsLayout, row::Int) = row < 1 ? 0 : (row > nrows(layout) ? 0 : layout.rowcounts[row])

-# get the plot index given row and column
-Base.getindex(layout::RowsLayout, r::Int, c::Int) = sum(layout.rowcounts[1:r-1]) + c
-
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-# FlexLayout
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-
-"Flexible, nested layout with optional size percentages."
-immutable FlexLayout <: SubplotLayout
-    n::Int
-    grid::Matrix # Nested layouts. Each position
-                 # can be a plot index or another FlexLayout
-    widths::Vector{Float64}
-    heights::Vector{Float64}
+function update_position!(layout::GridLayout)
+    map(update_position!, layout.grid)
 end

-typealias IntOrFlex Union{Int,FlexLayout}
-
-Base.length(layout::FlexLayout) = layout.n
-Base.start(layout::FlexLayout) = 1
-Base.done(layout::FlexLayout, state) = state > length(layout)
-function Base.next(layout::FlexLayout, state)
-    # TODO: change this method to return more info
-    # TODO: might consider multiple iterator types.. some backends might have an easier time row-by-row for example
-    error()
-    r = 1
-    c = 0
-    for i = 1:state
-        c += 1
-        if c > layout.rowcounts[r]
-            r += 1
-            c = 1
-        end
-    end
-    (r,c), state + 1
-end
-
-nrows(layout::FlexLayout)           = size(layout.grid, 1)
-ncols(layout::FlexLayout, row::Int) = size(layout.grid, 2)
-
-# get the plot index given row and column
-Base.getindex(layout::FlexLayout, r::Int, c::Int) = layout.grid[r,c]
-
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-
-# we're taking in a nested structure of some kind... parse it out and build a FlexLayout
-function subplotlayout(mat::AbstractVecOrMat; widths = nothing, heights = nothing)
-    n = 0
-    nr, nc = size(mat)
-    grid = Array(IntOrFlex, nr, nc)
-    for i=1:nr, j=1:nc
-        v = mat[i,j]
-
-        if isa(v, Integer)
-            grid[i,j] = Int(v)
-            n += 1
-
-        elseif isa(v, Tuple)
-            warn("need to handle tuples somehow... (idx, sizepct)")
-            grid[i,j] = nothing
-
-        elseif v == nothing
-            grid[i,j] = nothing
-
-        elseif isa(v, AbstractVecOrMat)
-            grid[i,j] = layout(v)
-            n += grid[i,j].n
-
+# some lengths are fixed... we have to split up the free space among the list v
+function recompute_lengths(v)
+    # dump(v)
+    tot = 0pct
+    cnt = 0
+    for vi in v
+        if vi == 0pct
+            cnt += 1
        else
-            error("How do we process? $v")
+            tot += vi
        end
    end
-
-    if widths == nothing
-        widths = ones(nc) ./ nc
-    end
-    if heights == nothing
-        heights = ones(nr) ./ nr
+    leftover = 1.0pct - tot
+    if cnt > 1 && leftover.value <= 0
+        error("Not enough length left over in layout!  v = $v, cnt = $cnt, leftover = $leftover")
    end

-    FlexLayout(n, grid, widths, heights)
+    # now fill in the blanks
+    Measure[(vi == 0pct ? leftover / cnt : vi) for vi in v]
 end

+# recursively compute the bounding boxes for the layout and plotarea (relative to canvas!)
+function update_child_bboxes!(layout::GridLayout, minimum_perimeter = [0mm,0mm,0mm,0mm])
+    nr, nc = size(layout)

-function subplotlayout(sz::Tuple{Int,Int})
-  GridLayout(sz...)
+    # # create a matrix for each minimum padding direction
+    # _update_min_padding!(layout)
+
+    minpad_left   = map(leftpad,   layout.grid)
+    minpad_top    = map(toppad,    layout.grid)
+    minpad_right  = map(rightpad,  layout.grid)
+    minpad_bottom = map(bottompad, layout.grid)
+    # @show minpad_left minpad_top minpad_right minpad_bottom
+
+    # get the max horizontal (left and right) padding over columns,
+    # and max vertical (bottom and top) padding over rows
+    # TODO: add extra padding here
+    pad_left   = maximum(minpad_left,   1)
+    pad_top    = maximum(minpad_top,    2)
+    pad_right  = maximum(minpad_right,  1)
+    pad_bottom = maximum(minpad_bottom, 2)
+    # @show pad_left pad_top pad_right pad_bottom
+
+    # make sure the perimeter match the parent
+    pad_left[1]     = max(pad_left[1], minimum_perimeter[1])
+    pad_top[1]      = max(pad_top[1], minimum_perimeter[2])
+    pad_right[end]  = max(pad_right[end], minimum_perimeter[3])
+    pad_bottom[end] = max(pad_bottom[end], minimum_perimeter[4])
+
+    # scale this up to the total padding in each direction
+    total_pad_horizontal = sum(pad_left + pad_right)
+    total_pad_vertical   = sum(pad_top + pad_bottom)
+    # @show total_pad_horizontal total_pad_vertical
+
+    # now we can compute the total plot area in each direction
+    total_plotarea_horizontal = width(layout)  - total_pad_horizontal
+    total_plotarea_vertical   = height(layout) - total_pad_vertical
+    # @show total_plotarea_horizontal total_plotarea_vertical
+
+    # recompute widths/heights
+    layout.widths = recompute_lengths(layout.widths)
+    layout.heights = recompute_lengths(layout.heights)
+    # @show layout.widths layout.heights
+
+    # normalize widths/heights so they sum to 1
+    # denom_w = sum(layout.widths)
+    # denom_h = sum(layout.heights)
+    # @show layout.widths layout.heights denom_w, denom_h
+
+    # we have all the data we need... lets compute the plot areas and set the bounding boxes
+    for r=1:nr, c=1:nc
+        child = layout[r,c]
+
+        # get the top-left corner of this child... the first one is top-left of the parent (i.e. layout)
+        child_left = (c == 1 ? left(layout.bbox) : right(layout[r, c-1].bbox))
+        child_top  = (r == 1 ? top(layout.bbox) : bottom(layout[r-1, c].bbox))
+
+        # compute plot area
+        plotarea_left   = child_left + pad_left[c]
+        plotarea_top    = child_top + pad_top[r]
+        plotarea_width  = total_plotarea_horizontal * layout.widths[c]
+        plotarea_height = total_plotarea_vertical * layout.heights[r]
+        plotarea!(child, BoundingBox(plotarea_left, plotarea_top, plotarea_width, plotarea_height))
+
+        # compute child bbox
+        child_width  = pad_left[c] + plotarea_width + pad_right[c]
+        child_height = pad_top[r] + plotarea_height + pad_bottom[r]
+        bbox!(child, BoundingBox(child_left, child_top, child_width, child_height))
+
+        # this is the minimum perimeter as decided by this child's parent, so that
+        # all children on this border have the same value
+        min_child_perimeter = [
+            c == 1  ? layout.minpad[1] : 0mm,
+            r == 1  ? layout.minpad[2] : 0mm,
+            c == nc ? layout.minpad[3] : 0mm,
+            r == nr ? layout.minpad[4] : 0mm
+        ]
+
+        # recursively update the child's children
+        update_child_bboxes!(child, min_child_perimeter)
+    end
 end

-function subplotlayout(rowcounts::AVec{Int})
-  RowsLayout(sum(rowcounts), rowcounts)
+# for each inset (floating) subplot, resolve the relative position
+# to absolute canvas coordinates, relative to the parent's plotarea
+function update_inset_bboxes!(plt::Plot)
+    for sp in plt.inset_subplots
+        p_area = Measures.resolve(plotarea(sp.parent), sp[:relative_bbox])
+        # @show bbox(sp.parent) sp[:relative_bbox] p_area
+        plotarea!(sp, p_area)
+
+        bbox!(sp, bbox(
+            left(p_area) - leftpad(sp),
+            top(p_area) - toppad(sp),
+            width(p_area) + leftpad(sp) + rightpad(sp),
+            height(p_area) + toppad(sp) + bottompad(sp)
+        ))
+    end
 end

-function subplotlayout(numplts::Int, nr::Int, nc::Int)
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------

-  # figure out how many rows/columns we need
-  if nr == -1
-    if nc == -1
-      nr = round(Int, sqrt(numplts))
-      nc = ceil(Int, numplts / nr)
+calc_num_subplots(layout::AbstractLayout) = 1
+function calc_num_subplots(layout::GridLayout)
+    tot = 0
+    for l in layout.grid
+        tot += calc_num_subplots(l)
+    end
+    tot
+end
+
+function compute_gridsize(numplts::Int, nr::Int, nc::Int)
+    # figure out how many rows/columns we need
+    if nr < 1
+        if nc < 1
+            nr = round(Int, sqrt(numplts))
+            nc = ceil(Int, numplts / nr)
+        else
+            nr = ceil(Int, numplts / nc)
+        end
    else
-      nr = ceil(Int, numplts / nc)
+        nc = ceil(Int, numplts / nr)
+    end
+    nr, nc
+end
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# constructors
+
+# pass the layout arg through
+function layout_args(d::KW)
+    layout_args(get(d, :layout, default(:layout)))
+end
+
+function layout_args(d::KW, n_override::Integer)
+    layout, n = layout_args(get(d, :layout, n_override))
+    if n != n_override
+        error("When doing layout, n != n_override.  You're probably trying to force existing plots into a layout that doesn't fit them.")
+    end
+    layout, n
+end
+
+function layout_args(n::Integer)
+    nr, nc = compute_gridsize(n, -1, -1)
+    GridLayout(nr, nc), n
+end
+
+function layout_args{I<:Integer}(sztup::NTuple{2,I})
+    nr, nc = sztup
+    GridLayout(nr, nc), nr*nc
+end
+
+function layout_args{I<:Integer}(sztup::NTuple{3,I})
+    n, nr, nc = sztup
+    nr, nc = compute_gridsize(n, nr, nc)
+    GridLayout(nr, nc), n
+end
+
+# compute number of subplots
+function layout_args(layout::GridLayout)
+    # recursively get the size of the grid
+    n = calc_num_subplots(layout)
+    layout, n
+end
+
+layout_args(huh) = error("unhandled layout type $(typeof(huh)): $huh")
+
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+function build_layout(args...)
+    layout, n = layout_args(args...)
+    build_layout(layout, n)
+end
+
+# # just a single subplot
+# function build_layout(sp::Subplot, n::Integer)
+#     sp, Subplot[sp], SubplotMap(gensym() => sp)
+# end
+
+# n is the number of subplots... build a grid and initialize the inner subplots recursively
+function build_layout(layout::GridLayout, n::Integer)
+    nr, nc = size(layout)
+    subplots = Subplot[]
+    spmap = SubplotMap()
+    i = 0
+    for r=1:nr, c=1:nc
+        l = layout[r,c]
+        if isa(l, EmptyLayout) && !get(l.attr, :blank, false)
+            sp = Subplot(backend(), parent=layout)
+            layout[r,c] = sp
+            push!(subplots, sp)
+            spmap[attr(l,:label,gensym())] = sp
+            if get(l.attr, :width, :auto) != :auto
+                layout.widths[c] = attr(l,:width)
+            end
+            if get(l.attr, :height, :auto) != :auto
+                layout.heights[r] = attr(l,:height)
+            end
+            i += 1
+        elseif isa(l, GridLayout)
+            # sub-grid
+            l, sps, m = build_layout(l, n-i)
+            append!(subplots, sps)
+            merge!(spmap, m)
+            i += length(sps)
+        elseif isa(l, Subplot)
+            error("Subplot exists. Cannot re-use existing layout.  Please make a new one.")
+        end
+        i >= n && break  # only add n subplots
+    end
+
+    layout, subplots, spmap
+end
+
+# build a layout from a list of existing Plot objects
+# TODO... much of the logic overlaps with the method above... can we merge?
+function build_layout(layout::GridLayout, numsp::Integer, plts::AVec{Plot})
+    nr, nc = size(layout)
+    subplots = Subplot[]
+    spmap = SubplotMap()
+    i = 0
+    for r=1:nr, c=1:nc
+        l = layout[r,c]
+        if isa(l, EmptyLayout) && !get(l.attr, :blank, false)
+            plt = shift!(plts)  # grab the first plot out of the list
+            layout[r,c] = plt.layout
+            append!(subplots, plt.subplots)
+            merge!(spmap, plt.spmap)
+            if get(l.attr, :width, :auto) != :auto
+                layout.widths[c] = attr(l,:width)
+            end
+            if get(l.attr, :height, :auto) != :auto
+                layout.heights[r] = attr(l,:height)
+            end
+            i += length(plt.subplots)
+        elseif isa(l, GridLayout)
+            # sub-grid
+            l, sps, m = build_layout(l, numsp-i, plts)
+            append!(subplots, sps)
+            merge!(spmap, m)
+            i += length(sps)
+        end
+        i >= numsp && break  # only add n subplots
+    end
+    layout, subplots, spmap
+end
+
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# @layout macro
+
+function add_layout_pct!(kw::KW, v::Expr, idx::Integer, nidx::Integer)
+    # dump(v)
+    # something like {0.2w}?
+    if v.head == :call && v.args[1] == :*
+        num = v.args[2]
+        if length(v.args) == 3 && isa(num, Number)
+            units = v.args[3]
+            if units == :h
+                return kw[:h] = num*pct
+            elseif units == :w
+                return kw[:w] = num*pct
+            elseif units in (:pct, :px, :mm, :cm, :inch)
+                idx == 1 && (kw[:w] = v)
+                (idx == 2 || nidx == 1) && (kw[:h] = v)
+                # return kw[idx == 1 ? :w : :h] = v
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    error("Couldn't match layout curly (idx=$idx): $v")
+end
+
+function add_layout_pct!(kw::KW, v::Number, idx::Integer)
+    # kw[idx == 1 ? :w : :h] = v*pct
+    idx == 1 && (kw[:w] = v*pct)
+    (idx == 2 || nidx == 1) && (kw[:h] = v*pct)
+end
+
+isrow(v) = isa(v, Expr) && v.head in (:hcat,:row)
+iscol(v) = isa(v, Expr) && v.head == :vcat
+rowsize(v) = isrow(v) ? length(v.args) : 1
+
+
+function create_grid(expr::Expr)
+    if iscol(expr)
+        create_grid_vcat(expr)
+    elseif isrow(expr)
+        :(let cell = GridLayout(1, $(length(expr.args)))
+            $([:(cell[1,$i] = $(create_grid(v))) for (i,v) in enumerate(expr.args)]...)
+            cell
+        end)
+
+    elseif expr.head == :curly
+        create_grid_curly(expr)
+    else
+        # if it's something else, just return that (might be an existing layout?)
+        expr
+    end
+end
+
+function create_grid_vcat(expr::Expr)
+    rowsizes = map(rowsize, expr.args)
+    rmin, rmax = extrema(rowsizes)
+    if rmin > 0 && rmin == rmax
+        # we have a grid... build the whole thing
+        # note: rmin is the number of columns
+        nr = length(expr.args)
+        nc = rmin
+        body = Expr(:block)
+        for r=1:nr
+            arg = expr.args[r]
+            if isrow(arg)
+                for (c,item) in enumerate(arg.args)
+                    push!(body.args, :(cell[$r,$c] = $(create_grid(item))))
+                end
+            else
+                push!(body.args, :(cell[$r,1] = $(create_grid(arg))))
+            end
+        end
+        :(let cell = GridLayout($nr, $nc)
+            $body
+            cell
+        end)
+    else
+        # otherwise just build one row at a time
+        :(let cell = GridLayout($(length(expr.args)), 1)
+            $([:(cell[$i,1] = $(create_grid(v))) for (i,v) in enumerate(expr.args)]...)
+            cell
+        end)
+    end
+end
+
+function create_grid_curly(expr::Expr)
+    s = expr.args[1]
+    kw = KW()
+    for (i,arg) in enumerate(expr.args[2:end])
+        add_layout_pct!(kw, arg, i, length(expr.args)-1)
+    end
+    # @show kw
+    :(EmptyLayout(label = $(QuoteNode(s)), width = $(get(kw, :w, QuoteNode(:auto))), height = $(get(kw, :h, QuoteNode(:auto)))))
+end
+
+function create_grid(s::Symbol)
+    :(EmptyLayout(label = $(QuoteNode(s)), blank = $(s == :_)))
+end
+
+macro layout(mat::Expr)
+    create_grid(mat)
+end
+
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# make all reference the same axis extrema/values
+function link_axes!(axes::Axis...)
+    a1 = axes[1]
+    for i=2:length(axes)
+        a2 = axes[i]
+        for k in (:extrema, :discrete_values, :continuous_values, :discrete_map)
+            a2[k] = a1[k]
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+# for some vector or matrix of layouts, filter only the Subplots and link those axes
+function link_axes!(a::AbstractArray{AbstractLayout}, axissym::Symbol)
+    subplots = filter(l -> isa(l, Subplot), a)
+    axes = [sp.attr[axissym] for sp in subplots]
+    if length(axes) > 0
+        link_axes!(axes...)
+    end
+end
+
+# don't do anything for most layout types
+function link_axes!(l::AbstractLayout, link::Symbol)
+end
+
+# process a GridLayout, recursively linking axes according to the link symbol
+function link_axes!(layout::GridLayout, link::Symbol)
+    nr, nc = size(layout)
+    if link in (:x, :both)
+        for c=1:nc
+            link_axes!(layout.grid[:,c], :xaxis)
+        end
+    end
+    if link in (:y, :both)
+        for r=1:nr
+            link_axes!(layout.grid[r,:], :yaxis)
+        end
+    end
+    if link == :all
+        link_axes!(layout.grid, :xaxis)
+        link_axes!(layout.grid, :yaxis)
+    end
+    for l in layout.grid
+        link_axes!(l, link)
    end
-  else
-    nc = ceil(Int, numplts / nr)
-  end
-
-  # if it's a perfect rectangle, just create a grid
-  if numplts == nr * nc
-    return GridLayout(nr, nc)
-  end
-
-  # create the rowcounts vector
-  i = 0
-  rowcounts = Int[]
-  for r in 1:nr
-    cnt = min(nc, numplts - i)
-    push!(rowcounts, cnt)
-    i += cnt
-  end
-
-  RowsLayout(numplts, rowcounts)
 end
@@ -1,49 +1,49 @@


