diff --git a/examples/osgSSBO/osgSSBO.cpp b/examples/osgSSBO/osgSSBO.cpp
index c058664be..e357acac8 100644
--- a/examples/osgSSBO/osgSSBO.cpp
+++ b/examples/osgSSBO/osgSSBO.cpp
@@ -473,7 +473,6 @@ void ComputeNode::addDataMonitor(osg::Vec3 placement, osg::Vec3 relativePlacemen
     pat->setName(labelCaption);
     text->setText(pat->getName());
     text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::OUTLINE);
-    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::POLYGON_OFFSET);
     text->setBackdropOffset(0.05f);
     text->setBackdropColor(osg::Vec4(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f));
 
diff --git a/examples/osgfadetext/osgfadetext.cpp b/examples/osgfadetext/osgfadetext.cpp
index 37b0eafe2..308b482b6 100644
--- a/examples/osgfadetext/osgfadetext.cpp
+++ b/examples/osgfadetext/osgfadetext.cpp
@@ -121,10 +121,70 @@ osg::Node* createFadeText(osg::EllipsoidModel* ellipsoid)
 }
 
 
-int main(int, char**)
+class TextSettings : public osg::NodeVisitor
 {
+public:
+    TextSettings(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments):
+        osg::NodeVisitor(osg::NodeVisitor::TRAVERSE_ALL_CHILDREN),
+        _backdropTypeSet(false),
+        _backdropType(osgText::Text::NONE),
+        _shaderTechniqueSet(false),
+        _shaderTechnique(osgText::GREYSCALE)
+    {
+        if (arguments.read("--outline"))
+        {
+            _backdropTypeSet = true;
+            _backdropType = osgText::Text::OUTLINE;
+        }
+        if (arguments.read("--sdf"))
+        {
+            _shaderTechniqueSet = true;
+            _shaderTechnique = osgText::SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD;
+        }
+        if (arguments.read("--all"))
+        {
+            _shaderTechniqueSet = true;
+            _shaderTechnique = osgText::ALL_FEATURES;
+        }
+        if (arguments.read("--greyscale"))
+        {
+            _shaderTechniqueSet = true;
+            _shaderTechnique = osgText::GREYSCALE;
+        }
+        if (arguments.read("--no-shader"))
+        {
+            _shaderTechniqueSet = true;
+            _shaderTechnique = osgText::NO_TEXT_SHADER;
+        }
+    }
+
+    void apply(osg::Drawable& drawable)
+    {
+        osgText::Text* text = dynamic_cast<osgText::Text*>(&drawable);
+        if (text)
+        {
+            if (_backdropTypeSet)
+            {
+                text->setBackdropType(_backdropType);
+                text->setBackdropOffset(0.1f);
+                text->setBackdropColor(osg::Vec4(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f));
+            }
+            if (_shaderTechniqueSet) text->setShaderTechnique(_shaderTechnique);
+        }
+    }
+
+    bool                        _backdropTypeSet;
+    osgText::Text::BackdropType _backdropType;
+    bool                        _shaderTechniqueSet;
+    osgText::ShaderTechnique    _shaderTechnique;
+};
+
+int main(int argc, char** argv)
+{
+    osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc, argv);
+
     // construct the viewer.
-    osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
+    osgViewer::Viewer viewer(arguments);
 
     viewer.getCamera()->setComputeNearFarMode(osg::CullSettings::COMPUTE_NEAR_FAR_USING_PRIMITIVES);
     viewer.getCamera()->setNearFarRatio(0.00001f);
@@ -144,6 +204,12 @@ int main(int, char**)
         csn->addChild(createFadeText(csn->getEllipsoidModel()));
     }
 
+    if (arguments.argc()>1)
+    {
+        TextSettings textSettings(arguments);
+        root->accept(textSettings);
+    }
+
     viewer.setCameraManipulator(new osgGA::TerrainManipulator);
 
     return viewer.run();
diff --git a/examples/osgfont/osgfont.cpp b/examples/osgfont/osgfont.cpp
index 9255bea0c..bad750798 100644
--- a/examples/osgfont/osgfont.cpp
+++ b/examples/osgfont/osgfont.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 #include <osg/io_utils>
 #include <osg/ArgumentParser>
 #include <osg/Geode>
+#include <osg/MatrixTransform>
+#include <osgDB/ReadFile>
+#include <osgDB/WriteFile>
 #include <osgViewer/Viewer>
 #include <osgViewer/ViewerEventHandlers>
 #include <osgGA/StateSetManipulator>
@@ -56,80 +59,367 @@ osg::Camera* createOrthoCamera(double width, double height)
     return camera;
 }
 
-osgText::Text* createLabel(const std::string& l, const char* f, unsigned int size)
+typedef std::list<unsigned int> Sizes;
+
+struct TextSettings
 {
-    static osg::Vec3 pos(10.0f, 10.0f, 0.0f);
+    TextSettings():
+        fontFilename("fonts/arial.ttf"),
+        minFilter(osg::Texture::LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR),
+        magFilter(osg::Texture::LINEAR),
+        maxAnisotropy(16.0f),
+        shaderTechnique(osgText::GREYSCALE),
+        textColor(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f),
+        backdropType(osgText::Text::NONE),
+        backdropOffset(0.07f, 0.07f),
+        backdropColor(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f),
+        scaleFontSizeToFontResolution(false)
+    {
+    }
 
+
+    void readFilterMode(const std::string& value, osg::Texture::FilterMode& filterMode)
+    {
+        if (value=="LINEAR") filterMode = osg::Texture::LINEAR;
+        else if (value=="NEAREST") filterMode = osg::Texture::NEAREST;
+        else if (value=="LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR") filterMode = osg::Texture::LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR;
+    }
+
+    void read(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
+    {
+        if (arguments.read("--test"))
+        {
+            backgroundColor = osg::Vec4(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0);
+
+            fontFilename = "fonts/arialbd.ttf";
+            backdropType = osgText::Text::OUTLINE;
+
+            sizes.clear();
+            sizes.push_back(8);
+            sizes.push_back(16);
+            sizes.push_back(32);
+            sizes.push_back(64);
+            sizes.push_back(128);
+        }
+
+        if (arguments.read("--GREYSCALE")) { shaderTechnique = osgText::GREYSCALE; }
+        if (arguments.read("--SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD")) { shaderTechnique = osgText::SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD; }
+        if (arguments.read("--ALL_FEATURES")) { shaderTechnique = osgText::ALL_FEATURES; }
+
+        if (arguments.read("--font",fontFilename)) {}
+
+        std::string value;
+        if (arguments.read("--min", value)) { readFilterMode(value, minFilter); }
+        if (arguments.read("--mag", value)) { readFilterMode(value, magFilter); }
+
+        if (arguments.read("--anisotropy",maxAnisotropy)) {}
+
+
+        if (arguments.read("--outline")) backdropType = osgText::Text::OUTLINE;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-br")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-cr")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_RIGHT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-tr")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_TOP_RIGHT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-bc")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_CENTER;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-tc")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_TOP_CENTER;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-bl")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_LEFT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-cl")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_LEFT;
+        if (arguments.read("--shadow-tl")) backdropType = osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_TOP_LEFT;
+
+
+
+        float offset;
+        if (arguments.read("--offset", offset)) backdropOffset.set(offset, offset);
+
+        if (arguments.read("--text-color", textColor.r(), textColor.g(), textColor.b(), textColor.a())) {}
+        if (arguments.read("--bd-color", backdropColor.r(), backdropColor.g(), backdropColor.b(), backdropColor.a())) {}
+        if (arguments.read("--bg-color", backgroundColor.r(), backgroundColor.g(), backgroundColor.b(), backgroundColor.a())) {}
+
+        if (arguments.read("--constant-size")) scaleFontSizeToFontResolution = false;
+        if (arguments.read("--scale-size")) scaleFontSizeToFontResolution = true;
+
+    }
+
+    void setText(osgText::Text& text)
+    {
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"Settings::setText()"<<std::endl;
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> font;
+
+        if (fontFilename!="default") font = osgText::readRefFontFile(fontFilename);
+
+        if (!font) font = osgText::Font::getDefaultFont();
+
+        font->setMinFilterHint(minFilter);
+        font->setMagFilterHint(magFilter);
+        font->setMaxAnisotropy(maxAnisotropy);
+
+        text.setColor(textColor);
+        text.setBackdropType(backdropType);
+        text.setBackdropOffset(backdropOffset.x(), backdropOffset.y());
+        text.setBackdropColor(backdropColor);
+        text.setShaderTechnique(shaderTechnique);
+
+        text.setFont(font.get());
+
+    }
+
+    std::string                     fontFilename;
+    osg::Texture::FilterMode        minFilter;
+    osg::Texture::FilterMode        magFilter;
+    float                           maxAnisotropy;
+    osgText::ShaderTechnique        shaderTechnique;
+
+    osg::Vec4                       textColor;
+    osgText::Text::BackdropType     backdropType;
+    osg::Vec2                       backdropOffset;
+    osg::Vec4                       backdropColor;
+    osg::Vec4                       backgroundColor;
+    Sizes                           sizes;
+    bool                            scaleFontSizeToFontResolution;
+};
+
+osgText::Text* createLabel(const std::string& l, TextSettings& settings, unsigned int size, osg::Vec3& pos)
+{
     osgText::Text* label = new osgText::Text();
-    osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> font  = osgText::readRefFontFile(f);
 
-    label->setFont(font);
-    label->setCharacterSize(size);
+    settings.setText(*label);
+
+    if (settings.scaleFontSizeToFontResolution)
+    {
+        label->setCharacterSize(size);
+    }
+
     label->setFontResolution(size, size);
-    label->setColor(osg::Vec4(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f));
     label->setPosition(pos);
     label->setAlignment(osgText::Text::LEFT_BOTTOM);
 
     // It seems to be important we do this last to get best results?
     label->setText(l);
 
-    textInfo(label);
+    // textInfo(label);
 
