beta 2012.02.21 00:51

43 files changed, 1519 insertions, 1243 deletions

diff --git a/metapost/context/base/metafun.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/metafun.mpiv
index f801717f1..d600764a3 100644
--- a/metapost/context/base/metafun.mpiv
+++ b/metapost/context/base/metafun.mpiv
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 input "mp-base.mpiv" ;
 input "mp-tool.mpiv" ;
 input "mp-mlib.mpiv" ;
-input "mp-core.mpiv" ; % todo: namespace and cleanup
+%     "mp-core.mpiv" ; % todo: namespace and cleanup
 input "mp-page.mpiv" ; % todo: namespace and cleanup
 input "mp-butt.mpiv" ; % todo: namespace and cleanup
 input "mp-shap.mpiv" ; % will be improved
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ input "mp-grid.mpiv" ; % todo: namespace and cleanup
 input "mp-form.mpiv" ; % under (re)construction
 input "mp-figs.mpiv" ; % obsolete, needs checking
 input "mp-func.mpiv" ; % under construction
-
 %     "mp-text.mpiv" ; % loaded on demand
 %     "mp-char.mpiv" ; % loaded on demand
 %     "mp-step.mpiv" ; % loaded on demand
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-abck.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-abck.mpiv
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3d5afb903
--- /dev/null
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-abck.mpiv
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+%D \module
+%D   [       file=mp-abck.mp,
+%D        version=2012.02.19, % was mp-core: 1999.08.01, anchoring
+%D          title=\CONTEXT\ \METAPOST\ graphics,
+%D       subtitle=anchored background macros,
+%D         author=Hans Hagen,
+%D           date=\currentdate,
+%D      copyright={PRAGMA / Hans Hagen \& Ton Otten}]
+%C
+%C This module is part of the \CONTEXT\ macro||package and is
+%C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
+%C details.
+
+if known context_abck : endinput ; fi ;
+
+boolean context_abck ; context_abck := true ;
+
+path    multiregs[],    % region used for multipar (tracing only)
+        multipars[],    % effective area (shape)
+        multibox ;      % main boundingbox (of main region)
+
+string  multikind[] ;   % region state: single | first | middle | last (new method)
+
+numeric multilocs[],    % 1=begin 2=between 3=end (old method)
+        nofmultipars ;  % number of calculated areas
+
+numeric par_strut_height,
+        par_strut_depth,
+        par_line_height ;
+
+nofmultipars     := 0 ;
+par_strut_height := 0 ;
+par_strut_depth  := 0 ;
+par_line_height  := 0 ;
+
+def boxgridoptions = withcolor .8red   enddef ;
+def boxlineoptions = withcolor .8blue  enddef ;
+def boxfilloptions = withcolor .8white enddef ;
+
+numeric boxgridtype      ; boxgridtype      := 0 ;
+numeric boxlinetype      ; boxlinetype      := 1 ;
+numeric boxfilltype      ; boxfilltype      := 1 ;
+numeric boxdashtype      ; boxdashtype      := 0 ;
+pair    boxgriddirection ; boxgriddirection := up ;
+numeric boxgridwidth     ; boxgridwidth     := 1pt ;
+numeric boxlinewidth     ; boxlinewidth     := 1pt ;
+numeric boxlineradius    ; boxlineradius    := 0 ;
+numeric boxlineoffset    ; boxlineoffset    := 0 ;
+numeric boxfilloffset    ; boxfilloffset    := 0 ;
+numeric boxgriddistance  ; boxgriddistance  := .5cm ;
+numeric boxgridshift     ; boxgridshift     := 0 ;
+
+def abck_show_path(expr p, r, c) =
+    draw p withpen pencircle scaled .5pt withcolor c ;
+    if length(p) > 2 :
+        begingroup ; save _c_ ; path _c_ ; _c_ := fullcircle scaled r ;
+        for i=0 upto length(p) if cycle p : -1 fi :
+            fill _c_ shifted point i of p withcolor white ;
+            draw _c_ shifted point i of p withpen pencircle scaled .5pt withcolor c ;
+        endfor ;
+    fi ;
+enddef ;
+
+vardef abck_draw_path(expr p) =
+    if (length p > 2) and (bbwidth(p) > 1) and (bbheight(p) > 1) :
+        save pp ; path pp ;
+        pp := p if (boxlineradius>0) and (boxlinetype=2) : cornered boxlineradius fi ;
+        if boxfilltype > 0 :
+            if boxfilloffset > 0 :
+                interim linejoin := mitered ;
+                filldraw pp boxfilloptions withpen pencircle scaled (2*boxfilloffset) ;
+            else :
+                fill pp boxfilloptions ;
+            fi ;
+        fi ;
+        if boxlinetype > 0 :
+            draw pp boxlineoptions withpen pencircle scaled boxlinewidth ;
+        fi ;
+    fi ;
+enddef ;
+
+def abck_grid_line(expr start, width) =
+    % 1 = normal, 2 = with background (i.e. no shine-through)
+    if boxdashtype = 2 :
+        draw start -- start shifted (width,0)
+            withpen pencircle scaled boxgridwidth
+            boxfilloptions ;
+    fi ;
+    draw start -- start shifted (width,0)
+        if boxdashtype > 0 :
+            dashed evenly
+        fi
+        withpen pencircle scaled boxgridwidth
+        boxgridoptions ;
+enddef ;
+
+vardef abck_baseline_grid(expr pxy, pdir, at_baseline) =
+    save width ; width := bbwidth(pxy) ;
+    save height ; height := bbheight(pxy) ;
+    if (par_line_height > 0) and (height > 1) and (width > 1) and (boxgridwidth > 0) :
+        save i, grid, bb ; picture grid ; pair start ; path bb ;
+        grid := image ( % fails with inlinespace
+            if pdir = up :
+                for i = if at_baseline : par_strut_depth else : 0 fi step par_line_height until max(height,par_line_height) :
+                    abck_grid_line(llcorner pxy shifted (0,+i),width) ;
+                endfor ;
+            else :
+                for i = if at_baseline : par_strut_height else : 0 fi step par_line_height until height :
+                    abck_grid_line(ulcorner pxy shifted (0,-i),width) ;
+                endfor ;
+            fi ;
+        ) ;
+        clip grid to pxy ;
+        bb := boundingbox grid ;
+        grid := grid shifted (0,boxgridshift) ;
+        setbounds grid to bb ;
+        grid
+    else :
+        nullpicture
+    fi
+enddef ;
+
+vardef abck_graphic_grid(expr pxy, dx, dy, x, y) =
+    if (bbheight(pxy) > dy) and (bbwidth(pxy) > dx) and (boxgridwidth > 0) :
+        save grid ; picture grid ;
+        grid := image (
+            for i = xpart llcorner pxy step dx until xpart lrcorner pxy :
+                draw (i,ypart llcorner pxy) -- (i,ypart ulcorner pxy) withpen pencircle scaled boxgridwidth ;
+            endfor ;
+            for i = ypart llcorner pxy step dy until ypart ulcorner pxy :
+                draw (xpart llcorner pxy,i) -- (xpart lrcorner pxy,i) withpen pencircle scaled boxgridwidth ;
+            endfor
+        ) shifted (x,y) ;
+        clip grid to pxy ;
+        grid
+    else :
+        nullpicture
+    fi
+enddef ;
+
+def draw_multi_pars =
+    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
+        abck_draw_path(multipars[i]) ;
+        if boxgridtype = 1 :
+            draw abck_baseline_grid(multipars[i],if multilocs[i]=1: down else: up fi,true) ;
+        elseif boxgridtype = 2 :
+            draw abck_baseline_grid(multipars[i],if multilocs[i]=1: down else: up fi,false) ;
+        elseif boxgridtype = 3 :
+            draw abck_baseline_grid(multipars[i],if multilocs[i]=1: down else: up fi,true) ;
+            draw abck_baseline_grid(multipars[i],if multilocs[i]=1: down else: up fi,true) shifted (0,ExHeight) ;
+        elseif boxgridtype = 4 :
+            draw abck_baseline_grid(multipars[i],if multilocs[i]=1: down else: up fi,true) shifted (0,ExHeight/2) ;
+        elseif boxgridtype = 11 :
+            draw abck_graphic_grid(multipars[i],boxgriddistance,boxgriddistance,boxgriddistance/2,boxgriddistance/2) ;
+        elseif boxgridtype = 12 :
+            draw abck_graphic_grid(multipars[i],boxgriddistance,boxgriddistance,0,0) ;
+        fi ;
+    endfor ;
+enddef ;
+
+def show_multi_pars =
+    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
+        abck_show_path(multipars[i], 6pt, .5blue) ;
+    endfor ;
+enddef ;
+
+def show_multi_kind =
+    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
+        fill multipars[i]
+            withcolor
+                if      multikind[i] = "single" : yellow
+                elseif  multikind[i] = "first"  : red
+                elseif  multikind[i] = "middle" : green
+                elseif  multikind[i] = "last"   : blue
+                fi
+            withtransparency (1,.5)
+        ;
+    endfor ;
+enddef ;
+
+def draw_multi_side =
+    begingroup ; save p ; picture p ;
+    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
+        p := image ( fill leftboundary multipars[i]
+            shifted (-boxlineoffset,0)
+            rightenlarged boxlinewidth boxlineoptions ;
+        ) ;
+        setbounds p to multipars[i] ;
+        draw p ;
+    endfor ;
+    endgroup ;
+enddef ;
+
+% some extras
+
+path    posboxes[],
+        posregions[] ;
+
+numeric multipages[],
+        nofposboxes ;
+
+nofposboxes := 0 ;
+
+% For the moment we keep these as they can be in use but they will
+% disappear.
+
+pair    lxy[], rxy[], cxy[], llxy[], lrxy[], ulxy[], urxy[] ;
+path    pxy[] ;
+numeric hxy[], wxy[], dxy[], nxy[] ;
+
+def box_found (expr n,x,y,w,h,d) =
+    not ((x=0) and (y=0) and (w=0) and (h=0) and (d=0))
+enddef ;
+
+def initialize_box_pos (expr pos,n,x,y,w,h,d) =
+    pair lxy, rxy, cxy, llxy, lrxy, ulxy, urxy ;
+    path pxy ; numeric hxy, wxy, dxy, nxy;
+    lxy  := (x,y) ;
+    llxy := (x,y-d) ;
+    lrxy := (x+w,y-d) ;
+    urxy := (x+w,y+h) ;
+    ulxy := (x,y+h) ;
+    wxy  := w ;
+    hxy  := h ;
+    dxy  := d ;
+    rxy  := lxy shifted (wxy,0) ;
+    pxy  := llxy--lrxy--urxy--ulxy--cycle ;
+    cxy  := center pxy ;
+    nxy  := n ;
+    freeze_box(pos) ;
+enddef ;
+
+def freeze_box (expr pos) =
+    lxy[pos]  := lxy  ;
+    llxy[pos] := llxy ;
+    lrxy[pos] := lrxy ;
+    urxy[pos] := urxy ;
+    ulxy[pos] := ulxy ;
+    wxy[pos]  := wxy  ;
+    hxy[pos]  := hxy  ;
+    dxy[pos]  := dxy  ;
+    rxy[pos]  := rxy  ;
+    pxy[pos]  := pxy  ;
+    cxy[pos]  := cxy  ;
+    nxy[pos]  := nxy  ;
+enddef ;
+
+def initialize_box (expr n,x,y,w,h,d) =
+    numeric bpos ; bpos := 0 ; initialize_box_pos(bpos,n,x,y,w,h,d) ;
+enddef ;
+
+def anchor_box (expr n,x,y,w,h,d) =
+    currentpicture := currentpicture shifted (-x,-y) ;
+enddef ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-apos.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-apos.mpiv
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..072c958f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-apos.mpiv
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+%D \module
+%D   [       file=mp-apos.mp,
+%D        version=2012.02.19, % was mp-core: 1999.08.01, anchoring
+%D          title=\CONTEXT\ \METAPOST\ graphics,
+%D       subtitle=anchored background macros,
+%D         author=Hans Hagen,
+%D           date=\currentdate,
+%D      copyright={PRAGMA / Hans Hagen \& Ton Otten}]
+%C
+%C This module is part of the \CONTEXT\ macro||package and is
+%C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
+%C details.
+
+if known context_apos : endinput ; fi ;
+
+boolean context_apos ; context_apos := true ;
+
+path    posboxes[],
+        posregions[] ;
+
+numeric multipages[],
+        nofposboxes ;
+
+nofposboxes := 0 ;
+
+def boxlineoptions = withcolor .8blue  enddef ;
+def boxfilloptions = withcolor .8white enddef ;
+
+def connect_positions =
+    if nofposboxes = 2 :
+        pickup pencircle scaled boxlinewidth ;
+        path pa ; pa := posboxes[1] enlarged boxlineoffset ;
+        path pb ; pb := posboxes[2] enlarged boxlineoffset ;
+        if pospages[1] = pospages[2] :
+            draw posboxes[1]  boxlineoptions ;
+            path pc ; pc := center pa {up} .. {down} center pb ;
+            pair cc ; cc := (pc intersection_point pa) ;
+            if intersection_found :
+                pc := pc cutbefore cc ;
+                cc := (pc intersection_point pb) ;
+                if intersection_found :
+                    pc := pc cutafter cc ;
+                    drawarrow pc boxlineoptions ;
+                    drawarrow reverse pc boxlineoptions ;
+                fi ;
+            fi ;
+        elseif pospages[1] == RealPageNumber :
+            draw posboxes[1] boxlineoptions ;
+            path pc ; pc := center pa {up} ... {right} urcorner (posregions[1] enlarged (20pt,20pt)) ;
+            pair cc ; cc := (pc intersection_point pa) ;
+            if intersection_found :
+                pc := pc cutbefore cc ;
+                drawarrow pc boxlineoptions ;
+            fi ;
+        elseif pospages[2] == RealPageNumber :
+            draw posboxes[2] boxlineoptions ;
+            path pc ; pc := ulcorner (posregions[2] enlarged (20pt,20pt)) {right} ... {down} center pb ;
+            pair cc ; cc := (pc intersection_point pb) ;
+            if intersection_found :
+                pc := pc cutafter cc ;
+                drawarrow pc boxlineoptions ;
+            fi ;
+        fi ;
+    fi ;
+enddef ;
+
+% anch-bar:
+
+def anch_sidebars_draw(expr p_b_self, p_e_self, y_b_self, y_e_self, h_b_self, d_e_self, distance, linewidth, linecolor) =
+    StartPage ;
+        path p ; p :=
+        if p_b_self=p_e_self :
+            (xpart ulcorner Field[Text][Text],y_b_self+h_b_self) --
+            (xpart llcorner Field[Text][Text],y_e_self-d_e_self) ;
+        elseif RealPageNumber=p_b_self :
+            (xpart ulcorner Field[Text][Text],y_b_self+h_b_self) --
+            (llcorner Field[Text][Text]) ;
+        elseif RealPageNumber=p_e_self :
+            (ulcorner Field[Text][Text]) --
+            (xpart llcorner Field[Text][Text],y_e_self-d_e_self) ;
+        else :
+            (ulcorner Field[Text][Text]) --
+            (llcorner Field[Text][Text]) ;
+        fi ;
+        p := p shifted (-llcorner Field[Text][Text]-(distance,0)) ;
+        interim linecap := butt ;
+        draw p
+            withpen pencircle scaled linewidth
+            withcolor linecolor ;
+    StopPage ;
+enddef ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-asnc.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-asnc.mpiv
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cfee782e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-asnc.mpiv
@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+%D \module
+%D   [       file=mp-asnc.mp,
+%D        version=2012.02.19, % was mp-core: 1999.08.01, anchoring
+%D          title=\CONTEXT\ \METAPOST\ graphics,
+%D       subtitle=anchored background macros,
+%D         author=Hans Hagen,
+%D           date=\currentdate,
+%D      copyright={PRAGMA / Hans Hagen \& Ton Otten}]
+%C
+%C This module is part of the \CONTEXT\ macro||package and is
+%C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
+%C details.
+
+if known context_asnc : endinput ; fi ;
+
+boolean context_av ; context_asnc := true ;
+
+% will be replaced
+
+numeric sync_n[], sync_p[][], sync_w[][], sync_h[][], sync_d[][], sync_t[][] ;
+pair sync_xy[][] ; color sync_c[][] ;
+
+def ResetSyncTasks =
+    path SyncPaths[] ; numeric SyncTasks[], NOfSyncPaths, CurrentSyncClass ;
+    NOfSyncPaths := CurrentSyncClass := 0 ;
+    if unknown SyncLeftOffset : numeric SyncLeftOffset ; SyncLeftOffset := 0          ; fi ;
+    if unknown SyncWidth      : numeric SyncWidth      ; SyncWidth      := 0          ; fi ;
+    if unknown SyncThreshold  : numeric SyncThreshold  ; SyncThreshold  := LineHeight ; fi ;
+    if unknown SyncColor      : color   SyncColor      ; SyncColor      := .5white    ; fi ;
+    if (SyncLeftOffset = 0) and (SyncWidth = 0) :
+        SyncWidth := if known TextWidth : TextWidth else : -1cm fi ;
+    fi ;
+enddef ;
+
+ResetSyncTasks ;
+
+vardef SyncBox(expr n, i, leftoffset, width, topoffset, bottomoffset) =
+    save o ; pair o ; o := (xpart llcorner PlainTextArea,ypart sync_xy[n][i]) ;
+    o shifted (leftoffset,sync_h[n][i]+topoffset) --
+    o shifted (width+leftoffset,sync_h[n][i]+topoffset) --
+    o shifted (width+leftoffset,bottomoffset) --
+    o shifted (leftoffset,bottomoffset) -- cycle
+enddef ;
+
+def SetSyncColor(expr n, i, c) =
+    sync_c[n][i] := c ;
+enddef ;
+
+def SetSyncThreshold(expr n, i, th) =
+    sync_th[n][i] := th ;
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TheSyncColor(expr n, i) =
+    if known sync_c[n][i] : sync_c[n][i] else : SyncColor fi
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TheSyncThreshold(expr n, i) =
+    if known sync_th[n][i] : sync_th[n][i] else : SyncThreshold fi
+enddef ;
+
+vardef PrepareSyncTasks(expr n, collapse, extendtop, prestartnext) =
+    ResetSyncTasks ;
+    if known sync_n[n] :
+        CurrentSyncClass := n ;
+        save ok, l, d ; boolean ok ; ok := false ; NOfSyncPaths := l := 0 ;
+        for i=1 upto sync_n[n] :
+            if RealPageNumber > sync_p[n][i] :
+                l := i ;
+            elseif RealPageNumber = sync_p[n][i] :
+                NOfSyncPaths := NOfSyncPaths + 1 ;
+                if not ok :
+                    if i>1 :
+                        if sync_t[n][i-1] = sync_t[n][i] :
+                            SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, i, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, PaperHeight, -PaperHeight) ;
+                            SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := i ;
+                        else :
+                            SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, i-1, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, PaperHeight, -PaperHeight) ;
+                            SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := i-1 ;
+                            NOfSyncPaths := NOfSyncPaths + 1 ;
+                            SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, i, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, 0, -PaperHeight) ;
+                            SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := i ;
+                        fi ;
+                    else :
+                        SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, i, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, 0, -PaperHeight) ;
+                        SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := i ;
+                    fi ;
+                else :
+                    SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, i, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, 0, -PaperHeight) ;
+                    SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := i ;
+                fi ;
+                ok := true ;
+            fi ;
+        endfor ;
+        if (NOfSyncPaths = 0) and (l > 0) :
+            NOfSyncPaths := 1 ;
+            SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncBox(n, l, SyncLeftOffset, SyncWidth, PaperHeight, -PaperHeight) ;
+            SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] := l ;
+        fi ;
+        if NOfSyncPaths > 0 :
+            for i = 1 upto NOfSyncPaths-1 :
+                SyncPaths[i] := topboundary SyncPaths[i] -- reverse topboundary SyncPaths[i+1] -- cycle ;
+            endfor ;
+            if unknown SyncThresholdMethod :
+                numeric SyncThresholdMethod ; SyncThresholdMethod := 2 ;
+            fi ;
+            if extendtop :
+                if SyncThresholdMethod = 1 :
+                    if NOfSyncPaths>1 :
+                        d := ypart (ulcorner PlainTextArea - sync_xy[n][SyncTasks[2]]) ;
+                        if (SyncTasks[2]>1) and (d > 0pt) and (d <= TheSyncThreshold(n,sync_t[n][SyncTasks[2]])) and (sync_p[n][SyncTasks[2]] = RealPageNumber) :
+                            SyncPaths[2] := SyncPaths[2] topenlarged PaperHeight ;
+                        fi ;
+                    fi ;
+                else :
+                    for i = 1 upto NOfSyncPaths :
+                        d := ypart (ulcorner PlainTextArea - sync_xy[n][SyncTasks[i]]) ;
+                        if (d > 0) and (d <= TheSyncThreshold(n,sync_t[n][SyncTasks[i]])) and (sync_p[n][SyncTasks[i]] = RealPageNumber) :
+                            SyncPaths[i] := SyncPaths[i] topenlarged PaperHeight ;
+                        fi ;
+                    endfor ;
+                fi ;
+            fi ;
+            if prestartnext :
+                if NOfSyncPaths>1 :
+                    if SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths] < sync_n[n] : % there is a next one
+                        d := ypart (ulcorner PlainTextArea - sync_xy[n][SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths]+1]) ;
+                        if (d > 0) and (d <= TheSyncThreshold(n, sync_t[n][SyncTasks[i]])) and (sync_p[n][SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths]+1] = RealPageNumber+1) :
+                            SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths+1] :=
+                                (xpart ulcorner SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths],ypart llcorner PlainTextArea) --
+                                (xpart urcorner SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths],ypart llcorner PlainTextArea) --
+                                lrcorner SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] --
+                                llcorner SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] -- cycle ;
+                            SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths+1] := SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths]+1 ;
+                            NOfSyncPaths := NOfSyncPaths + 1 ;
+                        fi ;
+                    fi ;
+                fi ;
+            else :
+                if NOfSyncPaths>1 :
+                    d := ypart (sync_xy[n][SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths]] - llcorner PlainTextArea) ;
+                    if (d < TheSyncThreshold(n, SyncTasks[NOfSyncPaths])) :
+                        NOfSyncPaths := NOfSyncPaths - 1 ;
+                        SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] := SyncPaths[NOfSyncPaths] bottomenlarged PaperHeight ;
+                    fi ;
+                fi ;
+            fi ;
+            if (NOfSyncPaths>1) and collapse :
+                save j ; numeric j ; j := 1 ;
+                for i = 2 upto NOfSyncPaths :
+                    if sync_t[n][SyncTasks[i]] = sync_t[n][SyncTasks[j]] :
+                        SyncPaths[j] := boundingbox image (draw SyncPaths[i] ; draw SyncPaths[j] ; ) ;
+                        SyncTasks[j] := SyncTasks[i] ;
+                    else :
+                        j := j + 1 ;
+                        SyncPaths[j] := SyncPaths[i] ;
+                        SyncTasks[j] := SyncTasks[i] ;
+                    fi ;
+                endfor ;
+                NOfSyncPaths := j ;
+            fi ;
+        fi ;
+    fi ;
+enddef ;
+
+def SyncTask(expr n) =
+    if known SyncTasks[n] : SyncTasks[n] else : 0 fi
+enddef ;
+
+def FlushSyncTasks =
+    for i = 1 upto NOfSyncPaths :
+        ProcessSyncTask(SyncPaths[i], TheSyncColor(CurrentSyncClass,sync_t[CurrentSyncClass][SyncTasks[i]])) ;
+    endfor ;
+enddef ;
+
+def ProcessSyncTask(expr p, c) =
+    fill p withcolor c ;
+enddef ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-core.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-core.mpiv
index c0718397d..fd0b8bb9c 100644
--- a/metapost/context/base/mp-core.mpiv
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-core.mpiv
@@ -15,6 +15,200 @@ if known context_core : endinput ; fi ;
 