-defaultOutputFormat(plt::AbstractPlot) = "png"
+defaultOutputFormat(plt::Plot) = "png"

-function png(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function png(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)
  fn = addExtension(fn, "png")
  io = open(fn, "w")
  writemime(io, MIME("image/png"), plt)
  close(io)
 end
-png(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = png(current(), fn)
+png(fn::AbstractString) = png(current(), fn)

-function svg(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function svg(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)
  fn = addExtension(fn, "svg")
  io = open(fn, "w")
  writemime(io, MIME("image/svg+xml"), plt)
  close(io)
 end
-svg(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = svg(current(), fn)
+svg(fn::AbstractString) = svg(current(), fn)


-function pdf(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function pdf(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)
  fn = addExtension(fn, "pdf")
  io = open(fn, "w")
  writemime(io, MIME("application/pdf"), plt)
  close(io)
 end
-pdf(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = pdf(current(), fn)
+pdf(fn::AbstractString) = pdf(current(), fn)


-function ps(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function ps(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)
  fn = addExtension(fn, "ps")
  io = open(fn, "w")
  writemime(io, MIME("application/postscript"), plt)
  close(io)
 end
-ps(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = ps(current(), fn)
+ps(fn::AbstractString) = ps(current(), fn)


-function tex(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function tex(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)
  fn = addExtension(fn, "tex")
  io = open(fn, "w")
  writemime(io, MIME("application/x-tex"), plt)
  close(io)
 end
-tex(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = tex(current(), fn)
+tex(fn::AbstractString) = tex(current(), fn)


 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ tex(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = tex(current(), fn)
    "tex" => tex,
  )

-function getExtension(fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function getExtension(fn::AbstractString)
  pieces = split(fn, ".")
  length(pieces) > 1 || error("Can't extract file extension: ", fn)
  ext = pieces[end]
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ function getExtension(fn::@compat(AbstractString))
  ext
 end

-function addExtension(fn::@compat(AbstractString), ext::@compat(AbstractString))
+function addExtension(fn::AbstractString, ext::AbstractString)
  try
    oldext = getExtension(fn)
    if oldext == ext
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ function addExtension(fn::@compat(AbstractString), ext::@compat(AbstractString))
  end
 end

-function savefig(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
+function savefig(plt::Plot, fn::AbstractString)

  # get the extension
  local ext
@@ -96,28 +96,136 @@ function savefig(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString))
  end
  func(plt, fn)
 end
-savefig(fn::@compat(AbstractString)) = savefig(current(), fn)
-
-
-# savepng(args...; kw...) = savepng(current(), args...; kw...)
-# savepng(plt::AbstractPlot, fn::@compat(AbstractString); kw...) = (io = open(fn, "w"); writemime(io, MIME("image/png"), plt); close(io))
-
-
+savefig(fn::AbstractString) = savefig(current(), fn)


 # ---------------------------------------------------------

-gui(plt::AbstractPlot = current()) = display(PlotsDisplay(), plt)
+gui(plt::Plot = current()) = display(PlotsDisplay(), plt)

-
-# override the REPL display to open a gui window
-Base.display(::Base.REPL.REPLDisplay, ::MIME"text/plain", plt::AbstractPlot) = gui(plt)
-
-# a backup for html... passes to svg
-function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::AbstractPlot)
-  writemime(io, MIME("image/svg+xml"), plt)
+function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot)
+    prepare_output(plt)
+    _display(plt)
 end

+# override the REPL display to open a gui window
+Base.display(::Base.REPL.REPLDisplay, ::MIME"text/plain", plt::Plot) = gui(plt)
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+const _mimeformats = Dict(
+    "application/eps"         => "eps",
+    "image/eps"               => "eps",
+    "application/pdf"         => "pdf",
+    "image/png"               => "png",
+    "application/postscript"  => "ps",
+    "image/svg+xml"           => "svg",
+    "text/plain"              => "txt",
+)
+
+const _best_html_output_type = KW(
+    :pyplot => :png,
+    :unicodeplots => :txt,
+)
+
+# a backup for html... passes to svg or png depending on the html_output_format arg
+function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::Plot)
+    output_type = Symbol(plt.attr[:html_output_format])
+    if output_type == :auto
+        output_type = get(_best_html_output_type, backend_name(plt.backend), :svg)
+    end
+    if output_type == :png
+        # info("writing png to html output")
+        print(io, "<img src=\"data:image/png;base64,", base64encode(writemime, MIME("image/png"), plt), "\" />")
+    elseif output_type == :svg
+        # info("writing svg to html output")
+        writemime(io, MIME("image/svg+xml"), plt)
+    elseif output_type == :txt
+        writemime(io, MIME("text/plain"), plt)
+    else
+        error("only png or svg allowed. got: $output_type")
+    end
+end
+
+# for writing to io streams... first prepare, then callback
+for mime in keys(_mimeformats)
+    @eval function Base.writemime(io::IO, m::MIME{Symbol($mime)}, plt::Plot)
+        prepare_output(plt)
+        _writemime(io, m, plt)
+    end
+end
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# A backup, if no PNG generation is defined, is to try to make a PDF and use FileIO to convert
+
+if is_installed("FileIO")
+    @eval begin
+        import FileIO
+        function _writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::Plot)
+            fn = tempname()
+
+            # first save a pdf file
+            pdf(plt, fn)
+
+            # load that pdf into a FileIO Stream
+            s = FileIO.load(fn * ".pdf")
+
+            # save a png
+            pngfn = fn * ".png"
+            FileIO.save(pngfn, s)
+
+            # now write from the file
+            write(io, readall(open(pngfn)))
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+
+
+
+
+# function html_output_format(fmt)
+#     if fmt == "png"
+#         @eval function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::Plot)
+#             print(io, "<img src=\"data:image/png;base64,", base64(writemime, MIME("image/png"), plt), "\" />")
+#         end
+#     elseif fmt == "svg"
+#         @eval function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::Plot)
+#             writemime(io, MIME("image/svg+xml"), plt)
+#         end
+#     else
+#         error("only png or svg allowed. got: $fmt")
+#     end
+# end
+#
+# html_output_format("svg")
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+# IJulia
+# ---------------------------------------------------------
+
+const _ijulia_output = Compat.ASCIIString["text/html"]
+
+function setup_ijulia()
+    # override IJulia inline display
+    if isijulia()
+        @eval begin
+            import IJulia
+            export set_ijulia_output
+            function set_ijulia_output(mimestr::AbstractString)
+                # info("Setting IJulia output format to $mimestr")
+                global _ijulia_output
+                _ijulia_output[1] = mimestr
+            end
+            function IJulia.display_dict(plt::Plot)
+                global _ijulia_output
+                Dict{Compat.ASCIIString, ByteString}(_ijulia_output[1] => sprint(writemime, _ijulia_output[1], plt))
+            end
+        end
+        set_ijulia_output("text/html")
+    end
+end

 # ---------------------------------------------------------
 # Atom PlotPane
@@ -125,21 +233,21 @@ end

 function setup_atom()
    # @require Atom begin
-    if isatom()
+    if isatom() && get(ENV, "PLOTS_USE_ATOM_PLOTPANE", false) in (true, 1, "1", "true", "yes")
        # @eval import Atom, Media
        @eval import Atom

        # connects the render function
        for T in (GadflyBackend,ImmerseBackend,PyPlotBackend,GRBackend)
-            Atom.Media.media(AbstractPlot{T}, Atom.Media.Plot)
+            Atom.Media.media(Plot{T}, Atom.Media.Plot)
        end
        # Atom.Media.media{T <: Union{GadflyBackend,ImmerseBackend,PyPlotBackend,GRBackend}}(Plot{T}, Atom.Media.Plot)

-        # Atom.displaysize(::AbstractPlot) = (535, 379)
-        # Atom.displaytitle(plt::AbstractPlot) = "Plots.jl (backend: $(backend(plt)))"
+        # Atom.displaysize(::Plot) = (535, 379)
+        # Atom.displaytitle(plt::Plot) = "Plots.jl (backend: $(backend(plt)))"

        # this is like "display"... sends an html div with the plot to the PlotPane
-        function Atom.Media.render(pane::Atom.PlotPane, plt::AbstractPlot)
+        function Atom.Media.render(pane::Atom.PlotPane, plt::Plot)
            Atom.Media.render(pane, Atom.div(Atom.d(), Atom.HTML(stringmime(MIME("text/html"), plt))))
        end

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Base.print(io::IO, plt::Plot) = print(io, string(plt))
 Base.show(io::IO, plt::Plot) = print(io, string(plt))

 getplot(plt::Plot) = plt
-getplotargs(plt::Plot, idx::Int = 1) = plt.plotargs
+getattr(plt::Plot, idx::Int = 1) = plt.attr
 convertSeriesIndex(plt::Plot, n::Int) = n

 # ---------------------------------------------------------
@@ -43,17 +43,93 @@ When you pass in matrices, it splits by columns.  See the documentation for more

 # this creates a new plot with args/kw and sets it to be the current plot
 function plot(args...; kw...)
-    pkg = backend()
    d = KW(kw)
    preprocessArgs!(d)
-    dumpdict(d, "After plot preprocessing")

-    plotargs = merge(d, getPlotArgs(pkg, d, 1))
-    dumpdict(plotargs, "Plot args")
-    plt = _create_plot(pkg, plotargs)  # create a new, blank plot
+    # create an empty Plot then process
+    plt = Plot()
+    # plt.user_attr = d
+    _plot!(plt, d, args...)
+end

-    delete!(d, :background_color)
-    plot!(plt, args...; d...)  # add to it
+# build a new plot from existing plots
+# note: we split into plt1 and plts_tail so we can dispatch correctly
+function plot(plt1::Plot, plts_tail::Plot...; kw...)
+    d = KW(kw)
+    preprocessArgs!(d)
+
+    # build our plot vector from the args
+    n = length(plts_tail) + 1
+    plts = Array(Plot, n)
+    plts[1] = plt1
+    for (i,plt) in enumerate(plts_tail)
+        plts[i+1] = plt
+    end
+
+    # compute the layout
+    layout = layout_args(d, n)[1]
+    num_sp = sum([length(p.subplots) for p in plts])
+
+    # create a new plot object, with subplot list/map made of existing subplots.
+    # note: we create a new backend figure for this new plot object
+    # note: all subplots and series "belong" to this new plot...
+    plt = Plot()
+
+    # TODO: build the user_attr dict by creating "Any matrices" for the args of each subplot
+
+    # TODO: replace this with proper processing from a merged user_attr KW
+    # update plot args, first with existing plots, then override with d
+    for p in plts
+        _update_plot_args(plt, p.attr)
+        plt.n += p.n
+    end
+    _update_plot_args(plt, d)
+
+    # pass new plot to the backend
+    plt.o = _create_backend_figure(plt)
+    plt.init = true
+
+    # create the layout and initialize the subplots
+    plt.layout, plt.subplots, plt.spmap = build_layout(layout, num_sp, copy(plts))
+    for (idx, sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
+        _initialize_subplot(plt, sp)
+        serieslist = series_list(sp)
+        if sp in sp.plt.inset_subplots
+            push!(plt.inset_subplots, sp)
+        end
+        sp.plt = plt
+        sp.attr[:subplot_index] = idx
+        for series in serieslist
+            push!(plt.series_list, series)
+            _series_added(plt, series)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # # just in case the backend needs to set up the plot (make it current or something)
+    # _prepare_plot_object(plt)
+
+    # first apply any args for the subplots
+    for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, idx, remove_pair = false)
+    end
+
+    # # now we can get rid of the axis keys without a letter
+    # for k in keys(_axis_defaults)
+    #     delete!(d, k)
+    #     for letter in (:x,:y,:z)
+    #         delete!(d, Symbol(letter,k))
+    #     end
+    # end
+
+    # do we need to link any axes together?
+    link_axes!(plt.layout, plt[:link])
+
+    # finish up
+    current(plt)
+    if get(d, :show, default(:show))
+        gui()
+    end
+    plt
 end


@@ -73,206 +149,472 @@ end
 function plot!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)
    d = KW(kw)
    preprocessArgs!(d)
+    # merge!(plt.user_attr, d)
+    _plot!(plt, d, args...)
+end

-    # for plotting recipes, swap out the args and update the parameter dictionary
-    args = _apply_recipe(d, args...; kw...)
+function strip_first_letter(s::Symbol)
+    str = string(s)
+    str[1:1], Symbol(str[2:end])
+end

-    dumpdict(d, "After plot! preprocessing")
-    warnOnUnsupportedArgs(plt.backend, d)

-    # just in case the backend needs to set up the plot (make it current or something)
-    _before_add_series(plt)
+# this method recursively applies series recipes when the seriestype is not supported
+# natively by the backend
+function _apply_series_recipe(plt::Plot, d::KW)
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    # @show st
+    if st in supported_types()
+
+        # getting ready to add the series... last update to subplot from anything
+        # that might have been added during series recipes
+        sp = d[:subplot]
+        sp_idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, d, sp_idx)
+
+        # do we want to override the series type?
+        if !is3d(st) && d[:z] != nothing && (size(d[:x]) == size(d[:y]) == size(d[:z]))
+            st = d[:seriestype] = (st == :scatter ? :scatter3d : :path3d)
+        end
+
+        # change to a 3d projection for this subplot?
+        if is3d(st)
+            sp.attr[:projection] = "3d"
+        end
+
+        # initialize now that we know the first series type
+        if !haskey(sp.attr, :init)
+            _initialize_subplot(plt, sp)
+            sp.attr[:init] = true
+        end
+
+        # strip out series annotations (those which are based on series x/y coords)
+        # and add them to the subplot attr
+        sp_anns = annotations(sp[:annotations])
+        anns = annotations(pop!(d, :series_annotations, []))
+        if length(anns) > 0
+            x, y = d[:x], d[:y]
+            nx, ny, na = map(length, (x,y,anns))
+            n = max(nx, ny, na)
+            anns = [(x[mod1(i,nx)], y[mod1(i,ny)], text(anns[mod1(i,na)])) for i=1:n]
+        end
+        sp.attr[:annotations] = vcat(sp_anns, anns)
+
+        # adjust extrema and discrete info
+        if st == :image
+            w, h = size(d[:z])
+            expand_extrema!(sp[:xaxis], (0,w))
+            expand_extrema!(sp[:yaxis], (0,h))
+            sp[:yaxis].d[:flip] = true
+        elseif !(st in (:pie, :histogram, :histogram2d))
+            expand_extrema!(sp, d)
+        end
+
+
+        # add the series!
+        warnOnUnsupported_args(plt.backend, d)
+        warnOnUnsupported(plt.backend, d)
+        series = Series(d)
+        push!(plt.series_list, series)
+        # @show series
+        
+        _series_added(plt, series)