-    pos.y() += size + 10.0f;
+    pos.y() += label->getCharacterHeight()*2.0;
 
     return label;
 }
 
-typedef std::list<unsigned int> Sizes;
+class KeyHandler : public osgGA::GUIEventHandler
+{
+public:
+
+    KeyHandler() {}
+
+    ~KeyHandler() {}
+
+    bool handle(const osgGA::GUIEventAdapter& ea, osgGA::GUIActionAdapter& aa)
+    {
+        osgViewer::View* view = dynamic_cast<osgViewer::View*>(&aa);
+        if (!view) return false;
+
+#if 1
+        osg::StateSet* stateset = view->getSceneData()->getOrCreateStateSet();
+#else
+        osg::StateSet* stateset = view->getCamera()->getOrCreateStateSet();
+#endif
+        switch(ea.getEventType())
+        {
+            case(osgGA::GUIEventAdapter::KEYUP):
+            {
+                if (ea.getKey()=='d')
+                {
+                    toggleDefine(stateset, "SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD");
+                    return true;
+                }
+                else if (ea.getKey()=='o')
+                {
+                    toggleDefine(stateset, "OUTLINE");
+                    return true;
+                }
+                break;
+            }
+            default:
+                break;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    void toggleDefine(osg::StateSet* stateset, const std::string& define)
+    {
+        osg::StateSet::DefinePair* dp = stateset->getDefinePair(define);
+        if (dp)
+        {
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"Disabling "<<define<<std::endl;
+            stateset->removeDefine(define);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"Enabling "<<define<<std::endl;
+            stateset->setDefine(define);
+        }
+    }
+};
+
 
 int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
-    osgViewer::Viewer   viewer;
     osg::ArgumentParser args(&argc, argv);
-
-    // Make sure we have the minimum args...
-    if(argc <= 2)
-    {
-        osg::notify(osg::FATAL) << "usage: " << args[0] << " fontfile size1 [size2 ...]" << std::endl;
-
-        return 1;
-    }
+    osgViewer::Viewer viewer(args);
 
 
-    viewer.addEventHandler( new osgGA::StateSetManipulator(viewer.getCamera()->getOrCreateStateSet()) );
+    viewer.addEventHandler(new osgGA::StateSetManipulator(viewer.getCamera()->getOrCreateStateSet()));
     viewer.addEventHandler(new osgViewer::StatsHandler());
     viewer.addEventHandler(new osgViewer::WindowSizeHandler());
+    viewer.addEventHandler(new KeyHandler());
 
-    osg::Group*  group  = new osg::Group();
-    osg::Camera* camera = createOrthoCamera(1280.0f, 1024.0f);
+    TextSettings settings;
+    settings.backgroundColor = viewer.getCamera()->getClearColor();
 
-    // Create the list of desired sizes.
-    Sizes sizes;
+    settings.read(args);
 
-    for(int i = 2; i < argc; i++)
+    viewer.getCamera()->setClearColor(settings.backgroundColor);
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = new osg::Group;
+
+    bool split_screen = args.read("--split");
+
+    if (split_screen)
     {
-        if(!args.isNumber(i)) continue;
+        viewer.realize();
 
-        sizes.push_back(std::atoi(args[i]));
+        // quite an dirty divusion of the master Camera's window if one is assigned.
+        if (viewer.getCamera()->getGraphicsContext())
+        {
+            viewer.stopThreading();
+
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::GraphicsContext> gc = viewer.getCamera()->getGraphicsContext();
+            osg::ref_ptr<const osg::GraphicsContext::Traits> traits = gc->getTraits();
+
+            // left half
+            {
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Camera> camera = new osg::Camera;
+                camera->setCullMask(0x1);
+                camera->setGraphicsContext(gc.get());
+                camera->setViewport(new osg::Viewport(0,0, traits->width/2, traits->height));
+                viewer.addSlave(camera.get(), osg::Matrixd::translate(1.0,0.0,0.0), osg::Matrixd::scale(2.0, 1.0, 1.0));
+            }
+
+            {
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Camera> camera = new osg::Camera;
+                camera->setCullMask(0x2);
+                camera->setGraphicsContext(gc.get());
+                camera->setViewport(new osg::Viewport(traits->width/2+2,0, traits->width/2, traits->height));
+                viewer.addSlave(camera.get(), osg::Matrixd::translate(-1.0,0.0,0.0), osg::Matrixd::scale(2.0, 1.0, 1.0));
+            }
+
+            viewer.getCamera()->setGraphicsContext(0);
+
+            viewer.startThreading();
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            split_screen = false;
+        }
     }
 
-    osg::Geode* geode = new osg::Geode();
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> transform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
+    transform->setMatrix(osg::Matrixd::rotate(osg::DegreesToRadians(90.0), 1.0, 0.0, 0.0));
+    root->addChild(transform.get());
+    root = transform;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
+    std::string shaderFilename;
+    while(args.read("--shader", shaderFilename))
+    {
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> shader = osgDB::readRefShaderFile(shaderFilename);
+        if (shader.get())
+        {
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"Loading shader "<<shaderFilename<<std::endl;
+            program->addShader(shader.get());
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (program->getNumShaders()>0)
+    {
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"Using shaders"<<std::endl;
+        root->getOrCreateStateSet()->setAttribute(program.get(), osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE | osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+        root->getOrCreateStateSet()->addUniform(new osg::Uniform("glyphTexture", 0));
+
+        settings.shaderTechnique = osgText::ALL_FEATURES;
+    }
+
+
+    std::string outputFilename;
+    if (args.read("-o", outputFilename)) {}
+
+    if (args.argc() > 1)
+    {
+        settings.fontFilename = argv[1];
+
+        // Create the list of desired sizes.
+        for(int i = 2; i < args.argc(); i++)
+        {
+            if(!args.isNumber(i)) continue;
+
+            settings.sizes.push_back(std::atoi(args[i]));
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (settings.sizes.empty())
+    {
+        settings.sizes.push_back(8);
+        settings.sizes.push_back(16);
+        settings.sizes.push_back(32);
+        settings.sizes.push_back(64);
+    }
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> geode = new osg::Geode();
+
+    osg::Vec3 pos(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
 
     // Add all of our osgText drawables.
-    for(Sizes::const_iterator i = sizes.begin(); i != sizes.end(); i++)
+    for(Sizes::const_iterator i = settings.sizes.begin(); i != settings.sizes.end(); i++)
     {
         std::stringstream ss;
 
         ss << *i << " 1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ";
 
-        geode->addDrawable(createLabel(ss.str(), args[1], *i));
+        geode->addDrawable(createLabel(ss.str(), settings, *i, pos));
     }
 
-    camera->addChild(geode);
+    root->addChild(geode.get());
 
-    group->addChild(camera);
+    if (split_screen)
+    {
+        geode->setNodeMask(0x1);
 
-    viewer.setSceneData(group);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> right_geode = new osg::Geode;
+        right_geode->setNodeMask(0x2);
+
+        settings.shaderTechnique = osgText::GREYSCALE;
+
+        pos.set(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
+
+        for(Sizes::const_iterator i = settings.sizes.begin(); i != settings.sizes.end(); i++)
+        {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+
+            ss << *i << " 1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ";
+
+            right_geode->addDrawable(createLabel(ss.str(), settings, *i, pos));
+        }
+
+        root->addChild(right_geode);
+    }
+
+
+    if (!outputFilename.empty())
+    {
+        osgDB::writeNodeFile(*root, outputFilename);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    viewer.setSceneData(root.get());
 
     return viewer.run();
 }
diff --git a/examples/osglauncher/osglauncher.cpp b/examples/osglauncher/osglauncher.cpp
index 00c98b42c..ce7e4c553 100644
--- a/examples/osglauncher/osglauncher.cpp
+++ b/examples/osglauncher/osglauncher.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 #include <osgGA/TrackballManipulator>
 
 #include <osgViewer/Viewer>
+#include <osgViewer/ViewerEventHandlers>
 
 #include <osgDB/ReadFile>
 #include <osgDB/FileUtils>
@@ -424,6 +425,9 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     // add the handler for doing the picking
     viewer.addEventHandler(new PickHandler(&viewer,updateText.get()));
 
+    // add the stats handler
+    viewer.addEventHandler(new osgViewer::StatsHandler);
+
     osg::Group* root = new osg::Group();
 
     root->addChild( setupGraph() );
diff --git a/examples/osglogo/osglogo.cpp b/examples/osglogo/osglogo.cpp
index 18699462d..f5161c041 100644
--- a/examples/osglogo/osglogo.cpp
+++ b/examples/osglogo/osglogo.cpp
@@ -41,6 +41,9 @@
 
 #include <iostream>
 
+
+static bool s_useSDF = false;
+
 class MyBillboardTransform : public osg::PositionAttitudeTransform
 {
     public:
@@ -147,6 +150,12 @@ osg:: Node* createTextBelow(const osg::BoundingBox& bb, const std::string& label
 
     text->setFont(font);
     text->setFontResolution(64,64);
+
+    if (s_useSDF)
+    {
+        text->setShaderTechnique(osgText::ALL_FEATURES);
+    }
+
     text->setAlignment(osgText::Text::CENTER_CENTER);
     text->setAxisAlignment(osgText::Text::XZ_PLANE);
     text->setPosition(bb.center()-osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,(bb.zMax()-bb.zMin())));
@@ -174,48 +183,35 @@ osg:: Node* createTextLeft(const osg::BoundingBox& bb, const std::string& label,
 
     text->setFont(font);
     text->setFontResolution(110,120);
+
+    if (s_useSDF)
+    {
+        text->setShaderTechnique(osgText::ALL_FEATURES);
+    }
+
     text->setAlignment(osgText::Text::RIGHT_CENTER);
     text->setAxisAlignment(osgText::Text::XZ_PLANE);
     text->setCharacterSize((bb.zMax()-bb.zMin())*1.0f);
+
     text->setPosition(bb.center()-osg::Vec3((bb.xMax()-bb.xMin()),-(bb.yMax()-bb.yMin())*0.5f,(bb.zMax()-bb.zMin())*0.1f));
-    //text->setColor(osg::Vec4(0.37f,0.48f,0.67f,1.0f)); // Neil's original OSG colour
     text->setColor(osg::Vec4(0.20f,0.45f,0.60f,1.0f)); // OGL logo colour
-    text->setText(label);
 
-#if 1
     text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::OUTLINE);
-//   text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT);
-
-    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::POLYGON_OFFSET);
-//    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::NO_DEPTH_BUFFER);
-//    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::DEPTH_RANGE);
-//    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::STENCIL_BUFFER);
-
-    text->setBackdropOffset(0.05f);
+    text->setBackdropOffset(0.03f);
     text->setBackdropColor(osg::Vec4(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.5f, 1.0f));
-#endif
 
-
-#if 1
     text->setColorGradientMode(osgText::Text::OVERALL);
     osg::Vec4 lightblue(0.30f,0.6f,0.90f,1.0f);
     osg::Vec4 blue(0.10f,0.30f,0.40f,1.0f);
     text->setColorGradientCorners(lightblue, blue, blue, lightblue);
-#else
-    text->setColorGradientMode(osgText::Text::OVERALL);
-    osg::Vec4 light = osg::Vec4(0.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f);
-    osg::Vec4 dark = osg::Vec4(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.5f, 1.0f);
-    text->setColorGradientCorners(light, dark, dark, light);
-//    text->setColorGradientCorners(dark, light, light, dark);
-#endif
+
+    text->setText(label);
 
     geode->addDrawable( text );
 
 
     if (!subscript.empty())
     {
-        //osgText::Text* subscript = new  osgText::Text(new osgText::TextureFont(font,45));
-
         osgText::Text* subscriptText = new osgText::Text;
         subscriptText->setFont(font);
         subscriptText->setText(subscript);
@@ -353,9 +349,6 @@ osg:: Node* createBoxNo5No2(const osg::BoundingBox& bb,float chordRatio)
 
 osg:: Node* createBackdrop(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& top,const osg::Vec3& right)
 {
-
-
-
     osg::Geometry* geom = new osg::Geometry;
 
     osg::Vec3 normal = (corner-top)^(right-corner);
@@ -475,6 +468,9 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         return 1;
     }
 