 boolean context_core ; context_core := true ;
 
+%D Copied to here .. not used any more.
+
+def SaveTextAreas =
+    path    SavedTextAreas  []  ;
+    path    SavedTextColumns[]  ;
+    numeric NOfSavedTextAreas   ;
+    numeric NOfSavedTextColumns ;
+    for i=1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        SavedTextAreas[i] := TextAreas[i] ;
+    endfor ;
+    for i=1 upto NOfTextColumns :
+        SavedTextColumns[i] := TextColumns[i] ;
+    endfor ;
+    NOfSavedTextAreas   := NOfTextAreas ;
+    NOfSavedTextColumns := NOfTextColumns ;
+enddef ;
+
+def ResetTextAreas =
+    path TextAreas[], TextColumns[], PlainTextArea, RegionTextArea ;
+    numeric NOfTextAreas   ; NOfTextAreas   := 0 ;
+    numeric NOfTextColumns ; NOfTextColumns := 0 ;
+    numeric nofmultipars   ; nofmultipars   := 0 ;
+    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := origin -- cycle ;
+enddef ;
+
+ResetTextAreas ; SaveTextAreas ; ;
+
+def RegisterTextArea (expr x, y, w, h, d) =
+    begingroup ;
+    save p ; path p ;
+    p := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
+    if NOfTextAreas>0 :
+        % if needed, concatenate areas
+        if (round(llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas]) = round(ulcorner p)) and
+           (round(lrcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas]) = round(urcorner p)) :
+            p :=
+                ulcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] --
+                urcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] --
+                lrcorner p                       --
+                llcorner p                       -- cycle ;
+        else :
+            NOfTextAreas := NOfTextAreas + 1 ;
+        fi ;
+    else :
+        NOfTextAreas := NOfTextAreas + 1 ;
+    fi ;
+    TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] := p ;
+    if NOfTextColumns>0 :
+        if (round(xpart llcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns]) = round(xpart ulcorner p)) and
+           (round(xpart lrcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns]) = round(xpart urcorner p)) :
+            p :=
+                ulcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] --
+                urcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] --
+                lrcorner p                           --
+                llcorner p                           -- cycle ;
+        else :
+            NOfTextColumns := NOfTextColumns + 1 ;
+        fi ;
+    else :
+        NOfTextColumns := NOfTextColumns + 1 ;
+    fi ;
+    TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] := p ;
+    endgroup ;
+enddef ;
+
+%D We store a local area in slot zero.
+
+def RegisterPlainTextArea(expr x,y,w,h,d) =
+    PlainTextArea := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
+enddef ;
+
+def RegisterRegionTextArea(expr x,y,w,h,d) =
+    RegionTextArea := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
+  % RegionTextArea := RegionTextArea enlarged 2mm ;
+enddef ;
+
+def RegisterLocalTextArea (expr x, y, w, h, d) =
+    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
+enddef ;
+
+def ResetLocalTextArea =
+    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := origin -- cycle ;
+enddef ;
+
+ResetLocalTextArea ;
+
+vardef InsideTextArea (expr _i_, _xy_) =
+    (round(xpart _xy_) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(xpart _xy_) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(ypart _xy_) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(ypart _xy_) <= round(ypart urcorner TextAreas[_i_]))
+enddef ;
+
+vardef InsideSavedTextArea (expr _i_, _xy_) =
+    (round(xpart _xy_) >= round(xpart llcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(xpart _xy_) <= round(xpart lrcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(ypart _xy_) >= round(ypart llcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
+    (round(ypart _xy_) <= round(ypart urcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_]))
+enddef ;
+
+vardef InsideSomeTextArea (expr _xy_) =
+    save ok ; boolean ok ; ok := false ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if InsideTextArea(i,_xy_) :
+            ok := true ; % we can move the exit here
+        fi ;
+        exitif ok ;
+    endfor ;
+    ok
+enddef ;
+
+vardef InsideSomeSavedTextArea (expr _xy_) =
+    save ok ; boolean ok ; ok := false ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfSavedTextAreas :
+        if InsideSavedTextArea(i,_xy_) :
+            ok := true ;
+        fi ;
+        exitif ok ;
+    endfor ;
+    ok
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaX (expr x) =
+    numeric _TextAreaX_ ; _TextAreaX_ := 0 ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) :
+            _TextAreaX_ := xpart llcorner TextAreas[i] ;
+        fi ;
+    endfor ;
+    _TextAreaX_
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaY (expr y) =
+    numeric _TextAreaY_ ; _TextAreaY_ := 0 ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas])) and
+           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas])) :
+            _TextAreaY_ := ypart llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] ;
+        fi ;
+    endfor ;
+    _TextAreaY_
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaXY (expr x, y) =
+    pair _TextAreaXY_ ; _TextAreaXY_ := origin ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
+            _TextAreaXY_ := llconer TextAreas[i] ;
+        fi ;
+    endfor ;
+    _TextAreaXY_
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaW (expr x) =
+    numeric _TextAreaW_ ; _TextAreaW_ := 0 ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) :
+            _TextAreaW_ := bbwidth(TextAreas[i]) ;
+        fi ;
+    endfor ;
+    _TextAreaW_
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaH (expr y) =
+    numeric _TextAreaH_ ; _TextAreaH_ := 0 ;
+    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
+            _TextAreaH_ := bbheight(TextAreas[i]) ;
+        fi ;
+      endfor ;
+      _TextAreaH_
+enddef ;
+
+vardef TextAreaWH (expr x, y) =
+      pair _TextAreaWH_ ; _TextAreaWH_ := origin ;
+      for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
+        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
+           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
+            _TextAreaWH_ := (bbwidth(TextAreas[i]),bbheight(TextAreas[i])) ;
+        fi ;
+      endfor ;
+      _TextAreaWH_
+enddef ;
+
+%D Till here.
+
 pair    lxy[], rxy[], cxy[], llxy[], lrxy[], ulxy[], urxy[] ;
 path    pxy[] ;
 numeric hxy[], wxy[], dxy[], nxy[] ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-crop.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-crop.mpiv
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..260823e68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-crop.mpiv
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+%D \module
+%D   [       file=mp-crop.mp,
+%D        version=2011.06.23,
+%D          title=\CONTEXT\ \METAPOST\ graphics,
+%D       subtitle=Cropmarks,
+%D         author=Hans Hagen,
+%D           date=\currentdate,
+%D      copyright={PRAGMA / Hans Hagen \& Ton Otten}]
+%C
+%C This module is part of the \CONTEXT\ macro||package and is
+%C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
+%C details.
+
+if known context_crop : endinput ; fi ;
+
+boolean context_crop ; context_crop := true ;
+
+vardef crop_marks_lines (expr box, length, offset, nx, ny) =
+    save p ; picture p ; save w, h, x, y ; numeric w, h, x, y  ;
+    p := image (
+        x := if nx = 0 : 1 else : nx - 1 fi ;
+        y := if ny = 0 : 1 else : ny - 1 fi ;
+        w := bbwidth (box) / x ;
+        h := bbheight(box) / y ;
+        for i=0 upto y :
+            draw ((llcorner box) -- (llcorner box) shifted (-length,0)) shifted (-offset,i*h) ;
+            draw ((lrcorner box) -- (lrcorner box) shifted ( length,0)) shifted ( offset,i*h) ;
+        endfor ;
+        for i=0 upto x :
+            draw ((llcorner box) -- (llcorner box) shifted (0,-length)) shifted (i*w,-offset) ;
+            draw ((ulcorner box) -- (ulcorner box) shifted (0, length)) shifted (i*w, offset) ;
+        endfor ;
+    ) ;
+    setbounds p to box ;
+    p
+enddef ;
+
+vardef crop_marks_cmyk =
+    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
+        fill ulcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (1,0,0,0) ;
+        fill urcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,1,0,0) ;
+        fill lrcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,0,1,0) ;
+        fill llcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,0,0,1) ;
+        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
+        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
+        draw fullcircle scaled 12.5 ;
+    ) ;
+    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
+    p
+enddef ;
+
+vardef crop_marks_gray =
+    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
+        fill ulcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.00) ;
+        fill urcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.25) ;
+        fill lrcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.50) ;
+        fill llcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.75) ;
+        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
+        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
+        draw (-6,0) -- (6,0) withcolor white ;
+        draw (0,-6) -- (0,6) withcolor white  ;
+        draw fullcircle scaled 12.5 ;
+    ) ;
+    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
+    p
+enddef ;
+
+vardef crop_marks_cmykrgb =
+    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
+        fill ulcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (1,0,0) ;
+        fill urcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (0,1,0) ;
+        fill lrcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (0,0,1) ;
+        fill llcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (.5,.5,.5) ;
+        fill ulcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (1,0,0,0) ;
+        fill urcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,1,0,0) ;
+        fill lrcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,0,1,0) ;
+        fill llcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,0,0,1) ;
+        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
+        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
+        draw fullcircle scaled 10 ;
+        draw fullcircle scaled 15 ;
+    ) ;
+    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
+    p
+enddef ;
+
+vardef crop_color(expr c, h, w, dx, dy, ts) =
+    image (
+        save p ; path p ;
+        for i=1 upto 6 :
+            p := fullsquare
+                xscaled w
+                yscaled h
+                shifted (dx,dy-i*h) ;
+            fill p
+                withcolor (crop_colors[i]*c) ;
+            draw textext("\format{'@0.2f'," & decimal crop_colors[i] & "}")
+                scaled ts
+                shifted center p withcolor white ;
+        endfor ;
+    )
+enddef ;
+
+vardef crop_gray(expr c, h, w, dx, dy, ts) =
+    image (
+        save p ; path p ;
+        for i=.05 step .05 until 1 :
+            p := fullsquare
+                xscaled w
+                yscaled h
+                shifted (20*(i-1)*w+dx,dy) ;
+            fill p
+                withcolor (i*c) ;
+            draw textext("\format{'@0.2f'," & decimal i & "}")
+                scaled ts
+                shifted center p withcolor white ;
+        endfor ;
+    )
+enddef ;
+
+% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted llcorner more ;
+% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted lrcorner more ;
+% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted ulcorner more ;
+% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted urcorner more ;
+
+def page_marks_add_color(expr width, height, length, offset) = % todo: namespace
+
+    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
+    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
+
+    numeric crop_colors[] ;
+    crop_colors[1] := 1 ;
+    crop_colors[2] := 0.95 ;
+    crop_colors[3] := 0.75 ;
+    crop_colors[4] := 0.50 ;
+    crop_colors[5] := 0.25 ;
+    crop_colors[6] := 0.05 ;
+
+    numeric h ; h := height / 20 ;
+    numeric w ; w := width  / 20 ;
+    numeric d ; d := offset + length/2 ;
+
+    draw crop_color((1,0,0,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d, 10h,length/20) ;
+    draw crop_color((0,1,0,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d,3.5h,length/20) ;
+    draw crop_color((0,0,1,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d, -3h,length/20) ;
+
+    draw crop_color((0,1,1,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d, 10h,length/20) ;
+    draw crop_color((1,0,1,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d,3.5h,length/20) ;
+    draw crop_color((1,1,0,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d, -3h,length/20) ;
+
+    draw crop_gray((0,0,0,1),length,  w,-xpart llcorner page,-ypart llcorner page + d            ,w/20) ;
+    draw crop_gray((1,0,0,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d + 1length/3,w/20) ;
+    draw crop_gray((0,1,0,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d - 0length/3,w/20) ;
+    draw crop_gray((0,0,1,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d - 1length/3,w/20) ;
+
+    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
+
+enddef ;
+
+def page_marks_add_marking(expr width, height, length, offset) = % todo: namespace
+
+    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
+    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
+
+    draw crop_marks_gray shifted center(topboundary    more) shifted (0, offset+length);
+    draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted center(bottomboundary more) shifted (0,-offset-length);
+
+    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
+
+enddef ;
+
+def page_marks_add_lines(expr width, height, length, offset, nx, ny) = % todo: namespace
+
+    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
+    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
+
+    draw crop_marks_lines(page,length,offset,nx,ny) ;
+
+    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
+
+enddef ;
+
+def page_marks_add_number(expr width, height, length, offset, n) = % todo: namespace
+
+    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
+    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
+
+    for s=llcorner more, lrcorner more, ulcorner more, urcorner more :
+        draw textext(decimal n) shifted s ;
+    endfor ;
+
+    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
+
+enddef ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-page.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-page.mpiv
index ba6dcd6a5..bb8218be5 100644
--- a/metapost/context/base/mp-page.mpiv
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-page.mpiv
@@ -38,196 +38,6 @@ if unknown InPageBody :
     InPageBody := false ;
 fi ;
 