-    # # grouping
-    groupby = if haskey(d, :group)
-        extractGroupArgs(d[:group], args...)
    else
-        nothing
-    end
+        # get a sub list of series for this seriestype
+        datalist = try
+            RecipesBase.apply_recipe(d, Val{st}, d[:x], d[:y], d[:z])
+        catch
+            warn("Exception during apply_recipe(Val{$st}, ...) with types ($(typeof(d[:x])), $(typeof(d[:y])), $(typeof(d[:z])))")
+            rethrow()
+        end

-    # merge plot args
-    if !haskey(d, :subplot)
-        for k in keys(_plotDefaults)
-            if haskey(d, k)
-                plt.plotargs[k] = d[k]
+        # assuming there was no error, recursively apply the series recipes
+        for data in datalist
+            if isa(data, RecipeData)
+                _apply_series_recipe(plt, data.d)
+            else
+                warn("Unhandled recipe: $(data)")
+                break
            end
        end
-        # merge!(plt.plotargs, d)
-        handlePlotColors(plt.backend, plt.plotargs)
+    end
+end
+
+
+# this is the core plotting function.  recursively apply recipes to build
+# a list of series KW dicts.
+# note: at entry, we only have those preprocessed args which were passed in... no default values yet
+function _plot!(plt::Plot, d::KW, args...)
+    # d = plt.user_attr
+    d[:plot_object] = plt
+
+    # the grouping mechanism is a recipe on a GroupBy object
+    # we simply add the GroupBy object to the front of the args list to allow
+    # the recipe to be applied
+    if haskey(d, :group)
+        args = (extractGroupArgs(d[:group], args...), args...)
    end

-    _add_series(plt, d, groupby, args...)
-    _add_annotations(plt, d)

-    warnOnUnsupportedScales(plt.backend, d)
+    # for plotting recipes, swap out the args and update the parameter dictionary
+    # we are keeping a queue of series that still need to be processed.
+    # each pass through the loop, we pop one off and apply the recipe.
+    # the recipe will return a list a Series objects... the ones that are
+    # finished (no more args) get added to the kw_list, and the rest go into the queue
+    # for processing.
+    kw_list = KW[]
+    still_to_process = isempty(args) ? [] : [RecipeData(copy(d), args)]
+    while !isempty(still_to_process)

+        # grab the first in line to be processed and pass it through apply_recipe
+        # to generate a list of RecipeData objects (data + attributes)
+        next_series = shift!(still_to_process)
+        for recipedata in RecipesBase.apply_recipe(next_series.d, next_series.args...)

-    # add title, axis labels, ticks, etc
-    if !haskey(d, :subplot)
-        # merge!(plt.plotargs, d)
-        # handlePlotColors(plt.backend, plt.plotargs)
-        dumpdict(plt.plotargs, "Updating plot items")
-        _update_plot(plt, plt.plotargs)
+            # recipedata should be of type RecipeData.  if it's not then the inputs must not have been fully processed by recipes
+            if !(typeof(recipedata) <: RecipeData)
+                error("Inputs couldn't be processed... expected RecipeData but got: $recipedata")
+            end
+
+            if isempty(recipedata.args)
+                # when the arg tuple is empty, that means there's nothing left to recursively
+                # process... finish up and add to the kw_list
+                kw = recipedata.d
+                _add_markershape(kw)
+
+                # if there was a grouping, filter the data here
+                _filter_input_data!(kw)
+
+                # map marker_z if it's a Function
+                if isa(get(kw, :marker_z, nothing), Function)
+                    # TODO: should this take y and/or z as arguments?
+                    kw[:marker_z] = map(kw[:marker_z], kw[:x], kw[:y], kw[:z])
+                end
+
+                # map line_z if it's a Function
+                if isa(get(kw, :line_z, nothing), Function)
+                    kw[:line_z] = map(kw[:line_z], kw[:x], kw[:y], kw[:z])
+                end
+
+                # convert a ribbon into a fillrange
+                if get(kw, :ribbon, nothing) != nothing
+                    make_fillrange_from_ribbon(kw)
+                end
+
+                # add the plot index
+                plt.n += 1
+                kw[:series_plotindex] = plt.n
+
+                # check that the backend will support the command and add it to the list
+                warnOnUnsupported_scales(plt.backend, kw)
+                push!(kw_list, kw)
+
+                # handle error bars by creating new recipedata data... these will have
+                # the same recipedata index as the recipedata they are copied from
+                for esym in (:xerror, :yerror)
+                    if get(d, esym, nothing) != nothing
+                        # we make a copy of the KW and apply an errorbar recipe
+                        errkw = copy(kw)
+                        errkw[:seriestype] = esym
+                        errkw[:label] = ""
+                        errkw[:primary] = false
+                        push!(kw_list, errkw)
+                    end
+                end
+
+                # handle smoothing by adding a new series
+                if get(d, :smooth, false)
+                    x, y = kw[:x], kw[:y]
+                    β, α = convert(Matrix{Float64}, [x ones(length(x))]) \ convert(Vector{Float64}, y)
+                    sx = [minimum(x), maximum(x)]
+                    sy = β * sx + α
+                    push!(kw_list, merge(copy(kw), KW(
+                        :seriestype => :path,
+                        :x => sx,
+                        :y => sy,
+                        :fillrange => nothing,
+                        :label => "",
+                        :primary => false,
+                    )))
+                end
+
+            else
+                # args are non-empty, so there's still processing to do... add it back to the queue
+                push!(still_to_process, recipedata)
+            end
+        end
    end

-    _update_plot_pos_size(plt, d)
+    # don't allow something else to handle it
+    d[:smooth] = false
+
+    # merge in anything meant for plot/subplot/axis
+    for kw in kw_list
+        for (k,v) in kw
+            for defdict in (_plot_defaults,)
+                            # _subplot_defaults,
+                            # _axis_defaults,
+                            # _axis_defaults_byletter)
+                if haskey(defdict, k)
+                    d[k] = pop!(kw, k)
+                end
+            end
+        end
+    end
+
+    # TODO: init subplots here
+    _update_plot_args(plt, d)
+    if !plt.init
+        plt.o = _create_backend_figure(plt)
+        # DD(d)
+
+        # create the layout and subplots from the inputs
+        plt.layout, plt.subplots, plt.spmap = build_layout(plt.attr)
+        for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
+            sp.plt = plt
+            sp.attr[:subplot_index] = idx
+        end
+
+        plt.init = true
+    end
+
+
+    # handle inset subplots
+    insets = plt[:inset_subplots]
+    if insets != nothing
+        for inset in insets
+            parent, bb = is_2tuple(inset) ? inset : (nothing, inset)
+            P = typeof(parent)
+            if P <: Integer
+                parent = plt.subplots[parent]
+            elseif P == Symbol
+                parent = plt.spmap[parent]
+            else
+                parent = plt.layout
+            end
+            sp = Subplot(backend(), parent=parent)
+            sp.plt = plt
+            sp.attr[:relative_bbox] = bb
+            push!(plt.subplots, sp)
+            sp.attr[:subplot_index] = length(plt.subplots)
+            push!(plt.inset_subplots, sp)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # we'll keep a map of subplot to an attribute override dict.
+    # any series which belong to that subplot
+    sp_attrs = Dict{Subplot,Any}()
+    for kw in kw_list
+        # get the Subplot object to which the series belongs
+        sp = get(kw, :subplot, :auto)
+        command_idx = kw[:series_plotindex] - kw_list[1][:series_plotindex] + 1
+        sp = if sp == :auto
+            cycle(plt.subplots, command_idx)
+            # mod1(command_idx, length(plt.subplots))
+        else
+            slice_arg(sp, command_idx)
+        end
+        sp = kw[:subplot] = get_subplot(plt, sp)
+        # idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
+        attr = KW()
+
+        for (k,v) in kw
+            for defdict in (_subplot_defaults,
+                            _axis_defaults,
+                            _axis_defaults_byletter)
+                if haskey(defdict, k)
+                    attr[k] = pop!(kw, k)
+                end
+            end
+        end
+        sp_attrs[sp] = attr
+    end
+
+
+
+    # # just in case the backend needs to set up the plot (make it current or something)
+    # _prepare_plot_object(plt)
+
+    # first apply any args for the subplots
+    for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
+        # if we picked up any subplot-specific overrides, merge them here
+        attr = merge(d, get(sp_attrs, sp, KW()))
+        # DD(attr, "sp$idx")
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, attr, idx, remove_pair = false)
+    end
+
+
+
+    # do we need to link any axes together?
+    link_axes!(plt.layout, plt[:link])
+
+    # !!! note: At this point, kw_list is fully decomposed into individual series... one KW per series.          !!!
+    # !!!       The next step is to recursively apply series recipes until the backend supports that series type !!!
+
+    # this is it folks!
+    # TODO: we probably shouldn't use i for tracking series index, but rather explicitly track it in recipes
+    for kw in kw_list
+        command_idx = kw[:series_plotindex] - kw_list[1][:series_plotindex] + 1
+
+        # # get the Subplot object to which the series belongs
+        # sp = get(kw, :subplot, :auto)
+        # sp = if sp == :auto
+        #     mod1(i,length(plt.subplots))
+        # else
+        #     slice_arg(sp, i)
+        # end
+        # sp = kw[:subplot] = get_subplot(plt, sp)
+        sp = kw[:subplot]
+        idx = get_subplot_index(plt, sp)
+
+        # # strip out series annotations (those which are based on series x/y coords)
+        # # and add them to the subplot attr
+        # sp_anns = annotations(sp[:annotations])
+        # anns = annotations(pop!(kw, :series_annotations, []))
+        # if length(anns) > 0
+        #     x, y = kw[:x], kw[:y]
+        #     nx, ny, na = map(length, (x,y,anns))
+        #     n = max(nx, ny, na)
+        #     anns = [(x[mod1(i,nx)], y[mod1(i,ny)], text(anns[mod1(i,na)])) for i=1:n]
+        # end
+        # sp.attr[:annotations] = vcat(sp_anns, anns)
+
+        # we update subplot args in case something like the color palatte is part of the recipe
+        _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, kw, idx)
+
+        # set default values, select from attribute cycles, and generally set the final attributes
+        _add_defaults!(kw, plt, sp, command_idx)
+
+        # now we have a fully specified series, with colors chosen.   we must recursively handle
+        # series recipes, which dispatch on seriestype.  If a backend does not natively support a seriestype,
+        # we check for a recipe that will convert that series type into one made up of lower-level components.
+        # For example, a histogram is just a bar plot with binned data, a bar plot is really a filled step plot,
+        # and a step plot is really just a path.  So any backend that supports drawing a path will implicitly
+        # be able to support step, bar, and histogram plots (and any recipes that use those components).
+        _apply_series_recipe(plt, kw)
+    end

    current(plt)

    # note: lets ignore the show param and effectively use the semicolon at the end of the REPL statement
    # # do we want to show it?
-    if haskey(d, :show) && d[:show]
+    # if haskey(d, :show) && d[:show]
+    if get(d, :show, default(:show))
        gui()
    end

    plt
 end

-# handle the grouping
-function _add_series(plt::Plot, d::KW, groupby::GroupBy, args...)
-    starting_n = plt.n
-    for (i, glab) in enumerate(groupby.groupLabels)
-        tmpd = copy(d)
-        tmpd[:numUncounted] = plt.n - starting_n
-        _add_series(plt, tmpd, nothing, args...;
-                    idxfilter = groupby.groupIds[i],
-                    grouplabel = string(glab))
+
+function _replace_linewidth(d::KW)
+    # get a good default linewidth... 0 for surface and heatmaps
+    if get(d, :linewidth, :auto) == :auto
+        d[:linewidth] = (get(d, :seriestype, :path) in (:surface,:heatmap,:image) ? 0 : 1)
    end
 end

-filter_data(v::AVec, idxfilter::AVec{Int}) = v[idxfilter]
-filter_data(v, idxfilter) = v
+# we're getting ready to display/output.  prep for layout calcs, then update
+# the plot object after
+function prepare_output(plt::Plot)
+    _before_layout_calcs(plt)

-function filter_data!(d::KW, idxfilter)
-    for s in (:x, :y, :z)
-        d[s] = filter_data(get(d, s, nothing), idxfilter)
+    w, h = plt.attr[:size]
+    plt.layout.bbox = BoundingBox(0mm, 0mm, w*px, h*px)
+
+    # One pass down and back up the tree to compute the minimum padding
+    # of the children on the perimeter.  This is an backend callback.
+    _update_min_padding!(plt.layout)
+    for sp in plt.inset_subplots
+        _update_min_padding!(sp)
    end
+
+    # now another pass down, to update the bounding boxes
+    update_child_bboxes!(plt.layout)
+
+    # update those bounding boxes of inset subplots
+    update_inset_bboxes!(plt)
+
+    # the backend callback, to reposition subplots, etc
+    _update_plot_object(plt)
 end

-# no grouping
-function _add_series(plt::Plot, d::KW, ::Void, args...;
-                     idxfilter = nothing,
-                     grouplabel = "")
-
-    # get the list of dictionaries, one per series
-    dumpdict(d, "before process_inputs")
-    process_inputs(plt, d, args...)
-    dumpdict(d, "after process_inputs")
-
-    if idxfilter != nothing
-        # add the group name as the label if there isn't one passed in
-        get!(d, :label, grouplabel)
-        # filter the data
-        filter_data!(d, idxfilter)
-    end
-
-    seriesArgList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(plt, d) #, idxfilter)
-    # 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
-    updateDictWithMeta(d, plt.plotargs, xmeta, true)
-    updateDictWithMeta(d, plt.plotargs, ymeta, false)
-
-    # now we can plot the series
-    for (i,di) in enumerate(seriesArgList)
-        plt.n += 1
-
-        if !stringsSupported() && di[:linetype] != :pie
-            setTicksFromStringVector(d, di, :x, :xticks)
-            setTicksFromStringVector(d, di, :y, :yticks)
-            setTicksFromStringVector(d, di, :z, :zticks)
-        end
-
-        # remove plot args
-        for k in keys(_plotDefaults)
-            delete!(di, k)
-        end
-
-        # merge in plotarg_overrides
-        plotarg_overrides = pop!(di, :plotarg_overrides, nothing)
-        if plotarg_overrides != nothing
-            merge!(plt.plotargs, plotarg_overrides)
-        end
-        # dumpdict(plt.plotargs, "pargs", true)
-
-        dumpdict(di, "Series $i")
-
-        _add_series(plt.backend, plt, di)
-    end
+function prepared_object(plt::Plot)
+    prepare_output(plt)
+    plt.o
 end

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------

-# if x or y are a vector of strings, we should create a list of unique strings,
-# and map x/y to be the index of the string... then set the x/y tick labels
-function setTicksFromStringVector(d::KW, di::KW, sym::Symbol, ticksym::Symbol)
-    # if the x or y values are strings, set ticks to the unique values, and x/y to the indices of the ticks
+# function get_indices(orig, labels)
+#     Int[findnext(labels, l, 1) for l in orig]
+# end

