diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e650903f1..ba5601776 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ For a complete change history, see the git log.
 
 ## Future
 
+- Allow style level compositing operations to work outside of featureset extents across tiled requests (#1477)
+
 - Support for encoding `literal` postgres types as strings 69fb17cd3/#1466
 
 - Fixed zoom_all behavior when Map maximum-extent is provided. Previously maximum-extent was used outright but
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
index c705c7a20..bba3cb6c5 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik/__init__.py
@@ -703,8 +703,8 @@ class _TextSymbolizer(TextSymbolizer,_injector):
         if isinstance(self.properties.format_tree, FormattingText):
             return self.properties.format_tree.text
         else:
-            return None # This text symbolizer is using complex formatting features.
-                        # There is no single expression which could be returned as name
+            # There is no single expression which could be returned as name
+            raise RuntimeError("TextSymbolizer uses complex formatting features, but old compatibility interface is used to access it. Use self.properties.format_tree instead.")
 
     @name.setter
     def name(self, name):
@@ -712,415 +712,287 @@ class _TextSymbolizer(TextSymbolizer,_injector):
 
     @property
     def text_size(self):
-        warnings.warn("'text_size' is deprecated, use format.text_size",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.text_size
 
     @text_size.setter
     def text_size(self, text_size):
-        warnings.warn("'text_size' is deprecated, use format.text_size",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.text_size = text_size
 
     @property
     def face_name(self):
-        warnings.warn("'face_name' is deprecated, use format.face_name",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.face_name
 
     @face_name.setter
     def face_name(self, face_name):
-        warnings.warn("'face_name' is deprecated, use format.face_name",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.face_name = face_name
 
 
-
     @property
     def fontset(self):
-        warnings.warn("'fontset' is deprecated, use format.fontset",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.fontset
 
     @fontset.setter
     def fontset(self, fontset):
-        warnings.warn("'fontset' is deprecated, use format.fontset",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.fontset = fontset
 
 
-
     @property
     def character_spacing(self):
-        warnings.warn("'character_spacing' is deprecated, use format.character_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.character_spacing
 
     @character_spacing.setter
     def character_spacing(self, character_spacing):
-        warnings.warn("'character_spacing' is deprecated, use format.character_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.character_spacing = character_spacing
 
 
-
     @property
     def line_spacing(self):
-        warnings.warn("'line_spacing' is deprecated, use format.line_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.line_spacing
 
     @line_spacing.setter
     def line_spacing(self, line_spacing):
-        warnings.warn("'line_spacing' is deprecated, use format.line_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.line_spacing = line_spacing
 
 
-
     @property
     def text_opacity(self):
-        warnings.warn("'text_opacity' is deprecated, use format.text_opacity",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.text_opacity
 
     @text_opacity.setter
     def text_opacity(self, text_opacity):
-        warnings.warn("'text_opacity' is deprecated, use format.text_opacity",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.text_opacity = text_opacity
 
 
-
     @property
     def wrap_char(self):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_char' is deprecated, use format.wrap_char",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.wrap_char
 
     @wrap_char.setter
     def wrap_char(self, wrap_char):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_char' is deprecated, use format.wrap_char",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.wrap_char = wrap_char
 
 
     @property
     def wrap_character(self):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_character' is deprecated, use format.wrap_character",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.wrap_character
 
     @wrap_char.setter
     def wrap_character(self, wrap_character):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_char' is deprecated, use format.wrap_character",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.wrap_character = wrap_character
 
 
     @property
     def wrap_before(self):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_before' is deprecated, use format.wrap_before",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
-        return self.format.wrap_before
+        return self.properties.wrap_before
 
     @wrap_before.setter
     def wrap_before(self, wrap_before):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_before' is deprecated, use format.wrap_before",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
-        self.format.wrap_before = wrap_before
-
+        self.properties.wrap_before = wrap_before
 
 
     @property
     def text_transform(self):
-        warnings.warn("'text_transform' is deprecated, use format.text_transform",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.text_transform
 
     @text_transform.setter
     def text_transform(self, text_transform):
-        warnings.warn("'text_transform' is deprecated, use format.text_transform",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.text_transform = text_transform
 
 
-
     @property
     def fill(self):
-        warnings.warn("'fill' is deprecated, use format.fill",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.fill
 
     @fill.setter
     def fill(self, fill):
-        warnings.warn("'fill' is deprecated, use format.fill",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.fill = fill
 
 
-
     @property
     def halo_fill(self):
-        warnings.warn("'halo_fill' is deprecated, use format.halo_fill",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.halo_fill
 
     @halo_fill.setter
     def halo_fill(self, halo_fill):
-        warnings.warn("'halo_fill' is deprecated, use format.halo_fill",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.halo_fill = halo_fill
 
 
 
     @property
     def halo_radius(self):
-        warnings.warn("'halo_radius' is deprecated, use format.halo_radius",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.format.halo_radius
 