-def SaveTextAreas =
-    path    SavedTextAreas  []  ;
-    path    SavedTextColumns[]  ;
-    numeric NOfSavedTextAreas   ;
-    numeric NOfSavedTextColumns ;
-    for i=1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        SavedTextAreas[i] := TextAreas[i] ;
-    endfor ;
-    for i=1 upto NOfTextColumns :
-        SavedTextColumns[i] := TextColumns[i] ;
-    endfor ;
-    NOfSavedTextAreas   := NOfTextAreas ;
-    NOfSavedTextColumns := NOfTextColumns ;
-enddef ;
-
-def ResetTextAreas =
-    path TextAreas[], TextColumns[], PlainTextArea, RegionTextArea ;
-    numeric NOfTextAreas   ; NOfTextAreas   := 0 ;
-    numeric NOfTextColumns ; NOfTextColumns := 0 ;
-    numeric nofmultipars   ; nofmultipars   := 0 ;
-    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := origin -- cycle ;
-enddef ;
-
-ResetTextAreas ; SaveTextAreas ; ;
-
-def RegisterTextArea (expr x, y, w, h, d) =
-    begingroup ;
-    save p ; path p ;
-    p := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
-    if NOfTextAreas>0 :
-        % if needed, concatenate areas
-        if (round(llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas]) = round(ulcorner p)) and
-           (round(lrcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas]) = round(urcorner p)) :
-            p :=
-                ulcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] --
-                urcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] --
-                lrcorner p                       --
-                llcorner p                       -- cycle ;
-        else :
-            NOfTextAreas := NOfTextAreas + 1 ;
-        fi ;
-    else :
-        NOfTextAreas := NOfTextAreas + 1 ;
-    fi ;
-    TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] := p ;
-    if NOfTextColumns>0 :
-        if (round(xpart llcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns]) = round(xpart ulcorner p)) and
-           (round(xpart lrcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns]) = round(xpart urcorner p)) :
-            p :=
-                ulcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] --
-                urcorner TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] --
-                lrcorner p                           --
-                llcorner p                           -- cycle ;
-        else :
-            NOfTextColumns := NOfTextColumns + 1 ;
-        fi ;
-    else :
-        NOfTextColumns := NOfTextColumns + 1 ;
-    fi ;
-    TextColumns[NOfTextColumns] := p ;
-    endgroup ;
-enddef ;
-
-%D We store a local area in slot zero.
-
-def RegisterPlainTextArea(expr x,y,w,h,d) =
-    PlainTextArea := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
-enddef ;
-
-def RegisterRegionTextArea(expr x,y,w,h,d) =
-    RegionTextArea := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
-%     RegionTextArea := RegionTextArea enlarged 2mm ;
-enddef ;
-
-def RegisterLocalTextArea (expr x, y, w, h, d) =
-    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := unitsquare xyscaled(w,h+d) shifted (x,y-d) ;
-enddef ;
-
-def ResetLocalTextArea =
-    TextAreas[0] := TextColumns[0] := origin -- cycle ;
-enddef ;
-
-ResetLocalTextArea ;
-
-vardef InsideTextArea (expr _i_, _xy_) =
-    (round(xpart _xy_) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(xpart _xy_) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(ypart _xy_) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(ypart _xy_) <= round(ypart urcorner TextAreas[_i_]))
-enddef ;
-
-vardef InsideSavedTextArea (expr _i_, _xy_) =
-    (round(xpart _xy_) >= round(xpart llcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(xpart _xy_) <= round(xpart lrcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(ypart _xy_) >= round(ypart llcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_])) and
-    (round(ypart _xy_) <= round(ypart urcorner SavedTextAreas[_i_]))
-enddef ;
-
-vardef InsideSomeTextArea (expr _xy_) =
-    save ok ; boolean ok ; ok := false ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if InsideTextArea(i,_xy_) :
-            ok := true ; % we can move the exit here
-        fi ;
-        exitif ok ;
-    endfor ;
-    ok
-enddef ;
-
-vardef InsideSomeSavedTextArea (expr _xy_) =
-    save ok ; boolean ok ; ok := false ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfSavedTextAreas :
-        if InsideSavedTextArea(i,_xy_) :
-            ok := true ;
-        fi ;
-        exitif ok ;
-    endfor ;
-    ok
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaX (expr x) =
-    numeric _TextAreaX_ ; _TextAreaX_ := 0 ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) :
-            _TextAreaX_ := xpart llcorner TextAreas[i] ;
-        fi ;
-    endfor ;
-    _TextAreaX_
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaY (expr y) =
-    numeric _TextAreaY_ ; _TextAreaY_ := 0 ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas])) and
-           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas])) :
-            _TextAreaY_ := ypart llcorner TextAreas[NOfTextAreas] ;
-        fi ;
-    endfor ;
-    _TextAreaY_
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaXY (expr x, y) =
-    pair _TextAreaXY_ ; _TextAreaXY_ := origin ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
-            _TextAreaXY_ := llconer TextAreas[i] ;
-        fi ;
-    endfor ;
-    _TextAreaXY_
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaW (expr x) =
-    numeric _TextAreaW_ ; _TextAreaW_ := 0 ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) :
-            _TextAreaW_ := bbwidth(TextAreas[i]) ;
-        fi ;
-    endfor ;
-    _TextAreaW_
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaH (expr y) =
-    numeric _TextAreaH_ ; _TextAreaH_ := 0 ;
-    for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
-            _TextAreaH_ := bbheight(TextAreas[i]) ;
-        fi ;
-      endfor ;
-      _TextAreaH_
-enddef ;
-
-vardef TextAreaWH (expr x, y) =
-      pair _TextAreaWH_ ; _TextAreaWH_ := origin ;
-      for i := 1 upto NOfTextAreas :
-        if (round(x) >= round(xpart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(x) <= round(xpart lrcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(y) >= round(ypart llcorner TextAreas[i])) and
-           (round(y) <= round(ypart ulcorner TextAreas[i])) :
-            _TextAreaWH_ := (bbwidth(TextAreas[i]),bbheight(TextAreas[i])) ;
-        fi ;
-      endfor ;
-      _TextAreaWH_
-enddef ;
-
 string CurrentLayout ;
 
 CurrentLayout       := "default" ;
@@ -510,210 +320,3 @@ def Enlarged (expr p, d) =
        urEnlarged (p,d) --
        ulEnlarged (p,d) -- cycle)
 enddef ;
-
-% New:
-
-def position_anchor_bar(expr p_b_self, p_e_self, y_b_self, y_e_self, h_b_self, d_e_self,
-        distance, linewidth, linecolor) =
-    StartPage ;
-        path p ; p :=
-        if p_b_self=p_e_self :
-            (xpart ulcorner Field[Text][Text],y_b_self+h_b_self) --
-            (xpart llcorner Field[Text][Text],y_e_self-d_e_self) ;
-        elseif RealPageNumber=p_b_self :
-            (xpart ulcorner Field[Text][Text],y_b_self+h_b_self) --
-            (llcorner Field[Text][Text]) ;
-        elseif RealPageNumber=p_e_self :
-            (ulcorner Field[Text][Text]) --
-            (xpart llcorner Field[Text][Text],y_e_self-d_e_self) ;
-        else :
-            (ulcorner Field[Text][Text]) --
-            (llcorner Field[Text][Text]) ;
-        fi ;
-        p := p shifted (-llcorner Field[Text][Text]-(distance,0)) ;
-        interim linecap := butt ;
-        draw p
-            withpen pencircle scaled linewidth
-            withcolor linecolor ;
-    StopPage ;
-enddef ;
-
-% Crop stuff
-
-vardef crop_marks_lines (expr box, length, offset, nx, ny) =
-    save p ; picture p ; save w, h, x, y ; numeric w, h, x, y  ;
-    p := image (
-        x := if nx = 0 : 1 else : nx - 1 fi ;
-        y := if ny = 0 : 1 else : ny - 1 fi ;
-        w := bbwidth (box) / x ;
-        h := bbheight(box) / y ;
-        for i=0 upto y :
-            draw ((llcorner box) -- (llcorner box) shifted (-length,0)) shifted (-offset,i*h) ;
-            draw ((lrcorner box) -- (lrcorner box) shifted ( length,0)) shifted ( offset,i*h) ;
-        endfor ;
-        for i=0 upto x :
-            draw ((llcorner box) -- (llcorner box) shifted (0,-length)) shifted (i*w,-offset) ;
-            draw ((ulcorner box) -- (ulcorner box) shifted (0, length)) shifted (i*w, offset) ;
-        endfor ;
-    ) ;
-    setbounds p to box ;
-    p
-enddef ;
-
-vardef crop_marks_cmyk =
-    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
-        fill ulcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (1,0,0,0) ;
-        fill urcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,1,0,0) ;
-        fill lrcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,0,1,0) ;
-        fill llcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0,0,0,1) ;
-        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
-        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
-        draw fullcircle scaled 12.5 ;
-    ) ;
-    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
-    p
-enddef ;
-
-vardef crop_marks_gray =
-    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
-        fill ulcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.00) ;
-        fill urcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.25) ;
-        fill lrcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.50) ;
-        fill llcircle   scaled 12.5 withcolor (0.75) ;
-        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
-        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
-        draw (-6,0) -- (6,0) withcolor white ;
-        draw (0,-6) -- (0,6) withcolor white  ;
-        draw fullcircle scaled 12.5 ;
-    ) ;
-    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
-    p
-enddef ;
-
-vardef crop_marks_cmykrgb =
-    save p ; picture p ; p := image (
-        fill ulcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (1,0,0) ;
-        fill urcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (0,1,0) ;
-        fill lrcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (0,0,1) ;
-        fill llcircle   scaled 15 withcolor (.5,.5,.5) ;
-        fill ulcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (1,0,0,0) ;
-        fill urcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,1,0,0) ;
-        fill lrcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,0,1,0) ;
-        fill llcircle   scaled 10 withcolor (0,0,0,1) ;
-        draw (-10,0) -- (10,0) ;
-        draw (0,-10) -- (0,10) ;
-        draw fullcircle scaled 10 ;
-        draw fullcircle scaled 15 ;
-    ) ;
-    setbounds p to fullsquare scaled 20 ;
-    p
-enddef ;
-
-vardef crop_color(expr c, h, w, dx, dy, ts) =
-    image (
-        save p ; path p ;
-        for i=1 upto 6 :
-            p := fullsquare
-                xscaled w
-                yscaled h
-                shifted (dx,dy-i*h) ;
-            fill p
-                withcolor (crop_colors[i]*c) ;
-            draw textext("\format{'@0.2f'," & decimal crop_colors[i] & "}")
-                scaled ts
-                shifted center p withcolor white ;
-        endfor ;
-    )
-enddef ;
-
-vardef crop_gray(expr c, h, w, dx, dy, ts) =
-    image (
-        save p ; path p ;
-        for i=.05 step .05 until 1 :
-            p := fullsquare
-                xscaled w
-                yscaled h
-                shifted (20*(i-1)*w+dx,dy) ;
-            fill p
-                withcolor (i*c) ;
-            draw textext("\format{'@0.2f'," & decimal i & "}")
-                scaled ts
-                shifted center p withcolor white ;
-        endfor ;
-    )
-enddef ;
-
-% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted llcorner more ;
-% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted lrcorner more ;
-% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted ulcorner more ;
-% draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted urcorner more ;
-
-def page_marks_add_color(expr width, height, length, offset) = % todo: namespace
-
-    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
-    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
-
-    numeric crop_colors[] ;
-    crop_colors[1] := 1 ;
-    crop_colors[2] := 0.95 ;
-    crop_colors[3] := 0.75 ;
-    crop_colors[4] := 0.50 ;
-    crop_colors[5] := 0.25 ;
-    crop_colors[6] := 0.05 ;
-
-    numeric h ; h := height / 20 ;
-    numeric w ; w := width  / 20 ;
-    numeric d ; d := offset + length/2 ;
-
-    draw crop_color((1,0,0,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d, 10h,length/20) ;
-    draw crop_color((0,1,0,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d,3.5h,length/20) ;
-    draw crop_color((0,0,1,0),h,length,xpart ulcorner page - d, -3h,length/20) ;
-
-    draw crop_color((0,1,1,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d, 10h,length/20) ;
-    draw crop_color((1,0,1,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d,3.5h,length/20) ;
-    draw crop_color((1,1,0,0),h,length,xpart urcorner page + d, -3h,length/20) ;
-
-    draw crop_gray((0,0,0,1),length,  w,-xpart llcorner page,-ypart llcorner page + d            ,w/20) ;
-    draw crop_gray((1,0,0,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d + 1length/3,w/20) ;
-    draw crop_gray((0,1,0,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d - 0length/3,w/20) ;
-    draw crop_gray((0,0,1,0),length/3,w,-xpart llcorner page, ypart llcorner page - d - 1length/3,w/20) ;
-
-    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
-
-enddef ;
-
-def page_marks_add_marking(expr width, height, length, offset) = % todo: namespace
-
-    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
-    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
-
-    draw crop_marks_gray shifted center(topboundary    more) shifted (0, offset+length);
-    draw crop_marks_cmyk shifted center(bottomboundary more) shifted (0,-offset-length);
-
-    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
-
-enddef ;
-
-def page_marks_add_lines(expr width, height, length, offset, nx, ny) = % todo: namespace
-
-    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
-    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
-
-    draw crop_marks_lines(page,length,offset,nx,ny) ;
-
-    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
-
-enddef ;
-
-def page_marks_add_number(expr width, height, length, offset, n) = % todo: namespace
-
-    path page ; page := fullsquare xscaled width yscaled height ;
-    path more ; more := page enlarged (offset+length/2,offset+length/2) ;
-
-    for s=llcorner more, lrcorner more, ulcorner more, urcorner more :
-        draw textext(decimal n) shifted s ;
-    endfor ;
-
-    setbounds currentpicture to page ;
-
-enddef ;
diff --git a/metapost/context/base/mp-tool.mpiv b/metapost/context/base/mp-tool.mpiv
index 30c8f1cd6..c66a78a2c 100644
--- a/metapost/context/base/mp-tool.mpiv
+++ b/metapost/context/base/mp-tool.mpiv
@@ -1233,7 +1233,7 @@ vardef freelabel (expr str, loc, ori) =
 enddef ;
 
 vardef freedotlabel (expr str, loc, ori) =
-    interim linecap:=rounded ;
+    interim linecap := rounded ;
     draw loc withpen pencircle scaled freedotlabelsize ;
     draw thefreelabel(str,loc,ori) ;
 enddef ;
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-bar.mkiv b/tex/context/base/anch-bar.mkiv
index bebfaa714..87f21facd 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-bar.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-bar.mkiv
@@ -53,78 +53,64 @@
 %D \stopsidebar
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\newcount\currentsidebar
-\newdimen\sidebardistance
+\installcorenamespace{sidebar}
 
-\unexpanded\def\setupsidebars
-  {\dodoubleargument\dosetupsidebars}
+\installcommandhandler \??sidebar {sidebar} \??sidebar
 
-\def\dosetupsidebars[#1][#2]%
-  {\ifsecondargument
-     \getparameters[\??br#1][#2]%
-   \else
-     \getparameters[\??br][#1]%
-   \fi}
+\newcount\c_anch_sidebars_n
+\newdimen\c_anch_sidebars_distance
 
 % \setupMPvariables
-%   [mpos:bar]
+%   [mpos:sidebar]
 %   [linecolor=red,
 %    linewidth=2pt,
 %    distance=5pt]
 
-\setupsidebars
+\setupsidebar
   [\c!rulethickness=2pt,
    \c!rulecolor=red,
    \c!distance=.5\bodyfontsize]
 
-\unexpanded\def\definesidebar
-  {\dodoubleempty\dodefinesidebar}
-
-\def\dodefinesidebar[#1][#2]%
-  {\copyparameters
-     [\??br#1][\??br]
-     [\c!rulethickness,\c!rulecolor,\c!distance]%
-   \getparameters
-     [\??br#1][#2]}
+\let\setupsidebars\setupsidebar
 
 \unexpanded\def\startsidebar
-  {\dosingleempty\dostartsidebar}
+  {\dosingleempty\anch_sidebars_start}
 
-\def\dostartsidebar[#1]%
+\def\anch_sidebars_start[#1]%
   {\bgroup
+   \def\currentsidebar{#1}%
    \dontleavehmode
-   \checktextbackgrounds
-   \global\advance\currentsidebar\plusone
-   \doifelsenothing{#1}
-     {\advance\sidebardistance\@@brdistance}
-     {\doifelsevaluenothing{\??br#1\c!distance}
-        {\advance\sidebardistance\@@brdistance}
-        {\sidebardistance\getvalue{\??br#1\c!distance}}}%
+   \global\advance\c_anch_sidebars_n\plusone
+   \advance\c_anch_sidebars_distance\sidebarparameter\c!distance
    \startpositionoverlay{text-1}%
-     \expanded{\setMPpositiongraphicrange
-       {b:side:\the\currentsidebar}%
-       {e:side:\the\currentsidebar}%
-       {mpos:bar}%
-       {self=side:\the\currentsidebar,
-        linewidth=\getvalue{\??br#1\c!rulethickness},
-        linecolor=\getvalue{\??br#1\c!rulecolor},
-        distance=\the\sidebardistance}}%
+     \normalexpanded{\setMPpositiongraphicrange % maybe expand in definition
+       {b:sidebar:\the\c_anch_sidebars_n}%
+       {e:sidebar:\the\c_anch_sidebars_n}%
+       {mpos:sidebar}%
+       {self=sidebar:\the\c_anch_sidebars_n,
+        linewidth=\sidebarparameter\c!rulethickness,
+        linecolor=\sidebarparameter\c!rulecolor,
+        distance=\the\c_anch_sidebars_distance}}%
    \stoppositionoverlay
-   \bpos{side:\the\currentsidebar}}
+   \bpos{sidebar:\the\c_anch_sidebars_n}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\stopsidebar
-  {\removelastspace\epos{side:\the\currentsidebar}\carryoverpar\egroup}
-
-\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:bar}
-    \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:bar}{linecolor,linewidth,distance}%
-        position_anchor_bar (
-            \MPp\MPbself, \MPp\MPeself,
-            \MPy\MPbself, \MPy\MPeself,
-            \MPh\MPbself, \MPd\MPeself,
-            \MPvar{distance}, \MPvar{linewidth}, \MPvar{linecolor}
+  {\removelastspace
+   \epos{sidebar:\the\c_anch_sidebars_n}
+   \carryoverpar\egroup}
+
+%D Let's keep this nice and simple (okay, we could pass the 6 variables in
+%D one lua call).
+
+\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:sidebar}
+    \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:sidebar}{linecolor,linewidth,distance}%
+        if unknown context_apos : input mp-apos.mpiv ; fi ;
+        anch_sidebars_draw (
+            \MPp\MPbself,\MPp\MPeself,\MPy\MPbself,\MPy\MPeself,\MPh\MPbself,\MPd\MPeself,
+            \MPvar{distance},\MPvar{linewidth},\MPvar{linecolor}
         ) ;
     \stopMPpositiongraphic
-    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:bar}{}%
+    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:sidebar}{}%
 \stopMPpositionmethod
 
 %D We now reimplement the margin rules handler defined in
@@ -166,7 +152,7 @@
    \else
      \def\@@kadefaultwidth{#1}%
      \let\stopmarginrule\dostopmarginrule
-     \@EA\startsidebar\@EA[\@EA\v!margin\@EA]%
+     \normalexpanded{\startsidebar[\v!margin]}% why expanded
    \fi}
 