+
+    while(arguments.read("--sdf")) { s_useSDF = true; }
+
     std::string label = "OpenSceneGraph";
     std::string subscript = "";
 
diff --git a/examples/osgtext/osgtext.cpp b/examples/osgtext/osgtext.cpp
index b576dc76b..4f7972fe3 100644
--- a/examples/osgtext/osgtext.cpp
+++ b/examples/osgtext/osgtext.cpp
@@ -621,8 +621,8 @@ struct TextCounterCallback : public osg::NodeCallback
         if (text)
         {
             std::stringstream str;
-            str <<"Text Counter "<<_textCounter<<std::endl;
-            OSG_NOTICE<<"Udating text"<<str.str()<<std::endl;
+            str <<"Text Counter "<<_textCounter;
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"Updating text : "<<str.str()<<std::endl;
 
             text->setText(str.str());
 
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         text->setUpdateCallback(new TextCounterCallback());
         text->setFont("fonts/times.ttf");
         text->setAxisAlignment(osgText::Text::XZ_PLANE);
-        text->setText("This is a counter test");
+        text->setText("Text Counter :");
 
         viewer.setSceneData(text.get());
     }
diff --git a/examples/osgviewerCocoa/ViewerCocoa.mm b/examples/osgviewerCocoa/ViewerCocoa.mm
index aded53820..84333c449 100644
--- a/examples/osgviewerCocoa/ViewerCocoa.mm
+++ b/examples/osgviewerCocoa/ViewerCocoa.mm
@@ -432,7 +432,6 @@ static void Internal_SetAlpha(NSBitmapImageRep *imageRep, unsigned char alpha_va
 
     default_text->setAlignment(osgText::Text::CENTER_CENTER);
     default_text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::OUTLINE);
-//    default_text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::POLYGON_OFFSET);
     default_text->setColor(osg::Vec4(1.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0));
     default_text->setBackdropColor(osg::Vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0));
     default_text->setAxisAlignment(osgText::Text::XZ_PLANE);
diff --git a/examples/osgwidgetlabel/osgwidgetlabel.cpp b/examples/osgwidgetlabel/osgwidgetlabel.cpp
index 39d86fefe..a29320cdf 100644
--- a/examples/osgwidgetlabel/osgwidgetlabel.cpp
+++ b/examples/osgwidgetlabel/osgwidgetlabel.cpp
@@ -30,12 +30,6 @@ osgWidget::Label* createLabel(const std::string& l, unsigned int size=13) {
     label->setFontColor(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f);
     label->setLabel(l);
 
-    /*
-    text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT);
-    text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::NO_DEPTH_BUFFER);
-    text->setBackdropOffset(0.2f);
-    */
-
     return label;
 }
 
diff --git a/include/osg/DisplaySettings b/include/osg/DisplaySettings
index 6821d14e9..0609cf0c6 100644
--- a/include/osg/DisplaySettings
+++ b/include/osg/DisplaySettings
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
+#include <map>
 
 namespace osg {
 
@@ -319,9 +320,15 @@ class OSG_EXPORT DisplaySettings : public osg::Referenced
             SHADER_GLES3
         };
 
-        void setShaderHint(ShaderHint hint) { _shaderHint = hint; }
+        /** set the ShaderHint to tells shader generating cdoes  version to create.
+         * By default also OSG_GLSL_VERSION and OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT values that can get use directly in shaders using $OSG_GLSL_VERSION and $OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT respectively.*/
+        void setShaderHint(ShaderHint hint, bool setShaderValues=true);
         ShaderHint getShaderHint() const { return _shaderHint; }
 
+        /** Set the TextShaderTechnique that is used in the Text default constructor to choose which osgText::ShaderTechnique to use.*/
+        void setTextShaderTechnique(const std::string& str) { _textShaderTechnique = str; }
+        const std::string& getTextShaderTechnique() const { return _textShaderTechnique; }
+
 
         void setKeystoneHint(bool enabled) { _keystoneHint = enabled; }
         bool getKeystoneHint() const { return _keystoneHint; }
@@ -358,6 +365,11 @@ class OSG_EXPORT DisplaySettings : public osg::Referenced
         /** helper function for computing the right eye view matrix.*/
         virtual osg::Matrixd computeRightEyeViewImplementation(const osg::Matrixd& view, double eyeSeperationScale=1.0) const;
 
+
+        void setValue(const std::string& name, const std::string& value);
+
+        bool getValue(const std::string& name, std::string& value, bool use_getenv_fallback=true) const;
+
     protected:
 
         virtual ~DisplaySettings();
@@ -415,6 +427,7 @@ class OSG_EXPORT DisplaySettings : public osg::Referenced
 
         VertexBufferHint                _vertexBufferHint;
         ShaderHint                      _shaderHint;
+        std::string                     _textShaderTechnique;
 
         bool                            _keystoneHint;
         FileNames                       _keystoneFileNames;
@@ -422,6 +435,11 @@ class OSG_EXPORT DisplaySettings : public osg::Referenced
 
         OSXMenubarBehavior              _OSXMenubarBehavior;
 
+        typedef std::map<std::string, std::string> ValueMap;
+
+        mutable OpenThreads::Mutex      _valueMapMutex;
+        mutable ValueMap                _valueMap;
+
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/include/osg/State b/include/osg/State
index ee5415660..97b6fec2a 100644
--- a/include/osg/State
+++ b/include/osg/State
@@ -823,9 +823,12 @@ class OSG_EXPORT State : public Referenced
           * during rendering. */
         inline void setDisplaySettings(DisplaySettings* vs) { _displaySettings = vs; }
 
-        /** Get the DisplaySettings */
+        /** Get the const DisplaySettings */
         inline const DisplaySettings* getDisplaySettings() const { return _displaySettings.get(); }
 
+        /** Get the const DisplaySettings that is current active DisplaySettings to be used by osg::State, - if DisplaySettings is not directly assigned then fallback to DisplaySettings::instance(). */
+        inline const DisplaySettings* getActiveDisplaySettings() const { return _displaySettings.valid() ? _displaySettings.get() : osg::DisplaySettings::instance().get(); }
+
 
 
         /** Set flag for early termination of the draw traversal.*/
diff --git a/include/osgText/Font b/include/osgText/Font
index 952a6fda4..ab4641c93 100644
--- a/include/osgText/Font
+++ b/include/osgText/Font
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ namespace osgText {
 
 // forward declare Font
 class Font;
+class TextBase;
 
 #ifdef OSG_PROVIDE_READFILE
 /** Read a font from specified file. The filename may contain a path.
@@ -84,13 +85,9 @@ public:
 
     static osg::ref_ptr<Font>& getDefaultFont();
 
-    void setTexEnv(osg::TexEnv* texenv) { if (texenv) _texenv = texenv; }
-    inline osg::TexEnv* getTexEnv() {  return _texenv.get(); }
-    inline const osg::TexEnv* getTexEnv() const {  return _texenv.get(); }
-
-    void setStateSet(osg::StateSet* stateset) { _stateset = stateset; }
-    osg::StateSet* getStateSet() { return _stateset.get(); }
-    const osg::StateSet* getStateSet() const { return _stateset.get(); }
+    typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> > StateSets;
+    StateSets& getCachedStateSets() { return _statesets; }
+    const StateSets& getCachedStateSets() const { return _statesets; }
 
 
     /** Get a kerning (adjustment of spacing of two adjacent character) for specified charcodes and a font resolution.*/
@@ -110,19 +107,6 @@ public:
      *  return true on success, return false when not supported.*/
     virtual bool getVerticalSize(float& ascender, float& descender) const { return _implementation ? _implementation->getVerticalSize(ascender, descender) : false; }
 
-    /** Set the margin around each glyph,
-      * to ensure that texture filtering doesn't bleed adjacent glyph's into each other.
-      * Default margin is 1 texels.*/
-    void setGlyphImageMargin(unsigned int margin);
-    unsigned int getGlyphImageMargin() const;
-
-    /** Set the margin ratio around each glyph, relative to the glyph's size.
-      * to ensure that texture filtering doesn't bleed adjacent glyph's into each other.
-      * Default margin is 0.05.*/
-    void setGlyphImageMarginRatio(float margin);
-    float getGlyphImageMarginRatio() const;
-
-
     /** Set the size of texture to create to store the glyph images when rendering.
       * Note, this doesn't affect already created Texture Glhph's.*/
     void setTextureSizeHint(unsigned int width,unsigned int height);
@@ -140,6 +124,9 @@ public:
     void setMagFilterHint(osg::Texture::FilterMode mode);
     osg::Texture::FilterMode getMagFilterHint() const;
 
+    void setMaxAnisotropy(float anis) { _maxAnisotropy = anis; }
+    float getMaxAnisotropy() const { return _maxAnisotropy; }
+
     unsigned int getFontDepth() const { return _depth; }
 
     void setNumberCurveSamples(unsigned int numSamples) { _numCurveSamples = numSamples; }
@@ -170,13 +157,14 @@ public:
     typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<GlyphTexture> >       GlyphTextureList;
     GlyphTextureList& getGlyphTextureList() { return _glyphTextureList; }
 
+    void assignGlyphToGlyphTexture(Glyph* glyph, ShaderTechnique shaderTechnique);
+
 protected:
 
     virtual ~Font();
 
     void addGlyph(const FontResolution& fontRes, unsigned int charcode, Glyph* glyph);
 
-    typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> >      StateSetList;
     typedef std::map< unsigned int, osg::ref_ptr<Glyph> >   GlyphMap;
     typedef std::map< unsigned int, osg::ref_ptr<Glyph3D> >  Glyph3DMap;
 
@@ -185,8 +173,7 @@ protected:
 
     mutable OpenThreads::Mutex      _glyphMapMutex;
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::TexEnv>       _texenv;
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet>     _stateset;
+    StateSets                       _statesets;
     FontSizeGlyphMap                _sizeGlyphMap;
     GlyphTextureList                _glyphTextureList;
 
@@ -195,13 +182,12 @@ protected:
 