     @halo_radius.setter
     def halo_radius(self, halo_radius):
-        warnings.warn("'halo_radius' is deprecated, use format.halo_radius",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.format.halo_radius = halo_radius
 
 
     @property
     def label_placement(self):
-        warnings.warn("'label_placement' is deprecated, use properties.label_placement",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.label_placement
 
     @label_placement.setter
     def label_placement(self, label_placement):
-        warnings.warn("'label_placement' is deprecated, use properties.label_placement",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.label_placement = label_placement
 
 
 
     @property
     def horizontal_alignment(self):
-        warnings.warn("'horizontal_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.horizontal_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.horizontal_alignment
 
     @horizontal_alignment.setter
     def horizontal_alignment(self, horizontal_alignment):
-        warnings.warn("'horizontal_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.horizontal_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.horizontal_alignment = horizontal_alignment
 
 
 
     @property
     def justify_alignment(self):
-        warnings.warn("'justify_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.justify_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.justify_alignment
 
     @justify_alignment.setter
     def justify_alignment(self, justify_alignment):
-        warnings.warn("'justify_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.justify_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.justify_alignment = justify_alignment
 
 
 
     @property
     def vertical_alignment(self):
-        warnings.warn("'vertical_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.vertical_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.vertical_alignment
 
     @vertical_alignment.setter
     def vertical_alignment(self, vertical_alignment):
-        warnings.warn("'vertical_alignment' is deprecated, use properties.vertical_alignment",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.vertical_alignment = vertical_alignment
 
 
 
     @property
     def orientation(self):
-        warnings.warn("'orientation' is deprecated, use properties.orientation",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.orientation
 
     @orientation.setter
     def orientation(self, orientation):
-        warnings.warn("'orientation' is deprecated, use properties.orientation",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.orientation = orientation
 
 
 
     @property
     def displacement(self):
-        warnings.warn("'displacement' is deprecated, use properties.displacement",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.displacement
 
     @displacement.setter
     def displacement(self, displacement):
-        warnings.warn("'displacement' is deprecated, use properties.displacement",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.displacement = displacement
 
 
 
     @property
     def label_spacing(self):
-        warnings.warn("'label_spacing' is deprecated, use properties.label_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.label_spacing
 
     @label_spacing.setter
     def label_spacing(self, label_spacing):
-        warnings.warn("'label_spacing' is deprecated, use properties.label_spacing",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.label_spacing = label_spacing
 
 
 
     @property
     def label_position_tolerance(self):
-        warnings.warn("'label_position_tolerance' is deprecated, use properties.label_position_tolerance",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.label_position_tolerance
 
     @label_position_tolerance.setter
     def label_position_tolerance(self, label_position_tolerance):
-        warnings.warn("'label_position_tolerance' is deprecated, use properties.label_position_tolerance",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.label_position_tolerance = label_position_tolerance
 
 
 
     @property
     def avoid_edges(self):
-        warnings.warn("'avoid_edges' is deprecated, use properties.avoid_edges",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.avoid_edges
 
     @avoid_edges.setter
     def avoid_edges(self, avoid_edges):
-        warnings.warn("'avoid_edges' is deprecated, use properties.avoid_edges",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.avoid_edges = avoid_edges
 
 
 
     @property
     def minimum_distance(self):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_distance' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_distance",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.minimum_distance
 
     @minimum_distance.setter
     def minimum_distance(self, minimum_distance):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_distance' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_distance",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.minimum_distance = minimum_distance
 
 
 
     @property
     def minimum_padding(self):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_padding' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_padding",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.minimum_padding
 
     @minimum_padding.setter
     def minimum_padding(self, minimum_padding):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_padding' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_padding",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.minimum_padding = minimum_padding
 
 
 
     @property
     def minimum_path_length(self):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_path_length' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_path_length",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.minimum_path_length
 
     @minimum_path_length.setter
     def minimum_path_length(self, minimum_path_length):
-        warnings.warn("'minimum_path_length' is deprecated, use properties.minimum_path_length",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.minimum_path_length = minimum_path_length
 
 
 
     @property
     def maximum_angle_char_delta(self):
-        warnings.warn("'maximum_angle_char_delta' is deprecated, use properties.maximum_angle_char_delta",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.maximum_angle_char_delta
 
     @maximum_angle_char_delta.setter
     def maximum_angle_char_delta(self, maximum_angle_char_delta):
-        warnings.warn("'maximum_angle_char_delta' is deprecated, use properties.maximum_angle_char_delta",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.maximum_angle_char_delta = maximum_angle_char_delta
 
 
 
     @property
     def force_odd_labels(self):
-        warnings.warn("'force_odd_labels' is deprecated, use properties.force_odd_labels",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.force_odd_labels
 
     @force_odd_labels.setter
     def force_odd_labels(self, force_odd_labels):
-        warnings.warn("'force_odd_labels' is deprecated, use properties.force_odd_labels",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.force_odd_labels = force_odd_labels
 