 \def\dostopmarginrule
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-bck.mkvi b/tex/context/base/anch-bck.mkvi
index 677d5e2ea..a44b10d3d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-bck.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-bck.mkvi
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@
 
 \unprotect
 
+% we can flush 5 in one call (saved 4 lua calls) .. brrr wself .. will change
+
+\def\MPposset#1{\ctxcommand{MPposset("#1")}} % will go
+
 % This might be overloaded later on:
 
 % \defineoverlay[\v!text-2][\positionoverlay{\v!text-2}]
@@ -39,18 +43,6 @@
   {\global\advance\c_anch_backgrounds_text_n\plusone
    \edef\v_anch_backgrounds_text_current{tbg:\number\c_anch_backgrounds_text_n}}
 
-% \ifdefined\totalnoftextbackgrounds
-%     % set in tuc
-% \else
-%     \newcounter\totalnoftextbackgrounds
-% \fi
-%
-% \appendtoks
-%     \savecurrentvalue\totalnoftextbackgrounds{\number\c_anch_backgrounds_text_n}%
-% \to \everybye
-
-% actually we can just ask lua to give us the nofpositions (or a least n<>0)
-
 % The first position can be used in the middle of a paragraph in which case we're
 % too late with initializing par positions. Therefore we check if positions are
 % used at all.
@@ -108,12 +100,12 @@
     \setuevalue{\currenttextbackground}{\groupedcommand{\starttextbackground[\currenttextbackground]}{\stoptextbackground}}%
     \setuevalue{\e!start\currenttextbackground}{\starttextbackground[\currenttextbackground]}%
     \setuevalue{\e!stop \currenttextbackground}{\stoptextbackground}%
-    \doif{\textbackgroundparameter\c!state}\v!start\checktextbackgrounds
+%     \doif{\textbackgroundparameter\c!state}\v!start\checkpositionoverlays
 \to \everydefinetextbackground
 
-\appendtoks
-    \doif{\textbackgroundparameter\c!state}\v!start\checktextbackgrounds
-\to \everysetuptextbackground
+% \appendtoks
+%     \doif{\textbackgroundparameter\c!state}\v!start\checkpositionoverlays
+% \to \everysetuptextbackground
 
 \unexpanded\def\starttextbackground
   {\begingroup
@@ -121,7 +113,7 @@
    \dodoubleempty\anch_backgrounds_text_start}
 
 \def\anch_backgrounds_text_start[#tag][#settings]%
-  {\checktextbackgrounds
+  {%\checkpositionoverlays
    \def\currenttextbackground{#tag}%
    \anch_backgrounds_text_initialize_next
    \ifsecondargument
@@ -304,15 +296,16 @@
    \endgraf % new
    \textbackgroundparameter\c!after}
 
-\def\checktextbackgrounds
+\unexpanded\def\checkpositionoverlays
   {\ifproductionrun
      \enabletextarearegistration
      \enablehiddenbackground
+     \global\let\checkpositionoverlays\relax
    \fi}
 
 \setuptextbackground
-  [\c!mp=mpos:par:columnset,      % buggy: mpos:par:shape
-   \c!method=mpos:par:columnset, %
+  [\c!mp=mpos:region:draw,
+   \c!method=mpos:region,
    \c!state=\v!start,
    \c!location=\v!text,
    \c!leftoffset=\!!zeropoint, % 1em,
@@ -331,59 +324,21 @@
    \c!voffset=\!!zeropoint,
    \c!frame=\v!on,
    \c!framecolor=blue,
+   \c!frameoffset=\!!zeropoint,
    \c!rulethickness=\linewidth]
 
 %D The \METAPOST\ connection:
 
-%D Some of these macros are pretty clever but too complicated
-%D to be nice. When things are kind of stable I'll clean up
-%D this mess.
-
-\setupMPvariables
-  [mpos:box]
-  [linecolor=blue,
-   linewidth=\linewidth,
-   fillcolor=lightgray,
-   filloffset=\!!zeropoint]
-
-\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:box}{fillcolor,linecolor,linewidth}
-    initialize_box(\MPpos{\MPvar{self}}) ;
-    def boxfilloptions = withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} enddef ;
-    def boxlineoptions = withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} enddef ;
-    boxlinewidth  := \MPvar{linewidth} ;
-    boxfilloffset := \MPvar{filloffset} ;
-    draw_box ;
-    anchor_box(\MPanchor{\MPvar{self}}) ;
-\stopMPpositiongraphic
-
-\setupMPvariables
-  [mpos:area]
-  [linecolor=blue,
-   linewidth=\linewidth,
-   fillcolor=lightgray,
-   filloffset=\!!zeropoint]
-
-\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:area}{fillcolor,linecolor,linewidth}
-    initialize_area(\MPpos{b:\MPvar{self}},\MPpos{e:\MPvar{self}}) ;
-    def boxfilloptions = withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} enddef ;
-    def boxlineoptions = withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} enddef ;
-    boxlinewidth  := \MPvar{linewidth} ;
-    boxfilloffset := \MPvar{filloffset} ;
-    draw_area ;
-    anchor_area(\MPanchor{b:\MPvar{self}}) ;
-\stopMPpositiongraphic
-
 % gridtype = 1 => baseline
 % gridtype = 2 => betweenline
 
 \setupMPvariables
-  [mpos:par]
-  [mp=mpos:par:shape,
+  [mpos:region]
+  [mp=mpos:region:unset,
    gridtype=0,
    linetype=1,
    filltype=1,
    dashtype=0, % 1 = dashed, 2 = dashed with background
-  %snaptops=true, % not that nice: true/false
    gridcolor=red,
    linecolor=blue,
    fillcolor=lightgray,
@@ -392,143 +347,73 @@
    gridwidth=\linewidth,
    gridshift=\!!zeropoint,
    lineradius=.5\bodyfontsize,
+   lineoffset=\!!zeropoint,
    dashtype=1]
 
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:shape}
-    \iftracepositions show_par \else draw_par \fi ;
-\stopuseMPgraphic
-
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:setup}
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:setup}
+    if unknown context_abck : input mp-abck.mpiv ; fi ;
     boxgridtype   := \MPvar{gridtype} ;
     boxlinetype   := \MPvar{linetype} ;
     boxfilltype   := \MPvar{filltype} ;
     boxdashtype   := \MPvar{dashtype} ;
-    def boxgridoptions = withcolor \MPvar{gridcolor} enddef ;
-    def boxlineoptions = withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} enddef ;
-    def boxfilloptions = withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} enddef ;
     boxfilloffset := \MPvar{filloffset} ;
     boxlinewidth  := \MPvar{linewidth} ;
     boxgridwidth  := \MPvar{gridwidth} ;
     boxgridshift  := \MPvar{gridshift} ;
     boxlineradius := \MPvar{lineradius} ;
-    %snap_multi_par_tops := \MPvar{snaptops} ;
-\stopuseMPgraphic
-
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:extra}
-    % user stuff, like:
-    % snap_multi_par_tops := false ;
+    boxlineoffset := \MPvar{lineoffset} ;
+    %
+    def boxgridoptions = withcolor \MPvar{gridcolor} enddef ;
+    def boxlineoptions = withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} enddef ;
+    def boxfilloptions = withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} enddef ;
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
-\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:par} %%%%%%%%%%% will become obsolete
-    \MPparcounter\MPn\MPbself\relax
-    \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{fillcolor,filloffset,linecolor,gridcolor,linewidth,gridwidth,gridshift,lineradius}
-        initialize_par(\MPposset{\MPvar{self}}) ;
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:setup} ;
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:extra} ;
-        \includeMPgraphic{\MPvar{mp}} ;
-        anchor_par(\MPanchor\MPbself) ;
-    \stopMPpositiongraphic
-    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{}%
-\stopMPpositionmethod
-
-%D The next alternative works in columnsets :
-
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:columnset}
-    \iftracepositions show_multi_pars \else draw_multi_pars \fi ;
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:extra}
+    % user stuff
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:sideline}{linecolor,lineoffset,linewidth}
-    begingroup ; save p ; picture p ;
-    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
-        p := image ( fill leftboundary multipars[i]
-            shifted (-\MPvar{lineoffset},0)
-            rightenlarged \MPvar{linewidth} withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} ;
-        ) ;
-        setbounds p to multipars[i] ;
-        draw p ;
-    endfor ;
-    endgroup ;
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:anchor}
+    setbounds currentpicture to multibox ;
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
-% we can flush 5 in one call (saved 4 lua calls) .. brrr wself .. will change
-
-\def\MPposset#1{\ctxcommand{MPposset("#1")}}
-
-\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:par:columnset}
-    \MPparcounter\MPn\MPbself\relax
-\edef\regionanchor{\MPr\MPbself}%
-\ifx\regionanchor\empty
-    \regionpositioningfalse
-\else
-    \regionpositioningtrue
-\fi
-    \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{fillcolor,filloffset,linecolor,gridcolor,linewidth,gridwidth,gridshift,lineradius}
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:setup} ;
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:extra} ;
-        prepare_multi_pars(\MPposset{\MPvar{self}}) ;
-        relocate_multipars(-\MPxy\MPanchorid) ; % inside layerpos
-        \includeMPgraphic{\MPvar{mp}} ;
-    \stopMPpositiongraphic
-    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{}%
-\regionpositioningfalse
-\stopMPpositionmethod
+% \startMPpositionmethod{mpos:region}
+%     \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:region}{fillcolor,filloffset,linecolor,gridcolor,linewidth,gridwidth,gridshift,lineradius,lineoffset}
+%         \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:setup} ;
+%         \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:extra} ;
+%         \MPgetmultipars{\MPvar{self}}{\MPanchorid} ;
+%         \includeMPgraphic{\MPvar{mp}} ;
+%         \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:anchor} ;
+%     \stopMPpositiongraphic
+%     \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:region}{}%
+% \stopMPpositionmethod
+
+\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:region}{fillcolor,filloffset,linecolor,gridcolor,linewidth,gridwidth,gridshift,lineradius,lineoffset}
+    \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:setup} ;
+    \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:extra} ;
+    \MPgetmultipars{\MPvar{self}}{\MPanchorid} ;
+    \includeMPgraphic{\MPvar{mp}} ;
+    \includeMPgraphic{mpos:region:anchor} ;
+\stopMPpositiongraphic
 
-% new:
-
-% \setuptextbackground
-%   [\c!mp=mpos:par:region,
-%    \c!method=mpos:par:region]
-
-\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:par:region}
-    \startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{fillcolor,filloffset,linecolor,gridcolor,linewidth,gridwidth,gridshift,lineradius}
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:setup} ;
-        \includeMPgraphic{mpos:par:extra} ;
-        \ctxcommand{fetchmultipar("\MPvar{self}",\the\realpageno,"\MPanchorid")}
-        \includeMPgraphic{\MPvar{mp}} ;
-        setbounds currentpicture to multibox ;
-    \stopMPpositiongraphic
-    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:par}{}%
+\startMPpositionmethod{mpos:region}
+    \MPpositiongraphic{mpos:region}{}%
 \stopMPpositionmethod
 
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:region}
-    \iftracepositions
-        show_multi_pars
-    \else
-        draw_multi_pars
-    \fi ;
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:draw}
+    draw_multi_pars
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:par:region:kind}
-    for i=1 upto nofmultipars :
-        fill multipars[i] %^ shifted (0,2mm)
-            withcolor
-                if      multikind[i] = "single" : yellow
-                elseif  multikind[i] = "first"  : red
-                elseif  multikind[i] = "middle" : green
-                elseif  multikind[i] = "last"   : blue
-                fi
-            withtransparency (1,.5)
-        ;
-    endfor ;
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:show}
+    show_multi_pars
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
-\setuptextbackground
-  [\c!mp=mpos:par:region,
-   \c!method=mpos:par:region]
-
-%D \starttyping
-%D \setupbackground
-%D   [test]
-%D   [mp=mpos:par:columnset,
-%D    method=mpos:par:columnset]
-%D \stoptyping
-
-%D We need to treat floats in a special way.
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:kind}
+    show_multi_kind
+\stopuseMPgraphic
 
-\startMPinitializations
-    local_multi_par_area:=\iflocalpositioning  true\else false\fi;
-    use_multi_par_region:=\ifregionpositioning true\else false\fi;
-\stopMPinitializations
+\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:region:sideline}
+    draw_multi_side
+\stopuseMPgraphic
 
 %D As an example we define a grid background:
 
@@ -543,54 +428,39 @@
 
 \ifx\basegrid\undefined \else \letvalue\v!grid=\basegrid \fi
 
-%D Whatever
-
-\setupMPvariables
-  [mpos:connect]
-  [linecolor=red,
-   linewidth=1pt]
+%D Some examples (that might become modules anch-imp-whatever):
 
 \setupMPvariables
   [mpos:encircle]
   [fillcolor=lightgray,
    filloffset=\!!zeropoint,
    linecolor=blue,
+   lineoffset=5pt,
    linewidth=1pt]
 
-% these might become macros in mp-page
-
-\startuseMPgraphic{mpos:common:ec}
-    path pa ; pair ca ; numeric lw ;
-    lw := \MPvar{linewidth} ;
-    initialize_box(\MPpos{\MPvar{self}}) ;
-    pa := pxy ; ca := cxy ; pa := boundingbox pa enlarged 2lw ;
-    pa := llcorner pa ... lrcorner pa ... urcorner pa ... ulcorner pa ... cycle ;
-    drawoptions (withpen pencircle scaled lw withcolor \MPvar{linecolor}) ;
-\stopuseMPgraphic
-
-\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:encircle}{linecolor,fillcolor,linewidth}
-    \includeMPgraphic{mpos:common:ec}
-    fill pa withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} ; draw pa ;
-    anchor_box(\MPanchor{\MPvar{self}}) ;
+\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:encircle}{linecolor,fillcolor,linewidth,lineoffset}
+    if unknown context_apos : input mp-apos.mpiv ; fi ;
+    \MPgetposboxes{\MPvar{self}}{\MPanchorid}
+    if nofposboxes = 1 :
+        posboxes[1] := posboxes[1] enlarged \MPvar{lineoffset} cornered \MPvar{lineoffset}  ;
+        fill posboxes[1] withcolor \MPvar{fillcolor} ;
+        draw posboxes[1] withpen pencircle scaled \MPvar{linewidth} withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} ;
+    fi ;
 \stopMPpositiongraphic
 
-\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:connect}{linecolor,linewidth}
-    path pb, pc ; pair cb, cc ;
-    \includeMPgraphic{mpos:common:ec}
-    initialize_box(\MPpos{\MPvar{to}}) ;
-    pb := pxy ; cb := cxy ; pb := boundingbox pb enlarged 2lw ;
-    pb := llcorner pb...lrcorner pb...urcorner pb...ulcorner pb...cycle ;
-    pc := ca {up} .. {down} cb ;
-    cc := (pc intersection_point pa) ;
-    if intersection_found :
-        pc := pc cutbefore cc ;
-        cc := (pc intersection_point pb) ;
-        if intersection_found :
-            pc := pc cutafter cc ;
-            drawarrow pc ; drawarrow reverse pc ;
-        fi ;
-    fi ;
-    anchor_box(\MPanchor{\MPvar{self}}) ;
+\setupMPvariables
+  [mpos:connect]
+  [linecolor=red,
+   lineoffset=.25ex,
+   linewidth=1pt]
+
+\startMPpositiongraphic{mpos:connect}{linecolor,lineoffset,linewidth}
+    if unknown context_apos : input mp-apos.mpiv ; fi ;
+    boxlinewidth  := \MPvar{linewidth} ;
+    boxlineoffset := \MPvar{lineoffset} ;
+    def boxlineoptions = withcolor \MPvar{linecolor} enddef ;
+    \MPgetposboxes{\MPvar{from},\MPvar{to}}{\MPanchorid}
+    connect_positions ;
 \stopMPpositiongraphic
 
 \protect \endinput
@@ -621,7 +491,7 @@
 
 \definetextbackground
   [sideline]
-  [mp=mpos:par:sideline,
+  [mp=mpos:region:sideline,
    location=paragraph,
    framecolor=red,
    frameoffset=5mm]
@@ -631,9 +501,28 @@
    after=\stoptextbackground]
 
 \starttext
+
     \startunderline     \input tufte \stopunderline      \blank
     \startoverstrike    \input tufte \stopoverstrike     \blank
     \startexlines       \input tufte \stopexlines        \blank
     \startstrikethrough \input tufte \stopstrikethrough  \blank
     \startsideline      \input tufte \stopsideline       \blank
+
+    \page
+
+    \startpositionoverlay{text-1}
+        \setMPpositiongraphic{connect-1-b}{mpos:connect}{from=connect-1-b,to=connect-1-e}
+        \setMPpositiongraphic{connect-1-e}{mpos:connect}{from=connect-1-b,to=connect-1-e}
+    \stoppositionoverlay
+
+    \startpositionoverlay{text-1}
+        \setMPpositiongraphic{encircle-1}{mpos:encircle}{self=encircle-1}
+    \stoppositionoverlay
+
+    test \hpos{connect-1-b}{START}
+        \dorecurse{10}{\input ward}
+    \hpos{encircle-1}{\strut HERE}
+        \dorecurse{10}{\input ward}
+    \hpos{connect-1-e}{STOP} test
+
 \stoptext
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.lua b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.lua
index 7ab341b63..6dffd9bf8 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.lua
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ local backgrounds = { }
 
 graphics.backgrounds = backgrounds
 
-local function calculate(tag)
+local function calculatemultipar(tag)
     local collected = jobpositions.collected
     local b = collected[format("b:%s",tag)]
     local e = collected[format("e:%s",tag)]
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ end
 --     end
 -- end
 --
--- function graphics.backgrounds.registered(anchor,page)
+-- function backgrounds.registered(anchor,page)
 --     local pa = pending[anchor]
 --     if pa then
 --         concat(pa,",")
@@ -478,9 +478,9 @@ end
 
 local pbg = { } -- will move to pending
 
-function graphics.backgrounds.calculate(n)
+function backgrounds.calculatemultipar(n)
     if not pbg[n] then
-        pbg[n] = calculate("pbg",n) or { }
+        pbg[n] = calculatemultipar("pbg",n) or { }
     end
 end
 
@@ -491,6 +491,8 @@ local multilocs = {
     last   = 3,
 }
 
+-- if unknown context_abck : input mp-abck.mpiv ; fi ;
+
 local template_a = [[
 path multiregs[], multipars[], multibox ;
 string multikind[] ;
@@ -517,10 +519,10 @@ local template_d = [[
 setbounds currentpicture to multibox ;
 ]]
 