-    v = di[sym]
-    isa(v, AbstractArray) || return
-
-    T = eltype(v)
-    if T <: @compat(AbstractString) || (!isempty(T.types) && all(x -> x <: @compat(AbstractString), T.types))
-        ticks = unique(di[sym])
-        di[sym] = Int[findnext(ticks, v, 1) for v in di[sym]]
-
-        if !haskey(d, ticksym) || d[ticksym] == :auto
-            d[ticksym] = (collect(1:length(ticks)), UTF8String[t for t in ticks])
-        end
-    end
-end
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-_before_add_series(plt::Plot) = nothing
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# should we update the x/y label given the meta info during input slicing?
-function updateDictWithMeta(d::KW, plotargs::KW, meta::Symbol, isx::Bool)
-    lsym = isx ? :xlabel : :ylabel
-    if plotargs[lsym] == default(lsym)
-        d[lsym] = string(meta)
-    end
-end
-updateDictWithMeta(d::KW, plotargs::KW, meta, isx::Bool) = nothing
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-annotations(::@compat(Void)) = []
-annotations{X,Y,V}(v::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})}) = v
-annotations{X,Y,V}(t::@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})) = [t]
-annotations(v::AVec{PlotText}) = v
-annotations(v::AVec) = map(PlotText, v)
-annotations(anns) = error("Expecting a tuple (or vector of tuples) for annotations: ",
-                       "(x, y, annotation)\n    got: $(typeof(anns))")
-
-function _add_annotations(plt::Plot, d::KW)
-    anns = annotations(get(d, :annotation, nothing))
-    if !isempty(anns)
-
-        # if we just have a list of PlotText objects, then create (x,y,text) tuples
-        if typeof(anns) <: AVec{PlotText}
-            x, y = plt[plt.n]
-            anns = Tuple{Float64,Float64,PlotText}[(x[i], y[i], t) for (i,t) in enumerate(anns)]
-        end
-
-        _add_annotations(plt, anns)
-    end
-end
+# # TODO: remove?? this is the old way of handling discrete data... should be
+# # replaced by the Axis type and logic
+# function setTicksFromStringVector(plt::Plot, d::KW, di::KW, letter)
+#     sym = Symbol(letter)
+#     ticksym = Symbol(letter * "ticks")
+#     pargs = plt.attr
+#     v = di[sym]
+#
+#     # do we really want to do this?
+#     typeof(v) <: AbstractArray || return
+#     isempty(v) && return
+#     trueOrAllTrue(_ -> typeof(_) <: AbstractString, v) || return
+#
+#     # compute the ticks and labels
+#     ticks, labels = if ticksType(pargs[ticksym]) == :ticks_and_labels
+#         # extend the existing ticks and labels. only add to labels if they're new!
+#         ticks, labels = pargs[ticksym]
+#         newlabels = filter(_ -> !(_ in labels), unique(v))
+#         newticks = if isempty(ticks)
+#             collect(1:length(newlabels))
+#         else
+#             maximum(ticks) + collect(1:length(newlabels))
+#         end
+#         ticks = vcat(ticks, newticks)
+#         labels = vcat(labels, newlabels)
+#         ticks, labels
+#     else
+#         # create new ticks and labels
+#         newlabels = unique(v)
+#         collect(1:length(newlabels)), newlabels
+#     end
+#
+#     d[ticksym] = ticks, labels
+#     plt.attr[ticksym] = ticks, labels
+#
+#     # add an origsym field so that later on we can re-compute the x vector if ticks change
+#     origsym = Symbol(letter * "orig")
+#     di[origsym] = v
+#     di[sym] = get_indices(v, labels)
+#
+#     # loop through existing plt.seriesargs and adjust indices if there is an origsym key
+#     for sargs in plt.seriesargs
+#         if haskey(sargs, origsym)
+#             # TODO: might need to call the setindex function instead to trigger a plot update for some backends??
+#             sargs[sym] = get_indices(sargs[origsym], labels)
+#         end
+#     end
+# end


 # --------------------------------------------------------------------

-function Base.copy(plt::Plot)
-    backend(plt.backend)
-    plt2 = plot(; plt.plotargs...)
-    for sargs in plt.seriesargs
-        sargs = filter((k,v) -> haskey(_seriesDefaults,k), sargs)
-        plot!(plt2; sargs...)
-    end
-    plt2
-end
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# function Base.copy(plt::Plot)
+#     backend(plt.backend)
+#     plt2 = plot(; plt.attr...)
+#     for sargs in plt.seriesargs
+#         sargs = filter((k,v) -> haskey(_series_defaults,k), sargs)
+#         plot!(plt2; sargs...)
+#     end
+#     plt2
+# end

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@

 typealias FuncOrFuncs @compat(Union{Function, AVec{Function}})

-all3D(d::KW) = trueOrAllTrue(lt -> lt in (:contour, :heatmap, :surface, :wireframe, :contour3d), get(d, :linetype, :none))
+all3D(d::KW) = trueOrAllTrue(st -> st in (:contour, :heatmap, :surface, :wireframe, :contour3d), get(d, :seriestype, :none))

 # missing
 convertToAnyVector(v::@compat(Void), d::KW) = Any[nothing], nothing
@@ -44,8 +44,8 @@ convertToAnyVector(f::Function, d::KW) = Any[f], nothing
 # surface
 convertToAnyVector(s::Surface, d::KW) = Any[s], nothing

-# vector of OHLC
-convertToAnyVector(v::AVec{OHLC}, d::KW) = Any[v], nothing
+# # vector of OHLC
+# convertToAnyVector(v::AVec{OHLC}, d::KW) = Any[v], nothing

 # dates
 convertToAnyVector{D<:Union{Date,DateTime}}(dts::AVec{D}, d::KW) = Any[dts], nothing
@@ -62,6 +62,12 @@ function convertToAnyVector(v::AVec, d::KW)
    end
 end

+convertToAnyVector(t::Tuple, d::KW) = Any[t], nothing
+
+
+function convertToAnyVector(args...)
+    error("In convertToAnyVector, could not handle the argument types: $(map(typeof, args[1:end-1]))")
+end

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------

@@ -83,11 +89,15 @@ compute_z(x, y, z::AbstractMatrix)  = Surface(z)
 compute_z(x, y, z::Void)            = nothing
 compute_z(x, y, z)                  = copy(z)

+nobigs(v::AVec{BigFloat}) = map(Float64, v)
+nobigs(v::AVec{BigInt}) = map(Int64, v)
+nobigs(v) = v
+
@noinline function compute_xyz(x, y, z)
    x = compute_x(x,y,z)
    y = compute_y(x,y,z)
    z = compute_z(x,y,z)
-    x, y, z
+    nobigs(x), nobigs(y), nobigs(z)
 end

 # not allowed
@@ -97,371 +107,444 @@ compute_xyz(x::Void, y::Void, z::Void)        = error("x/y/z are all nothing!")

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------

-# create n=max(mx,my) series arguments. the shorter list is cycled through
-# note: everything should flow through this
-function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, kw::KW) #, idxfilter)
-    x, y, z = map(sym -> pop!(kw, sym, nothing), (:x, :y, :z))
-    if nothing == x == y == z
-        return [], nothing, nothing
-    end
-
-    xs, xmeta = convertToAnyVector(x, kw)
-    ys, ymeta = convertToAnyVector(y, kw)
-    zs, zmeta = convertToAnyVector(z, kw)
-
-    fr = pop!(kw, :fillrange, nothing)
-    fillranges, _ = if typeof(fr) <: Number
-        ([fr],nothing)
-    else
-        convertToAnyVector(fr, kw)
-    end
-
-    mx = length(xs)
-    my = length(ys)
-    mz = length(zs)
-    ret = Any[]
-    for i in 1:max(mx, my, mz)
-
-        # try to set labels using ymeta
-        d = copy(kw)
-        if !haskey(d, :label) && ymeta != nothing
-            if isa(ymeta, Symbol)
-                d[:label] = string(ymeta)
-            elseif isa(ymeta, AVec{Symbol})
-                d[:label] = string(ymeta[mod1(i,length(ymeta))])
-            end
-        end
-
-        # build the series arg dict
-        numUncounted = pop!(d, :numUncounted, 0)
-        commandIndex = i + numUncounted
-        n = plt.n + i
-
-        dumpdict(d, "before getSeriesArgs")
-        d = getSeriesArgs(plt.backend, getplotargs(plt, n), d, commandIndex, convertSeriesIndex(plt, n), n)
-        dumpdict(d, "after getSeriesArgs")
-
-        d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = compute_xyz(xs[mod1(i,mx)], ys[mod1(i,my)], zs[mod1(i,mz)])
-        lt = d[:linetype]
-
-        # for linetype `line`, need to sort by x values
-        if lt == :line
-            # order by x
-            indices = sortperm(d[:x])
-            d[:x] = d[:x][indices]
-            d[:y] = d[:y][indices]
-            d[:linetype] = :path
-        end
-
-        # special handling for missing x in box plot... all the same category
-        if lt == :box && xs[mod1(i,mx)] == nothing
-            d[:x] = ones(Int, length(d[:y]))
-        end
-
-        # map functions to vectors
-        if isa(d[:marker_z], Function)
-            d[:marker_z] = map(d[:marker_z], d[:x])
-        end
-
-        # @show fillranges
-        d[:fillrange] = fillranges[mod1(i,length(fillranges))]
-        if isa(d[:fillrange], Function)
-            d[:fillrange] = map(d[:fillrange], d[:x])
-        end
-
-        # handle error bars
-        for esym in (:xerror, :yerror)
-            if get(d, esym, nothing) != nothing
-                # we make a copy of the KW and apply an errorbar recipe
-                append!(ret, apply_series_recipe(copy(d), Val{esym}))
-            end
-        end
-
-        # handle ribbons
-        if get(d, :ribbon, nothing) != nothing
-            rib = d[:ribbon]
-            d[:fillrange] = (d[:y] - rib, d[:y] + rib)
-        end
-
-        # handle quiver plots
-        if lt == :quiver
-            d[:linetype] = lt = :path
-            d[:linewidth] = 0
-        end
-        if get(d, :quiver, nothing) != nothing
-            append!(ret, apply_series_recipe(copy(d), Val{:quiver}))
-        end
-
-
-
-        # now that we've processed a given series... optionally split into
-        # multiple dicts through a recipe (for example, a box plot is split into component
-        # parts... polygons, lines, and scatters)
-        # note: we pass in a Val type (i.e. Val{:box}) so that we can dispatch on the linetype
-        kwlist = apply_series_recipe(d, Val{lt})
-        append!(ret, kwlist)
-
-        # # add it to our series list
-        # push!(ret, d)
-    end
-
-    ret, xmeta, ymeta
-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
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-# 1 argument
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, n::Integer)
-    # d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = zeros(0), zeros(0), zeros(0)
-    d[:x] = d[:y] = d[:z] = n
-end
-
-# no special handling... assume x and z are nothing
-function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, y)
-    d[:y] = y
-end
-
-# matrix... is it z or y?
-function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
-    if all3D(d)
-        n,m = size(mat)
-        d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = 1:n, 1:m, mat
-    else
-        d[:y] = mat
-    end
-end
-
-
-# plotting arbitrary shapes/polygons
-function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shape::Shape)
-    d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shape)
-    d[:linetype] = :shape
-end
-function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AVec{Shape})
-    d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shapes)
-    d[:linetype] = :shape
-end
-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
-    d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
-    d[:linetype] = :shape
-end
-
-
-# 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 process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x, y)
-    d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
-end
-
-# 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
-    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 process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zvec::AVec)
-    # default to path3d if we haven't set a 3d linetype
-    lt = get(d, :linetype, :none)
-    if lt == :scatter
-        d[:linetype] = :scatter3d
-    elseif !(lt in _3dTypes)
-        d[:linetype] = :path3d
-    end
-    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, zvec
-end
-
-# surface-like... function
-function process_inputs{TX,TY}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec{TX}, y::AVec{TY}, zf::Function)
-    x = TX <: Number ? sort(x) : x
-    y = TY <: Number ? sort(y) : y
-    # 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
-
-# surface-like... matrix grid
-function process_inputs{TX,TY,TZ}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec{TX}, y::AVec{TY}, zmat::AMat{TZ})
-    @assert size(zmat) == (length(x), length(y))
-    if TX <: Number && !issorted(x)
-        idx = sortperm(x)
-        x, zmat = x[idx], zmat[idx, :]
-    end
-    if TY <: Number && !issorted(y)
-        idx = sortperm(y)
-        y, zmat = y[idx], zmat[:, idx]
-    end
-    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, Surface{Matrix{TZ}}(zmat)
-    if !like_surface(get(d, :linetype, :none))
-        d[:linetype] = :contour
-    end
-end
-
-# 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)
-    # d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = Any[x], Any[y], Surface{Matrix{Float64}}(zmat)
-    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = map(Surface{Matrix{Float64}}, (x, y, zmat))
-    if !like_surface(get(d, :linetype, :none))
-        d[:linetype] = :contour
-    end
-end
-
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Parametric functions
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# special handling... xmin/xmax with function(s)
-function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
-    width = get(plt.plotargs, :size, (100,))[1]
-    x = linspace(xmin, xmax, width)
-    process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
-end
-
-# special handling... xmin/xmax with parametric function(s)
-process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
-process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, 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)
-process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, 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, d::KW, 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 process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2}})
-    process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
-end
-function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::Tuple{R1,R2})
-    process_inputs(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
-end
-
-# (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
-
-# 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 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 = process_inputs(plt, d, args...,
-#                                             idxfilter = groupby.groupIds[i],
-#                                             label = string(glab),
-#                                             numUncounted = length(ret))  # we count the idx from plt.n + numUncounted + i
-#         append!(ret, kwlist)
+# # create n=max(mx,my) series arguments. the shorter list is cycled through
+# # note: everything should flow through this
+# function build_series_args(plt::AbstractPlot, kw::KW) #, idxfilter)
+#     x, y, z = map(sym -> pop!(kw, sym, nothing), (:x, :y, :z))
+#     if nothing == x == y == z
+#         return [], nothing, nothing
 #     end
-#     ret, nothing, nothing # TODO: handle passing meta through
+#
+#     xs, xmeta = convertToAnyVector(x, kw)
+#     ys, ymeta = convertToAnyVector(y, kw)
+#     zs, zmeta = convertToAnyVector(z, kw)
+#
+#     fr = pop!(kw, :fillrange, nothing)
+#     fillranges, _ = if typeof(fr) <: Number
+#         ([fr],nothing)
+#     else
+#         convertToAnyVector(fr, kw)
+#     end
+#
+#     mx = length(xs)
+#     my = length(ys)
+#     mz = length(zs)
+#     ret = Any[]
+#     for i in 1:max(mx, my, mz)
+#
+#         # try to set labels using ymeta
+#         d = copy(kw)
+#         if !haskey(d, :label) && ymeta != nothing
+#             if isa(ymeta, Symbol)
+#                 d[:label] = string(ymeta)
+#             elseif isa(ymeta, AVec{Symbol})
+#                 d[:label] = string(ymeta[mod1(i,length(ymeta))])
+#             end
+#         end
+#
+#         # build the series arg dict
+#         numUncounted = pop!(d, :numUncounted, 0)
+#         commandIndex = i + numUncounted
+#         n = plt.n + i
+#
+#         dumpdict(d, "before getSeriesArgs")
+#         d = getSeriesArgs(plt.backend, getattr(plt, n), d, commandIndex, convertSeriesIndex(plt, n), n)
+#         dumpdict(d, "after getSeriesArgs")
+#
+#         d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = compute_xyz(xs[mod1(i,mx)], ys[mod1(i,my)], zs[mod1(i,mz)])
+#         st = d[:seriestype]
+#
+#         # for seriestype `line`, need to sort by x values
+#         if st == :line
+#             # order by x
+#             indices = sortperm(d[:x])
+#             d[:x] = d[:x][indices]
+#             d[:y] = d[:y][indices]
+#             d[:seriestype] = :path
+#         end
+#
+#         # special handling for missing x in box plot... all the same category
+#         if st == :box && xs[mod1(i,mx)] == nothing
+#             d[:x] = ones(Int, length(d[:y]))
+#         end
+#
+#         # map functions to vectors
+#         if isa(d[:marker_z], Function)
+#             d[:marker_z] = map(d[:marker_z], d[:x])
+#         end
+#
+#         # @show fillranges
+#         d[:fillrange] = fillranges[mod1(i,length(fillranges))]
+#         if isa(d[:fillrange], Function)
+#             d[:fillrange] = map(d[:fillrange], d[:x])
+#         end
+#
+#         # handle error bars
+#         for esym in (:xerror, :yerror)
+#             if get(d, esym, nothing) != nothing
+#                 # we make a copy of the KW and apply an errorbar recipe
+#                 append!(ret, apply_series_recipe(copy(d), Val{esym}))
+#             end
+#         end
+#
+#         # handle ribbons
+#         if get(d, :ribbon, nothing) != nothing
+#             rib = d[:ribbon]
+#             d[:fillrange] = (d[:y] - rib, d[:y] + rib)
+#         end
+#
+#         # handle quiver plots
+#         # either a series of velocity vectors are passed in (`:quiver` keyword),
+#         # or we just add arrows to the path
+#
+#         # if st == :quiver
+#         #     d[:seriestype] = st = :path
+#         #     d[:linewidth] = 0
+#         # end
+#         if get(d, :quiver, nothing) != nothing
+#             append!(ret, apply_series_recipe(copy(d), Val{:quiver}))
+#         elseif st == :quiver
+#             d[:seriestype] = st = :path
+#             d[:arrow] = arrow()
+#         end
+#
+#         # now that we've processed a given series... optionally split into
+#         # multiple dicts through a recipe (for example, a box plot is split into component
+#         # parts... polygons, lines, and scatters)
+#         # note: we pass in a Val type (i.e. Val{:box}) so that we can dispatch on the seriestype
+#         kwlist = apply_series_recipe(d, Val{st})
+#         append!(ret, kwlist)
+#
+#         # # add it to our series list
+#         # push!(ret, d)
+#     end
+#
+#     ret, xmeta, ymeta
 # 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
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # 1 argument
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, n::Integer)
+#     # d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = zeros(0), zeros(0), zeros(0)
+#     d[:x] = d[:y] = d[:z] = n
+# end
+#
+# # no special handling... assume x and z are nothing
+# function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, y)
+#     d[:y] = y
+# end
+#
+# # matrix... is it z or y?
+# function process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
+#     if all3D(d)
+#         n,m = size(mat)
+#         d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = 1:n, 1:m, mat
+#     else
+#         d[:y] = mat
+#     end
+# end
+#
+# # images - grays
+# function process_inputs{T<:Gray}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
+#     d[:seriestype] = :image
+#     n,m = size(mat)
+#     d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = 1:n, 1:m, Surface(mat)
+#     # handle images... when not supported natively, do a hack to use heatmap machinery
+#     if !nativeImagesSupported()
+#         d[:seriestype] = :heatmap
+#         d[:yflip] = true
+#         d[:z] = Surface(convert(Matrix{Float64}, mat.surf))
+#         d[:fillcolor] = ColorGradient([:black, :white])
+#     end
+# end
+#
+# # images - colors
+# function process_inputs{T<:Colorant}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, mat::AMat{T})
+#     d[:seriestype] = :image
+#     n,m = size(mat)
+#     d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = 1:n, 1:m, Surface(mat)
+#     # handle images... when not supported natively, do a hack to use heatmap machinery
+#     if !nativeImagesSupported()
+#         d[:yflip] = true
+#         imageHack(d)
+#     end
+# end
+#
+#
+# # plotting arbitrary shapes/polygons
+# function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shape::Shape)
+#     d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shape)
+#     d[:seriestype] = :shape
+# end
+# function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, shapes::AVec{Shape})
+#     d[:x], d[:y] = shape_coords(shapes)
+#     d[:seriestype] = :shape
+# end
+# 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
+#     d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
+#     d[:seriestype] = :shape
+# end
+#
+#
+# # 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 process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x, y)
+#     d[:x], d[:y] = x, y
+# end
+#
+# # 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
+#     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 process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec, y::AVec, zvec::AVec)
+#     # default to path3d if we haven't set a 3d seriestype
+#     st = get(d, :seriestype, :none)
+#     if st == :scatter
+#         d[:seriestype] = :scatter3d
+#     elseif !(st in _3dTypes)
+#         d[:seriestype] = :path3d
+#     end
+#     d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, zvec
+# end
+#
+# # surface-like... function
+# function process_inputs{TX,TY}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec{TX}, y::AVec{TY}, zf::Function)
+#     x = TX <: Number ? sort(x) : x
+#     y = TY <: Number ? sort(y) : y
+#     # 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
+#
+# # surface-like... matrix grid
+# function process_inputs{TX,TY,TZ}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, x::AVec{TX}, y::AVec{TY}, zmat::AMat{TZ})
+#     # @assert size(zmat) == (length(x), length(y))
+#     # if TX <: Number && !issorted(x)
+#     #     idx = sortperm(x)
+#     #     x, zmat = x[idx], zmat[idx, :]
+#     # end
+#     # if TY <: Number && !issorted(y)
+#     #     idx = sortperm(y)
+#     #     y, zmat = y[idx], zmat[:, idx]
+#     # end
+#     d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = x, y, Surface{Matrix{TZ}}(zmat)
+#     if !like_surface(get(d, :seriestype, :none))
+#         d[:seriestype] = :contour
+#     end
+# end
+#
+# # 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)
+#     # d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = Any[x], Any[y], Surface{Matrix{Float64}}(zmat)
+#     d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = map(Surface{Matrix{Float64}}, (x, y, zmat))
+#     if !like_surface(get(d, :seriestype, :none))
+#         d[:seriestype] = :contour
+#     end
+# end
+#
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # Parametric functions
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# # special handling... xmin/xmax with function(s)
+# function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
+#     width = get(plt.attr, :size, (100,))[1]
+#     x = linspace(xmin, xmax, width)
+#     process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
+# end
+#
+# # special handling... xmin/xmax with parametric function(s)
+# process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec{T}) = process_inputs(plt, d, mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u))
+# process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, 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)
+# process_inputs{T<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, 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, d::KW, 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 process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2}})
+#     process_inputs(plt, d, unzip(xy)...)
+# end
+# function process_inputs{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, xy::Tuple{R1,R2})
+#     process_inputs(plt, d, [xy[1]], [xy[2]])
+# end
+#
+# # (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
+#
+# # 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 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 = process_inputs(plt, d, args...,
+# #                                             idxfilter = groupby.groupIds[i],
+# #                                             label = string(glab),
+# #                                             numUncounted = length(ret))  # we count the idx from plt.n + numUncounted + i
+# #         append!(ret, kwlist)
+# #     end
+# #     ret, nothing, nothing # TODO: handle passing meta through
+# # end