 
 
     @property
     def allow_overlap(self):
-        warnings.warn("'allow_overlap' is deprecated, use properties.allow_overlap",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.allow_overlap
 
     @allow_overlap.setter
     def allow_overlap(self, allow_overlap):
-        warnings.warn("'allow_overlap' is deprecated, use properties.allow_overlap",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.allow_overlap = allow_overlap
 
 
 
     @property
     def text_ratio(self):
-        warnings.warn("'text_ratio' is deprecated, use properties.text_ratio",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.text_ratio
 
     @text_ratio.setter
     def text_ratio(self, text_ratio):
-        warnings.warn("'text_ratio' is deprecated, use properties.text_ratio",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.text_ratio = text_ratio
 
 
 
     @property
     def wrap_width(self):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_width' is deprecated, use properties.wrap_width",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         return self.properties.wrap_width
 
     @wrap_width.setter
     def wrap_width(self, wrap_width):
-        warnings.warn("'wrap_width' is deprecated, use properties.wrap_width",
-        DeprecationWarning, 2)
         self.properties.wrap_width = wrap_width
 
 
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_fontset.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_fontset.cpp
index f467d816f..fbc94a292 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_fontset.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_fontset.cpp
@@ -33,8 +33,13 @@ using mapnik::font_set;
 void export_fontset ()
 {
     using namespace boost::python;
-    class_<font_set>("FontSet", init<>("default fontset constructor")
+    class_<font_set>("FontSet", init<std::string const&>("default fontset constructor")
         )
+        .add_property("name",
+                       make_function(&font_set::get_name,return_value_policy<copy_const_reference>()),
+                       &font_set::set_name,
+                      "Get/Set the name of the FontSet.\n"
+            )
         .def("add_face_name",&font_set::add_face_name,
              (arg("name")),
              "Add a face-name to the fontset.\n"
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
index ebe2579b8..dffa358cd 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_python.cpp
@@ -617,6 +617,7 @@ BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(_mapnik)
     def("has_pycairo", &has_pycairo, "Get pycairo module status");
 
     python_optional<mapnik::stroke>();
+    python_optional<mapnik::font_set>();
     python_optional<mapnik::color>();
     python_optional<mapnik::box2d<double> >();
     python_optional<mapnik::composite_mode_e>();
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
index 99952cee8..67b9a241e 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
@@ -402,9 +402,9 @@ void export_text_placement()
     class_with_converter<char_properties>
         ("CharProperties")
         .def_readwrite_convert("text_transform", &char_properties::text_transform)
+        .def_readwrite_convert("fontset", &char_properties::fontset)
         .def(init<char_properties const&>()) //Copy constructor
         .def_readwrite("face_name", &char_properties::face_name)
-        .def_readwrite("fontset", &char_properties::fontset)
         .def_readwrite("text_size", &char_properties::text_size)
         .def_readwrite("character_spacing", &char_properties::character_spacing)
         .def_readwrite("line_spacing", &char_properties::line_spacing)
diff --git a/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp b/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
index 15ca8c2d5..961b5d16b 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp
@@ -106,6 +106,9 @@ public:
     void process(markers_symbolizer const& sym,
                  mapnik::feature_impl & feature,
                  proj_transform const& prj_trans);
+    void process(debug_symbolizer const& sym,
+                 feature_impl & feature,
+                 proj_transform const& prj_trans);
 
     inline bool process(rule::symbolizers const& /*syms*/,
                         mapnik::feature_impl & /*feature*/,
diff --git a/include/mapnik/debug_symbolizer.hpp b/include/mapnik/debug_symbolizer.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d25c5c701
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/mapnik/debug_symbolizer.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2011 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef MAPNIK_DEBUG_SYMBOLIZER_HPP
+#define MAPNIK_DEBUG_SYMBOLIZER_HPP
+
+#include <mapnik/config.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/symbolizer.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik
+{
+
+struct MAPNIK_DECL debug_symbolizer :
+        public symbolizer_base
+{
+    debug_symbolizer() : symbolizer_base() {}
+};
+}
+
+#endif // DEBUG_SYMBOLIZER_HPP
diff --git a/include/mapnik/feature_style_processor_impl.hpp b/include/mapnik/feature_style_processor_impl.hpp
index cb4479e47..1514087ca 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/feature_style_processor_impl.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/feature_style_processor_impl.hpp
@@ -256,6 +256,7 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
 
     box2d<double> layer_ext = lay.envelope();
     bool fw_success = false;
+    bool early_return = false;
 