-function graphics.backgrounds.fetch(n,page,anchor)
+function backgrounds.fetchmultipar(n,anchor,page)
     local data = pbg[n]
     if not data then
-        data = calculate(n)
+        data = calculatemultipar(n)
         pbg[n] = data -- can be replaced by register
      -- register(data.list,n,anchor)
     end
@@ -559,8 +561,62 @@ function graphics.backgrounds.fetch(n,page,anchor)
     return format(template_a,0,"origin")
 end
 
-function commands.fetchmultipar(n,page,anchor)
-    context(graphics.backgrounds.fetch(n,page,anchor))
+backgrounds.point = point
+backgrounds.pair  = pair
+backgrounds.path  = path
+
+function commands.fetchmultipar(n,anchor,page)
+    context(backgrounds.fetchmultipar(n,anchor,page))
+end
+
+local template_a = [[
+path posboxes[], posregions[] ;
+numeric pospages[] ;
+numeric nofposboxes ;
+nofposboxes := %s ;
+%s ;
+]]
+
+local template_b = [[
+pospages[%s] := %s ;
+posboxes[%s] := %s--%s--%s--%s--cycle ;
+posregions[%s] := %s--%s--%s--%s--cycle ;
+]]
+
+function commands.fetchposboxes(tags,anchor,page) -- no caching (yet) / todo: anchor, page
+    local collected = jobpositions.collected
+    if type(tags) == "string" then
+        tags = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array(tags)
+    end
+    local list, nofboxes = { }, 0
+    for i=1,#tags do
+        local tag= tags[i]
+        local c = collected[tag]
+        if c then
+            local r = c.r
+            if r then
+                r = collected[r]
+                if r then
+                    local rx, ry, rw, rh, rd = r.x, r.y, r.w, r.h, r.d
+                    local cx = c.x - rx
+                    local cy = c.y - ry
+                    local cw = cx + c.w
+                    local ch = cy + c.h
+                    local cd = cy - c.d
+                    nofboxes = nofboxes + 1
+                    list[nofboxes] = format(template_b,
+                        nofboxes,c.p,
+                        nofboxes,pair(cx,ch),pair(cw,ch),pair(cw,cd),pair(cx,cd),
+                        nofboxes,pair(0,rh),pair(rw,rh),pair(rw,rd),pair(0,rd)
+                    )
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            print("\n missing",tag)
+        end
+    end
+ -- print(format(template_a,nofboxes,concat(list)))
+    context(template_a,nofboxes,concat(list))
 end
 
 local doifelse = commands.doifelse
@@ -568,7 +624,7 @@ local doifelse = commands.doifelse
 function commands.doifelsemultipar(n,page)
     local data = pbg[n]
     if not data then
-        data = calculate(n)
+        data = calculatemultipar(n)
         pbg[n] = data
     end
     if page then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
index 5f6157268..8caa09c69 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
@@ -62,12 +62,12 @@
      \anch_positions_action_indeed_nop}
 
 \def\anch_positions_action_indeed_nop
-  {\traceposstring\clap\cyan{<\currentpositionaction>}}
+  {\anch_positions_trace_action_nop}
 
 \def\anch_positions_action_indeed_yes % we need a way to figure out if we have actions
   {\begingroup
    \setbox\scratchbox\hbox
-     {\traceposstring\clap\red{<\currentpositionaction>}%
+     {\anch_positions_trace_action_yes
       \the\everyinsertpositionaction
       \the\everypositionaction
       \csname\??positionaction\currentpositionaction\endcsname
@@ -75,6 +75,20 @@
    \smashedbox\scratchbox % smashing is really needed else we get problems with too big overlays
    \endgroup}
 
+\unexpanded\def\anch_positions_trace_action_nop_indeed
+  {\anch_positions_trace\clap\darkred{<\currentpositionaction>}}
+
+\unexpanded\def\anch_positions_trace_action_yes_indeed
+  {\anch_positions_trace\clap\darkgreen{<\currentpositionaction>}}
+
+\let\anch_positions_trace_action_nop\relax
+\let\anch_positions_trace_action_yes\relax
+
+\appendtoks
+    \let\anch_positions_trace_action_nop\anch_positions_trace_action_nop_indeed
+    \let\anch_positions_trace_action_yes\anch_positions_trace_action_yes_indeed
+\to \t_anch_positions_tracers
+
 %D Here the complication has to do with collecting actions
 %D for later execution. This collection is especially handy
 %D when we want to move actions to a specific layer. Such
@@ -84,13 +98,13 @@
 \def\anch_positions_cleanup_action % not in trialtypesetting
   {\ifcsname\??positioncleanup\currentpositionaction\endcsname
      \the\everycleanpositionaction
-     \iflocalpositioning
-       % erase
-       \expandafter\let\csname\??positioncleanup\currentpositionaction\endcsname\empty
-     \else
+   % \iflocalpositioning
+   %   % erase
+   %   \expandafter\let\csname\??positioncleanup\currentpositionaction\endcsname\empty
+   % \else
        % globalize expansion cleans up
        \setxvalue{\??positioncleanup\currentpositionaction}{\csname\??positioncleanup\currentpositionaction\endcsname}%
-     \fi
+   %  \fi
    \fi}
 
 \def\handlepositionaction#1\with#2\on#3% ugly
@@ -204,7 +218,7 @@
 %D \typebuffer[graphic]
 
 \def\MPanchoridentifier{mpa}  % {mp-anchor}
-\def\MPoverlayposprefix{MO::} % not used
+%def\MPoverlayposprefix{MO::} % not used
 
 %D The rest of the definitions concerning such overlays may
 %D look complicated,
@@ -214,10 +228,14 @@
 %D Position actions are automatically executed when a position
 %D is set.
 
-\newcount\localpositionnumber % incremented elsewhere
+% \newcount\localpositionnumber % incremented elsewhere
+% \newif\iflocalpositioning
+%
+% \def\textbackgroundoverlay#1{\iflocalpositioning\v!local\else\v!text\fi#1}
+% \def\MPanchornumber         {\the\iflocalpositioning\localpositionnumber\else\realpageno\fi}
 
-\def\textbackgroundoverlay#1{\iflocalpositioning\v!local\else\v!text\fi#1}
-\def\MPanchornumber         {\the\iflocalpositioning\localpositionnumber\else\realpageno\fi}
+\def\textbackgroundoverlay#1{\v!text#1}
+\def\MPanchornumber         {\the\realpageno}
 
 \def\positionoverlay  % the test prevents too many redundant positions
   {\ifpositioning     % in (not used) text* position layers
@@ -247,7 +265,7 @@
       \setbox\scratchbox\hbox to \overlaywidth{\dopositionaction{\currentpositionoverlay::\MPanchoridentifier}\hss}%
       \ht\scratchbox\overlayheight
       \dp\scratchbox\zeropoint
-\ctxcommand{markregionbox(\number\scratchbox,"\MPanchorid")}% needs an hbox
+      \ctxcommand{markregionbox(\number\scratchbox,"\MPanchorid")}% needs an hbox
       \box\scratchbox
       \vfill}}
 
@@ -294,7 +312,8 @@
   {}
 
 \def\anch_positions_overlay_start_yes#1%
-  {\def\currentpositionoverlay{#1}}
+  {\checkpositionoverlays
+   \edef\currentpositionoverlay{#1}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\stoppositionoverlay
   {\let\currentpositionoverlay\empty}
@@ -302,17 +321,17 @@
 % \def\resetpositionoverlay#1%
 %   {\dosetpositionaction{#1::\MPanchoridentifier::}{}}
 
-\def\handlepositionboxes#1#2#3%
-  {\handlepositionaction\dohandlepositionboxes\with{#1}{#2}{#3}\on{#2}}
-
-\def\doinsertpositionboxes#1#2#3% pos tag setups
-  {\ifnum\MPp{#1}=\realpageno\relax % can be sped up
-     \executeifdefined{\MPoverlayposprefix#1}\gobblethreearguments{#1}{#2}{#3}% not used
-   \fi}
-
-\appendtoks
-    \let\dohandlepositionboxes\doinsertpositionboxes % was handle ?
-\to \everyinsertpositionaction
+% \def\handlepositionboxes#1#2#3%
+%   {\handlepositionaction\dohandlepositionboxes\with{#1}{#2}{#3}\on{#2}}
+%
+% \def\doinsertpositionboxes#1#2#3% pos tag setups
+%   {\ifnum\MPp{#1}=\realpageno\relax % can be sped up
+%      \executeifdefined{\MPoverlayposprefix#1}\gobblethreearguments{#1}{#2}{#3}% not used
+%    \fi}
+%
+% \appendtoks
+%     \let\dohandlepositionboxes\doinsertpositionboxes % was handle ?
+% \to \everyinsertpositionaction
 
 \def\docleanpositionboxes#1#2#3% pos tag setups
   {\ifnum\MPp{#1}<\realpageno \else
@@ -469,34 +488,9 @@
     \let\dohandleMPpositiongraphicrange\docleanMPpositiongraphicrange
 \to \everycleanpositionaction
 
-%D \macros
-%D   {stackposdown, stackposup, stackposleft,stackposright}
-%D
-%D This is sort of obsolete as we have now stacking in the
-%D margin in a different way.
-
-\def\stackposdistance{.5em}
-
-\newcount\currentautopos
-\newcount\previousautopos
-
-\def\POSstackprefix{stack:}
-
-\unexpanded\def\dostackposbox#1#2%
-  {\dowithnextbox
-     {#2%
-      \bgroup
-      \previousautopos\currentautopos
-      \global\advance\currentautopos\plusone
-      \edef\currentposition {\POSstackprefix\number\currentautopos}%
-      \edef\previousposition{\POSstackprefix\number\previousautopos}%
-      \hpos\currentposition{\doifoverlappingelse\currentposition\previousposition{#1}{\flushnextbox}%
-      \egroup}}%
-     \hbox}
-
-\unexpanded\def\stackposup   {\dostackposbox{\raise\lineheight\flushnextbox}}
-\unexpanded\def\stackposdown {\dostackposbox{\lower\lineheight\flushnextbox}}
-\unexpanded\def\stackposleft {\dostackposbox{\copy\nextbox\hskip\nextboxwd\hskip\stackposdistance}}
-\unexpanded\def\stackposright{\dostackposbox{\hskip\stackposdistance\hskip\nextboxwd\flushnextbox}}
+% Helpers:
+
+\def\MPgetposboxes #1#2{\ctxcommand{fetchposboxes("#1","#2",\the\realpageno)}}
+\def\MPgetmultipars#1#2{\ctxcommand{fetchmultipar("#1","#2",\the\realpageno)}}
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-pos.lua b/tex/context/base/anch-pos.lua
index bc062161d..19c35a5a6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-pos.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-pos.lua
@@ -27,21 +27,21 @@ local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 local texsp, texcount, texbox, texdimen, texsetcount = tex.sp, tex.count, tex.box, tex.dimen, tex.setcount
 ----- texsp = string.todimen -- because we cache this is much faster but no rounding
 
-local setmetatableindex = table.setmetatableindex
-
-local variables   = interfaces.variables
+local pdf               = pdf -- h and v are variables
 
-local v_text      = variables.text
-local v_column    = variables.column
+local setmetatableindex = table.setmetatableindex
+local new_latelua       = nodes.pool.latelua
+local find_tail         = node.slide
 
-local new_latelua = nodes.pool.latelua
-local find_tail   = node.slide
+local variables         = interfaces.variables
+local v_text            = variables.text
+local v_column          = variables.column
 
-local pt  = number.dimenfactors.pt
-local pts = number.pts
+local pt                = number.dimenfactors.pt
+local pts               = number.pts
 
-local collected = allocate()
-local tobesaved = allocate()
+local collected         = allocate()
+local tobesaved         = allocate()
 
 local jobpositions = {
     collected = collected,
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ local jobpositions = {
 
 job.positions = jobpositions
 
-_plib_ = jobpositions
+_plib_ = jobpositions -- might go
 
 local default = { -- not r and paragraphs etc
     __index = {
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ local nofparagraphs = 0
 
 function commands.parpos() -- todo: relate to localpar (so this is an intermediate variant)
     nofparagraphs = nofparagraphs + 1
-    texsetcount("global","parposcounter",nofparagraphs)
+    texsetcount("global","c_anch_positions_paragraph",nofparagraphs)
     local strutbox = texbox.strutbox
     local t = {
         p  = true,
@@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ function commands.MPx(id)
     local jpi = collected[id]
     if jpi then
         local x = jpi.x
-        if x and p ~= true  then
+        if x and x ~= true and x ~= 0 then
             context("%.5fpt",x*pt)
             return
         end
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ function commands.MPy(id)
     local jpi = collected[id]
     if jpi then
         local y = jpi.y
-        if y and p ~= true  then
+        if y and y ~= true and y ~= 0 then
             context("%.5fpt",y*pt)
             return
         end
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ function commands.MPw(id)
     local jpi = collected[id]
     if jpi then
         local w = jpi.w
-        if w then
+        if w and w ~= 0 then
             context("%.5fpt",w*pt)
             return
         end
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ function commands.MPh(id)
     local jpi = collected[id]
     if jpi then
         local h = jpi.h
-        if h then
+        if h and h ~= 0 then
             context("%.5fpt",h*pt)
             return
         end
@@ -750,10 +750,11 @@ function commands.MPh(id)
 end
 
 function commands.MPd(id)
+    local jpi = collected[id]
     if jpi then
         local d = jpi.d
-        if d then
-            context("%spt",d*pt)
+        if d and d ~= 0 then
+            context("%.5fpt",d*pt)
             return
         end
     end
@@ -969,7 +970,7 @@ function commands.doifpositionelse(name)
     commands.doifelse(collected[name])
 end
 
-function commands.doifpositionelse(name)
+function commands.doifposition(name)
     commands.doif(collected[name])
 end
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-pos.mkiv b/tex/context/base/anch-pos.mkiv
index 3341d40c4..a583d8165 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-pos.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-pos.mkiv
@@ -42,36 +42,14 @@
 \def\dosetpositionbox       #1#2{\ctxcommand{poswhd("#1",\number\wd#2,\number\ht#2,\number\dp#2)}}
 \def\dosetpositionstrut       #1{\ctxcommand{posstrut("#1")}}
 
-\newbox\positionbox
-\newif \ifpositioning
+\newbox\b_anch_position
+\newif \ifpositioning   % sort of public
 
 %D Sometimes we want to trick the position handler a bit:
 
-\def\replacepospxywhd#1#2#3#4#5#6#7%
+\def\replacepospxywhd#1#2#3#4#5#6#7% when used we can better make a helper
   {\ctxcommand{replacepospxywhd('#1',\number#2,\number\dimexpr#3,\number\dimexpr#4,\number\dimexpr#5,\number\dimexpr#6,\number\dimexpr#7)}}
 
-%D The next switch can be used to communicate a special situation. Positioning and
-%D associated actions can be executed any time. However, in for instance backgrounds
-%D they can be collected in a layer, for instance the text layer (especially the
-%D hidden text layer). In the case of floats, we run into problems, since the page
-%D information is not applicable when the content floats indeed. In such situations
-%D one can treat positions and graphics local.
-
-\newif\iflocalpositioning  % todo: conditional
-\newif\ifregionpositioning % todo: conditional
-
-%D Watch out: sometimes a pagebreak occurs inside a float placement, so there we need
-%D to disable local mode.
-
-\appendtoks
-    \localpositioningtrue
-\to \everyinsidefloat
-
-\appendtoks
-    \regionpositioningfalse
-    \localpositioningfalse
-\to \everybeforepagebody
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {MPp, MPx, MPy, MPw, MPh, MPd, MPxy, MPll, MPlr, MPur, MPul, MPpos, MPanchor}
 %D
@@ -156,7 +134,7 @@
   {\anch_positions_initialize
    \edef\currentposition{#1}%
    \dosetposition\currentposition
-   \traceposstring\llap\green{\currentposition>}%
+   \anch_positions_trace_left
    \dopositionaction\currentposition}
 
 \unexpanded\def\setpositiondata
@@ -171,7 +149,7 @@
    \hbox
      {\edef\currentposition{#1}%
       \dosetpositionwhd\currentposition{#2}{#3}{#4}% already \the\dimexpr
-      \traceposstring\llap\green{\currentposition>}%
+      \anch_positions_trace_left
       \dopositionaction\currentposition
       \hss}}
 
@@ -193,10 +171,10 @@
    \hbox to \wd\nextbox
      {\edef\currentposition{#1}%
       \dosetpositionbox\currentposition\nextbox
-      \traceposstring\llap\green{\currentposition>}%
-      \setbox\positionbox\box\nextbox
+      \anch_positions_trace_left
+      \setbox\b_anch_position\box\nextbox
       \dopositionaction\currentposition
-      \box\positionbox
+      \box\b_anch_position
       \hss}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\setpositionstrut
@@ -214,7 +192,7 @@
    \hbox to \zeropoint
      {\edef\currentposition{#1}%
       \dosetpositionstrut\currentposition
-      \traceposstring\llap\green{\currentposition>}%
+      \anch_positions_trace_left
       \dopositionaction\currentposition
       \strut
       \hss}}
@@ -231,7 +209,7 @@
    \hbox % just package
      {\edef\currentposition{#1}%
       \dosetpositionplus\currentposition{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}% already \the\dimexpr
-      \traceposstring\rlap\magenta{<\currentposition}%
+      \anch_positions_trace_right
       \dopositionaction\currentposition
       \hss}}
 
@@ -253,10 +231,10 @@
    \hbox to \nextboxwd
      {\edef\currentposition{#1}%
       \dosetpositionplus\currentposition{\wd\nextbox}{\ht\nextbox}{\dp\nextbox}{#2}%
-      \traceposstring\rlap\magenta{<\currentposition}%
-      \setbox\positionbox\flushnextbox
+      \anch_positions_trace_right
+      \setbox\b_anch_position\flushnextbox
       \dopositionaction\currentposition
-      \box\positionbox
+      \box\b_anch_position
       \hss}}
 
 \let\currentposition\s!unknown
@@ -348,17 +326,17 @@
 %D can keep track of them. This mechanism is activated automatically based on
 %D information collected in the previous pass.
 