 # --------------------------------------------------------------------
 # For DataFrame support.  Imports DataFrames and defines the necessary methods which support them.
 # --------------------------------------------------------------------

-function setup_dataframes()
-    @require DataFrames begin
-
-        get_data(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, arg::Symbol) = df[arg]
-        get_data(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, arg) = arg
-
-        function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
-            # d[:dataframe] = df
-            process_inputs(plt, d, map(arg -> get_data(df, arg), args)...)
-        end
-
-        # expecting the column name of a dataframe that was passed in... anything else should error
-        function extractGroupArgs(s::Symbol, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
-            if haskey(df, s)
-                return extractGroupArgs(df[s])
-            else
-                error("Got a symbol, and expected that to be a key in d[:dataframe]. s=$s d=$d")
-            end
-        end
-
-        # function getDataFrameFromKW(d::KW)
-        #     get(d, :dataframe) do
-        #         error("Missing dataframe argument!")
-        #     end
-        # end
-
-        # # the conversion functions for when we pass symbols or vectors of symbols to reference dataframes
-        # convertToAnyVector(s::Symbol, d::KW) = Any[getDataFrameFromKW(d)[s]], s
-        # convertToAnyVector(v::AVec{Symbol}, d::KW) = (df = getDataFrameFromKW(d); Any[df[s] for s in v]), v
-
-    end
-end
+# function setup_dataframes()
+#     @require DataFrames begin
+#     # @eval begin
+#         # import DataFrames
+#
+#         DFS = Union{Symbol, AbstractArray{Symbol}}
+#
+#         function handle_dfs(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW, letter, dfs::DFS)
+#             if isa(dfs, Symbol)
+#                 get!(d, Symbol(letter * "label"), string(dfs))
+#                 collect(df[dfs])
+#             else
+#                 get!(d, :label, reshape(dfs, 1, length(dfs)))
+#                 Any[collect(df[s]) for s in dfs]
+#             end
+#         end
+#
+#         function handle_group(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, d::KW)
+#             if haskey(d, :group)
+#                 g = d[:group]
+#                 if isa(g, Symbol)
+#                     d[:group] = collect(df[g])
+#                 end
+#             end
+#         end
+#
+#         @recipe function plot(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, sy::DFS)
+#             handle_group(df, d)
+#             handle_dfs(df, d, "y", sy)
+#         end
+#
+#         @recipe function plot(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, sx::DFS, sy::DFS)
+#             handle_group(df, d)
+#             x = handle_dfs(df, d, "x", sx)
+#             y = handle_dfs(df, d, "y", sy)
+#             x, y
+#         end
+#
+#         @recipe function plot(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, sx::DFS, sy::DFS, sz::DFS)
+#             handle_group(df, d)
+#             x = handle_dfs(df, d, "x", sx)
+#             y = handle_dfs(df, d, "y", sy)
+#             z = handle_dfs(df, d, "z", sz)
+#             x, y, z
+#         end
+#
+#         # get_data(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, arg::Symbol) = df[arg]
+#         # get_data(df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, arg) = arg
+#         #
+#         # function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+#         #     # d[:dataframe] = df
+#         #     process_inputs(plt, d, map(arg -> get_data(df, arg), args)...)
+#         # end
+#         #
+#         # # expecting the column name of a dataframe that was passed in... anything else should error
+#         # function extractGroupArgs(s::Symbol, df::DataFrames.AbstractDataFrame, args...)
+#         #     if haskey(df, s)
+#         #         return extractGroupArgs(df[s])
+#         #     else
+#         #         error("Got a symbol, and expected that to be a key in d[:dataframe]. s=$s d=$d")
+#         #     end
+#         # end
+#
+#         # function getDataFrameFromKW(d::KW)
+#         #     get(d, :dataframe) do
+#         #         error("Missing dataframe argument!")
+#         #     end
+#         # end
+#
+#         # # the conversion functions for when we pass symbols or vectors of symbols to reference dataframes
+#         # convertToAnyVector(s::Symbol, d::KW) = Any[getDataFrameFromKW(d)[s]], s
+#         # convertToAnyVector(v::AVec{Symbol}, d::KW) = (df = getDataFrameFromKW(d); Any[df[s] for s in v]), v
+#
+#     end
+# end
@@ -0,0 +1,416 @@
+
+# we are going to build recipes to do the processing and splitting of the args
+
+
+function _add_defaults!(d::KW, plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, commandIndex::Int)
+    pkg = plt.backend
+    globalIndex = d[:series_plotindex]
+
+    # add default values to our dictionary, being careful not to delete what we just added!
+    for (k,v) in _series_defaults
+        slice_arg!(d, d, k, v, commandIndex, remove_pair = false)
+    end
+
+    # this is how many series belong to this subplot
+    plotIndex = count(series -> series.d[:subplot] === sp && series.d[:primary], plt.series_list)
+    if get(d, :primary, true)
+        plotIndex += 1
+    end
+
+    aliasesAndAutopick(d, :linestyle, _styleAliases, supported_styles(pkg), plotIndex)
+    aliasesAndAutopick(d, :markershape, _markerAliases, supported_markers(pkg), plotIndex)
+
+    # update color
+    d[:seriescolor] = getSeriesRGBColor(d[:seriescolor], sp, plotIndex)
+
+    # update colors
+    for csym in (:linecolor, :markercolor, :fillcolor)
+        d[csym] = if d[csym] == :match
+            if has_black_border_for_default(d[:seriestype]) && csym == :linecolor
+                :black
+            else
+                d[:seriescolor]
+            end
+        else
+            getSeriesRGBColor(d[csym], sp, plotIndex)
+        end
+    end
+
+    # update markerstrokecolor
+    c = d[:markerstrokecolor]
+    c = if c == :match
+        sp[:foreground_color_subplot]
+    else
+        getSeriesRGBColor(c, sp, plotIndex)
+    end
+    d[:markerstrokecolor] = c
+
+    # update alphas
+    for asym in (:linealpha, :markeralpha, :fillalpha)
+        if d[asym] == nothing
+            d[asym] = d[:seriesalpha]
+        end
+    end
+    if d[:markerstrokealpha] == nothing
+        d[:markerstrokealpha] = d[:markeralpha]
+    end
+
+    # scatter plots don't have a line, but must have a shape
+    if d[:seriestype] in (:scatter, :scatter3d)
+        d[:linewidth] = 0
+        if d[:markershape] == :none
+            d[:markershape] = :circle
+        end
+    end
+
+    # set label
+    label = d[:label]
+    label = (label == "AUTO" ? "y$globalIndex" : label)
+    d[:label] = label
+
+    _replace_linewidth(d)
+    d
+end
+
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------
+# -------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# instead of process_inputs:
+
+# ensure we dispatch to the slicer
+immutable SliceIt end
+
+# the catch-all recipes
+@recipe function f(::Type{SliceIt}, x, y, z)
+    # @show "HERE", typeof((x,y,z))
+    xs, _ = convertToAnyVector(x, d)
+    ys, _ = convertToAnyVector(y, d)
+    zs, _ = convertToAnyVector(z, d)
+
+    fr = pop!(d, :fillrange, nothing)
+    fillranges, _ = if typeof(fr) <: Number
+        ([fr],nothing)
+    else
+        convertToAnyVector(fr, d)
+    end
+    mf = length(fillranges)
+
+    # @show zs
+
+    mx = length(xs)
+    my = length(ys)
+    mz = length(zs)
+    # ret = Any[]
+    for i in 1:max(mx, my, mz)
+        # add a new series
+        di = copy(d)
+        xi, yi, zi = xs[mod1(i,mx)], ys[mod1(i,my)], zs[mod1(i,mz)]
+        # @show i, typeof((xi, yi, zi))
+        di[:x], di[:y], di[:z] = compute_xyz(xi, yi, zi)
+        # @show i, typeof((di[:x], di[:y], di[:z]))
+
+        # handle fillrange
+        fr = fillranges[mod1(i,mf)]
+        di[:fillrange] = isa(fr, Function) ? map(fr, di[:x]) : fr
+
+        # @show i, di[:x], di[:y], di[:z]
+        push!(series_list, RecipeData(di, ()))
+    end
+    nothing  # don't add a series for the main block
+end
+
+# this is the default "type recipe"... just pass the object through
+@recipe f{T<:Any}(::Type{T}, v::T) = v
+
+# this should catch unhandled "series recipes" and error with a nice message
+@recipe f{V<:Val}(::Type{V}, x, y, z) = error("The backend must not support the series type $V, and there isn't a series recipe defined.")
+
+_apply_type_recipe(d, v) = RecipesBase.apply_recipe(d, typeof(v), v)[1].args[1]
+
+# handle "type recipes" by converting inputs, and then either re-calling or slicing
+@recipe function f(x, y, z)
+    did_replace = false
+    newx = _apply_type_recipe(d, x)
+    x === newx || (did_replace = true)
+    newy = _apply_type_recipe(d, y)
+    y === newy || (did_replace = true)
+    newz = _apply_type_recipe(d, z)
+    z === newz || (did_replace = true)
+    if did_replace
+        newx, newy, newz
+    else
+        SliceIt, x, y, z
+    end
+end
+@recipe function f(x, y)
+    did_replace = false
+    newx = _apply_type_recipe(d, x)
+    x === newx || (did_replace = true)
+    newy = _apply_type_recipe(d, y)
+    y === newy || (did_replace = true)
+    if did_replace
+        newx, newy
+    else
+        SliceIt, x, y, nothing
+    end
+end
+@recipe function f(y)
+    newy = _apply_type_recipe(d, y)
+    if y !== newy
+        newy
+    else
+        SliceIt, nothing, y, nothing
+    end
+end
+
+# if there's more than 3 inputs, it can't be passed directly to SliceIt
+# so we'll apply_type_recipe to all of them
+@recipe function f(v1, v2, v3, v4, vrest...)
+    did_replace = false
+    newargs = map(v -> begin
+        newv = _apply_type_recipe(d, v)
+        if newv !== v
+            did_replace = true
+        end
+        newv
+    end, (v1, v2, v3, v4, vrest...))
+    if !did_replace
+        error("Couldn't process recipe args: $(map(typeof, (v1, v2, v3, v4, vrest...)))")
+    end
+    newargs
+end
+
+# @recipe f(x, y, z)  = SliceIt, apply_recipe(typeof(x), x), apply_recipe(typeof(y), y), apply_recipe(typeof(z), z)
+# @recipe f(x, y)     = SliceIt, apply_recipe(typeof(x), x), apply_recipe(typeof(y), y), nothing
+# @recipe f(y)        = SliceIt, nothing, apply_recipe(typeof(y), y), nothing
+
+# # pass these through to the slicer
+# @recipe f(x, y, z)  = SliceIt, x, y, z
+# @recipe f(x, y)     = SliceIt, x, y, nothing
+# @recipe f(y)        = SliceIt, nothing, y, nothing
+
+
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # 1 argument
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+@recipe f(n::Integer) = n, n, n
+
+# return a surface if this is a 3d plot, otherwise let it be sliced up
+@recipe function f{T<:Number}(mat::AMat{T})
+    if all3D(d)
+        n,m = size(mat)
+        SliceIt, 1:m, 1:n, Surface(mat)
+    else
+        SliceIt, nothing, mat, nothing
+    end
+end
+
+
+# # images - grays
+
+@recipe function f{T<:Gray}(mat::AMat{T})
+    if nativeImagesSupported()
+        seriestype := :image
+        n, m = size(mat)
+        SliceIt, 1:m, 1:n, Surface(mat)
+    else
+        seriestype := :heatmap
+        yflip --> true
+        fillcolor --> ColorGradient([:black, :white])
+        SliceIt, 1:m, 1:n, Surface(convert(Matrix{Float64}, mat))
+    end
+end
+
+# # images - colors
+
+@recipe function f{T<:Colorant}(mat::AMat{T})
+    if nativeImagesSupported()
+        seriestype := :image
+        n, m = size(mat)
+        SliceIt, 1:m, 1:n, Surface(mat)
+    else
+        seriestype := :heatmap
+        yflip --> true
+        z, d[:fillcolor] = replace_image_with_heatmap(mat)
+        SliceIt, 1:m, 1:n, Surface(z)
+    end
+end
+
+#
+# # plotting arbitrary shapes/polygons
+
+@recipe function f(shape::Shape)
+    seriestype := :shape
+    shape_coords(shape)
+end
+
+@recipe function f(shapes::AVec{Shape})
+    seriestype := :shape
+    shape_coords(shapes)
+end
+
+@recipe function f(shapes::AMat{Shape})
+    for j in 1:size(shapes,2)
+        # create one series for each column
+        # @series shape_coords(vec(shapes[:,j]))
+        di = copy(d)
+        push!(series_list, RecipeData(di, shape_coords(vec(shapes[:,j]))))
+    end
+    nothing # don't create a series for the main block
+end
+
+#
+#
+# # function without range... use the current range of the x-axis
+
+@recipe function f(f::FuncOrFuncs)
+    plt = d[:plot_object]
+    f, xmin(plt), xmax(plt)
+end
+
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # 2 arguments
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+#
+# # 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)
+
+@recipe function f(f::FuncOrFuncs, x)
+    @assert !(typeof(x) <: FuncOrFuncs)  # otherwise we'd hit infinite recursion here
+    x, f
+end
+
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # 3 arguments
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+#
+# # 3d line or scatter
+
+@recipe function f(x::AVec, y::AVec, z::AVec)
+    # st = get(d, :seriestype, :none)
+    # if st == :scatter
+    #     d[:seriestype] = :scatter3d
+    # elseif !is3d(st)
+    #     d[:seriestype] = :path3d
+    # end
+    SliceIt, x, y, z
+end
+
+@recipe function f(x::AMat, y::AMat, z::AMat)
+    # st = get(d, :seriestype, :none)
+    # if size(x) == size(y) == size(z)
+    #     if !is3d(st)
+    #         seriestype := :path3d
+    #     end
+    # end
+    SliceIt, x, y, z
+end
+
+#
+# # surface-like... function
+
+@recipe function f(x::AVec, y::AVec, zf::Function)
+    # x = X <: Number ? sort(x) : x
+    # y = Y <: Number ? sort(y) : y
+    SliceIt, x, y, Surface(zf, x, y)  # TODO: replace with SurfaceFunction when supported
+end
+
+#
+# # surface-like... matrix grid
+
+@recipe function f(x::AVec, y::AVec, z::AMat)
+    if !like_surface(get(d, :seriestype, :none))
+        d[:seriestype] = :contour
+    end
+    SliceIt, x, y, Surface(z)
+end
+
+#
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # Parametric functions
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#
+# # special handling... xmin/xmax with parametric function(s)
+@recipe f(f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number) = linspace(xmin, xmax, 100), f
+@recipe f(fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec)  = mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u)
+@recipe f(fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, n = 200) = fx, fy, linspace(umin, umax, n)
+
+#
+# # special handling... 3D parametric function(s)
+@recipe function f(fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, u::AVec)
+    mapFuncOrFuncs(fx, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fy, u), mapFuncOrFuncs(fz, u)
+end
+@recipe function f(fx::FuncOrFuncs, fy::FuncOrFuncs, fz::FuncOrFuncs, umin::Number, umax::Number, numPoints = 200)
+    fx, fy, fz, linspace(umin, umax, numPoints)
+end
+
+#
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # Lists of tuples and FixedSizeArrays
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# # if we get an unhandled tuple, just splat it in
+@recipe f(tup::Tuple) = tup
+
+#
+# # (x,y) tuples
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(xy::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2}}) = unzip(xy)
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number}(xy::Tuple{R1,R2})       = [xy[1]], [xy[2]]
+
+#
+# # (x,y,z) tuples
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number}(xyz::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2,R3}}) = unzip(xyz)
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number}(xyz::Tuple{R1,R2,R3})       = [xyz[1]], [xyz[2]], [xyz[3]]
+
+# these might be points+velocity, or OHLC or something else
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number,R4<:Number}(xyuv::AVec{Tuple{R1,R2,R3,R4}}) = get(d,:seriestype,:path)==:ohlc ? OHLC[OHLC(t...) for t in xyuv] : unzip(xyuv)