     // first, try intersection of map extent forward projected into layer srs
     if (prj_trans.forward(buffered_query_ext, PROJ_ENVELOPE_POINTS) && buffered_query_ext.intersects(layer_ext))
@@ -266,10 +267,7 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
     // if no intersection and projections are also equal, early return
     else if (prj_trans.equal())
     {
-#if defined(RENDERING_STATS)
-        layer_timer.discard();
-#endif
-        return;
+        early_return = true;
     }
     // next try intersection of layer extent back projected into map srs
     else if (prj_trans.backward(layer_ext, PROJ_ENVELOPE_POINTS) && buffered_query_ext.intersects(layer_ext))
@@ -278,7 +276,7 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
         // forward project layer extent back into native projection
         if (! prj_trans.forward(layer_ext, PROJ_ENVELOPE_POINTS))
         {
-            MAPNIK_LOG_DEBUG(feature_style_processor)
+            MAPNIK_LOG_ERROR(feature_style_processor)
                     << "feature_style_processor: Layer=" << lay.name()
                     << " extent=" << layer_ext << " in map projection "
                     << " did not reproject properly back to layer projection";
@@ -287,6 +285,31 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
     else
     {
         // if no intersection then nothing to do for layer
+        early_return = true;
+    }
+
+    if (early_return)
+    {
+        // check for styles needing compositing operations applied
+        // https://github.com/mapnik/mapnik/issues/1477
+        BOOST_FOREACH(std::string const& style_name, style_names)
+        {
+            boost::optional<feature_type_style const&> style=m_.find_style(style_name);
+            if (!style)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (style->comp_op() || style->image_filters().size() > 0)
+            {
+                if (style->active(scale_denom))
+                {
+                    std::clog << "triggering\n";
+                    // trigger any needed compositing ops
+                    p.start_style_processing(*style);
+                    p.end_style_processing(*style);
+                }
+            }
+        }
 #if defined(RENDERING_STATS)
         layer_timer.discard();
 #endif
@@ -344,9 +367,8 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
             continue;
         }
 
-        const std::vector<rule>& rules=(*style).get_rules();
+        std::vector<rule> const& rules=(*style).get_rules();
         bool active_rules=false;
-
         BOOST_FOREACH(rule const& r, rules)
         {
             if (r.active(scale_denom))
@@ -444,22 +466,21 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
         }
         else if (cache_features)
         {
+            memory_datasource cache;
             featureset_ptr features = ds->features(q);
             if (features) {
                 // Cache all features into the memory_datasource before rendering.
-                memory_datasource cache;
                 feature_ptr feature;
                 while ((feature = features->next()))
                 {
                     cache.push(feature);
                 }
-
-                int i = 0;
-                BOOST_FOREACH (feature_type_style * style, active_styles)
-                {
-                    render_style(lay, p, style, style_names[i++],
-                                 cache.features(q), prj_trans, scale_denom);
-                }
+            }
+            int i = 0;
+            BOOST_FOREACH (feature_type_style * style, active_styles)
+            {
+                render_style(lay, p, style, style_names[i++],
+                             cache.features(q), prj_trans, scale_denom);
             }
         }
         // We only have a single style and no grouping.
@@ -468,11 +489,8 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::apply_to_layer(layer const& lay, Proces
             int i = 0;
             BOOST_FOREACH (feature_type_style * style, active_styles)
             {
-                featureset_ptr features = ds->features(q);
-                if (features) {
-                    render_style(lay, p, style, style_names[i++],
-                                 features, prj_trans, scale_denom);
-                }
+                render_style(lay, p, style, style_names[i++],
+                             ds->features(q), prj_trans, scale_denom);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -495,8 +513,12 @@ void feature_style_processor<Processor>::render_style(
     proj_transform const& prj_trans,
     double scale_denom)
 {
-
     p.start_style_processing(*style);
+    if (!features)
+    {
+        p.end_style_processing(*style);
+        return;
+    }
 
 #if defined(RENDERING_STATS)
     std::ostringstream s1;
diff --git a/include/mapnik/feature_type_style.hpp b/include/mapnik/feature_type_style.hpp
index 45707fbdc..a623849f4 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/feature_type_style.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/feature_type_style.hpp
@@ -72,17 +72,17 @@ public:
     feature_type_style& operator=(feature_type_style const& rhs);
 
     void add_rule(rule const& rule);
-
     rules const& get_rules() const;
     rule_ptrs const& get_if_rules(double scale_denom);
     rule_ptrs const& get_else_rules(double scale_denom);
     rule_ptrs const& get_also_rules(double scale_denom);
-
     rules& get_rules_nonconst();
     
-    void set_filter_mode(filter_mode_e mode);
+    bool active(double scale_denom) const;
 
+    void set_filter_mode(filter_mode_e mode);
     filter_mode_e get_filter_mode() const;
+
     // filters
     std::vector<filter::filter_type> const& image_filters() const;
     std::vector<filter::filter_type> & image_filters();    
diff --git a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
index 50852a7e7..ce431428f 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
@@ -333,11 +333,11 @@ public:
         return face_set;
     }
 