     // current active size of font
     FontResolution                  _fontSize;
-    unsigned int                    _margin;
-    float                           _marginRatio;
 
     unsigned int                    _textureWidthHint;
     unsigned int                    _textureHeightHint;
     osg::Texture::FilterMode        _minFilterHint;
     osg::Texture::FilterMode        _magFilterHint;
+    float                           _maxAnisotropy;
 
     unsigned int                    _depth;
     unsigned int                    _numCurveSamples;
@@ -247,8 +233,6 @@ public:
         virtual bool getVerticalSize(float & /*ascender*/, float & /*descender*/) const { return false; }
     };
 
-
-
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/include/osgText/Glyph b/include/osgText/Glyph
index f08686841..2d1eafa05 100644
--- a/include/osgText/Glyph
+++ b/include/osgText/Glyph
@@ -30,15 +30,6 @@
 
 #include <OpenThreads/Mutex>
 
-// GL_ALPHA is deprecated in GL3/GL4 core profile, use GL_RED and a shader in this case. See osgText example.
-#if defined(OSG_GL3_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GL2_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GL1_AVAILABLE)
-#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT GL_RED
-#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT GL_R8
-#else
-#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT GL_ALPHA
-#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT GL_ALPHA
-#endif
-
 namespace osgText {
 
 class Font;
@@ -47,6 +38,14 @@ class Glyph3D;
 class GlyphGeometry;
 class GlyphTexture;
 
+enum ShaderTechnique
+{
+    NO_TEXT_SHADER = 0x0,
+    GREYSCALE = 0x1,
+    SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD = 0x2,
+    ALL_FEATURES = GREYSCALE | SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD
+};
+
 class OSGTEXT_EXPORT Glyph : public osg::Image
 {
 public:
@@ -58,6 +57,9 @@ public:
 
     unsigned int getGlyphCode() const { return _glyphCode; }
 
+    void setFontResolution(const FontResolution& fontRes) { _fontResolution = fontRes; }
+    const FontResolution& getFontResolution() const { return _fontResolution; }
+
     void setWidth(float width) { _width = width; }
     float getWidth() const { return _width; }
 
@@ -76,21 +78,33 @@ public:
     void setVerticalAdvance(float advance);
     float getVerticalAdvance() const;
 
-    void setTexture(GlyphTexture* texture);
-    GlyphTexture* getTexture();
-    const GlyphTexture* getTexture() const;
+    struct TextureInfo : public osg::Referenced
+    {
+        TextureInfo():
+            texture(0),
+            texelMargin(0.0f) {}
 
-    void setTexturePosition(int posX,int posY);
-    int getTexturePositionX() const;
-    int getTexturePositionY() const;
+        TextureInfo(GlyphTexture* tex, int x, int y, const osg::Vec2& mintc, const osg::Vec2& maxtc, float margin):
+            texture(tex),
+            texturePositionX(x),
+            texturePositionY(y),
+            minTexCoord(mintc),
+            maxTexCoord(maxtc),
+            texelMargin(margin) {}
 
-    void setMinTexCoord(const osg::Vec2& coord);
-    const osg::Vec2& getMinTexCoord() const;
+        GlyphTexture*   texture;
+        int             texturePositionX;
+        int             texturePositionY;
+        osg::Vec2       minTexCoord;
+        osg::Vec2       maxTexCoord;
+        float           texelMargin;
+    };
 
-    void setMaxTexCoord(const osg::Vec2& coord);
-    const osg::Vec2& getMaxTexCoord() const;
+    void setTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique, TextureInfo* info);
 
-    void subload() const;
+    const TextureInfo* getTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique) const;
+
+    TextureInfo* getOrCreateTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique);
 
 protected:
 
@@ -99,6 +113,8 @@ protected:
     Font*                       _font;
     unsigned int                _glyphCode;
 
+    FontResolution              _fontResolution;
+
     float                       _width;
     float                       _height;
 
@@ -108,15 +124,8 @@ protected:
     osg::Vec2                   _verticalBearing;
     float                       _verticalAdvance;
 
-    GlyphTexture*               _texture;
-    int                         _texturePosX;
-    int                         _texturePosY;
-    osg::Vec2                   _minTexCoord;
-    osg::Vec2                   _maxTexCoord;
-
-    typedef osg::buffered_value<GLuint> GLObjectList;
-    mutable GLObjectList _globjList;
-
+    typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<TextureInfo> > TextureInfoList;
+    TextureInfoList             _textureInfoList;
 };
 
 class OSGTEXT_EXPORT GlyphGeometry : public osg::Referenced
@@ -253,12 +262,13 @@ public:
     /** return -1 if *this < *rhs, 0 if *this==*rhs, 1 if *this>*rhs.*/
     virtual int compare(const osg::StateAttribute& rhs) const;
 
-    /** Set the margin around each glyph, to ensure that texture filtering doesn't bleed adjacent glyph's into each other.*/
-    void setGlyphImageMargin(unsigned int margin) { _margin = margin; }
-    unsigned int getGlyphImageMargin() const { return _margin; }
+    void setShaderTechnique(ShaderTechnique technique) { _shaderTechnique = technique; }
 
-    void setGlyphImageMarginRatio(float margin) { _marginRatio = margin; }
-    float getGlyphImageMarginRatio() const { return _marginRatio; }
+    ShaderTechnique getShaderTechnique() const { return _shaderTechnique; }
+
+
+    int getEffectMargin(const Glyph* glyph);
+    int getTexelMargin(const Glyph* glyph);
 
     bool getSpaceForGlyph(Glyph* glyph, int& posX, int& posY);
 
@@ -277,14 +287,13 @@ protected:
 
     virtual ~GlyphTexture();
 
+    void copyGlyphImage(Glyph* glyph, Glyph::TextureInfo* info);
 
-    // parameter used to compute the size and position of empty space
-    // in the texture which could accommodate new glyphs.
-    int _margin;
-    float _marginRatio;
-    int _usedY;
-    int _partUsedX;
-    int _partUsedY;
+    ShaderTechnique _shaderTechnique;
+
+    int             _usedY;
+    int             _partUsedX;
+    int             _partUsedY;
 
     typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<Glyph> > GlyphRefList;
     typedef std::vector< const Glyph* > GlyphPtrList;
diff --git a/include/osgText/Text b/include/osgText/Text
index db497792f..ab5e547a0 100644
--- a/include/osgText/Text
+++ b/include/osgText/Text
@@ -36,15 +36,12 @@ public:
     virtual const char* className() const { return "Text"; }
     virtual const char* libraryName() const { return "osgText"; }
 
-    virtual void setFont(Font* font=0) { setFont(osg::ref_ptr<Font>(font)); };
+    /** Set the ShaderTechnique hint to specify what fatures in the text shaders to enable.*/
+    void setShaderTechnique(ShaderTechnique technique);
 
-    /** Set the Font to use to render the text.*/
-    virtual void setFont(osg::ref_ptr<Font> font);
+    /** Get the ShaderTechnique hint.*/
+    ShaderTechnique getShaderTechnique() { return _shaderTechnique; }
 
-    /** Set the font, loaded from the specified front file, to use to render the text,
-      * setFont("") sets the use of the default font.
-      * See the osgText::readFontFile function for how the font file will be located. */
-    virtual void setFont(const std::string& fontfile) { TextBase::setFont(fontfile); }
 
     /**
      * Turns off writing to the depth buffer when rendering text. This only affects text
@@ -70,31 +67,6 @@ public:
         NONE
     };
 
-    enum BackdropImplementation
-    {
-        /* No longer supported, naps to DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES.*/
-        POLYGON_OFFSET = 0,
-
-        /* No longer supported, naps to DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES.*/
-        NO_DEPTH_BUFFER,
-
-        /* No longer supported, naps to DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES.*/
-        DEPTH_RANGE,
-
-        /* No longer supported, naps to DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES.*/
-        STENCIL_BUFFER,
-
-        /* DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES
-         * This mode renders all text with depth writes turned off, then
-         * again with depth writes on, but with the color buffer disabled.
-         * This should render text accurately for all graphics cards. The
-         * only downside is the additional pass to render to the depth
-         * buffer. But if you don't need the depth buffer updated for
-         * your, this extra pass can be disabled by calling
-         * enableDepthWrites(false).*/
-        DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES
-    };
-
     /**
      * BackdropType gives you a background shadow text behind your regular
      * text. This helps give text extra contrast which can be useful when
@@ -149,18 +121,6 @@ public:
 
     const osg::Vec4& getBackdropColor() const { return _backdropColor; }
 
-    /**
-     * This specifies the underlying backdrop rendering implementation.
-     * Unfortunately, at this time, there is no "perfect" rendering solution
-     * so this function is provided to let you 'pick your poison'. Each
-     * implementation has trade-offs. See BackdropImplementation enum
-     * docs for details.*/
-     void setBackdropImplementation(BackdropImplementation implementation);
-
-     BackdropImplementation getBackdropImplementation() const { return _backdropImplementation; }
-
-
-
     enum ColorGradientMode
     {
         SOLID = 0, // a.k.a. ColorGradients off
@@ -232,6 +192,20 @@ public:
 
 public:
 
+    /** deprecated, value ignored.*/
+    enum BackdropImplementation
+    {
+        POLYGON_OFFSET = 0,
+        NO_DEPTH_BUFFER,
+        DEPTH_RANGE,
+        STENCIL_BUFFER,
+        DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES
+    };
+
+    /** deprecated, value ignored.*/
+     void setBackdropImplementation(BackdropImplementation) {}
+    /** deprecated, value should be ignored.*/
+    BackdropImplementation getBackdropImplementation() const { return DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES; }
 
     // internal structures, variable and methods used for rendering of characters.
     struct OSGTEXT_EXPORT GlyphQuads
@@ -239,7 +213,7 @@ public:
         typedef std::vector<Glyph*> Glyphs;
 
         Glyphs                          _glyphs;
-        Primitives                      _primitives;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::DrawElements> _primitives;
 
         GlyphQuads();
         GlyphQuads(const GlyphQuads& gq);
@@ -284,6 +258,8 @@ protected:
 
     virtual ~Text();
 
+    virtual osg::StateSet* createStateSet();
+
     Font* getActiveFont();
     const Font* getActiveFont() const;
 
@@ -302,7 +278,6 @@ protected:
 
     virtual void computePositionsImplementation();
 
-    void computeBackdropPositions();
     void computeBackdropBoundingBox();
     void computeBoundingBoxMargin();
 
@@ -314,10 +289,10 @@ protected:
 
     void drawImplementationSinglePass(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colorMultiplier) const;
 
+    ShaderTechnique _shaderTechnique;
     bool _enableDepthWrites;
 
     BackdropType _backdropType;
-    BackdropImplementation _backdropImplementation;
 
     float _backdropHorizontalOffset;
     float _backdropVerticalOffset;
diff --git a/include/osgText/TextBase b/include/osgText/TextBase
index 64fe785f1..d75e41ff2 100644
--- a/include/osgText/TextBase
+++ b/include/osgText/TextBase
@@ -53,6 +53,9 @@ public:
     virtual void setFont(const std::string& fontfile);
 