+@recipe f{R1<:Number,R2<:Number,R3<:Number,R4<:Number}(xyuv::Tuple{R1,R2,R3,R4})       = [xyuv[1]], [xyuv[2]], [xyuv[3]], [xyuv[4]]
+
+
+#
+# # 2D FixedSizeArrays
+@recipe f{T<:Number}(xy::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}}) = unzip(xy)
+@recipe f{T<:Number}(xy::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T})       = [xy[1]], [xy[2]]
+
+#
+# # 3D FixedSizeArrays
+@recipe f{T<:Number}(xyz::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T}}) = unzip(xyz)
+@recipe f{T<:Number}(xyz::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T})       = [xyz[1]], [xyz[2]], [xyz[3]]
+
+#
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+# # handle grouping
+# # --------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# @recipe function f(groupby::GroupBy, args...)
+#     for (i,glab) in enumerate(groupby.groupLabels)
+#         # create a new series, with the label of the group, and an idxfilter (to be applied in slice_and_dice)
+#         # TODO: use @series instead
+#         @show i, glab, groupby.groupIds[i]
+#         di = copy(d)
+#         get!(di, :label, string(glab))
+#         get!(di, :idxfilter, groupby.groupIds[i])
+#         push!(series_list, RecipeData(di, args))
+#     end
+#     nothing
+# end
+
+# split the group into 1 series per group, and set the label and idxfilter for each
+@recipe function f(groupby::GroupBy, args...)
+    for (i,glab) in enumerate(groupby.groupLabels)
+        @series begin
+            label     --> string(glab)
+            idxfilter --> groupby.groupIds[i]
+            args
+        end
+    end
+end
+
@@ -1,331 +0,0 @@
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
-
-Base.string(subplt::Subplot) = "Subplot{$(subplt.backend) p=$(subplt.p) n=$(subplt.n)}"
-Base.print(io::IO, subplt::Subplot) = print(io, string(subplt))
-Base.show(io::IO, subplt::Subplot) = print(io, string(subplt))
-
-function Base.copy(subplt::Subplot)
-  subplot(subplt.plts, subplt.layout, subplt.plotargs)
-end
-
-Base.getindex(subplt::Subplot, args...) = subplt.plts[subplt.layout[args...]]
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-getplot(subplt::Subplot, idx::Int = subplt.n) = subplt.plts[mod1(idx, subplt.p)]
-getplotargs(subplt::Subplot, idx::Int) = getplot(subplt, idx).plotargs
-convertSeriesIndex(subplt::Subplot, n::Int) = ceil(Int, n / subplt.p)
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------
-
-function validateSubplotSupported()
-  if !subplotSupported()
-    error(CURRENT_BACKEND.sym, " does not support the subplot/subplot! commands at this time.  Try one of: ", join(filter(pkg->subplotSupported(_backend_instance(pkg)), backends()),", "))
-  end
-end
-
-"""
-Create a series of plots:
-```
-  y = rand(100,3)
-  subplot(y; n = 3)             # create an automatic grid, and let it figure out the nr/nc... will put plots 1 and 2 on the first row, and plot 3 by itself on the 2nd row
-  subplot(y; n = 3, nr = 1)     # create an automatic grid, but fix the number of rows to 1 (so there are n columns)
-  subplot(y; n = 3, nc = 1)     # create an automatic grid, but fix the number of columns to 1 (so there are n rows)
-  subplot(y; layout = [1, 2])   # explicit layout by row... plot #1 goes by itself in the first row, plots 2 and 3 split the 2nd row (note the n kw is unnecessary)
-  subplot(plts, n; nr = -1, nc = -1)  # build a layout from existing plots
-  subplot(plts, layout)               # build a layout from existing plots
-```
-"""
-function subplot(args...; kw...)
-  validateSubplotSupported()
-  d = KW(kw)
-  preprocessArgs!(d)
-
-  # for plotting recipes, swap out the args and update the parameter dictionary
-  args = _apply_recipe(d, args...; kw..., issubplot=true)
-
-  # figure out the layout
-  layoutarg = get(d, :layout, nothing)
-  if layoutarg != nothing
-    layout = subplotlayout(layoutarg)
-  else
-    n = get(d, :n, -1)
-    if n < 0
-      error("You must specify either layout or n when creating a subplot: ", d)
-    end
-    layout = subplotlayout(n, get(d, :nr, -1), get(d, :nc, -1))
-  end
-
-  # initialize the individual plots
-  pkg = backend()
-  plts = Plot{typeof(pkg)}[]
-  for i in 1:length(layout)
-    di = getPlotArgs(pkg, d, i)
-    di[:subplot] = true
-    dumpdict(di, "Plot args (subplot $i)")
-    push!(plts, _create_plot(pkg, di))
-  end
-
-  # create the object and do the plotting
-  subplt = Subplot(nothing, plts, pkg, length(layout), 0, layout, d, false, false, false, (r,c) -> (nothing,nothing))
-  subplot!(subplt, args...; d...)
-
-  subplt
-end
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# NOTE: for the subplot calls building from existing plots, we need the first plot to be separate to ensure dispatch calls this instead of the more general subplot(args...; kw...)
-
-# grid layout
-function subplot{P}(plt1::Plot{P}, plts::Plot{P}...; kw...)
-  d = KW(kw)
-  layout = if haskey(d, :layout)
-      subplotlayout(d[:layout])
-  else
-      subplotlayout(length(plts)+1, get(d, :nr, -1), get(d, :nc, -1))
-  end
-  # layout = subplotlayout(length(plts)+1, get(d, :nr, -1), get(d, :nc, -1))
-  subplot(vcat(plt1, plts...), layout, d)
-end
-
-# explicit layout
-function subplot{P,I<:Integer}(pltsPerRow::AVec{I}, plt1::Plot{P}, plts::Plot{P}...; kw...)
-  layout = subplotlayout(pltsPerRow)
-  subplot(vcat(plt1, plts...), layout, KW(kw))
-end
-
-# this will be called internally
-function subplot{P<:AbstractBackend}(plts::AVec{Plot{P}}, layout::SubplotLayout, d::KW)
-  validateSubplotSupported()
-  p = length(layout)
-  n = sum([plt.n for plt in plts])
-  subplt = Subplot(nothing, collect(plts), P(), p, n, layout, KW(), false, false, false, (r,c) -> (nothing,nothing))
-
-  _preprocess_subplot(subplt, d)
-  _postprocess_subplot(subplt, d)
-
-  subplt
-end
-
-# TODO: hcat/vcat subplots and plots together arbitrarily
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-function _preprocess_subplot(subplt::Subplot, d::KW, args = ())
-  validateSubplotSupported()
-  preprocessArgs!(d)
-
-  # for plotting recipes, swap out the args and update the parameter dictionary
-  args = _apply_recipe(d, args...; d..., issubplot=true)
-
-  dumpdict(d, "After subplot! preprocessing")
-
-  # get the full plotargs, overriding any new settings
-  # TODO: subplt.plotargs should probably be merged sooner and actually used
-  #       for color selection, etc.  (i.e. if we overwrite the subplot palettes to [:heat :rainbow])
-  #       then we need to overwrite plt[1].plotargs[:color_palette] to :heat before it's actually used
-  #       for color selection!
-
-  # first merge the new args into the subplot's plotargs. then process the plot args and merge
-  # those into the plot's plotargs.  (example... `palette = [:blues :reds]` goes into subplt.plotargs,
-  # then the ColorGradient for :blues/:reds is merged into plot 1/2 plotargs, which is then used for color selection)
-  for i in 1:length(subplt.layout)
-    subplt.plts[i].plotargs = getPlotArgs(backend(), merge(subplt.plts[i].plotargs, d), i)
-  end
-  merge!(subplt.plotargs, d)
-
-  # process links.  TODO: extract to separate function
-  for s in (:linkx, :linky, :linkfunc)
-    if haskey(d, s)
-      setfield!(subplt, s, d[s])
-      delete!(d, s)
-    end
-  end
-
-  args
-end
-
-function _postprocess_subplot(subplt::Subplot, d::KW)
-  # init (after plot creation)
-  if !subplt.initialized
-    subplt.initialized = _create_subplot(subplt, false)
-  end
-
-  # add title, axis labels, ticks, etc
-  for (i,plt) in enumerate(subplt.plts)
-    di = plt.plotargs
-    dumpdict(di, "Updating sp $i")
-    _update_plot(plt, di)
-  end
-
-  _update_plot_pos_size(subplt, d)
-
-  # handle links
-  subplt.linkx && link_axis(subplt, true)
-  subplt.linky && link_axis(subplt, false)
-
-  # set this to be current
-  current(subplt)
-end
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-"""
-Adds to a subplot.
-"""
-
-# current subplot
-function subplot!(args...; kw...)
-  validateSubplotSupported()
-  subplot!(current(), args...; kw...)
-end
-
-
-# not allowed:
-function subplot!(plt::Plot, args...; kw...)
-  error("Can't call subplot! on a Plot!")
-end
-
-
-# # this adds to a specific subplot... most plot commands will flow through here
-function subplot!(subplt::Subplot, args...; kw...)
-  # validateSubplotSupported()
-
-  d = KW(kw)
-  args = _preprocess_subplot(subplt, d, args)
-
-  # create the underlying object (each backend will do this differently)
-  # note: we call it once before doing the individual plots, and once after
-  #       this is because some backends need to set up the subplots and then plot,
-  #       and others need to do it the other way around
-  if !subplt.initialized
-    subplt.initialized = _create_subplot(subplt, true)
-  end
-
-  groupby = if haskey(d, :group)
-      extractGroupArgs(d[:group], args...)
-  else
-      nothing
-  end
-
-  _add_series_subplot(subplt, d, groupby, args...)
-  _postprocess_subplot(subplt, d)
-
-  # show it automatically?
-  if haskey(d, :show) && d[:show]
-    gui()
-  end
-
-  subplt
-end
-
-
-# not allowed:
-function plot!(subplt::Subplot, args...; kw...)
-  error("Can't call plot! on a Subplot!")
-end
-
-# given a fully processed KW, add the series to the Plot
-function _add_series_subplot(plt::Plot, d::KW)
-  setTicksFromStringVector(d, d, :x, :xticks)
-  setTicksFromStringVector(d, d, :y, :yticks)
-
-  # this is the actual call to the backend
-  _add_series(plt.backend, plt, d)
-
-  _add_annotations(plt, d)
-  warnOnUnsupportedScales(plt.backend, d)
-end
-
-
-# handle the grouping... add a series for each group
-function _add_series_subplot(subplt::Subplot, d::KW, groupby::GroupBy, args...)
-    starting_n = subplt.n
-    for (i, glab) in enumerate(groupby.groupLabels)
-        tmpd = copy(d)
-        tmpd[:numUncounted] = subplt.n - starting_n
-        _add_series_subplot(subplt, tmpd, nothing, args...;
-                    idxfilter = groupby.groupIds[i],
-                    grouplabel = string(glab))
-    end
-end
-
-# process, filter, and add to the correct plot
-function _add_series_subplot(subplt::Subplot, d::KW, ::Void, args...;
-                             idxfilter = nothing,
-                             grouplabel = "")
-    process_inputs(subplt, d, args...)
-
-    if idxfilter != nothing
-        # add the group name as the label if there isn't one passed in
-        get!(d, :label, grouplabel)
-        # filter the data
-        filter_data!(d, idxfilter)
-    end
-
-    kwList, xmeta, ymeta = build_series_args(subplt, d)
-
-    # TODO: something useful with meta info?
-
-    for (i,di) in enumerate(kwList)
-
-      subplt.n += 1
-      plt = getplot(subplt)
-      plt.n += 1
-
-      # cleanup the dictionary that we pass into the plot! command
-      di[:show] = false
-      di[:subplot] = true
-      for k in (:title, :xlabel, :xticks, :xlims, :xscale, :xflip,
-                        :ylabel, :yticks, :ylims, :yscale, :yflip)
-        delete!(di, k)
-      end
-      dumpdict(di, "subplot! kwList $i")
-      dumpdict(plt.plotargs, "plt.plotargs before plotting")
-
-      _add_series_subplot(plt, di)
-    end
-end
-
-# --------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# handle "linking" the subplot axes together
-# each backend should implement the _remove_axis and _expand_limits methods
-function link_axis(subplt::Subplot, isx::Bool)
-
-  # collect the list of plots and the expanded limits for those plots that should be linked on this axis
-  includedPlots = Any[]
-  # lims = [Inf, -Inf]
-  lims = Dict{Int,Any}()  # maps column to xlim
-  for (i,(r,c)) in enumerate(subplt.layout)
-
-    # shouldlink will be a bool or nothing.  if nothing, then use linkx/y (which is true if we get to this code)
-    shouldlink = subplt.linkfunc(r,c)[isx ? 1 : 2]
-    if shouldlink == nothing || shouldlink
-      plt = subplt.plts[i]
-
-      # if we don't have this
-      k = isx ? c : r
-      if (firstone = !haskey(lims, k))
-        lims[k] = [Inf, -Inf]
-      end
-
-      isinner = (isx && r < nrows(subplt.layout)) || (!isx && !firstone)
-      push!(includedPlots, (plt, isinner, k))
-
-      _expand_limits(lims[k], plt, isx)
-    end
-
-  end
-
-  # do the axis adjustments
-  for (plt, isinner, k) in includedPlots
-    if isinner
-      _remove_axis(plt, isx)
-    end
-    (isx ? xlims! : ylims!)(plt, lims[k]...)
-  end
-end
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+
+
+function Subplot{T<:AbstractBackend}(::T; parent = RootLayout())
+    Subplot{T}(
+        parent,
+        (20mm, 5mm, 2mm, 10mm),
+        defaultbox,
+        defaultbox,
+        KW(),
+        nothing,
+        nothing
+    )
+end
+
+plotarea(sp::Subplot) = sp.plotarea
+plotarea!(sp::Subplot, bbox::BoundingBox) = (sp.plotarea = bbox)
+
+
+Base.size(sp::Subplot) = (1,1)
+Base.length(sp::Subplot) = 1
+Base.getindex(sp::Subplot, r::Int, c::Int) = sp
+
+leftpad(sp::Subplot)   = sp.minpad[1]
+toppad(sp::Subplot)    = sp.minpad[2]
+rightpad(sp::Subplot)  = sp.minpad[3]
+bottompad(sp::Subplot) = sp.minpad[4]
+
+get_subplot(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot) = sp
+get_subplot(plt::Plot, i::Integer) = plt.subplots[i]
+get_subplot(plt::Plot, k) = plt.spmap[k]
+get_subplot(series::Series) = series.d[:subplot]
+
+get_subplot_index(plt::Plot, idx::Integer) = idx
+get_subplot_index(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot) = findfirst(_ -> _ === sp, plt.subplots)
+
+series_list(sp::Subplot) = filter(series -> series.d[:subplot] === sp, sp.plt.series_list)
+
+function should_add_to_legend(series::Series)
+    series.d[:primary] && series.d[:label] != "" &&
+        !(series.d[:seriestype] in (
+            :hexbin,:histogram2d,:hline,:vline,
+            :contour,:contour3d,:surface,:wireframe,
+            :heatmap, :pie, :image
+        ))
+end
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+
+const _invisible = RGBA(0,0,0,0)
+
+const _themes = KW(
+    :default => KW(
+        :bg         => :white,
+        :bglegend   => :match,
+        :bginside   => :match,
+        :bgoutside  => :match,
+        :fg         => :auto,
+        :fglegend   => :match,
+        :fggrid     => :match,
+        :fgaxis     => :match,
+        :fgtext     => :match,
+        :fgborder   => :match,
+        :fgguide    => :match,
+    )
+)
+
+function add_theme(sym::Symbol, theme::KW)
+    _themes[sym] = theme
+end
+
+# add a new theme, using an existing theme as the base
+function add_theme(sym::Symbol;
+                   base      = :default,  # start with this theme
+                   bg        = _themes[base][:bg],
+                   bglegend  = _themes[base][:bglegend],
+                   bginside  = _themes[base][:bginside],
+                   bgoutside = _themes[base][:bgoutside],
+                   fg        = _themes[base][:fg],
+                   fglegend  = _themes[base][:fglegend],
+                   fggrid    = _themes[base][:fggrid],
+                   fgaxis    = _themes[base][:fgaxis],
+                   fgtext    = _themes[base][:fgtext],
+                   fgborder  = _themes[base][:fgborder],
+                   fgguide   = _themes[base][:fgguide],
+                   kw...)
+    _themes[sym] = merge(KW(
+        :bg => bg,
+        :bglegend  => bglegend,
+        :bginside  => bginside,
+        :bgoutside => bgoutside,
+        :fg        => fg,
+        :fglegend  => fglegend,
+        :fggrid    => fggrid,
+        :fgaxis    => fgaxis,
+        :fgtext    => fgtext,
+        :fgborder  => fgborder,
+        :fgguide   => fgguide,
+    ), KW(kw))
+end
+
+add_theme(:ggplot2,
+    bglegend = _invisible,
+    bginside = :lightgray,
+    fg       = :white,
+    fglegend = _invisible,
+    fgtext   = :gray,
+    fgguide  = :black
+)
+
+function set_theme(sym::Symbol)
+    default(; _themes[sym]...)
+end
@@ -1,55 +1,94 @@