-    face_set_ptr get_face_set(std::string const& name, font_set const& fset)
+    face_set_ptr get_face_set(std::string const& name, boost::optional<font_set> fset)
     {
-        if (fset.size() > 0)
+        if (fset && fset->size() > 0)
         {
-            return get_face_set(fset);
+            return get_face_set(*fset);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/include/mapnik/font_set.hpp b/include/mapnik/font_set.hpp
index 4d0fd79b4..426d60b06 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/font_set.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/font_set.hpp
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ namespace mapnik
 class MAPNIK_DECL font_set
 {
 public:
-    font_set();
     font_set(std::string const& name);
     font_set(font_set const& rhs);
     font_set& operator=(font_set const& rhs);
diff --git a/include/mapnik/rule.hpp b/include/mapnik/rule.hpp
index 0e28f060e..492ed7488 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/rule.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/rule.hpp
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include <mapnik/shield_symbolizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/markers_symbolizer.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/debug_symbolizer.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/feature.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression.hpp>
 #include <mapnik/expression_string.hpp>
@@ -108,6 +109,12 @@ inline bool operator==(markers_symbolizer const& lhs,
     return (&lhs == &rhs);
 }
 
+inline bool operator==(debug_symbolizer const& lhs,
+                       debug_symbolizer const& rhs)
+{
+    return (&lhs == &rhs);
+}
+
 typedef boost::variant<point_symbolizer,
                        line_symbolizer,
                        line_pattern_symbolizer,
@@ -117,7 +124,8 @@ typedef boost::variant<point_symbolizer,
                        shield_symbolizer,
                        text_symbolizer,
                        building_symbolizer,
-                       markers_symbolizer> symbolizer;
+                       markers_symbolizer,
+                       debug_symbolizer> symbolizer;
 
 class rule
 {
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
index 9e8c5b055..c816620df 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@
 #include <map>
 
 // boost
+#include <boost/optional.hpp>
 #include <boost/property_tree/ptree.hpp>
 
 namespace mapnik
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ struct char_properties
     /** Write object to XML ptree. */
     void to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, char_properties const& dfl=char_properties()) const;
     std::string face_name;
-    font_set fontset;
+    boost::optional<font_set> fontset;
     double text_size;
     double character_spacing;
     double line_spacing; //Largest total height (fontsize+line_spacing) per line is chosen
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
index 5b9de2aeb..3e8fb06f1 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ struct MAPNIK_DECL text_symbolizer : public symbolizer_base
     void set_text_size(double size);
     std::string const& get_face_name() const func_deprecated;
     void set_face_name(std::string face_name);
-    font_set const& get_fontset() const func_deprecated;
+    boost::optional<font_set> const& get_fontset() const func_deprecated;
     void set_fontset(font_set const& fset);
     color const& get_fill() const func_deprecated;
     void set_fill(color const& fill);
diff --git a/plugins/input/sqlite/sqlite_datasource.cpp b/plugins/input/sqlite/sqlite_datasource.cpp
index 89653bdf9..1b769af53 100644
--- a/plugins/input/sqlite/sqlite_datasource.cpp
+++ b/plugins/input/sqlite/sqlite_datasource.cpp
@@ -339,10 +339,12 @@ void sqlite_datasource::bind() const
             else
             {
                 std::ostringstream s;
-                s << "Sqlite Plugin: key_field is empty for "
-                  << geometry_field_
-                  << " and "
-                  << geometry_table_;
+                s << "Sqlite Plugin: could not generate spatial index"
+                  << " for table '" << geometry_table_ << "'"
+                  << " as no primary key can be detected."
+                  << " You should either declare an INTEGER PRIMARY KEY"
+                  << " or set the 'key_field' option to force a"
+                  << " given field to be used as the primary key";
                 throw datasource_exception(s.str());
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/agg/process_debug_symbolizer.cpp b/src/agg/process_debug_symbolizer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5476da0c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agg/process_debug_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ * This file is part of Mapnik (c++ mapping toolkit)
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2011 Artem Pavlenko
+ *
+ * This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
+ * version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
+ * License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+// mapnik
+#include <mapnik/agg_renderer.hpp>
+#include <mapnik/graphics.hpp>
+
+namespace mapnik {
+
+void draw_rect(image_32 &pixmap, box2d<double> const& box)
+{
+    double x0 = box.minx();
+    double x1 = box.maxx();
+    double y0 = box.miny();
+    double y1 = box.maxy();
+    unsigned color1 = 0xff0000ff;
+    for (double x=x0; x<x1; x++)
+    {
+        pixmap.setPixel(x, y0, color1);
+        pixmap.setPixel(x, y1, color1);
+    }
+    for (double y=y0; y<y1; y++)
+    {
+        pixmap.setPixel(x0, y, color1);
+        pixmap.setPixel(x1, y, color1);
+    }
+}
+
+template <typename T>
+void agg_renderer<T>::process(debug_symbolizer const& sym,
+                              mapnik::feature_impl & feature,
+                              proj_transform const& prj_trans)
+{
+    label_collision_detector4::query_iterator itr = detector_->begin(), end = detector_->end();
+    for (;itr!=end; itr++)
+    {
+        draw_rect(pixmap_, itr->box);
+    }
+}
+
+template void agg_renderer<image_32>::process(debug_symbolizer const&,
+                                              mapnik::feature_impl &,
+                                              proj_transform const&);
+}
+
diff --git a/src/build.py b/src/build.py
index d83db33fd..ac7ecc1c0 100644
--- a/src/build.py
+++ b/src/build.py
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@ source += Split(
     agg/process_raster_symbolizer.cpp
     agg/process_shield_symbolizer.cpp
     agg/process_markers_symbolizer.cpp
+    agg/process_debug_symbolizer.cpp
     """
     )
 