     /** Get the font. Return 0 if default is being used.*/
+    Font* getFont() { return _font.get(); }
+
+    /** Get the const font. Return 0 if default is being used.*/
     const Font* getFont() const { return _font.get(); }
 
 
@@ -284,6 +287,10 @@ protected:
 
     virtual ~TextBase();
 
+    virtual osg::StateSet* createStateSet();
+
+    virtual void assignStateSet();
+
     void initArraysAndBuffers();
 
     osg::VertexArrayState* createVertexArrayState(osg::RenderInfo& renderInfo) const;
diff --git a/include/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor b/include/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor
index b9a130f3e..c52d6cce6 100644
--- a/include/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor
+++ b/include/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor
@@ -97,6 +97,9 @@ class OSGUTIL_EXPORT GLObjectsVisitor : public osg::NodeVisitor
         void apply(osg::Drawable& drawable);
         void apply(osg::StateSet& stateset);
 
+        /** Do a compile traversal and then reset any state,*/
+        void compile(osg::Node& node);
+
     protected:
 
         typedef std::set<osg::Drawable*> DrawableAppliedSet;
diff --git a/src/osg/DisplaySettings.cpp b/src/osg/DisplaySettings.cpp
index 1df3e7e89..5e7259956 100644
--- a/src/osg/DisplaySettings.cpp
+++ b/src/osg/DisplaySettings.cpp
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ void DisplaySettings::setDisplaySettings(const DisplaySettings& vs)
     _swapMethod = vs._swapMethod;
 
     _vertexBufferHint = vs._vertexBufferHint;
-    _shaderHint = vs._shaderHint;
+
+    setShaderHint(_shaderHint);
 
     _keystoneHint = vs._keystoneHint;
     _keystoneFileNames = vs._keystoneFileNames;
@@ -250,23 +251,17 @@ void DisplaySettings::setDefaults()
     // _vertexBufferHint = VERTEX_ARRAY_OBJECT;
 
 #if defined(OSG_GLES3_AVAILABLE)
-    _shaderHint = SHADER_GLES3;
-    OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES3"<<std::endl;
+    setShaderHint(SHADER_GLES3);
 #elif defined(OSG_GLES2_AVAILABLE)
-    _shaderHint = SHADER_GLES2;
-    OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES2"<<std::endl;
+    setShaderHint(SHADER_GLES2);
 #elif defined(OSG_GL3_AVAILABLE)
-    _shaderHint = SHADER_GL3;
-    OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL3"<<std::endl;
+    setShaderHint(SHADER_GL3);
 #elif defined(OSG_GL_VERTEX_ARRAY_FUNCS_AVAILABLE)
-    OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_NONE"<<std::endl;
-    _shaderHint = SHADER_NONE;
+    setShaderHint(SHADER_NONE);
 #else
-    OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL2"<<std::endl;
-    _shaderHint = SHADER_GL2;
+    setShaderHint(SHADER_GL2);
 #endif
 
-
     _keystoneHint = false;
 
     _OSXMenubarBehavior = MENUBAR_AUTO_HIDE;
@@ -390,6 +385,9 @@ static ApplicationUsageProxy DisplaySetting_e31(ApplicationUsage::ENVIRONMENTAL_
 static ApplicationUsageProxy DisplaySetting_e32(ApplicationUsage::ENVIRONMENTAL_VARIABLE,
         "OSG_VERTEX_BUFFER_HINT <value>",
         "Set the hint to what backend osg::Geometry implementation to use. NO_PREFERENCE | VERTEX_BUFFER_OBJECT | VERTEX_ARRAY_OBJECT");
+static ApplicationUsageProxy DisplaySetting_e33(ApplicationUsage::ENVIRONMENTAL_VARIABLE,
+        "OSG_TEXT_SHADER_TECHNIQUE <value>",
+        "Set the defafult osgText::ShaderTechnique. ALL_FEATURES | ALL | GREYSCALE | SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD | SDF | NO_TEXT_SHADER | NONE");
 
 void DisplaySettings::readEnvironmentalVariables()
 {
@@ -725,26 +723,30 @@ void DisplaySettings::readEnvironmentalVariables()
     {
         if (strcmp(ptr,"GL2")==0)
         {
-            _shaderHint = SHADER_GL2;
+            setShaderHint(SHADER_GL2);
         }
         else if (strcmp(ptr,"GL3")==0)
         {
-            _shaderHint = SHADER_GL3;
+            setShaderHint(SHADER_GL3);
         }
         else if (strcmp(ptr,"GLES2")==0)
         {
-            _shaderHint = SHADER_GLES2;
+            setShaderHint(SHADER_GLES2);
         }
         else if (strcmp(ptr,"GLES3")==0)
         {
-            _shaderHint = SHADER_GLES3;
+            setShaderHint(SHADER_GLES3);
         }
         else if (strcmp(ptr,"NONE")==0)
         {
-            _shaderHint = SHADER_NONE;
+            setShaderHint(SHADER_NONE);
         }
     }
 
+    if ((ptr = getenv("OSG_TEXT_SHADER_TECHNIQUE")) != 0)
+    {
+        setTextShaderTechnique(ptr);
+    }
 
     if( (ptr = getenv("OSG_KEYSTONE")) != 0)
     {
@@ -1098,3 +1100,84 @@ osg::Matrixd DisplaySettings::computeRightEyeViewImplementation(const osg::Matri
                        0.0,0.0,1.0,0.0,
                        -es,0.0,0.0,1.0);
 }
+
+void DisplaySettings::setShaderHint(ShaderHint hint, bool setShaderValues)
+{
+    _shaderHint = hint;
+    if (setShaderValues)
+    {
+        switch(_shaderHint)
+        {
+        case(SHADER_GLES3) :
+            setValue("OSG_GLSL_VERSION", "#version 300 es");
+            setValue("OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT", "precision highp float;");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_IN", "in");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_OUT", "out");
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES3"<<std::endl;
+            break;
+        case(SHADER_GLES2) :
+            setValue("OSG_GLSL_VERSION", "");
+            setValue("OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT", "precision highp float;");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_IN", "varying");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_OUT", "varying");
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES2"<<std::endl;
+            break;
+        case(SHADER_GL3) :
+            setValue("OSG_GLSL_VERSION", "#version 330");
+            setValue("OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT", "");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_IN", "in");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_OUT", "out");
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL3"<<std::endl;
+            break;
+        case(SHADER_GL2) :
+            setValue("OSG_GLSL_VERSION", "");
+            setValue("OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT", "");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_IN", "varying");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_OUT", "varying");
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL2"<<std::endl;
+            break;
+        case(SHADER_NONE) :
+            setValue("OSG_GLSL_VERSION", "");
+            setValue("OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT", "");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_IN", "varying");
+            setValue("OSG_VARYING_OUT", "varying");
+            OSG_NOTICE<<"DisplaySettings::NONE"<<std::endl;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void DisplaySettings::setValue(const std::string& name, const std::string& value)
+{
+    OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_valueMapMutex);
+
+    _valueMap[name] = value;
+}
+
+bool DisplaySettings::getValue(const std::string& name, std::string& value, bool use_getenv_fallback) const
+{
+    OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_valueMapMutex);
+
+    ValueMap::iterator itr = _valueMap.find(name);
+    if (itr!=_valueMap.end())
+    {
+        value = itr->second;
+        OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::getValue("<<name<<") found existing value = ["<<value<<"]"<<std::endl;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (!use_getenv_fallback) return false;
+
+    const char* str = getenv(name.c_str());
+    if (str)
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"DisplaySettings::getValue("<<name<<") found getenv value = ["<<value<<"]"<<std::endl;
+        _valueMap[name] = value = str;
+        return true;
+
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/osg/Shader.cpp b/src/osg/Shader.cpp
index 47d6ec5bc..4a4309ccd 100644
--- a/src/osg/Shader.cpp
+++ b/src/osg/Shader.cpp
@@ -631,27 +631,27 @@ void Shader::PerContextShader::compileShader(osg::State& state)
 #endif
 
     std::string source = _shader->getShaderSource();
-    if (_shader->getType()==osg::Shader::VERTEX && (state.getUseVertexAttributeAliasing() || state.getUseModelViewAndProjectionUniforms()))
+    // if (_shader->getType()==osg::Shader::VERTEX && (state.getUseVertexAttributeAliasing() || state.getUseModelViewAndProjectionUniforms()))
     {
         state.convertVertexShaderSourceToOsgBuiltIns(source);
     }
 
 
-    if (osg::getNotifyLevel()>=osg::INFO)
-    {
-        std::string sourceWithLineNumbers = insertLineNumbers(source);
-        OSG_INFO << "\nCompiling " << _shader->getTypename()
-                 << " source:\n" << sourceWithLineNumbers << std::endl;
-    }
-
     GLint compiled = GL_FALSE;
 
-    // OSG_NOTICE<<"Compiling PerContextShader "<<this<<" ShaderDefine="<<getDefineString()<<std::endl;
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"Compiling PerContextShader "<<this<<" DefineString="<<getDefineString()<<std::endl;
 
     if (_defineStr.empty())
     {
         const GLchar* sourceText = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(source.c_str());
         _extensions->glShaderSource( _glShaderHandle, 1, &sourceText, NULL );
+
+        if (osg::getNotifyLevel()>=osg::INFO)
+        {
+            std::string sourceWithLineNumbers = insertLineNumbers(source);
+            OSG_INFO << "\nCompiling A :" << _shader->getTypename()
+                    << " source:\n" << sourceWithLineNumbers << std::endl;
+        }
     }
     else
     {
@@ -690,21 +690,40 @@ void Shader::PerContextShader::compileShader(osg::State& state)
 