+# TODO: I declare lots of types here because of the lacking ability to do forward declarations in current Julia
+# I should move these to the relevant files when something like "extern" is implemented
+
 typealias AVec AbstractVector
 typealias AMat AbstractMatrix
+typealias KW Dict{Symbol,Any}

 immutable PlotsDisplay <: Display end

 abstract AbstractBackend
 abstract AbstractPlot{T<:AbstractBackend}
+abstract AbstractLayout

-typealias KW Dict{Symbol,Any}
+# -----------------------------------------------------------

 immutable InputWrapper{T}
    obj::T
 end
-
 wrap{T}(obj::T) = InputWrapper{T}(obj)
 Base.isempty(wrapper::InputWrapper) = false

+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------
-# Plot
+
+# a single subplot
+type Subplot{T<:AbstractBackend} <: AbstractLayout
+    parent::AbstractLayout
+    minpad::Tuple # leftpad, toppad, rightpad, bottompad
+    bbox::BoundingBox  # the canvas area which is available to this subplot
+    plotarea::BoundingBox  # the part where the data goes
+    attr::KW  # args specific to this subplot
+    o  # can store backend-specific data... like a pyplot ax
+    plt  # the enclosing Plot object (can't give it a type because of no forward declarations)
+end
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+# simple wrapper around a KW so we can hold all attributes pertaining to the axis in one place
+type Axis
+    sp::Subplot
+    d::KW
+end
+
+type Extrema
+    emin::Float64
+    emax::Float64
+end
+Extrema() = Extrema(Inf, -Inf)
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+typealias SubplotMap Dict{Any, Subplot}
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+type Series
+    d::KW
+end
+
+attr(series::Series, k::Symbol) = series.d[k]
+attr!(series::Series, v, k::Symbol) = (series.d[k] = v)
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------

 type Plot{T<:AbstractBackend} <: AbstractPlot{T}
-    o                        # the backend's plot object
-    backend::T               # the backend type
-    n::Int                   # number of series
-    plotargs::KW             # arguments for the whole plot
-    seriesargs::Vector{KW}   # arguments for each series
+    backend::T                   # the backend type
+    n::Int                       # number of series
+    attr::KW                     # arguments for the whole plot
+    user_attr::KW                # raw arg inputs (after aliases).  these are used as the input dict in `_plot!`
+    series_list::Vector{Series}  # arguments for each series
+    o                            # the backend's plot object
+    subplots::Vector{Subplot}
+    spmap::SubplotMap            # provide any label as a map to a subplot
+    layout::AbstractLayout
+    inset_subplots::Vector{Subplot}  # list of inset subplots
+    init::Bool
 end

-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-# Layout
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-
-abstract SubplotLayout
-
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-# Subplot
-# -----------------------------------------------------------
-
-type Subplot{T<:AbstractBackend, L<:SubplotLayout} <: AbstractPlot{T}
-    o                           # the underlying object
-    plts::Vector{Plot{T}}       # the individual plots
-    backend::T
-    p::Int                      # number of plots
-    n::Int                      # number of series
-    layout::L
-    plotargs::KW
-    initialized::Bool
-    linkx::Bool
-    linky::Bool
-    linkfunc::Function # maps (row,column) -> (BoolOrNothing, BoolOrNothing)... if xlink/ylink are nothing, then use subplt.linkx/y
+function Plot()
+    Plot(backend(), 0, KW(), KW(), Series[], nothing,
+         Subplot[], SubplotMap(), EmptyLayout(),
+         Subplot[], false)
 end

+# TODO: make a decision... should plt[1] return the first subplot or the first series??
+# Base.getindex(plt::Plot, i::Integer) = plt.subplots[i]
+Base.getindex(plt::Plot, s::Symbol) = plt.spmap[s]
+Base.getindex(plt::Plot, r::Integer, c::Integer) = plt.layout[r,c]
+attr(plt::Plot, k::Symbol) = plt.attr[k]
+attr!(plt::Plot, v, k::Symbol) = (plt.attr[k] = v)
+
+
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ function histogramHack(; kw...)
  edges, midpoints, buckets, counts = binData(d[:y], d[:bins])
  d[:x] = midpoints
  d[:y] = float(counts)
-  d[:linetype] = :bar
+  d[:seriestype] = :bar
  d[:fillrange] = d[:fillrange] == nothing ? 0.0 : d[:fillrange]
  d
 end
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function barHack(; kw...)

  d[:x] = x
  d[:y] = y
-  d[:linetype] = :path
+  d[:seriestype] = :path
  d[:fillrange] = fillrange
  d
 end
@@ -94,12 +94,12 @@ function sticksHack(; kw...)
  # change the line args
  dLine[:x] = x
  dLine[:y] = y
-  dLine[:linetype] = :path
+  dLine[:seriestype] = :path
  dLine[:markershape] = :none
  dLine[:fillrange] = nothing

  # change the scatter args
-  dScatter[:linetype] = :none
+  dScatter[:seriestype] = :none

  dLine, dScatter
 end
@@ -114,16 +114,88 @@ function regressionXY(x, y)
  regx, regy
 end

+function replace_image_with_heatmap{T<:Colorant}(z::Array{T})
+    @show T, size(z)
+    n, m = size(z)
+    # idx = 0
+    colors = ColorGradient(vec(z))
+    newz = reshape(linspace(0, 1, n*m), n, m)
+    newz, colors
+    # newz = zeros(n, m)
+    # for i=1:n, j=1:m
+    #     push!(colors, T(z[i,j]...))
+    #     newz[i,j] = idx / (n*m-1)
+    #     idx += 1
+    # end
+    # newz, ColorGradient(colors)
+end
+
+function imageHack(d::KW)
+    :heatmap in supported_types() || error("Neither :image or :heatmap are supported!")
+    d[:seriestype] = :heatmap
+    d[:z], d[:fillcolor] = replace_image_with_heatmap(d[:z].surf)
+end
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
+
+# -----------------------------------------------------
+# helper to manage NaN-separated segments
+
+type SegmentsIterator
+    args::Tuple
+    nextidx::Int
+    n::Int
+end
+function iter_segments(args...)
+    tup = Plots.wraptuple(args)
+    n = maximum(map(length, tup))
+    SegmentsIterator(tup, 0, n)
+end
+
+# helpers to figure out if there are NaN values in a list of array types
+anynan(i::Int, args...) = any(a -> !isfinite(cycle(a,i)), args)
+anynan(istart::Int, iend::Int, args...) = any(i -> anynan(i, args...), istart:iend)
+allnan(istart::Int, iend::Int, args...) = all(i -> anynan(i, args...), istart:iend)
+
+Base.start(itr::SegmentsIterator) = (itr.nextidx = 1) #resets
+Base.done(itr::SegmentsIterator, unused::Int) = itr.nextidx > itr.n
+function Base.next(itr::SegmentsIterator, unused::Int)
+    i = istart = iend = itr.nextidx
+
+    # find the next NaN, and iend is the one before
+    while i <= itr.n + 1
+        if i > itr.n || anynan(i, itr.args...)
+            # done... array end or found NaN
+            iend = i-1
+            break
+        end
+        i += 1
+    end
+
+    # find the next non-NaN, and set itr.nextidx
+    while i <= itr.n
+        if !anynan(i, itr.args...)
+            break
+        end
+        i += 1
+    end
+
+    itr.nextidx = i
+    istart:iend, 0
+end
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 nop() = nothing
 notimpl() = error("This has not been implemented yet")

-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
+Base.cycle(v::AVec, idx::Int) = v[mod1(idx, length(v))]
+Base.cycle(v::AMat, idx::Int) = size(v,1) == 1 ? v[1, mod1(idx, size(v,2))] : v[:, mod1(idx, size(v,2))]
+Base.cycle(v, idx::Int)       = v
+
+Base.cycle(v::AVec, indices::AVec{Int}) = map(i -> cycle(v,i), indices)
+Base.cycle(v::AMat, indices::AVec{Int}) = map(i -> cycle(v,i), indices)
+Base.cycle(v, idx::AVec{Int})       = v

 makevec(v::AVec) = v
 makevec{T}(v::T) = T[v]
@@ -135,13 +207,19 @@ maketuple{T,S}(x::@compat(Tuple{T,S})) = x
 mapFuncOrFuncs(f::Function, u::AVec)        = map(f, u)
 mapFuncOrFuncs(fs::AVec{Function}, u::AVec) = [map(f, u) for f in fs]

-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{X,Y}(xy::AVec{Tuple{X,Y}})              = [t[1] for t in xy], [t[2] for t in xy]
+unzip{X,Y,Z}(xyz::AVec{Tuple{X,Y,Z}})         = [t[1] for t in xyz], [t[2] for t in xyz], [t[3] for t in xyz]
+unzip{X,Y,U,V}(xyuv::AVec{Tuple{X,Y,U,V}})    = [t[1] for t in xyuv], [t[2] for t in xyuv], [t[3] for t in xyuv], [t[4] for t in xyuv]
+
+unzip{T}(xy::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{2,T}})  = T[t[1] for t in xy], T[t[2] for t 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::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T}}) = T[t[1] for t in xyz], T[t[2] for t in xyz], T[t[3] for t in xyz]
 unzip{T}(xyz::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{3,T})       = T[xyz[1]], T[xyz[2]], T[xyz[3]]

+unzip{T}(xyuv::AVec{FixedSizeArrays.Vec{4,T}}) = T[t[1] for t in xyuv], T[t[2] for t in xyuv], T[t[3] for t in xyuv], T[t[4] for t in xyuv]
+unzip{T}(xyuv::FixedSizeArrays.Vec{4,T})       = T[xyuv[1]], T[xyuv[2]], T[xyuv[3]], T[xyuv[4]]
+
 # given 2-element lims and a vector of data x, widen lims to account for the extrema of x
 function _expand_limits(lims, x)
  try
@@ -172,13 +250,20 @@ function replaceType(vec, val)
  push!(vec, val)
 end

+function replaceAlias!(d::KW, k::Symbol, aliases::KW)
+  if haskey(aliases, k)
+    d[aliases[k]] = pop!(d, k)
+  end
+end
+
 function replaceAliases!(d::KW, aliases::KW)
  ks = collect(keys(d))
  for k in ks
-    if haskey(aliases, k)
-      d[aliases[k]] = d[k]
-      delete!(d, k)
-    end
+      replaceAlias!(d, k, aliases)
+    # if haskey(aliases, k)
+    #   d[aliases[k]] = d[k]
+    #   delete!(d, k)
+    # end
  end
 end

@@ -198,10 +283,31 @@ function heatmap_edges(v::AVec)
 end


+function calc_r_extrema(x, y)
+    xmin, xmax = extrema(x)
+    ymin, ymax = extrema(y)
+    r = 0.5 * min(xmax - xmin, ymax - ymin)
+    extrema(r)
+end
+
+function convert_to_polar(x, y, r_extrema = calc_r_extrema(x, y))
+    rmin, rmax = r_extrema
+    phi, r = x, y
+    r = 0.5 * (r - rmin) / (rmax - rmin)
+    n = max(length(phi), length(r))
+    x = zeros(n)
+    y = zeros(n)
+    for i in 1:n
+        x[i] = cycle(r,i) * cos(cycle(phi,i))
+        y[i] = cycle(r,i) * sin(cycle(phi,i))
+    end
+    x, y
+end
+
 function fakedata(sz...)
  y = zeros(sz...)
  for r in 2:size(y,1)
-    y[r,:] = 0.95 * y[r-1,:] + randn(size(y,2))'
+    y[r,:] = 0.95 * vec(y[r-1,:]) + randn(size(y,2))
  end
  y
 end
@@ -209,6 +315,14 @@ end
 isijulia() = isdefined(Main, :IJulia) && Main.IJulia.inited
 isatom() = isdefined(Main, :Atom) && Main.Atom.isconnected()