-\newcount\parposcounter
-\newif   \ifpositioningpar
-\newif   \iftracepositions
+\newtoks \t_anch_positions_tracers
+\newcount\c_anch_positions_paragraph
+
+\unexpanded\def\tracepositions
+  {\the\t_anch_positions_tracers}
 
 \unexpanded\def\enableparpositions % global
   {\global\let\registerparoptions\doregisterparoptions
-   \global\positioningtrue
-   \global\positioningpartrue}
+   \global\positioningtrue}
 
-\unexpanded\def\disableparpositions % local
-  {\positioningparfalse}
+\let\disableparpositions\relax
 
 \let\registerparoptions\relax
 
@@ -369,31 +347,47 @@
      \fi \fi \fi
    \fi}
 
-\def\anch_positions_register_par_options
-  {\dontleavehmode\ctxcommand{parpos()}%
-   \iftracepositions\registerparsymbol\fi}
+\def\anch_positions_register_par_options_normal
+  {\dontleavehmode\ctxcommand{parpos()}}
+
+\def\anch_positions_register_par_options_traced
+  {\anch_positions_register_par_options_normal
+   \smashedhbox to \zeropoint
+     {\hss
+      \startcolor[blue]%
+      \llap{\infofont\number\c_anch_positions_paragraph}%
+      \vrule
+        \!!width 4\onepoint
+        \!!height2\onepoint
+        \!!depth 2\onepoint
+      \stopcolor
+      \hss}}
+
+\let\anch_positions_register_par_options\anch_positions_register_par_options_normal
 
-\unexpanded\def\traceposstring#1#2#3%
-  {\iftracepositions
-     \smashedhbox
-       {#1{\infofont#2#3}%
-        \kern-\onepoint
-        \vrule\!!width2\onepoint\!!height\halfapoint\!!depth\halfapoint}%
-   \fi}
+\appendtoks
+    \let\anch_positions_register_par_options\anch_positions_register_par_options_traced
+\to \t_anch_positions_tracers
 
-\unexpanded\def\registerparsymbol
-  {\iftracepositions
-     \smashedhbox to \zeropoint
-       {\hss
-        \startcolor[blue]%
-        \llap{\infofont\number\parposcounter}%
-        \vrule
-          \!!width 4\onepoint
-          \!!height2\onepoint
-          \!!depth 2\onepoint
-        \stopcolor
-        \hss}%
-   \fi}
+\unexpanded\def\anch_positions_trace#1#2#3%
+  {\smashedhbox
+     {#1{\infofont#2#3}%
+      \kern-\onepoint
+      \vrule\!!width2\onepoint\!!height\halfapoint\!!depth\halfapoint}}
+
+\unexpanded\def\anch_positions_trace_left_indeed
+  {\anch_positions_trace\llap\darkmagenta{\currentposition>}}
+
+\unexpanded\def\anch_positions_trace_right_indeed
+  {\anch_positions_trace\rlap\darkcyan{<\currentposition}}
+
+\let\anch_positions_trace_left \relax
+\let\anch_positions_trace_right\relax
+
+\appendtoks
+    \let\anch_positions_trace_left  \anch_positions_trace_left_indeed
+    \let\anch_positions_trace_right \anch_positions_trace_right_indeed
+\to \t_anch_positions_tracers
 
 % \appendtoks \registerparoptions \to \everypar
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-snc.mkiv b/tex/context/base/anch-snc.mkiv
index c7448f3a1..5f2c17ac9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-snc.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-snc.mkiv
@@ -56,10 +56,7 @@
      \pluscounter{\s!num:\s!syncpos:#1}%
      \setsyncpositions{#1}%
      % option: geen w/h, alleen p 0 0 0 data
-     \setpositionplus
-       {\s!syncpos:#1:\countervalue{\s!num:\s!syncpos:#1}}%
-       {#2}%
-       \hbox{\strut\traceposstring\llap\green{#3/\countervalue{\s!num:\s!syncpos:#1}/#1/#2>>}}%
+     \setpositionplus{\s!syncpos:#1:\countervalue{\s!num:\s!syncpos:#1}}{#2}\hbox{\strut}%
    \else
      \strut
    \fi}
@@ -167,6 +164,7 @@
 \definesyncpositions[1]
 
 \startuseMPgraphic{sync}
+  if unknown context_abck : input mp-abck.mpiv ; fi ;
   StartPage ;
     \getsyncpositions{1} ;
     SyncThreshold := 2LineHeight ;
@@ -190,13 +188,13 @@
 
 \setupbackgrounds[page][background=tempoverlay]
 
-\dorecurse {100} {
+\dorecurse {10} {
 
     \startchapter[title={Test #1}]
         \syncposition[1][1] \dorecurse{10}{\input ward \endgraf}
-        \syncposition[1][2] \dorecurse{4}{\input ward \endgraf}
-        \syncposition[1][3] \dorecurse{7}{\input ward \endgraf}
-        \syncposition[1][4] \dorecurse{3}{\input ward \endgraf}
+        \syncposition[1][2] \dorecurse {4}{\input ward \endgraf}
+        \syncposition[1][3] \dorecurse {7}{\input ward \endgraf}
+        \syncposition[1][4] \dorecurse {3}{\input ward \endgraf}
     \stopchapter
 }
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
index c045890b2..7836fb9ec 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
+++ b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2012.02.18 10:50}
+\newcontextversion{2012.02.21 00:51}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
index dc19402c2..882aad72b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2012.02.18 10:50}
+\newcontextversion{2012.02.21 00:51}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf b/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
index b5e4d1d07..4f4878b29 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context-version.png b/tex/context/base/context-version.png
index 7db14f01e..fcb7b8d83 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context-version.png
+++ b/tex/context/base/context-version.png
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context.mkii b/tex/context/base/context.mkii
index 9bd21ba7a..ecdb224c5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context.mkii
+++ b/tex/context/base/context.mkii
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 %D your styles an modules.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2012.02.18 10:50}
+\edef\contextversion{2012.02.21 00:51}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context.mkiv b/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
index 5bfa6e61e..803d6e7be 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 %D up and the dependencies are more consistent.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2012.02.18 10:50}
+\edef\contextversion{2012.02.21 00:51}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
@@ -391,7 +391,7 @@
 \loadmkvifile{anch-bck}
 \loadmarkfile{anch-tab} % overloads tabl-tbl
 \loadmarkfile{anch-bar}
-\loadmarkfile{anch-snc}
+%loadmarkfile{anch-snc} % when needed this one will be redone
 
 \loadmarkfile{math-ini}
 \loadmarkfile{math-pln}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/core-ini.mkiv
index 75a0ed5d9..de37bf08f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-ini.mkiv
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
     \OTRSETshowstatus
     \flushpostponedbookmark
     \registerparoptions
-    \flushsyncpositions
+   %\flushsyncpositions
     \flushpostponednodedata
     \typo_delimited_repeat
     \insertparagraphintro
@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@
     \adjustsidefloatdisplaylines
 \to \everydisplay
 
-\appendtoks
-    \flushsyncpositions
-\to \everyheadstart
+% \appendtoks
+%     \flushsyncpositions
+% \to \everyheadstart
 
-\appendtoks
-    \flushsyncresets
-\to \everyendoftextbody
+% \appendtoks
+%     \flushsyncresets
+% \to \everyendoftextbody
 
 \appendtoks
     \ignorespaces
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
 \appendtoks
     \removeunwantedspaces
     %strut                % option ?
-    \flushsyncresets
+  % \flushsyncresets
     %setlastlinewidth     % gone, will be done in lua
     \endgraf
 \to \everyendofpar
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua b/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
index edef853de..2fd910eb9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['font-otn'] = {
 -- default features (per language, script)
 -- handle positions (we need example fonts)
 -- handle gpos_single (we might want an extra width field in glyph nodes because adding kerns might interfere)
+-- mark (to mark) code is still not what it should be (too messy but we need some more extreem husayni tests)
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>This module is a bit more split up that I'd like but since we also want to test
@@ -192,14 +193,21 @@ local ligature_code      = glyphcodes.ligature
 
 local privateattribute   = attributes.private
 
+-- Something is messed up: we have two mark / ligature indices, one at the injection
+-- end and one here ... this is bases in KE's patches but there is something fishy
+-- there as I'm pretty sure that for husayni we need some connection (as it's much
+-- more complex than an average font) but I need proper examples of all cases, not
+-- of only some.
+
 local state              = privateattribute('state')
 local markbase           = privateattribute('markbase')
 local markmark           = privateattribute('markmark')
-local markdone           = privateattribute('markdone')
+local markdone           = privateattribute('markdone') -- assigned at the injection end
 local cursbase           = privateattribute('cursbase')
 local curscurs           = privateattribute('curscurs')
 local cursdone           = privateattribute('cursdone')
 local kernpair           = privateattribute('kernpair')
+local ligacomp           = privateattribute('ligacomp') -- assigned here (ideally it should be combined)
 
 local injections         = nodes.injections
 local setmark            = injections.setmark
@@ -352,7 +360,7 @@ local function toligature(kind,lookupname,start,stop,char,markflag,discfound) --
         return lignode
     else
         -- start is the ligature
-    --  local deletemarks = markflag ~= "mark"
+        local deletemarks = markflag ~= "mark"
         local n = copy_node(start)
         local current
         current, start = insert_node_after(start,start,n)
@@ -367,48 +375,38 @@ local function toligature(kind,lookupname,start,stop,char,markflag,discfound) --
         current.subtype = ligature_code
         current.components = start
         local head = current
-    -- if deletemarks then -- KE: was wrong
-    --     if trace_marks then
-    --         while start do
-    --             if marks[start.char] then
-    --                 logwarning("%s: remove mark %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char))
-    --             end
-    --             start = start.next
-    --         end
-    --     end
-    -- else
-            local i = 0
-            while start do
-                if marks[start.char] then
-                    set_attribute(start,markdone,i)
-                    if trace_marks then
-                        logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
-                    end
-                    head, current = insert_node_after(head,current,copy_node(start))
-                else
-                    i = i + 1
+        -- this is messy ... we should get rid of the components eventually
+        local i = 0 -- is index of base
+        while start do
+            if not marks[start.char] then
+                i = i + 1
+            elseif not deletemarks then -- quite fishy
+                set_attribute(start,ligacomp,i)
+                if trace_marks then
+                    logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
                 end
-                start = start.next
+                head, current = insert_node_after(head,current,copy_node(start))
             end
-            start = current.next
-            while start and start.id == glyph_code do
-                if marks[start.char] then
-                    set_attribute(start,markdone,i)
-                    if trace_marks then
-                        logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
-                    end
-                else
-                    break
+            start = start.next
+        end
+        start = current.next
+        while start and start.id == glyph_code do
+            if marks[start.char] then
+                set_attribute(start,ligacomp,i)
+                if trace_marks then
+                    logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
                 end
-                start = start.next
+            else
+                break
             end
-     -- end
-     --
-     -- we do need components in funny kerning mode but maybe I can better reconstruct then
-     -- as we do have the font components info available; removing components makes the
-     -- previous code much simpler
-     --
-     -- flush_node_list(head.components)
+            start = start.next
+        end
+        --
+        -- we do need components in funny kerning mode but maybe I can better reconstruct then
+        -- as we do have the font components info available; removing components makes the
+        -- previous code much simpler
+        --
+        -- flush_node_list(head.components)
         return head
     end
 end
@@ -660,18 +658,14 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2ligature(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
     local markchar = start.char
     if marks[markchar] then
         local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [optional marks] [start=mark]
-        local index = 1
         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
             local basechar = base.char
             if marks[basechar] then
-                index = index + 1
                 while true do
                     base = base.prev
                     if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                         basechar = base.char
-                        if marks[basechar] then
-                            index = index + 1
-                        else
+                        if not marks[basechar] then
                             break
                         end
                     else
@@ -682,9 +676,7 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2ligature(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
                     end
                 end
             end
---             local i = has_attribute(start,markdone)
---             if i then index = i end -- needed
-local index = has_attribute(start,markdone)
+            local index = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
             local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar]
             if baseanchors then
                 baseanchors = baseanchors.anchors
@@ -698,7 +690,7 @@ local index = has_attribute(start,markdone)
                                 if ma then
                                     ba = ba[index]
                                     if ba then
-                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- ,index)
+                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- index
                                         if trace_marks then
                                             logprocess("%s, anchor %s, index %s, bound %s: anchoring mark %s to baselig %s at index %s => (%s,%s)",
                                                 pref(kind,lookupname),anchor,index,bound,gref(markchar),gref(basechar),index,dx,dy)
@@ -730,11 +722,20 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2mark(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
     local markchar = start.char
     if marks[markchar] then
         local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [basemark] [start=mark]
-        -- new
-        while base and has_attribute(base,markdone) and has_attribute(base,markdone) ~= has_attribute(start,markdone) do
-            base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mknk fo rmarks on different components of a ligature
+     -- while base and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) ~= has_attribute(start,ligacomp) do
+     --     base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mkmk for marks on different components of a ligature
+     -- end
+        local slc = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
+        if slc then -- a rather messy loop ... needs checking with husayni
+            while base do
+                local blc = has_attribute(base,ligacomp)
+                if blc and blc ~= slc then
+                    base = base.prev
+                else
+                    break
+                end
+            end
         end
-        --
         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then -- subtype test can go
             local basechar = base.char
             local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar]
@@ -1294,18 +1295,14 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
         end
         if markanchors then
             local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [optional marks] [start=mark]
-            local index = 1
             if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                 local basechar = base.char
                 if marks[basechar] then
-                    index = index + 1
                     while true do
                         base = base.prev
                         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                             basechar = base.char
-                            if marks[basechar] then
-                                index = index + 1
-                            else
+                            if not marks[basechar] then
                                 break
                             end
                         else
@@ -1317,8 +1314,7 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
                     end
                 end
                 -- todo: like marks a ligatures hash
-                local i = has_attribute(start,markdone)
-                if i then index = i end
+                local index = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
                 local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar].anchors
                 if baseanchors then
                    local baseanchors = baseanchors['baselig']
@@ -1330,7 +1326,7 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
                                 if ma then
                                     ba = ba[index]
                                     if ba then
-                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index)
+                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- index
                                         if trace_marks then
                                             logprocess("%s, anchor %s, bound %s: anchoring mark %s to baselig %s at index %s => (%s,%s)",
                                                 cref(kind,chainname,chainlookupname,lookupname),anchor,a or bound,gref(markchar),gref(basechar),index,dx,dy)
@@ -1371,6 +1367,20 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2mark(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,look
             end
             if markanchors then
                 local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [basemark] [start=mark]
+             -- while (base and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) ~= has_attribute(start,ligacomp)) do
+             --     base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mkmk for marks on different components of a ligature
+             -- end
+                local slc = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
+                if slc then -- a rather messy loop ... needs checking with husayni
+                    while base do
+                        local blc = has_attribute(base,ligacomp)
+                        if blc and blc ~= slc then
+                            base = base.prev
+                        else
+                            break
+                        end
+                    end
+                end
                 if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then -- subtype test can go
                     local basechar = base.char
                     local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar].anchors
diff --git a/tex/context/base/meta-pag.mkiv b/tex/context/base/meta-pag.mkiv
index f117b6b3d..6cea270e3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/meta-pag.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/meta-pag.mkiv
@@ -114,75 +114,4 @@
     \calculatereducedvsizes % this is really needed
 \to \everyMPgraphic
 
-%D The next feature provides information about for instance
-%D column positions. This is an experimental feature,
-%D introduced when we needed backgrounds in columns (fill||in
-%D questions as implemented in a private module).
-%D
-%D See \type {mp-page.mp} for the definition of the macros:
-%D
-%D \starttabulate[|tl|l|p|]
-%D \NC ResetTextAreas        \NC no arguments \NC
-%D     reset areas on page                    \NC \NR
-%D \NC RegisterTextArea      \NC x, y, w, h   \NC
-%D     adds area to the list                  \NC \NR
-%D \NC TextAreaX,Y,W,H,XY,WH \NC x and/or y   \NC
-%D     reports offsets and dimensions         \NC \NR
-%D \stoptabulate
-%D
-%D The \type {TextArea*} macros can be used to determine
-%D overlap.
-
-\newcount\currentMPtextareadata
-
-\newtoks\MPsavedtextareadata
-\newtoks\MPtextareadata
-\newtoks\MPlocaltextareadata
-\newtoks\MPregionareadata
-
-% optimaliseren voor herhaling
-
-\newif\iftracetextareas
-
-\unexpanded\def\globalregisterMPtextarea{\normalexpanded{\global\MPtextareadata{\the\MPtextareadata
-  RegisterTextArea(\MPxywhd\currentMPtextarea);}}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\localregisterMPtextarea{\normalexpanded{\global\MPlocaltextareadata{%
-  RegisterLocalTextArea(\MPxywhd\currentMPtextarea);}}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\registerMPtextareaindeed#1#2%
-  {\ifpositioning
-     \begingroup
-     \global\advance\currentMPtextareadata\plusone
-     \edef\currentMPtextarea{gbd:\the\currentMPtextareadata}%
-     \hpos\currentMPtextarea{\iftracetextareas\boxrulewidth1.5pt\ruledhbox\fi{#2}}%
-     #1%
-     \endgroup
-   \else
-     \hbox{#2}%
-   \fi}
-
-\unexpanded\def\registerMPtextarea     {\registerMPtextareaindeed\globalregisterMPtextarea}
-\unexpanded\def\registerMPlocaltextarea{\registerMPtextareaindeed\localregisterMPtextarea }
-
-\unexpanded\def\resetMPlocaltextarea
-  {\global\MPlocaltextareadata\emptytoks}
-
-\startMPinitializations
-    ResetTextAreas;
-    \the\MPsavedtextareadata;
-    SaveTextAreas;
-    ResetTextAreas;
-    \the\MPtextareadata;
-    \the\MPlocaltextareadata;
-    RegisterPlainTextArea(\MPxywhd\textanchor);
-    RegisterRegionTextArea(\MPxywhd\regionanchor);
-\stopMPinitializations
-
-\appendtoks
-    \global\MPsavedtextareadata\MPtextareadata
-    \global\MPtextareadata     \emptytoks
-    \global\MPlocaltextareadata\emptytoks
-\to \everyshipout
-
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua b/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
index f8c0456a1..dd172f884 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function metapost.resetlastlog()
     metapost.lastlog = ""
 end
 
-local function finder(name, mode, ftype) -- we can use the finder to intercept btex/etex
+local function finder(name, mode, ftype)
     if mode == "w" then
         return name
     elseif file.is_qualified_path(name) then
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ local function finder(name, mode, ftype) -- we can use the finder to intercept b
     end
 end
 
-local function finder(name, mode, ftype) -- we use the finder to intercept btex/etex
+local function finder(name, mode, ftype)
     if mode ~= "w" then
         name = file.is_qualified_path(name) and name or resolvers.findfile(name,ftype)
         if not (find(name,"/metapost/context/base/") or find(name,"/metapost/context/") or find(name,"/metapost/base/")) then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-sys.mkiv b/tex/context/base/mult-sys.mkiv
index beb069a23..112a6c3d5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-sys.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-sys.mkiv
@@ -457,7 +457,6 @@
 \definesystemvariable {bg}   % BleedinG
 \definesystemvariable {bm}   % BookMark
 \definesystemvariable {bp}   % BreakPoint
-\definesystemvariable {br}   % sideBaR
 \definesystemvariable {bx}   % BackendExport
 \definesystemvariable {cb}   % CollectBox
 \definesystemvariable {cm}   % CheMical
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua b/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
index 34f839c6c..246aaade2 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ local cursbase = attributes.private('cursbase')
 local curscurs = attributes.private('curscurs')
 local cursdone = attributes.private('cursdone')
 local kernpair = attributes.private('kernpair')
+local ligacomp = attributes.private('ligacomp')
 local fontkern = attributes.private('fontkern')
 
 if context then
@@ -63,20 +64,19 @@ end
 
 -- This injector has been tested by Idris Samawi Hamid (several arabic fonts as well as
 -- the rather demanding Husayni font), Khaled Hosny (latin and arabic) and Kaj Eigner
--- (arabic, hebrew and thai) and myself (whatever font I come across).
+-- (arabic, hebrew and thai) and myself (whatever font I come across). I'm pretty sure
+-- that this code is not 100% okay but examples are needed to figure things out.
 