         if (!versionLine.empty())
         {
-            // OSG_NOTICE<<"Shader::PerContextShader::compileShader() : Found #version,  lineNum = "<<lineNum<<" ["<<versionLine<<"] new source = ["<<source<<"]"<<std::endl;
             const GLchar* sourceText[3];
-            //OSG_NOTICE<<"glShaderSource() ["<<versionLine<<"] "<<std::endl<<"["<<_defineStr<<"], ["<<sourceText<<"]"<<std::endl;
             sourceText[0] = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(versionLine.c_str());
             sourceText[1] = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(_defineStr.c_str());
             sourceText[2] = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(source.c_str());
             _extensions->glShaderSource( _glShaderHandle, 3, sourceText, NULL );
+
+            if (osg::getNotifyLevel()>=osg::INFO)
+            {
+                std::string sourceWithLineNumbers = insertLineNumbers(versionLine+_defineStr+source);
+                OSG_INFO << "\nCompiling B: " << _shader->getTypename()
+                        << " source:\n" << sourceWithLineNumbers << std::endl;
+            }
+
+            // OSG_NOTICE<<"   Version Line : ["<<std::endl<<versionLine<<"]"<<std::endl;
+            // OSG_NOTICE<<"   DefineStr : ["<<std::endl<<_defineStr<<"]"<<std::endl;
+            // OSG_NOTICE<<"   Source : ["<<std::endl<<source<<"]"<<std::endl;
         }
         else
         {
             const GLchar* sourceText[2];
-            //OSG_NOTICE<<"glShaderSource() ["<<_defineStr<<"], ["<<sourceText<<"]"<<std::endl;
             sourceText[0] = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(_defineStr.c_str());
             sourceText[1] = reinterpret_cast<const GLchar*>(source.c_str());
             _extensions->glShaderSource( _glShaderHandle, 2, sourceText, NULL );
+
+
+            if (osg::getNotifyLevel()>=osg::INFO)
+            {
+                std::string sourceWithLineNumbers = insertLineNumbers(_defineStr+source);
+                OSG_INFO << "\nCompiling C: " << _shader->getTypename()
+                        << " source:\n" << sourceWithLineNumbers << std::endl;
+            }
+
+            // OSG_NOTICE<<"   DefineStr : ["<<std::endl<<_defineStr<<"]"<<std::endl;
+            // OSG_NOTICE<<"   Source : ["<<std::endl<<source<<"]"<<std::endl;
         }
     }
     _extensions->glCompileShader( _glShaderHandle );
diff --git a/src/osg/State.cpp b/src/osg/State.cpp
index c652d4cc6..05933aa30 100644
--- a/src/osg/State.cpp
+++ b/src/osg/State.cpp
@@ -1216,13 +1216,69 @@ namespace State_Utils
             source.insert(declPos, qualifier + declarationPrefix + newStr + std::string(";\n"));
         }
     }
+
+    void replaceVar(const osg::State& state, std::string& str, std::string::size_type start_pos,  std::string::size_type num_chars)
+    {
+        std::string var_str(str.substr(start_pos+1, num_chars-1));
+        std::string value;
+        if (state.getActiveDisplaySettings()->getValue(var_str, value))
+        {
+            str.replace(start_pos, num_chars, value);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            str.erase(start_pos, num_chars);
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    void substitudeEnvVars(const osg::State& state, std::string& str)
+    {
+        std::string::size_type pos = 0;
+        while (pos<str.size() && ((pos=str.find_first_of("$'\"", pos)) != std::string::npos))
+        {
+            if (pos==str.size())
+            {
+                break;
+            }
+
+            if (str[pos]=='"' || str[pos]=='\'')
+            {
+                std::string::size_type start_quote = pos;
+                ++pos;
+                pos = str.find(str[start_quote], pos);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                std::string::size_type start_var = pos;
+                ++pos;
+                pos = str.find_first_not_of("ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRTSUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789_", pos);
+                std::string var_str;
+                if (pos != std::string::npos)
+                {
+
+                    replaceVar(state, str, start_var, pos-start_var);
+                    pos = start_var;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    replaceVar(state, str, start_var, str.size()-start_var);
+                    pos = start_var;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 bool State::convertVertexShaderSourceToOsgBuiltIns(std::string& source) const
 {
-    OSG_INFO<<"State::convertShaderSourceToOsgBuiltIns()"<<std::endl;
+    OSG_DEBUG<<"State::convertShaderSourceToOsgBuiltIns()"<<std::endl;
+
+    OSG_DEBUG<<"++Before Converted source "<<std::endl<<source<<std::endl<<"++++++++"<<std::endl;
+
+
+    State_Utils::substitudeEnvVars(*this, source);
 
-    OSG_INFO<<"++Before Converted source "<<std::endl<<source<<std::endl<<"++++++++"<<std::endl;
 
     std::string attributeQualifier("attribute ");
 
@@ -1279,7 +1335,7 @@ bool State::convertVertexShaderSourceToOsgBuiltIns(std::string& source) const
         }
     }
 
-    OSG_INFO<<"-------- Converted source "<<std::endl<<source<<std::endl<<"----------------"<<std::endl;
+    OSG_DEBUG<<"-------- Converted source "<<std::endl<<source<<std::endl<<"----------------"<<std::endl;
 
     return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/freetype/FreeTypeFont.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/freetype/FreeTypeFont.cpp
index c647e2cf9..d39f984c2 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/freetype/FreeTypeFont.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/freetype/FreeTypeFont.cpp
@@ -278,19 +278,6 @@ void FreeTypeFont::setFontResolution(const osgText::FontResolution& fontSize)
 
     int width = fontSize.first;
     int height = fontSize.second;
-    int maxAxis = std::max(width, height);
-    int margin = _facade->getGlyphImageMargin() + (int)((float)maxAxis * _facade->getGlyphImageMarginRatio());
-
-    if ((unsigned int)(width+2*margin) > _facade->getTextureWidthHint() ||
-        (unsigned int)(width+2*margin) > _facade->getTextureHeightHint())
-    {
-        OSG_WARN<<"Warning: FreeTypeFont::setSize("<<width<<","<<height<<") sizes too large,"<<std::endl;
-
-        width = _facade->getTextureWidthHint()-2*margin;
-        height = _facade->getTextureHeightHint()-2*margin;
-
-        OSG_WARN<<"         sizes capped ("<<width<<","<<height<<") to fit int current glyph texture size."<<std::endl;
-    }
 
     FT_Error error = FT_Set_Pixel_Sizes( _face,      /* handle to face object  */
                                          width,      /* pixel_width            */
@@ -351,6 +338,8 @@ osgText::Glyph* FreeTypeFont::getGlyph(const osgText::FontResolution& fontRes, u
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Glyph> glyph = new osgText::Glyph(_facade, charcode);
 
+    glyph->setFontResolution(fontRes);
+
     unsigned int dataSize = width*height;
     unsigned char* data = new unsigned char[dataSize];
 
@@ -359,14 +348,12 @@ osgText::Glyph* FreeTypeFont::getGlyph(const osgText::FontResolution& fontRes, u
     for(unsigned char* p=data;p<data+dataSize;) { *p++ = 0; }
 
     glyph->setImage(width,height,1,
-                    OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT,
-                    OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE,
+                    GL_ALPHA,
+                    GL_ALPHA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE,
                     data,
                     osg::Image::USE_NEW_DELETE,
                     1);
 
-    glyph->setInternalTextureFormat(OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT);
-
     // copy image across to osgText::Glyph image.
     switch(glyphslot->bitmap.pixel_mode)
     {
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/ive/Text.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/ive/Text.cpp
index ae9da298f..0139695c5 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/ive/Text.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/ive/Text.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ void Text::write(DataOutputStream* out){
         out->writeFloat(getBackdropVerticalOffset());
 
         out->writeVec4(getBackdropColor());
-        out->writeUInt(getBackdropImplementation());
+        out->writeUInt(4); // old DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES
 
         out->writeUInt(getColorGradientMode());
         out->writeVec4(getColorGradientTopLeft());
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ void Text::read(DataInputStream* in){
         setBackdropOffset(horizontalOffset,verticalOffset);
 
         setBackdropColor(in->readVec4());
-        setBackdropImplementation((osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation) in->readUInt());
+        in->readUInt(); // read old BackdropImplementation value, no longer used
         setColorGradientMode((osgText::Text::ColorGradientMode) in->readUInt());
 
         osg::Vec4 colorGradientTopLeft,colorGradientBottomLeft,colorGradientBottomRight,colorGradientTopRight;
diff --git a/src/osgText/DefaultFont.cpp b/src/osgText/DefaultFont.cpp
index cf0b55cc4..dfc9b5945 100644
--- a/src/osgText/DefaultFont.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/DefaultFont.cpp
@@ -24,8 +24,11 @@ using namespace osgText;
 
 DefaultFont::DefaultFont()
 {
+    _fontSize = FontResolution(8,12);
+
     _minFilterHint = osg::Texture::LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR;
-    _magFilterHint = osg::Texture::NEAREST;
+    _magFilterHint = osg::Texture::LINEAR;
+
     constructGlyphs();
 }
 
@@ -198,14 +201,12 @@ void DefaultFont::constructGlyphs()
         for(unsigned char* p=data;p<data+dataSize;) { *p++ = 0; }
 
         glyph->setImage(sourceWidth,sourceHeight,1,
-                        OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT,
-                        OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE,
+                        GL_ALPHA,
+                        GL_ALPHA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE,
                         data,
                         osg::Image::USE_NEW_DELETE,
                         1);
 
-        glyph->setInternalTextureFormat(OSGTEXT_GLYPH_INTERNALFORMAT);
-
         // now populate data array by converting bitmap into a luminance_alpha map.
         unsigned char* ptr = rasters[i-32];
         unsigned char value_on = 255;
@@ -233,6 +234,8 @@ void DefaultFont::constructGlyphs()
         glyph->setVerticalBearing(osg::Vec2(0.5f,1.0f)); // top middle.
         glyph->setVerticalAdvance(sourceHeight*coord_scale);
 
+        glyph->setFontResolution(fontRes);
+
         addGlyph(fontRes,i,glyph.get());
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/osgText/Font.cpp b/src/osgText/Font.cpp
index c06392640..599dd6f6e 100644
--- a/src/osgText/Font.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/Font.cpp
@@ -32,81 +32,6 @@
 using namespace osgText;
 using namespace std;
 