+function is_installed(pkgstr::AbstractString)
+    try
+        Pkg.installed(pkgstr) === nothing ? false: true
+    catch
+        false
+    end
+end
+
 istuple(::Tuple) = true
 istuple(::Any)   = false
 isvector(::AVec) = true
@@ -218,6 +332,8 @@ ismatrix(::Any)  = false
 isscalar(::Real) = true
 isscalar(::Any)  = false

+is_2tuple(v) = typeof(v) <: Tuple && length(v) == 2
+

 isvertical(d::KW) = get(d, :orientation, :vertical) in (:vertical, :v, :vert)

@@ -232,8 +348,8 @@ limsType{T<:Real,S<:Real}(lims::@compat(Tuple{T,S}))    = :limits
 limsType(lims::Symbol)                                  = lims == :auto ? :auto : :invalid
 limsType(lims)                                          = :invalid

-axis_symbol(letter, postfix) = symbol(letter * postfix)
-axis_symbols(letter, postfix...) = map(s -> axis_symbol(letter, s), postfix)
+# axis_Symbol(letter, postfix) = Symbol(letter * postfix)
+# axis_symbols(letter, postfix...) = map(s -> axis_Symbol(letter, s), postfix)

 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]
@@ -243,6 +359,30 @@ Base.merge(a::AbstractVector, b::AbstractVector) = sort(unique(vcat(a,b)))
 nanpush!(a::AbstractVector, b) = (push!(a, NaN); push!(a, b))
 nanappend!(a::AbstractVector, b) = (push!(a, NaN); append!(a, b))

+function nansplit(v::AVec)
+    vs = Vector{eltype(v)}[]
+    while true
+        idx = findfirst(isnan, v)
+        if idx <= 0
+            # no nans
+            push!(vs, v)
+            break
+        elseif idx > 1
+            push!(vs, v[1:idx-1])
+        end
+        v = v[idx+1:end]
+    end
+    vs
+end
+
+function nanvcat(vs::AVec)
+    v_out = zeros(0)
+    for v in vs
+        nanappend!(v_out, v)
+    end
+    v_out
+end
+
 # given an array of discrete values, turn it into an array of indices of the unique values
 # returns the array of indices (znew) and a vector of unique values (vals)
 function indices_and_unique_values(z::AbstractArray)
@@ -252,6 +392,40 @@ function indices_and_unique_values(z::AbstractArray)
    newz, vals
 end

+# this is a helper function to determine whether we need to transpose a surface matrix.
+# it depends on whether the backend matches rows to x (transpose_on_match == true) or vice versa
+# for example: PyPlot sends rows to y, so transpose_on_match should be true
+function transpose_z(d::KW, z, transpose_on_match::Bool = true)
+    if d[:match_dimensions] == transpose_on_match
+        z'
+    else
+        z
+    end
+end
+
+function ok(x::Number, y::Number, z::Number = 0)
+    isfinite(x) && isfinite(y) && isfinite(z)
+end
+ok(tup::Tuple) = ok(tup...)
+
+# compute one side of a fill range from a ribbon
+function make_fillrange_side(y, rib)
+    frs = zeros(length(y))
+    for (i, (yi, ri)) in enumerate(zip(y, cycle(rib)))
+        frs[i] = yi + ri
+    end
+    frs
+end
+
+# turn a ribbon into a fillrange
+function make_fillrange_from_ribbon(kw::KW)
+    y, rib = kw[:y], kw[:ribbon]
+    rib = wraptuple(rib)
+    rib1, rib2 = -first(rib), last(rib)
+    kw[:ribbon] = nothing
+    kw[:fillrange] = make_fillrange_side(y, rib1), make_fillrange_side(y, rib2)
+end
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------

 wraptuple(x::@compat(Tuple)) = x
@@ -276,7 +450,7 @@ allFunctions(arg)   = trueOrAllTrue(a -> isa(a, Function), arg)
 """
 Allows temporary setting of backend and defaults for Plots. Settings apply only for the `do` block.  Example:
 ```
-with(:gadfly, size=(400,400), type=:hist) do
+with(:gadfly, size=(400,400), type=:histogram) do
  plot(rand(10))
  plot(rand(10))
 end
@@ -315,7 +489,7 @@ function with(f::Function, args...; kw...)
    # #       as in:  with(:gadfly, :scatter, :legend, :grid) do; ...; end
    # # TODO: can we generalize this enough to also do something similar in the plot commands??

-    # k = :linetype
+    # k = :seriestype
    # if arg in _allTypes
    #   olddefs[k] = default(k)
    #   newdefs[k] = arg
@@ -386,6 +560,7 @@ function dumpdict(d::KW, prefix = "", alwaysshow = false)
  end
  println()
 end
+DD(d::KW, prefix = "") = dumpdict(d, prefix, true)


 function dumpcallstack()
@@ -411,24 +586,32 @@ tovec(v::AbstractVector) = v
 tovec(v::Void) = zeros(0)

 function getxy(plt::Plot, i::Integer)
-    d = plt.seriesargs[i]
+    d = plt.series_list[i].d
    tovec(d[:x]), tovec(d[:y])
 end
 function getxyz(plt::Plot, i::Integer)
-    d = plt.seriesargs[i]
+    d = plt.series_list[i].d
    tovec(d[:x]), tovec(d[:y]), tovec(d[:z])
 end

 function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
-    d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-    d[:x], d[:y] = xy
+    series = plt.series_list[i]
+    series.d[:x], series.d[:y] = xy
+    sp = series.d[:subplot]
+    expand_extrema!(sp.attr[:xaxis], xy[1])
+    expand_extrema!(sp.attr[:yaxis], xy[2])
+    _series_updated(plt, series)
 end
 function setxyz!{X,Y,Z}(plt::Plot, xyz::Tuple{X,Y,Z}, i::Integer)
-    d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-    d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = xyz
+    series = plt.series_list[i]
+    series.d[:x], series.d[:y], series.d[:z] = xyz
+    sp = series.d[:subplot]
+    expand_extrema!(sp.attr[:xaxis], xyz[1])
+    expand_extrema!(sp.attr[:yaxis], xyz[2])
+    expand_extrema!(sp.attr[:zaxis], xyz[3])
+    _series_updated(plt, series)
 end

-
 # -------------------------------------------------------
 # indexing notation

@@ -535,44 +718,6 @@ end



-# ---------------------------------------------------------------
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------
-# graphs detailing the features that each backend supports
-
-function supportGraph(allvals, func)
-    vals = reverse(sort(allvals))
-    bs = sort(backends())
-    x = ASCIIString[]
-    y = ASCIIString[]
-    for val in vals
-        for b in bs
-            supported = func(Plots._backend_instance(b))
-            if val in supported
-                push!(x, string(b))
-                push!(y, string(val))
-            end
-        end
-    end
-    n = length(vals)
-    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)
-supportGraphMarkers() = supportGraph(_allMarkers, supportedMarkers)
-supportGraphScales()  = supportGraph(_allScales, supportedScales)
-supportGraphAxes()    = supportGraph(_allAxes, supportedAxes)
-
-function dumpSupportGraphs()
-    for func in (supportGraphArgs, supportGraphTypes, supportGraphStyles,
-               supportGraphMarkers, supportGraphScales, supportGraphAxes)
-        plt = func()
-        png(joinpath(Pkg.dir("ExamplePlots"), "docs", "examples", "img", "supported", "$(string(func))"))
-    end
-end
-
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------


@@ -593,9 +738,9 @@ mm2px(mm::Real)         = float(px / MM_PER_PX)


 "Smallest x in plot"
-xmin(plt::Plot) = minimum([minimum(d[:x]) for d in plt.seriesargs])
+xmin(plt::Plot) = minimum([minimum(series.d[:x]) for series in plt.series_list])
 "Largest x in plot"
-xmax(plt::Plot) = maximum([maximum(d[:x]) for d in plt.seriesargs])
+xmax(plt::Plot) = maximum([maximum(series.d[:x]) for series in plt.series_list])

 "Extrema of x-values in plot"
 Base.extrema(plt::Plot) = (xmin(plt), xmax(plt))
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
 julia 0.4

+RecipesBase
 Colors
 Reexport
-Requires
+Measures
 FactCheck
-Cairo
-Gadfly
 Images
 PyPlot
@osx QuartzImageIO
@@ -14,3 +13,4 @@ DataFrames
 RDatasets
 VisualRegressionTests
 UnicodePlots
+Glob
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@

 using VisualRegressionTests
-using ExamplePlots
+# using ExamplePlots

 import DataFrames, RDatasets

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ end


 using Plots, FactCheck
+using Glob

 default(size=(500,300))

@@ -21,37 +22,69 @@ default(size=(500,300))
 # TODO: use julia's Condition type and the wait() and notify() functions to initialize a Window, then wait() on a condition that
 #       is referenced in a button press callback (the button clicked callback will call notify() on that condition)

+const _current_plots_version = v"0.7.2"
+
+
 function image_comparison_tests(pkg::Symbol, idx::Int; debug = false, popup = isinteractive(), sigma = [1,1], eps = 1e-2)
+    Plots._debugMode.on = debug
+    example = Plots._examples[idx]
+    info("Testing plot: $pkg:$idx:$(example.header)")
+    backend(pkg)
+    backend()

-  # first
-  Plots._debugMode.on = debug
-  example = ExamplePlots._examples[idx]
-  info("Testing plot: $pkg:$idx:$(example.header)")
-  backend(pkg)
-  backend()
+    # ensure consistent results
+    srand(1234)

-  # ensure consistent results
-  srand(1234)
+    # reference image directory setup
+    # refdir = joinpath(Pkg.dir("ExamplePlots"), "test", "refimg", string(pkg))
+    refdir = Pkg.dir("PlotReferenceImages", "Plots", string(pkg))
+    fn = "ref$idx.png"

-  # reference image directory setup
-  refdir = joinpath(Pkg.dir("ExamplePlots"), "test", "refimg", string(pkg))
+    # firgure out version info
+    G = glob(relpath(refdir) * "/*")
+    # @show refdir fn G
+    versions = map(fn -> VersionNumber(split(fn,"/")[end]), G)
+    versions = reverse(sort(versions))
+    versions = filter(v -> v <= _current_plots_version, versions)
+    # @show refdir fn versions

-  # test function
-  func = (fn, idx) -> begin
-    map(eval, example.exprs)
-    png(fn)
-  end
+    newdir = joinpath(refdir, string(_current_plots_version))
+    newfn = joinpath(newdir, fn)

-  try
-    run(`mkdir -p $refdir`)
-  catch err
-    display(err)
-  end
-  reffn = joinpath(refdir, "ref$idx.png")
+    # figure out which reference file we should compare to, by finding the highest versioned file
+    reffn = nothing
+    for v in versions
+        tmpfn = joinpath(refdir, string(v), fn)
+        if isfile(tmpfn)
+            reffn = tmpfn
+            break
+        end
+    end

-  # the test
-  vtest = VisualTest(func, reffn, idx)
-  test_images(vtest, popup=popup, sigma=sigma, eps=eps)
+    # now we have the fn (if any)... do the comparison
+    # @show reffn
+    if reffn == nothing
+        reffn = newfn
+    end
+    # @show reffn
+    # return
+
+    # test function
+    func = (fn, idx) -> begin
+        map(eval, example.exprs)
+        png(fn)
+    end
+
+    try
+        run(`mkdir -p $newdir`)
+    catch err
+        display(err)
+    end
+    # reffn = joinpath(refdir, "ref$idx.png")
+
+    # the test
+    vtest = VisualTest(func, reffn, idx)
+    test_images(vtest, popup=popup, sigma=sigma, eps=eps, newfn = newfn)
 end

 function image_comparison_facts(pkg::Symbol;
@@ -60,7 +93,7 @@ function image_comparison_facts(pkg::Symbol;
                                debug = false,  # print debug information?
                                sigma = [1,1],  # number of pixels to "blur"
                                eps = 1e-2)     # acceptable error (percent)
-  for i in 1:length(ExamplePlots._examples)
+  for i in 1:length(Plots._examples)
    i in skip && continue
    if only == nothing || i in only
      @fact image_comparison_tests(pkg, i, debug=debug, sigma=sigma, eps=eps) |> success --> true
@@ -7,30 +7,30 @@ srand(1234)
 default(show=false, reuse=true)
 img_eps = 5e-2

-facts("Gadfly") do
-    @fact gadfly() --> Plots.GadflyBackend()
-    @fact backend() --> Plots.GadflyBackend()
-
-    @fact typeof(plot(1:10)) --> Plots.Plot{Plots.GadflyBackend}
-    @fact plot(Int[1,2,3], rand(3)) --> not(nothing)
-    @fact plot(sort(rand(10)), rand(Int, 10, 3)) --> not(nothing)
-    @fact plot!(rand(10,3), rand(10,3)) --> not(nothing)
-
-    image_comparison_facts(:gadfly, skip=[4,6,19,23,24,27], eps=img_eps)
-end
+# facts("Gadfly") do
+#     @fact gadfly() --> Plots.GadflyBackend()
+#     @fact backend() --> Plots.GadflyBackend()
+#
+#     @fact typeof(plot(1:10)) --> Plots.Plot{Plots.GadflyBackend}
+#     @fact plot(Int[1,2,3], rand(3)) --> not(nothing)
+#     @fact plot(sort(rand(10)), rand(Int, 10, 3)) --> not(nothing)
+#     @fact plot!(rand(10,3), rand(10,3)) --> not(nothing)
+#
+#     image_comparison_facts(:gadfly, skip=[4,6,23,24,27], eps=img_eps)
+# end

 facts("PyPlot") do
    @fact pyplot() --> Plots.PyPlotBackend()
    @fact backend() --> Plots.PyPlotBackend()

-    image_comparison_facts(:pyplot, skip=[19], eps=img_eps)
+    image_comparison_facts(:pyplot, skip=[30], eps=img_eps)
 end

 facts("GR") do
    @fact gr() --> Plots.GRBackend()
    @fact backend() --> Plots.GRBackend()

-    @linux_only image_comparison_facts(:gr, skip=[24], eps=img_eps)
+    @linux_only image_comparison_facts(:gr, skip=[30], eps=img_eps)
 end

 facts("Plotly") do
@@ -70,6 +70,21 @@ end



+facts("Axes") do
+    p = plot()
+    axis = p.subplots[1][:xaxis]
+    @fact typeof(axis) --> Axis
+    @fact Plots.discrete_value!(axis, "HI") --> (0.5, 1)
+    @fact Plots.discrete_value!(axis, :yo) --> (1.5, 2)
+    @fact extrema(axis) --> (0.5,1.5)
+    @fact axis[:discrete_map] --> Dict{Any,Any}(:yo  => 2, "HI" => 1)
+
+    Plots.discrete_value!(axis, ["x$i" for i=1:5])
+    Plots.discrete_value!(axis, ["x$i" for i=0:2])
+    @fact extrema(axis) --> (0.5, 7.5)
+end
+
+


 FactCheck.exitstatus()
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ Pkg.build("ImageMagick")
 Pkg.clone("GR")
 Pkg.build("GR")

-Pkg.clone("https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl.git");
+# Pkg.clone("https://github.com/JuliaPlots/RecipesBase.jl.git")
+# Pkg.clone("https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl.git");
+Pkg.clone("https://github.com/JuliaPlots/PlotReferenceImages.jl.git")

 # Pkg.clone("https://github.com/JunoLab/Blink.jl.git")
 # Pkg.build("Blink")
@@ -15,6 +17,9 @@ Pkg.clone("https://github.com/tbreloff/ExamplePlots.jl.git");
 # Blink.AtomShell.install()
 # Pkg.clone("https://github.com/spencerlyon2/PlotlyJS.jl.git")

+Pkg.checkout("RecipesBase")
+Pkg.clone("VisualRegressionTests")
+
 ENV["PYTHON"] = ""
 Pkg.add("PyPlot")
 Pkg.build("PyPlot")