-local cursives  = { }
-local marks     = { }
-local kerns     = { }
-local markcount = { }
+local cursives = { }
+local marks    = { }
+local kerns    = { }
 
--- currently we do gpos/kern in a bit inofficial way but when we
--- have the extra fields in glyphnodes to manipulate ht/dp/wd
--- explicitly i will provide an alternative; also, we can share
--- tables
+-- Currently we do gpos/kern in a bit inofficial way but when we have the extra fields in
+-- glyphnodes to manipulate ht/dp/wd explicitly I will provide an alternative; also, we
+-- can share tables.
 
--- for the moment we pass the r2l key ... volt/arabtype tests .. idris: this needs
--- checking with husayni (volt and fontforge)
+-- For the moment we pass the r2l key ... volt/arabtype tests .. idris: this needs
+-- checking with husayni (volt and fontforge).
 
 function injections.setcursive(start,nxt,factor,rlmode,exit,entry,tfmstart,tfmnext)
     local dx, dy = factor*(exit[1]-entry[1]), factor*(exit[2]-entry[2])
@@ -120,12 +120,14 @@ function injections.setkern(current,factor,rlmode,x,tfmchr)
 end
 
 function injections.setmark(start,base,factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index) -- ba=baseanchor, ma=markanchor
-    local dx, dy = factor*(ba[1]-ma[1]), factor*(ba[2]-ma[2])     -- index argument no longer used
-    local bound = has_attribute(base,markbase)
+    local dx, dy = factor*(ba[1]-ma[1]), factor*(ba[2]-ma[2])     -- the index argument is no longer used but when this
+    local bound = has_attribute(base,markbase)                    -- fails again we should pass it
+local index = 1
     if bound then
         local mb = marks[bound]
         if mb then
-            if not index then index = #mb + 1 end
+         -- if not index then index = #mb + 1 end
+index = #mb + 1
             mb[index] = { dx, dy, rlmode }
             set_attribute(start,markmark,bound)
             set_attribute(start,markdone,index)
@@ -134,6 +136,7 @@ function injections.setmark(start,base,factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index) -- ba=baseanch
             report_injections("possible problem, U+%05X is base mark without data (id: %s)",base.char,bound)
         end
     end
+--     index = index or 1
     index = index or 1
     bound = #marks + 1
     set_attribute(base,markbase,bound)
@@ -198,8 +201,8 @@ end
 -- todo: reuse tables (i.e. no collection), but will be extra fields anyway
 -- todo: check for attribute
 
--- we can have a fast test on a font being processed, so we can check faster for marks etc
--- but I'll make a context variant anyway
+-- We can have a fast test on a font being processed, so we can check faster for marks etc
+-- but I'll make a context variant anyway.
 
 function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
     local has_marks, has_cursives, has_kerns = next(marks), next(cursives), next(kerns)
@@ -337,6 +340,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                     local p_markbase = has_attribute(p,markbase)
                     if p_markbase then
                         local mrks = marks[p_markbase]
+                        local nofmarks = #mrks
                         for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,p.next) do
                             local n_markmark = has_attribute(n,markmark)
                             if p_markbase == n_markmark then
@@ -373,20 +377,20 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                                     else
                                         n.yoffset = n.yoffset + p.yoffset + d[2]
                                     end
--- markcount[n_markmark] = (markcount[n_markmark] or 0) + 1
--- if markcount[n_markmark] == #mrks then
---     break -- KE
--- end
+                                    if nofmarks == 1 then
+                                        break
+                                    else
+                                        nofmarks = nofmarks - 1
+                                    end
                                 end
-                         -- else
-                         --     break -- KE: there can be <mark> <mkmk> <mark> sequences in ligatures
+                            else
+                                -- KE: there can be <mark> <mkmk> <mark> sequences in ligatures
                             end
                         end
                     end
                 end
                 if not keep then
                     marks = { }
--- markcount = { }
                 end
             end
             -- todo : combine
diff --git a/tex/context/base/pack-mis.mkvi b/tex/context/base/pack-mis.mkvi
index ab9d8a5c4..978cc120c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/pack-mis.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/pack-mis.mkvi
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@
      {\placementparameter\c!left
       \flushnextbox
       \placementparameter\c!right}%
-   \ifinsidefloat \else
-     \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\nextbox
-   \fi
+  %\ifinsidefloat \else
+  %  \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\nextbox
+  %\fi
    \ifgridsnapping
      \pack_placement_flush_grid_yes
    \else
diff --git a/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv b/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
index 18f0db163..71e621b30 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
@@ -2460,13 +2460,13 @@
        \hsize\localhsize
     %  \insidefloattrue % ? better
        \normalexpanded{\switchtobodyfont[\framedtextparameter\c!bodyfont]}%
-       \startcolor[\framedtextparameter\c!color]%
+%        \startcolor[\framedtextparameter\c!color]%
        \letframedtextparameter\c!strut\v!no
        \inheritedframedtextframed\bgroup
          \let\\=\endgraf
          \framedtextparameter\c!inner % oud spul
          \doif{\framedtextparameter\c!depthcorrection}\v!on\pack_framed_text_start_depth_correction
-         \doinhibitblank % \blank[\v!disable]% plaatst signal
+         \doinhibitblank
          \setupindenting[\framedtextparameter\c!indenting]%
          \useframedtextstyleandcolor\c!style\c!color}
 
@@ -2481,7 +2481,7 @@
    \removelastskip
    \doif{\framedtextparameter\c!depthcorrection}\v!on\pack_framed_text_stop_depth_correction
    \stopboxedcontent
-   \stopcolor
+%    \stopcolor
    \ifconditional\c_framed_text_location_none
      \egroup
      \box\b_framed_normal
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-bck.mkiv b/tex/context/base/page-bck.mkiv
index 18e0a9f4d..100c186dd 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-bck.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-bck.mkiv
@@ -328,88 +328,6 @@
 
 \newconditional\swapbackgroundmargins \settrue\swapbackgroundmargins
 
-% \def\page_backgrounds_set_box#1% #2%
-%   {\global\setbox#1\vbox
-%      {\dontcomplain
-%       \swapmargins
-%       \ifconditional\swapbackgroundmargins
-%         \doifmarginswapelse \donothing
-%           {\swapmacros\v!rightmargin\v!leftmargin
-%            \swapmacros\v!rightedge  \v!leftedge}%
-%       \fi
-%       \calculatereducedvsizes
-%       \offinterlineskip
-%     % \ifconditional#2\relax
-%     %   \doswapmargins % hm, this one gets nilled in \swapmargins anyway
-%     % \fi
-%       \vskip\dimexpr-\topheight-\topdistance\relax
-%       \ifdim\topheight>\zeropoint
-%         \page_backgrounds_set_box_row\v!top\topheight
-%       \fi
-%       \vskip\topdistance
-%       \ifdim\headerheight>\zeropoint
-%         \page_backgrounds_set_box_row\v!header\headerheight
-%       \fi
-%       \vskip\headerdistance
-%       \ifdim\textheight>\zeropoint
-%         \page_backgrounds_set_box_row\v!text\textheight
-%       \fi
-%       \vskip\footerdistance
-%       \ifdim\footerheight>\zeropoint
-%         \page_backgrounds_set_box_row\v!footer\footerheight
-%       \fi
-%       \vskip\bottomdistance
-%       \ifdim\bottomheight>\zeropoint
-%         \page_backgrounds_set_box_row\v!bottom\bottomheight
-%       \fi
-%       \vfilll}%
-%   \smashbox#1}
-
-% \def\page_backgrounds_set_box_row#1#2% maybe helper
-%   {\setbox\scratchbox\vbox to #2
-%      \bgroup\hbox\bgroup
-%        \goleftonpage
-%        \ifdim\leftedgewidth>\zeropoint
-%          \ifcsname\??ma#1\v!leftedge\endcsname
-%            \page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1\v!leftedge\leftedgewidth#2%
-%          \else
-%            \hskip\leftedgewidth
-%          \fi
-%        \fi
-%        \hskip\leftedgedistance
-%        \ifdim\leftmarginwidth>\zeropoint
-%          \ifcsname\??ma#1\v!leftmargin\endcsname
-%            \page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1\v!leftmargin\leftmarginwidth#2%
-%          \else
-%            \hskip\leftmarginwidth
-%          \fi
-%        \fi
-%        \hskip\leftmargindistance
-%        \ifcsname\??ma#1\v!text\endcsname
-%          \page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1\v!text\makeupwidth#2%
-%        \else
-%          \hskip\makeupwidth
-%        \fi
-%        \hskip\rightmargindistance
-%        \ifdim\rightmarginwidth>\zeropoint
-%          \ifcsname\??ma#1\v!rightmargin\endcsname
-%            \page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1\v!rightmargin\rightmarginwidth#2%
-%          \else
-%            \hskip\rightmarginwidth
-%          \fi
-%        \fi
-%        \hskip\rightedgedistance
-%        \ifdim\rightedgewidth>\zeropoint
-%          \ifcsname\??ma#1\v!rightedge\endcsname
-%            \page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1\v!rightedge\rightedgewidth#2%
-%          \else
-%            \hskip\rightedgewidth
-%          \fi
-%        \fi
-%      \egroup\egroup
-%    \wd\scratchbox\zeropoint
-%    \box\scratchbox\relax}
-
 \def\page_backgrounds_set_box#1% #2%
   {\global\setbox#1\vbox
      {\dontcomplain
@@ -492,15 +410,6 @@
    \wd\scratchbox\zeropoint
    \box\scratchbox\relax}
 
-% \def\page_backgrounds_set_box_cell#1#2#3#4% width height pos pos %  maybe helper
-%   {\ifcsname\??ma#1#2\c!setups\endcsname % to be done
-%      \doprocesslocalsetups{\csname\??ma#1#2\c!setups\endcsname}% should not produce funny spaces !
-%    \fi
-%    \fastlocalframed % can we avoid boxes here?
-%      [\??ma#1#2]%
-%      [\c!component=#1:#2]%
-%      {\vbox to #4{\vss\hbox to#3{\hss\csname\??ma#1#2\c!command\endcsname\hss}\vss}}}
-
 % these are fake framed .. maybe it's nicer to honor foreground here as well
 % but it's probably a slow downer
 
@@ -686,32 +595,33 @@
 % The next series is used in local (for instance floating)
 % backgrounds.
 
-\installsomebackground \v!local \empty % not really a background, invisible for users
-
-\getparameters
-  [\??ma\v!local]
-  [\c!component=local,
-   \c!background=\localbackgroundlist]
-
-\def\localbackgroundlist
-  {\v!local-2,\v!local-1,\v!foreground,\v!local+1,\v!local+2}
-
-\defineoverlay[\v!local-2][\positionoverlay{\v!local-2}] % todo share
-\defineoverlay[\v!local-1][\positionoverlay{\v!local-1}]
-\defineoverlay[\v!local+1][\positionoverlay{\v!local+1}]
-\defineoverlay[\v!local+2][\positionoverlay{\v!local+2}]
-
-\def\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box
-  {\ifconditional\c_page_backgrounds_hidden_enabled
-     \expandafter\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box_indeed
-   \else
-     \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
-   \fi}
-
-\def\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box_indeed#1%
-  {%\setbox#1\hbox{\registerMPlocaltextarea{\box#1}}%
-   \setbox#1\hbox{\localbackgroundframed{\??ma\v!local}\v!local#1}%
-   \global\advance\localpositionnumber\plusone} % afterwards !
+% \installsomebackground \v!local \empty % not really a background, invisible for users
+%
+% \getparameters
+%   [\??ma\v!local]
+%   [\c!component=local,
+%    \c!background=\localbackgroundlist]
+%
+% \def\localbackgroundlist
+%   {\v!local-2,\v!local-1,\v!foreground,\v!local+1,\v!local+2}
+%
+% \defineoverlay[\v!local-2][\positionoverlay{\v!local-2}] % todo share
+% \defineoverlay[\v!local-1][\positionoverlay{\v!local-1}]
+% \defineoverlay[\v!local+1][\positionoverlay{\v!local+1}]
+% \defineoverlay[\v!local+2][\positionoverlay{\v!local+2}]
+%
+% \def\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box
+%   {\ifconditional\c_page_backgrounds_hidden_enabled
+%      \expandafter\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box_indeed
+%    \else
+%      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
+%    \fi}
+%
+% \def\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box_indeed#1%
+%   {\setbox#1\hbox{\localbackgroundframed{\??ma\v!local}\v!local#1}%
+%    \global\advance\localpositionnumber\plusone} % afterwards !
+%
+% \let\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\gobbleoneargument
 
 % Test how previous macro behaves with depth:
 %
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-box.mkvi b/tex/context/base/page-box.mkvi
index a13f794f1..7d034105c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-box.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-box.mkvi
@@ -275,29 +275,6 @@
 \def\page_areas_registered_box_forget#1#2#3% #1=lower-dp #2=correct-ht #3=box
   {\box#3}
 
-% \def\page_areas_registered_box_indeed#1#2#3% #1=lower-dp #2=correct-ht #3=box
-%   {\hbox\bgroup
-%      \ifx\registerMPtextarea\undefined \else
-%        \setbox\b_page_areas_registered\emptyhbox
-%        \wd\b_page_areas_registered\wd#3%
-%        \ht\b_page_areas_registered\ht#3%
-%        \dp\b_page_areas_registered\dp#3%
-%        \ifcase#1\or % 1
-%          \setbox\b_page_areas_registered\hbox{\lower\strutdp\box\b_page_areas_registered}%
-%        \fi
-%        \ifcase#2\or % 1
-%          \setbox\b_page_areas_registered\hbox{\raise\topskip\hbox{\lower\strutht\box\b_page_areas_registered}}%
-%          \dp\b_page_areas_registered\strutdp
-%        \fi
-%        \dp\b_page_areas_registered\strutdp % needed
-%        \setbox\b_page_areas_registered\hbox
-%          {\registerMPtextarea{\box\b_page_areas_registered}}%
-%        \smashbox\b_page_areas_registered
-%        \box\b_page_areas_registered
-%      \fi
-%      \box#3%
-%    \egroup}
-
 \def\page_areas_registered_box_indeed#1#2#3% #1=lower-dp #2=correct-ht #3=box
   {\anch_mark_flow_box{#3}}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-mrk.mkiv b/tex/context/base/page-mrk.mkiv
index aabef6154..5f8d332c5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-mrk.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-mrk.mkiv
@@ -35,18 +35,22 @@
 \newcount\c_page_marks_ny
 
 \startuniqueMPgraphic{print:color}{w,h,l,o}
+    if unknown context_crop : input mp-crop.mpiv ; fi ;
     page_marks_add_color(\MPvar w,\MPvar h,\MPvar l,\MPvar o) ;
 \stopuniqueMPgraphic
 
 \startuniqueMPgraphic{print:marking}{w,h,l,o}
+    if unknown context_crop : input mp-crop.mpiv ; fi ;
     page_marks_add_marking(\MPvar w,\MPvar h,\MPvar l,\MPvar o) ;
 \stopuniqueMPgraphic
 
 \startuniqueMPgraphic{print:lines}{w,h,l,o,x,y}
+    if unknown context_crop : input mp-crop.mpiv ; fi ;
     page_marks_add_lines(\MPvar w,\MPvar h,\MPvar l,\MPvar o,\MPvar x,\MPvar y) ;
 \stopuniqueMPgraphic
 
 \startuseMPgraphic{print:number}{w,h,l,o,n}
+    if unknown context_crop : input mp-crop.mpiv ; fi ;
     page_marks_add_number(\MPvar w,\MPvar h,\MPvar l,\MPvar o,\MPvar n) ;
 \stopuseMPgraphic
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-plg.mkiv b/tex/context/base/page-plg.mkiv
index 798014f19..004b9204d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-plg.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-plg.mkiv
@@ -108,17 +108,13 @@
 %D \stoptext
 %D \stoptyping
 
-% will become an outputroutine
-
 \unprotect
 
 \def\page_boxes_construct_content_makeup#1#2#3% targetbox flusher box
   {\setbox#1\hbox
      {\vbox to \textheight
         {\offinterlineskip
-         % optie
-         \vskip\dimexpr-1\topskip+\strutheight\relax
-         %
+         \vskip\dimexpr-1\topskip+\strutheight\relax % could be an option
          \textwidth\makeupwidth
          \hsize\textwidth
          \boxmaxdepth\maxdepth
@@ -138,7 +134,7 @@
 
 \newbox\pageareabox
 
-\def\pagearea
+\unexpanded\def\pagearea
   {\dotripleempty\page_area}
 
 \def\page_area[#1][#2][#3]%
@@ -156,9 +152,10 @@
    \else
      \doif{#1}\v!text % copy due to trial runs in TABLE
        {\iftrialtypesetting
-          \copy\pagebox
+%           \copy\pagebox
+          \fakebox\pagebox
         \else
-          \localpositioningfalse
+%           \localpositioningfalse
           \page_backgrounds_add_to_text\pagebox
           \page_grids_add_to_box\pagebox
           \box\pagebox
@@ -169,7 +166,8 @@
   {\setbox\pageareabox\vbox{\getspecificlayouttext{#1}{#2}{#3}}%
    \ifsomebackgroundfound{#1#2}%
      \iftrialtypesetting
-       \box\pageareabox
+%        \box\pageareabox
+       \fakebox\pageareabox
      \else
        \localframed
          [\??ma#1#2]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-txt.mkvi b/tex/context/base/page-txt.mkvi
index c63f697e1..f16ab70d7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-txt.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-txt.mkvi
@@ -673,10 +673,10 @@
    \page_otr_insert_dummy_page}
 