-#if (!defined(OSG_GLES2_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GLES3_AVAILABLE))
-    #define GLSL_VERSION_STR "330 core"
-    #define GLYPH_CMP "r"
-#else
-    #define GLSL_VERSION_STR "300 es"
-    #define GLYPH_CMP "a"
-#endif
-
-static const char* gl3_TextVertexShader = {
-    "#version " GLSL_VERSION_STR "\n"
-    "// gl3_TextVertexShader\n"
-    "#ifdef GL_ES\n"
-    "    precision highp float;\n"
-    "#endif\n"
-    "in vec4 osg_Vertex;\n"
-    "in vec4 osg_Color;\n"
-    "in vec4 osg_MultiTexCoord0;\n"
-    "uniform mat4 osg_ModelViewProjectionMatrix;\n"
-    "out vec2 texCoord;\n"
-    "out vec4 vertexColor;\n"
-    "void main(void)\n"
-    "{\n"
-    "    gl_Position = osg_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * osg_Vertex;\n"
-    "    texCoord = osg_MultiTexCoord0.xy;\n"
-    "    vertexColor = osg_Color; \n"
-    "}\n"
-};
-
-static const char* gl3_TextFragmentShader = {
-    "#version " GLSL_VERSION_STR "\n"
-    "// gl3_TextFragmentShader\n"
-    "#ifdef GL_ES\n"
-    "    precision highp float;\n"
-    "#endif\n"
-    "uniform sampler2D glyphTexture;\n"
-    "in vec2 texCoord;\n"
-    "in vec4 vertexColor;\n"
-    "out vec4 color;\n"
-    "void main(void)\n"
-    "{\n"
-    "    if (texCoord.x>=0.0) color = vertexColor * vec4(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, texture(glyphTexture, texCoord)." GLYPH_CMP ");\n"
-    "    else color = vertexColor;\n"
-    "}\n"
-};
-
-static const char* gl2_TextVertexShader = {
-    "// gl2_TextVertexShader\n"
-    "#ifdef GL_ES\n"
-    "    precision highp float;\n"
-    "#endif\n"
-    "varying vec2 texCoord;\n"
-    "varying vec4 vertexColor;\n"
-    "void main(void)\n"
-    "{\n"
-    "    gl_Position = gl_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * gl_Vertex;\n"
-    "    texCoord = gl_MultiTexCoord0.xy;\n"
-    "    vertexColor = gl_Color; \n"
-    "}\n"
-};
-
-static const char* gl2_TextFragmentShader = {
-    "// gl2_TextFragmentShader\n"
-    "#ifdef GL_ES\n"
-    "    precision highp float;\n"
-    "#endif\n"
-    "uniform sampler2D glyphTexture;\n"
-    "varying vec2 texCoord;\n"
-    "varying vec4 vertexColor;\n"
-    "void main(void)\n"
-    "{\n"
-    "    if (texCoord.x>=0.0) gl_FragColor = vertexColor * vec4(1.0, 1.0, 1.0, texture2D(glyphTexture, texCoord).a);\n"
-    "    else gl_FragColor = vertexColor;\n"
-    "}\n"
-};
-
 osg::ref_ptr<Font>& Font::getDefaultFont()
 {
     static OpenThreads::Mutex s_DefaultFontMutex;
@@ -299,67 +224,24 @@ osg::ref_ptr<Font> osgText::readRefFontStream(std::istream& stream, const osgDB:
 
 Font::Font(FontImplementation* implementation):
     osg::Object(true),
-    _margin(1),
-    _marginRatio(0.02),
     _textureWidthHint(1024),
     _textureHeightHint(1024),
     _minFilterHint(osg::Texture::LINEAR_MIPMAP_LINEAR),
     _magFilterHint(osg::Texture::LINEAR),
+    _maxAnisotropy(16),
     _depth(1),
     _numCurveSamples(10)
 {
     setImplementation(implementation);
 
-    _texenv = new osg::TexEnv;
-    _stateset = new osg::StateSet;
-
-    _stateset->setRenderingHint(osg::StateSet::TRANSPARENT_BIN);
-    _stateset->setMode(GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
-    _stateset->setMode(GL_BLEND, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
-
-#if defined(OSG_GL_FIXED_FUNCTION_AVAILABLE)
-
-    OSG_INFO<<"Font::Font() Fixed function pipeline"<<std::endl;
-
-    _stateset->setTextureMode(0, GL_TEXTURE_2D, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
-#endif
-
-    osg::DisplaySettings::ShaderHint shaderHint = osg::DisplaySettings::instance()->getShaderHint();
-    if (shaderHint==osg::DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL3 || shaderHint==osg::DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES3)
-    {
-
-        OSG_INFO<<"Font::Font() Setting up GL3 compatible shaders"<<std::endl;
-
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
-        program->addShader(new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::VERTEX, gl3_TextVertexShader));
-        program->addShader(new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::FRAGMENT, gl3_TextFragmentShader));
-        _stateset->setAttributeAndModes(program.get());
-        _stateset->addUniform(new osg::Uniform("glyphTexture", 0));
-
-    }
-    else if (shaderHint==osg::DisplaySettings::SHADER_GL2 || shaderHint==osg::DisplaySettings::SHADER_GLES2)
-    {
-
-
-        OSG_INFO<<"Font::Font() Setting up GL2 compatible shaders"<<std::endl;
-
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
-        program->addShader(new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::VERTEX, gl2_TextVertexShader));
-        program->addShader(new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::FRAGMENT, gl2_TextFragmentShader));
-        _stateset->setAttributeAndModes(program.get());
-        _stateset->addUniform(new osg::Uniform("glyphTexture", 0));
-
-    }
-
     char *ptr;
-    if( (ptr = getenv("OSG_MAX_TEXTURE_SIZE")) != 0)
+    if ((ptr = getenv("OSG_MAX_TEXTURE_SIZE")) != 0)
     {
         unsigned int osg_max_size = atoi(ptr);
 
         if (osg_max_size<_textureWidthHint) _textureWidthHint = osg_max_size;
         if (osg_max_size<_textureHeightHint) _textureHeightHint = osg_max_size;
     }
-
 }
 
 Font::~Font()
@@ -390,26 +272,6 @@ std::string Font::getFileName() const
     return std::string();
 }
 
-void Font::setGlyphImageMargin(unsigned int margin)
-{
-    _margin = margin;
-}
-
-unsigned int Font::getGlyphImageMargin() const
-{
-    return _margin;
-}
-
-void Font::setGlyphImageMarginRatio(float ratio)
-{
-    _marginRatio = ratio;
-}
-
-float Font::getGlyphImageMarginRatio() const
-{
-    return _marginRatio;
-}
-
 void Font::setTextureSizeHint(unsigned int width,unsigned int height)
 {
     _textureWidthHint = width;
@@ -518,9 +380,6 @@ void Font::setThreadSafeRefUnref(bool threadSafe)
 {
    osg::Object::setThreadSafeRefUnref(threadSafe);
 
-    if (_texenv.valid()) _texenv->setThreadSafeRefUnref(threadSafe);
-    if (_stateset.valid()) _stateset->setThreadSafeRefUnref(threadSafe);
-
     for(GlyphTextureList::const_iterator itr=_glyphTextureList.begin();
         itr!=_glyphTextureList.end();
         ++itr)
@@ -531,7 +390,12 @@ void Font::setThreadSafeRefUnref(bool threadSafe)
 
 void Font::resizeGLObjectBuffers(unsigned int maxSize)
 {
-    if (_stateset.valid()) _stateset->resizeGLObjectBuffers(maxSize);
+    for(StateSets::iterator itr = _statesets.begin();
+        itr != _statesets.end();
+        ++itr)
+    {
+        (*itr)->resizeGLObjectBuffers(maxSize);
+    }
 
     for(GlyphTextureList::const_iterator itr=_glyphTextureList.begin();
         itr!=_glyphTextureList.end();
@@ -543,7 +407,12 @@ void Font::resizeGLObjectBuffers(unsigned int maxSize)
 
 void Font::releaseGLObjects(osg::State* state) const
 {
-    if (_stateset.valid()) _stateset->releaseGLObjects(state);
+    for(StateSets::const_iterator itr = _statesets.begin();
+        itr != _statesets.end();
+        ++itr)
+    {
+        (*itr)->releaseGLObjects(state);
+    }
 
     for(GlyphTextureList::const_iterator itr=_glyphTextureList.begin();
         itr!=_glyphTextureList.end();
@@ -576,6 +445,10 @@ void Font::addGlyph(const FontResolution& fontRes, unsigned int charcode, Glyph*
 
     _sizeGlyphMap[fontRes][charcode]=glyph;
 
+}
+
+void Font::assignGlyphToGlyphTexture(Glyph* glyph, ShaderTechnique shaderTechnique)
+{
     int posX=0,posY=0;
 
     GlyphTexture* glyphTexture = 0;
@@ -583,12 +456,12 @@ void Font::addGlyph(const FontResolution& fontRes, unsigned int charcode, Glyph*
         itr!=_glyphTextureList.end() && !glyphTexture;
         ++itr)
     {
-        if ((*itr)->getSpaceForGlyph(glyph,posX,posY)) glyphTexture = itr->get();
+        if ((*itr)->getShaderTechnique()==shaderTechnique && (*itr)->getSpaceForGlyph(glyph,posX,posY)) glyphTexture = itr->get();
     }
 
     if (glyphTexture)
     {
-        //cout << "    found space for texture "<<glyphTexture<<" posX="<<posX<<" posY="<<posY<<endl;
+        //cout << "    Font::assignGlyphToGlyphTexture() found space for texture "<<glyphTexture<<" posX="<<posX<<" posY="<<posY<<endl;
     }
 
     if (!glyphTexture)
@@ -602,12 +475,11 @@ void Font::addGlyph(const FontResolution& fontRes, unsigned int charcode, Glyph*
         OSG_INFO<< "   Font " << this<< ", numberOfTexturesAllocated "<<numberOfTexturesAllocated<<std::endl;
 
         // reserve enough space for the glyphs.
-        glyphTexture->setGlyphImageMargin(_margin);
-        glyphTexture->setGlyphImageMarginRatio(_marginRatio);
+        glyphTexture->setShaderTechnique(shaderTechnique);
         glyphTexture->setTextureSize(_textureWidthHint,_textureHeightHint);
         glyphTexture->setFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER,_minFilterHint);
         glyphTexture->setFilter(osg::Texture::MAG_FILTER,_magFilterHint);
-        glyphTexture->setMaxAnisotropy(8);
+        glyphTexture->setMaxAnisotropy(_maxAnisotropy);
 
         _glyphTextureList.push_back(glyphTexture);
 
@@ -621,5 +493,4 @@ void Font::addGlyph(const FontResolution& fontRes, unsigned int charcode, Glyph*
 
     // add the glyph into the texture.
     glyphTexture->addGlyph(glyph,posX,posY);
-
 }
diff --git a/src/osgText/Glyph.cpp b/src/osgText/Glyph.cpp
index 3bc346c8f..09c166cf6 100644
--- a/src/osgText/Glyph.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/Glyph.cpp
@@ -28,9 +28,34 @@
 using namespace osgText;
 using namespace std;
 
+// GL_ALPHA and GL_LUMINANCE_ALPHA are deprecated in GL3/GL4 core profile, use GL_RED & GL_RB in this case.
+#if defined(OSG_GL3_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GL2_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GL1_AVAILABLE)
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_FORMAT GL_RED
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_INTERNALFORMAT GL_R8
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_FORMAT GL_RG
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_INTERNALFORMAT GL_RG8
+#else
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_FORMAT GL_ALPHA
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_INTERNALFORMAT GL_ALPHA
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_FORMAT GL_LUMINANCE_ALPHA
+#define OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_INTERNALFORMAT GL_LUMINANCE_ALPHA
+#endif
+
+
+#if 0
+    #define TEXTURE_IMAGE_NUM_CHANNELS 1
+    #define TEXTURE_IMAGE_FORMAT OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT
+#else
+    #define TEXTURE_IMAGE_NUM_CHANNELS 2
+    #define TEXTURE_IMAGE_FORMAT GL_RGBA
+#endif
+
+
+//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//
+// GlyphTexture
+//
 GlyphTexture::GlyphTexture():
-    _margin(1),
-    _marginRatio(0.02f),
     _usedY(0),
     _partUsedX(0),
     _partUsedY(0)
@@ -51,27 +76,52 @@ int GlyphTexture::compare(const osg::StateAttribute& rhs) const
     return 0;
 }
 