diff --git a/src/feature_type_style.cpp b/src/feature_type_style.cpp
index 2dc820895..ff588af7f 100644
--- a/src/feature_type_style.cpp
+++ b/src/feature_type_style.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@
 
 #include <mapnik/feature_type_style.hpp>
 
+// boost
+#include <boost/foreach.hpp>
+
 namespace mapnik
 {
 
@@ -89,6 +92,18 @@ rules& feature_type_style::get_rules_nonconst()
     return rules_;
 }
 
+bool feature_type_style::active(double scale_denom) const
+{
+    BOOST_FOREACH(rule const& r, rules_)
+    {
+        if (r.active(scale_denom))
+        {
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 void feature_type_style::set_filter_mode(filter_mode_e mode)
 {
     filter_mode_ = mode;
diff --git a/src/font_set.cpp b/src/font_set.cpp
index 9fce7b1ef..06daf5b42 100644
--- a/src/font_set.cpp
+++ b/src/font_set.cpp
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@
 
 namespace mapnik
 {
-font_set::font_set()
-    : name_("") {}
 
 font_set::font_set(std::string const& name)
     : name_(name) {}
diff --git a/src/image_scaling.cpp b/src/image_scaling.cpp
index ab1c00b8b..298961f61 100644
--- a/src/image_scaling.cpp
+++ b/src/image_scaling.cpp
@@ -264,7 +264,8 @@ void scale_image_agg(Image & target,
                      double ratio)
 {
     typedef agg::pixfmt_rgba32 pixfmt;
-    typedef agg::renderer_base<pixfmt> renderer_base;
+    typedef agg::pixfmt_rgba32_pre pixfmt_pre;
+    typedef agg::renderer_base<pixfmt_pre> renderer_base;
 
     // define some stuff we'll use soon
     agg::rasterizer_scanline_aa<> ras;
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ void scale_image_agg(Image & target,
 
     // initialize destination AGG buffer (with transparency)
     agg::rendering_buffer rbuf_dst((unsigned char*)target.getBytes(), target.width(), target.height(), target.width() * 4);
-    pixfmt pixf_dst(rbuf_dst);
+    pixfmt_pre pixf_dst(rbuf_dst);
     renderer_base rb_dst(pixf_dst);
     rb_dst.clear(agg::rgba(0, 0, 0, 0));
 
diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index a5ebbfb98..dfdbf47c9 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ private:
     void parse_building_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym);
     void parse_raster_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym);
     void parse_markers_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym);
+    void parse_debug_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym);
 
     void parse_raster_colorizer(raster_colorizer_ptr const& rc, xml_node const& node);
     bool parse_stroke(stroke & strk, xml_node const & sym);
@@ -806,6 +807,10 @@ void map_parser::parse_rule(feature_type_style & style, xml_node const& r)
             {
                 parse_markers_symbolizer(rule, *symIter);
             }
+            else if (symIter->is("DebugSymbolizer"))
+            {
+                parse_debug_symbolizer(rule, *symIter);
+            }
         }
         style.add_rule(rule);
 
@@ -1149,7 +1154,7 @@ void map_parser::parse_text_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym)
             placement_finder->defaults.from_xml(sym, fontsets_);
         }
         if (strict_ &&
-            !placement_finder->defaults.format.fontset.size())
+            !placement_finder->defaults.format.fontset->size())
         {
             ensure_font_face(placement_finder->defaults.format.face_name);
         }
@@ -1178,7 +1183,7 @@ void map_parser::parse_shield_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const& sym)
         }
         placement_finder->defaults.from_xml(sym, fontsets_);
         if (strict_ &&
-            !placement_finder->defaults.format.fontset.size())
+            !placement_finder->defaults.format.fontset->size())
         {
             ensure_font_face(placement_finder->defaults.format.face_name);
         }
@@ -1508,6 +1513,14 @@ void map_parser::parse_raster_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const & sym)
     }
 }
 