 \installpagebreakmethod \v!header
-  {\doifnot{\namedlayoutelementparameter\v!header\c!state}\v!stop{\setuplayoutelement[\c!state=\v!empty]}}
+  {\doifnot{\namedlayoutelementparameter\v!header\c!state}\v!stop{\setuplayoutelement[\v!header][\c!state=\v!empty]}}
 
 \installpagebreakmethod \v!footer
-  {\doifnot{\namedlayoutelementparameter\v!footer\c!state}\v!stop{\setuplayoutelement[\c!state=\v!empty]}}
+  {\doifnot{\namedlayoutelementparameter\v!footer\c!state}\v!stop{\setuplayoutelement[\v!footer][\c!state=\v!empty]}}
 
 %D While the header and footer lines are moved away from the
 %D main text, the top and bottom lines are centered.
diff --git a/tex/context/base/spac-ali.mkiv b/tex/context/base/spac-ali.mkiv
index b38fb6ea6..614852d92 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/spac-ali.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/spac-ali.mkiv
@@ -764,7 +764,8 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\startshowpardata
   {\begingroup
-   \showstruts\tracepositionstrue \tracingparagraphs\maxdimen
+   \showstruts
+   \tracingparagraphs\maxdimen
    \appendtoksonce\showpardata\let\showpardata\relax\to\everypar}
 
 \unexpanded\def\stopshowpardata
diff --git a/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf b/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
index ed4110d93..19a033e53 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf b/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
index e886b982d..a7dd888ae 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi b/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
index a4df0dc36..0e9b458d9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
@@ -715,12 +715,12 @@
    \let\placeclosesymbol\strc_constructions_close_symbol_place
    \let\qed             \strc_constructions_close_symbol_place}
 
-\def\strc_constructions_close_symbol_place
+\unexpanded\def\strc_constructions_close_symbol_place
   {\ifconditional\csname\??constructionclosesymbol\currentconstruction\endcsname
      \global\expandafter\setfalse\csname\??constructionclosesymbol\currentconstruction\endcsname
      \edef\p_closesymbol{\constructionparameter\c!closesymbol}%
      \ifx\p_closesymbol\empty \else
-       \constructionparameter\c!closecommand\p_closesymbol
+       \constructionparameter\c!closecommand{\p_closesymbol}% hm why {} maybe because box expected
      \fi
    \fi}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkvi b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkvi
index 845fb648c..1b29c864f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkvi
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
    \csname\??constructionstarthandler\currentconstructionhandler\endcsname}
 
 \unexpanded\def\strc_descriptions_start_yes_reference
-  {\ifconditional\c_strc_descriptions_title_state
+  {\ifconditional\c_strc_constructions_title_state
      \expandafter\strc_descriptions_start_yes_titled
    \else
      \expandafter\strc_descriptions_start_yes_normal
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-enu.mkvi b/tex/context/base/strc-enu.mkvi
index 9cacbd556..625dc6a21 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-enu.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-enu.mkvi
@@ -277,8 +277,8 @@
 \unexpanded\def\strc_enumerations_inject_extra_text
   {\ifconditional\c_strc_constructions_title_state
      \ctxcommand{doiflisthastitleelse("\currentconstructionmain",\currentconstructionlistentry)}
-       \strc_enumerations_inject_extra_text_indeed
        \donothing
+       \strc_enumerations_inject_extra_text_indeed
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\strc_enumerations_inject_text
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-flt.mkvi b/tex/context/base/strc-flt.mkvi
index fa0a9d960..002afa3da 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-flt.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-flt.mkvi
@@ -1217,15 +1217,15 @@
    \or % automatic
      \ifnofloatcaption
        \strc_floats_prepare_no_caption
-       \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\floatbox % was \doglobal but not needed
+      %\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\floatbox % was \doglobal but not needed
      \else
        % todo: installable maken, variant/method=auto vs macro
        \strc_floats_prepare_page_caption
-       \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_content
+      %\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_content
        \setbox\b_strc_floats_caption\hbox
          {\floatcaptionparameter\c!command{\box\b_strc_floats_caption}}%
        \moveboxontogrid\b_strc_floats_caption{\floatcaptionparameter\c!grid}\d_strc_floats_caption_height
-       \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_caption
+      %\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_caption
        \strc_floats_build_box
      \fi
    \or % semi automatic
@@ -1795,7 +1795,7 @@
    \dontcomplain
    %\showcomposition
    \setbox\b_strc_floats_content\vbox{\borderedfloatbox}%
-   \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_content
+  %\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_content
    \ifnofloatcaption
      \global\setbox\floatbox\vbox{\box\b_strc_floats_content}%
    \else
@@ -1803,7 +1803,7 @@
      \strc_floats_prepare_side_caption
      \setbox\b_strc_floats_caption\hbox{\floatcaptionparameter\c!command{\box\b_strc_floats_caption}}%
      \moveboxontogrid\b_strc_floats_caption{\floatcaptionparameter\c!grid}\d_strc_floats_caption_height
-     \page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_caption
+    %\page_backgrounds_add_local_to_box\b_strc_floats_caption
      \strc_floats_build_side_box
    \fi
    \egroup}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/x-set-11.mkiv b/tex/context/base/x-set-11.mkiv
index d7172a141..a8e62542b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/x-set-11.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/x-set-11.mkiv
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@
                %\blank[\v!line] % packed mode (we could do \startunpacked ...)
                 \godown[.75\lineheight]
                 \switchtobodyfont[\v!small]
-                 \ignorespaces\xmlfilter{#1}{/arguments/text()}\endgraf
+                \ignorespaces\xmlfilter{#1}{/arguments/text()}\endgraf
             \egroup
         }
     \getvalue{\e!stop setuptext}
diff --git a/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua b/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
index d85a0f4a3..09cff0c18 100644
--- a/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
+++ b/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 -- merged file : luatex-fonts-merged.lua
 -- parent file : luatex-fonts.lua
--- merge date  : 02/18/12 10:50:58
+-- merge date  : 02/21/12 00:51:07
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
 
@@ -8111,6 +8111,7 @@ local cursbase = attributes.private('cursbase')
 local curscurs = attributes.private('curscurs')
 local cursdone = attributes.private('cursdone')
 local kernpair = attributes.private('kernpair')
+local ligacomp = attributes.private('ligacomp')
 local fontkern = attributes.private('fontkern')
 
 if context then
@@ -8129,20 +8130,19 @@ end
 
 -- This injector has been tested by Idris Samawi Hamid (several arabic fonts as well as
 -- the rather demanding Husayni font), Khaled Hosny (latin and arabic) and Kaj Eigner
--- (arabic, hebrew and thai) and myself (whatever font I come across).
+-- (arabic, hebrew and thai) and myself (whatever font I come across). I'm pretty sure
+-- that this code is not 100% okay but examples are needed to figure things out.
 
-local cursives  = { }
-local marks     = { }
-local kerns     = { }
-local markcount = { }
+local cursives = { }
+local marks    = { }
+local kerns    = { }
 
--- currently we do gpos/kern in a bit inofficial way but when we
--- have the extra fields in glyphnodes to manipulate ht/dp/wd
--- explicitly i will provide an alternative; also, we can share
--- tables
+-- Currently we do gpos/kern in a bit inofficial way but when we have the extra fields in
+-- glyphnodes to manipulate ht/dp/wd explicitly I will provide an alternative; also, we
+-- can share tables.
 
--- for the moment we pass the r2l key ... volt/arabtype tests .. idris: this needs
--- checking with husayni (volt and fontforge)
+-- For the moment we pass the r2l key ... volt/arabtype tests .. idris: this needs
+-- checking with husayni (volt and fontforge).
 
 function injections.setcursive(start,nxt,factor,rlmode,exit,entry,tfmstart,tfmnext)
     local dx, dy = factor*(exit[1]-entry[1]), factor*(exit[2]-entry[2])
@@ -8186,12 +8186,14 @@ function injections.setkern(current,factor,rlmode,x,tfmchr)
 end
 
 function injections.setmark(start,base,factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index) -- ba=baseanchor, ma=markanchor
-    local dx, dy = factor*(ba[1]-ma[1]), factor*(ba[2]-ma[2])     -- index argument no longer used
-    local bound = has_attribute(base,markbase)
+    local dx, dy = factor*(ba[1]-ma[1]), factor*(ba[2]-ma[2])     -- the index argument is no longer used but when this
+    local bound = has_attribute(base,markbase)                    -- fails again we should pass it
+local index = 1
     if bound then
         local mb = marks[bound]
         if mb then
-            if not index then index = #mb + 1 end
+         -- if not index then index = #mb + 1 end
+index = #mb + 1
             mb[index] = { dx, dy, rlmode }
             set_attribute(start,markmark,bound)
             set_attribute(start,markdone,index)
@@ -8200,6 +8202,7 @@ function injections.setmark(start,base,factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index) -- ba=baseanch
             report_injections("possible problem, U+%05X is base mark without data (id: %s)",base.char,bound)
         end
     end
+--     index = index or 1
     index = index or 1
     bound = #marks + 1
     set_attribute(base,markbase,bound)
@@ -8264,8 +8267,8 @@ end
 -- todo: reuse tables (i.e. no collection), but will be extra fields anyway
 -- todo: check for attribute
 
--- we can have a fast test on a font being processed, so we can check faster for marks etc
--- but I'll make a context variant anyway
+-- We can have a fast test on a font being processed, so we can check faster for marks etc
+-- but I'll make a context variant anyway.
 
 function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
     local has_marks, has_cursives, has_kerns = next(marks), next(cursives), next(kerns)
@@ -8403,6 +8406,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                     local p_markbase = has_attribute(p,markbase)
                     if p_markbase then
                         local mrks = marks[p_markbase]
+                        local nofmarks = #mrks
                         for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,p.next) do
                             local n_markmark = has_attribute(n,markmark)
                             if p_markbase == n_markmark then
@@ -8439,20 +8443,20 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                                     else
                                         n.yoffset = n.yoffset + p.yoffset + d[2]
                                     end
--- markcount[n_markmark] = (markcount[n_markmark] or 0) + 1
--- if markcount[n_markmark] == #mrks then
---     break -- KE
--- end
+                                    if nofmarks == 1 then
+                                        break
+                                    else
+                                        nofmarks = nofmarks - 1
+                                    end
                                 end
-                         -- else
-                         --     break -- KE: there can be <mark> <mkmk> <mark> sequences in ligatures
+                            else
+                                -- KE: there can be <mark> <mkmk> <mark> sequences in ligatures
                             end
                         end
                     end
                 end
                 if not keep then
                     marks = { }
--- markcount = { }
                 end
             end
             -- todo : combine
@@ -8592,6 +8596,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['font-otn'] = {
 -- default features (per language, script)
 -- handle positions (we need example fonts)
 -- handle gpos_single (we might want an extra width field in glyph nodes because adding kerns might interfere)
+-- mark (to mark) code is still not what it should be (too messy but we need some more extreem husayni tests)
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>This module is a bit more split up that I'd like but since we also want to test
@@ -8757,14 +8762,21 @@ local ligature_code      = glyphcodes.ligature
 
 local privateattribute   = attributes.private
 
+-- Something is messed up: we have two mark / ligature indices, one at the injection
+-- end and one here ... this is bases in KE's patches but there is something fishy
+-- there as I'm pretty sure that for husayni we need some connection (as it's much
+-- more complex than an average font) but I need proper examples of all cases, not
+-- of only some.
+
 local state              = privateattribute('state')
 local markbase           = privateattribute('markbase')
 local markmark           = privateattribute('markmark')
-local markdone           = privateattribute('markdone')
+local markdone           = privateattribute('markdone') -- assigned at the injection end
 local cursbase           = privateattribute('cursbase')
 local curscurs           = privateattribute('curscurs')
 local cursdone           = privateattribute('cursdone')
 local kernpair           = privateattribute('kernpair')
+local ligacomp           = privateattribute('ligacomp') -- assigned here (ideally it should be combined)
 
 local injections         = nodes.injections
 local setmark            = injections.setmark
@@ -8917,7 +8929,7 @@ local function toligature(kind,lookupname,start,stop,char,markflag,discfound) --
         return lignode
     else
         -- start is the ligature
-    --  local deletemarks = markflag ~= "mark"
+        local deletemarks = markflag ~= "mark"
         local n = copy_node(start)
         local current
         current, start = insert_node_after(start,start,n)
@@ -8932,48 +8944,38 @@ local function toligature(kind,lookupname,start,stop,char,markflag,discfound) --
         current.subtype = ligature_code
         current.components = start
         local head = current
-    -- if deletemarks then -- KE: was wrong
-    --     if trace_marks then
-    --         while start do
-    --             if marks[start.char] then
-    --                 logwarning("%s: remove mark %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char))
-    --             end
-    --             start = start.next
-    --         end
-    --     end
-    -- else
-            local i = 0
-            while start do
-                if marks[start.char] then
-                    set_attribute(start,markdone,i)
-                    if trace_marks then
-                        logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
-                    end
-                    head, current = insert_node_after(head,current,copy_node(start))
-                else
-                    i = i + 1
-                end
-                start = start.next
-            end
-            start = current.next
-            while start and start.id == glyph_code do
-                if marks[start.char] then
-                    set_attribute(start,markdone,i)
-                    if trace_marks then
-                        logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
-                    end
-                else
-                    break
+        -- this is messy ... we should get rid of the components eventually
+        local i = 0 -- is index of base
+        while start do
+            if not marks[start.char] then
+                i = i + 1
+            elseif not deletemarks then -- quite fishy
+                set_attribute(start,ligacomp,i)
+                if trace_marks then
+                    logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
+                end
+                head, current = insert_node_after(head,current,copy_node(start))
+            end
+            start = start.next
+        end
+        start = current.next
+        while start and start.id == glyph_code do
+            if marks[start.char] then
+                set_attribute(start,ligacomp,i)
+                if trace_marks then
+                    logwarning("%s: keep mark %s, gets index %s",pref(kind,lookupname),gref(start.char),i)
                 end
-                start = start.next
+            else
+                break
             end
-     -- end
-     --
-     -- we do need components in funny kerning mode but maybe I can better reconstruct then
-     -- as we do have the font components info available; removing components makes the
-     -- previous code much simpler
-     --
-     -- flush_node_list(head.components)
+            start = start.next
+        end
+        --
+        -- we do need components in funny kerning mode but maybe I can better reconstruct then
+        -- as we do have the font components info available; removing components makes the
+        -- previous code much simpler
+        --
+        -- flush_node_list(head.components)
         return head
     end
 end
@@ -9225,18 +9227,14 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2ligature(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
     local markchar = start.char
     if marks[markchar] then
         local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [optional marks] [start=mark]
-        local index = 1
         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
             local basechar = base.char
             if marks[basechar] then
-                index = index + 1
                 while true do
                     base = base.prev
                     if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                         basechar = base.char
-                        if marks[basechar] then
-                            index = index + 1
-                        else
+                        if not marks[basechar] then
                             break
                         end
                     else
@@ -9247,9 +9245,7 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2ligature(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
                     end
                 end
             end
---             local i = has_attribute(start,markdone)
---             if i then index = i end -- needed
-local index = has_attribute(start,markdone)
+            local index = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
             local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar]
             if baseanchors then
                 baseanchors = baseanchors.anchors
@@ -9263,7 +9259,7 @@ local index = has_attribute(start,markdone)
                                 if ma then
                                     ba = ba[index]
                                     if ba then
-                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- ,index)
+                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- index
                                         if trace_marks then
                                             logprocess("%s, anchor %s, index %s, bound %s: anchoring mark %s to baselig %s at index %s => (%s,%s)",
                                                 pref(kind,lookupname),anchor,index,bound,gref(markchar),gref(basechar),index,dx,dy)
@@ -9295,11 +9291,20 @@ function handlers.gpos_mark2mark(start,kind,lookupname,markanchors,sequence)
     local markchar = start.char
     if marks[markchar] then
         local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [basemark] [start=mark]
-        -- new
-        while base and has_attribute(base,markdone) and has_attribute(base,markdone) ~= has_attribute(start,markdone) do
-            base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mknk fo rmarks on different components of a ligature
+     -- while base and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) ~= has_attribute(start,ligacomp) do
+     --     base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mkmk for marks on different components of a ligature
+     -- end
+        local slc = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
+        if slc then -- a rather messy loop ... needs checking with husayni
+            while base do
+                local blc = has_attribute(base,ligacomp)
+                if blc and blc ~= slc then
+                    base = base.prev
+                else
+                    break
+                end
+            end
         end
-        --
         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then -- subtype test can go
             local basechar = base.char
             local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar]
@@ -9859,18 +9864,14 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
         end
         if markanchors then
             local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [optional marks] [start=mark]
-            local index = 1
             if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                 local basechar = base.char
                 if marks[basechar] then
-                    index = index + 1
                     while true do
                         base = base.prev
                         if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then
                             basechar = base.char
-                            if marks[basechar] then
-                                index = index + 1
-                            else
+                            if not marks[basechar] then
                                 break
                             end
                         else
@@ -9882,8 +9883,7 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
                     end
                 end
                 -- todo: like marks a ligatures hash
-                local i = has_attribute(start,markdone)
-                if i then index = i end
+                local index = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
                 local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar].anchors
                 if baseanchors then
                    local baseanchors = baseanchors['baselig']
@@ -9895,7 +9895,7 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,
                                 if ma then
                                     ba = ba[index]
                                     if ba then
-                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma,index)
+                                        local dx, dy, bound = setmark(start,base,tfmdata.parameters.factor,rlmode,ba,ma) -- index
                                         if trace_marks then
                                             logprocess("%s, anchor %s, bound %s: anchoring mark %s to baselig %s at index %s => (%s,%s)",
                                                 cref(kind,chainname,chainlookupname,lookupname),anchor,a or bound,gref(markchar),gref(basechar),index,dx,dy)
@@ -9936,6 +9936,20 @@ function chainprocs.gpos_mark2mark(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,look
             end
             if markanchors then
                 local base = start.prev -- [glyph] [basemark] [start=mark]
+             -- while (base and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) and has_attribute(base,ligacomp) ~= has_attribute(start,ligacomp)) do
+             --     base = base.prev -- KE: prevents mkmk for marks on different components of a ligature
+             -- end
+                local slc = has_attribute(start,ligacomp)
+                if slc then -- a rather messy loop ... needs checking with husayni
+                    while base do
+                        local blc = has_attribute(base,ligacomp)
+                        if blc and blc ~= slc then
+                            base = base.prev
+                        else
+                            break
+                        end
+                    end
+                end
                 if base and base.id == glyph_code and base.subtype<256 and base.font == currentfont then -- subtype test can go
                     local basechar = base.char
                     local baseanchors = descriptions[basechar].anchors