+void map_parser::parse_debug_symbolizer(rule & rule, xml_node const & sym)
+{
+    debug_symbolizer symbol;
+
+    parse_symbolizer_base(symbol, sym);
+    rule.append(symbol);
+}
+
 void map_parser::parse_raster_colorizer(raster_colorizer_ptr const& rc,
                                         xml_node const& node)
 {
diff --git a/src/map.cpp b/src/map.cpp
index 7e4a3f5f8..5c27fd5f0 100644
--- a/src/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map.cpp
@@ -159,6 +159,10 @@ boost::optional<feature_type_style const&> Map::find_style(std::string const& na
 
 bool Map::insert_fontset(std::string const& name, font_set const& fontset)
 {
+    if (fontset.get_name() != name)
+    {
+        throw mapnik::config_error("Fontset name must match the name used to reference it on the map");
+    }
     return fontsets_.insert(make_pair(name, fontset)).second;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/processed_text.cpp b/src/processed_text.cpp
index caaa31679..ab27f375f 100644
--- a/src/processed_text.cpp
+++ b/src/processed_text.cpp
@@ -65,22 +65,22 @@ string_info &processed_text::get_string_info()
         face_set_ptr faces = font_manager_.get_face_set(p.face_name, p.fontset);
         if (faces->size() == 0)
         {
-            if (!p.fontset.get_name().empty())
+            if (p.fontset && !p.fontset->get_name().empty())
             {
-                if (p.fontset.size())
+                if (p.fontset->size())
                 {
                     if (!p.face_name.empty())
                     {
-                        throw config_error("Unable to find specified font face '" + p.face_name + "' in font set: '" + p.fontset.get_name() + "'");
+                        throw config_error("Unable to find specified font face '" + p.face_name + "' in font set: '" + p.fontset->get_name() + "'");
                     }
                     else
                     {
-                        throw config_error("No valid font face could be loaded for font set: '" + p.fontset.get_name() + "'");
+                        throw config_error("No valid font face could be loaded for font set: '" + p.fontset->get_name() + "'");
                     }
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    throw config_error("Font set '" + p.fontset.get_name() + "' does not contain any Font face-name entries");           
+                    throw config_error("Font set '" + p.fontset->get_name() + "' does not contain any Font face-name entries");
                 }
             }
             else if (!p.face_name.empty())
diff --git a/src/text_properties.cpp b/src/text_properties.cpp
index 1ec63ac0d..2fabf9deb 100644
--- a/src/text_properties.cpp
+++ b/src/text_properties.cpp
@@ -293,11 +293,11 @@ void char_properties::from_xml(xml_node const& sym, fontset_map const& fontsets)
             throw config_error("Unable to find any fontset named '" + *fontset_name_ + "'", sym);
         }
     }
-    if (!face_name.empty() && !fontset.get_name().empty())
+    if (!face_name.empty() && fontset)
     {
         throw config_error("Can't have both face-name and fontset-name", sym);
     }
-    if (face_name.empty() && fontset.get_name().empty())
+    if (face_name.empty() && !fontset)
     {
         throw config_error("Must have face-name or fontset-name", sym);
     }
@@ -305,11 +305,9 @@ void char_properties::from_xml(xml_node const& sym, fontset_map const& fontsets)
 
 void char_properties::to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_defaults, char_properties const &dfl) const
 {
-    std::string const& fontset_name = fontset.get_name();
-    std::string const& dfl_fontset_name = dfl.fontset.get_name();
-    if (fontset_name != dfl_fontset_name || explicit_defaults)
+    if (fontset)
     {
-        set_attr(node, "fontset-name", fontset_name);
+        set_attr(node, "fontset-name", fontset->get_name());
     }
 
     if (face_name != dfl.face_name || explicit_defaults)
diff --git a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
index 4f0b1b96e..8aed6297b 100644
--- a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ void text_symbolizer::set_fontset(font_set const& fontset)
     placement_options_->defaults.format.fontset = fontset;
 }
 
-font_set const& text_symbolizer::get_fontset() const
+boost::optional<font_set> const& text_symbolizer::get_fontset() const
 {
     return placement_options_->defaults.format.fontset;
 }
diff --git a/src/warp.cpp b/src/warp.cpp
index b1c135f26..ee0dc6a05 100644
--- a/src/warp.cpp
+++ b/src/warp.cpp
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ void reproject_and_scale_raster(raster & target, raster const& source,
     typedef agg::pixfmt_rgba32 pixfmt;
     typedef pixfmt::color_type color_type;
     typedef agg::renderer_base<pixfmt> renderer_base;
+    typedef agg::pixfmt_rgba32_pre pixfmt_pre;
+    typedef agg::renderer_base<pixfmt_pre> renderer_base_pre;
 
     agg::rasterizer_scanline_aa<> rasterizer;
     agg::scanline_u8  scanline;
@@ -85,8 +87,8 @@ void reproject_and_scale_raster(raster & target, raster const& source,
                               target.data_.width(),
                               target.data_.height(),
                               target.data_.width()*4);
-    pixfmt pixf(buf);
-    renderer_base rb(pixf);
+    pixfmt_pre pixf_pre(buf);
+    renderer_base_pre rb_pre(pixf_pre);
     rasterizer.clip_box(0, 0, target.data_.width(), target.data_.height());
     agg::rendering_buffer buf_tile(
         (unsigned char*)source.data_.getData(),
@@ -176,13 +178,13 @@ void reproject_and_scale_raster(raster & target, raster const& source,
                         <img_accessor_type, interpolator_type>
                         span_gen_type;
                     span_gen_type sg(ia, interpolator);
-                    agg::render_scanlines_aa(rasterizer, scanline, rb,
+                    agg::render_scanlines_aa(rasterizer, scanline, rb_pre,
                                              sa, sg);
                 } else {
                     typedef mapnik::span_image_resample_rgba_affine
                         <img_accessor_type> span_gen_type;
                     span_gen_type sg(ia, interpolator, filter);
-                    agg::render_scanlines_aa(rasterizer, scanline, rb,
+                    agg::render_scanlines_aa(rasterizer, scanline, rb_pre,
                                              sa, sg);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/fontset_test.py b/tests/python_tests/fontset_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4db8ca73c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python_tests/fontset_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+from nose.tools import *
+from utilities import execution_path
+
+import os, mapnik
+
+def setup():
+    # All of the paths used are relative, if we run the tests
+    # from another directory we need to chdir()
+    os.chdir(execution_path('.'))
+
+def test_loading_fontset_from_map():
+    m = mapnik.Map(256,256)
+    mapnik.load_map(m,'../data/good_maps/fontset.xml',True)
+    fs = m.find_fontset('book-fonts')
+    eq_(len(fs.names),2)
+    eq_(list(fs.names),['DejaVu Sans Book','DejaVu Sans Oblique'])
+
+def test_loading_fontset_from_python():
+    m = mapnik.Map(256,256)
+    fset = mapnik.FontSet('foo')
+    fset.add_face_name('Comic Sans')
+    fset.add_face_name('Papyrus')
+    eq_(fset.name,'foo')
+    fset.name = 'my-set'
+    eq_(fset.name,'my-set')
+    m.append_fontset('my-set', fset)
+    sty = mapnik.Style()
+    rule = mapnik.Rule()
+    tsym = mapnik.TextSymbolizer()
+    eq_(tsym.fontset,None)
+    tsym.fontset = fset
+    rule.symbols.append(tsym)
+    sty.rules.append(rule)
+    m.append_style('Style',sty)
+    serialized_map = mapnik.save_map_to_string(m)
+    eq_('fontset-name="my-set"' in serialized_map,True)
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    setup()
+    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-alpha.png b/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-alpha.png
index a84c88eaf..3c79bb304 100644
Binary files a/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-alpha.png and b/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-alpha.png differ
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-nodata-edge.png b/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-nodata-edge.png
index d3430199f..df5fa419e 100644
Binary files a/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-nodata-edge.png and b/tests/python_tests/images/support/raster-nodata-edge.png differ
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/images/support/tif_colortable.png b/tests/python_tests/images/support/tif_colortable.png
index 02be3553a..aa055bb45 100644
Binary files a/tests/python_tests/images/support/tif_colortable.png and b/tests/python_tests/images/support/tif_colortable.png differ
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/images/support/vrt_colortable.png b/tests/python_tests/images/support/vrt_colortable.png
index 3eba18c98..f885c68f8 100644
Binary files a/tests/python_tests/images/support/vrt_colortable.png and b/tests/python_tests/images/support/vrt_colortable.png differ
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/object_test.py b/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
index 7884322de..372ecde76 100644
--- a/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
+++ b/tests/python_tests/object_test.py
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def test_shield_symbolizer_init():
     # 11c34b1: default transform list is empty, not identity matrix
     eq_(s.transform, '')
 
-    eq_(len(s.fontset.names), 0)
+    eq_(s.fontset, None)
 
 # ShieldSymbolizer missing image file
 # images paths are now PathExpressions are evaluated at runtime
diff --git a/tests/python_tests/test_fontset.py b/tests/python_tests/test_fontset.py
deleted file mode 100644
index ec44a103d..000000000
--- a/tests/python_tests/test_fontset.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-
-from nose.tools import *
-from utilities import execution_path
-
-import os, mapnik
-
-def setup():
-    # All of the paths used are relative, if we run the tests
-    # from another directory we need to chdir()
-    os.chdir(execution_path('.'))
-
-def test_loading_fontset_from_map():
-    m = mapnik.Map(256,256)
-    mapnik.load_map(m,'../data/good_maps/fontset.xml',True)
-    fs = m.find_fontset('book-fonts')
-    eq_(len(fs.names),2)
-    eq_(list(fs.names),['DejaVu Sans Book','DejaVu Sans Oblique'])
-
-
-if __name__ == "__main__":
-    setup()
-    [eval(run)() for run in dir() if 'test_' in run]