+int GlyphTexture::getEffectMargin(const Glyph* glyph)
+{
+    if (_shaderTechnique==GREYSCALE) return 0;
+    else return osg::maximum(glyph->getFontResolution().second/6, 2u);
+}
+
+int GlyphTexture::getTexelMargin(const Glyph* glyph)
+{
+    int width = glyph->s();
+    int height = glyph->t();
+    int effect_margin = getEffectMargin(glyph);
+
+    int max_dimension = std::max(width, height) + 2 * effect_margin;
+    int margin = osg::maximum(max_dimension/4, 2) + effect_margin;
+
+    return margin;
+}
 
 bool GlyphTexture::getSpaceForGlyph(Glyph* glyph, int& posX, int& posY)
 {
-    int maxAxis = osg::maximum(glyph->s(), glyph->t());
-    int margin = _margin + (int)((float)maxAxis * _marginRatio);
+    int width = glyph->s();
+    int height = glyph->t();
 
-    int width = glyph->s()+2*margin;
-    int height = glyph->t()+2*margin;
+    int margin = getTexelMargin(glyph);
 
-    // first check box (_partUsedX,_usedY) to (width,height)
-    if (width <= (getTextureWidth()-_partUsedX) &&
-        height <= (getTextureHeight()-_usedY))
+    width += 2*margin;
+    height += 2*margin;
+
+    int interval = 4;
+
+    int partUsedX = ((_partUsedX % interval) == 0) ? _partUsedX : (((_partUsedX/interval)+1)*interval);
+    int partUsedY = ((_partUsedY % interval) == 0) ? _partUsedY : (((_partUsedY/interval)+1)*interval);
+    int usedY = ((_usedY % interval) == 0) ? _usedY : (((_usedY/interval)+1)*interval);
+
+    // first check box (partUsedX, usedY) to (width,height)
+    if (width <= (getTextureWidth()-partUsedX) &&
+        height <= (getTextureHeight()-usedY))
     {
         // can fit in existing row.
 
         // record the position in which the texture will be stored.
-        posX = _partUsedX+margin;
-        posY = _usedY+margin;
+        posX = partUsedX+margin;
+        posY = usedY+margin;
 
         // move used markers on.
-        _partUsedX += width;
+        _partUsedX = posX+width;
         if (_usedY+height>_partUsedY) _partUsedY = _usedY+height;
 
         return true;
@@ -83,14 +133,14 @@ bool GlyphTexture::getSpaceForGlyph(Glyph* glyph, int& posX, int& posY)
     {
         // can fit next row.
         _partUsedX = 0;
-        _usedY = _partUsedY;
+        _usedY = partUsedY;
 
         posX = _partUsedX+margin;
         posY = _usedY+margin;
 
         // move used markers on.
-        _partUsedX += width;
-        if (_usedY+height>_partUsedY) _partUsedY = _usedY+height;
+        _partUsedX = posX+width;
+        _partUsedY = _usedY+height;
 
         return true;
     }
@@ -101,23 +151,237 @@ bool GlyphTexture::getSpaceForGlyph(Glyph* glyph, int& posX, int& posY)
 
 void GlyphTexture::addGlyph(Glyph* glyph, int posX, int posY)
 {
+
     OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_mutex);
 
     if (!_image.valid()) createImage();
 
     _glyphs.push_back(glyph);
 
-    // set up the details of where to place glyph's image in the texture.
-    glyph->setTexture(this);
-    glyph->setTexturePosition(posX,posY);
+    osg::ref_ptr<Glyph::TextureInfo> info = new Glyph::TextureInfo(
+                        this,
+                        posX, posY,
+                        osg::Vec2( static_cast<float>(posX)/static_cast<float>(getTextureWidth()), static_cast<float>(posY)/static_cast<float>(getTextureHeight()) ), // minTexCoord
+                        osg::Vec2( static_cast<float>(posX+glyph->s())/static_cast<float>(getTextureWidth()), static_cast<float>(posY+glyph->t())/static_cast<float>(getTextureHeight()) ), // maxTexCoord
+                        float(getTexelMargin(glyph))); // margin
 
-    glyph->setMinTexCoord( osg::Vec2( static_cast<float>(posX)/static_cast<float>(getTextureWidth()),
-                                      static_cast<float>(posY)/static_cast<float>(getTextureHeight()) ) );
-    glyph->setMaxTexCoord( osg::Vec2( static_cast<float>(posX+glyph->s())/static_cast<float>(getTextureWidth()),
-                                      static_cast<float>(posY+glyph->t())/static_cast<float>(getTextureHeight()) ) );
+    glyph->setTextureInfo(_shaderTechnique, info.get());
 
-    _image->copySubImage(glyph->getTexturePositionX(), glyph->getTexturePositionY(), 0, glyph);
+    copyGlyphImage(glyph, info);
+}
+
+void GlyphTexture::copyGlyphImage(Glyph* glyph, Glyph::TextureInfo* info)
+{
     _image->dirty();
+
+    if (_shaderTechnique<=GREYSCALE)
+    {
+        // OSG_NOTICE<<"GlyphTexture::copyGlyphImage() greyscale copying. glyphTexture="<<this<<", glyph="<<glyph->getGlyphCode()<<std::endl;
+        // make sure the glyph image settings and the target image are consisent before copying.
+        glyph->setPixelFormat(_image->getPixelFormat());
+        glyph->setInternalTextureFormat(_image->getPixelFormat());
+        _image->copySubImage(info->texturePositionX, info->texturePositionY, 0, glyph);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"GlyphTexture::copyGlyphImage() generating signed distance field. glyphTexture="<<this<<", glyph="<<glyph->getGlyphCode()<<std::endl;
+
+    int src_columns = glyph->s();
+    int src_rows = glyph->t();
+    unsigned char* src_data = glyph->data();
+
+    int dest_columns = _image->s();
+    int dest_rows = _image->t();
+    unsigned char* dest_data = _image->data(info->texturePositionX, info->texturePositionY);
+
+    int search_distance = getEffectMargin(glyph);
+
+    int left = -search_distance;
+    int right = glyph->s()+search_distance;
+    int lower = -search_distance;
+    int upper = glyph->t()+search_distance;
+
+    float multiplier = 1.0/255.0f;
+
+    float max_distance = sqrtf(float(search_distance)*float(search_distance)*2.0);
+
+    if ((left+info->texturePositionX)<0) left = -info->texturePositionX;
+    if ((right+info->texturePositionX)>=dest_columns) right = dest_columns-info->texturePositionX-1;
+
+    if ((lower+info->texturePositionY)<0) lower = -info->texturePositionY;
+    if ((upper+info->texturePositionY)>=dest_rows) upper = dest_rows-info->texturePositionY-1;
+
+
+    int num_components = osg::Image::computeNumComponents(_image->getPixelFormat());
+    int bytes_per_pixel = osg::Image::computePixelSizeInBits(_image->getPixelFormat(),_image->getDataType())/8;
+    int alpha_offset = (_image->getPixelFormat()==GL_LUMINANCE_ALPHA) ? 1 : 0;
+    int sdf_offset = (_image->getPixelFormat()==GL_LUMINANCE_ALPHA) ? 0 : 1;
+
+
+    unsigned char full_on = 255;
+    unsigned char mid_point = full_on/2;
+    float mid_point_f = float(mid_point)*multiplier;
+
+    for(int dr=lower; dr<=upper; ++dr)
+    {
+        for(int dc=left; dc<=right; ++dc)
+        {
+            unsigned char value = 0;
+
+            unsigned char center_value = 0;
+            if (dr>=0 && dr<src_rows && dc>=0 && dc<src_columns) center_value = *(src_data + dr*src_columns + dc);
+
+            float center_value_f = center_value*multiplier;
+            float min_distance = max_distance;
+
+            if (center_value>0 && center_value<full_on)
+            {
+                if (center_value_f>=mid_point_f)
+                {
+                    min_distance = center_value_f-mid_point_f;
+                    value = 128+(min_distance/max_distance)*127;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    min_distance = mid_point_f-center_value_f;
+                    value = 127-(min_distance/max_distance)*127;
+                }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                for(int radius=1; radius<search_distance; ++radius)
+                {
+                    for(int span=-radius; span<=radius; ++span)
+                    {
+                        {
+                            // left
+                            int dx = -radius;
+                            int dy = span;
+
+                            int c = dc+dx;
+                            int r = dr+dy;
+
+                            unsigned char local_value = 0;
+                            if (r>=0 && r<src_rows && c>=0 && c<src_columns) local_value = *(src_data + r*src_columns + c);
+                            if (local_value!=center_value)
+                            {
+                                float local_value_f = float(local_value)*multiplier;
+
+                                float D = sqrtf(float(dx*dx) + float(dy*dy));
+                                float local_multiplier = (abs(dx)>abs(dy)) ? D/float(abs(dx)) : D/float(abs(dy));
+
+                                float local_distance = sqrtf(float(radius*radius)+float(span*span));
+                                if (center_value==0) local_distance += (mid_point_f-local_value_f)*local_multiplier;
+                                else local_distance += (local_value_f - mid_point_f)*local_multiplier;
+
+                                if (local_distance<min_distance) min_distance = local_distance;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        {
+                            // top
+                            int dx = span;
+                            int dy = radius;
+
+                            int c = dc+dx;
+                            int r = dr+dy;
+
+                            unsigned char local_value = 0;
+                            if (r>=0 && r<src_rows && c>=0 && c<src_columns) local_value = *(src_data + r*src_columns + c);
+                            if (local_value!=center_value)
+                            {
+                                float local_value_f = float(local_value)*multiplier;
+
+                                float D = sqrtf(float(dx*dx) + float(dy*dy));
+                                float local_multiplier = (abs(dx)>abs(dy)) ? D/float(abs(dx)) : D/float(abs(dy));
+
+                                float local_distance = sqrtf(float(radius*radius)+float(span*span));
+                                if (center_value==0) local_distance += (mid_point_f-local_value_f)*local_multiplier;
+                                else local_distance += (local_value_f - mid_point_f)*local_multiplier;
+
+                                if (local_distance<min_distance) min_distance = local_distance;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        {
+                            // right
+                            int dx = radius;
+                            int dy = span;
+
+                            int c = dc+dx;
+                            int r = dr+dy;
+
+                            unsigned char local_value = 0;
+                            if (r>=0 && r<src_rows && c>=0 && c<src_columns) local_value = *(src_data + r*src_columns + c);
+                            if (local_value!=center_value)
+                            {
+                                float local_value_f = float(local_value)*multiplier;
+
+                                float D = sqrtf(float(dx*dx) + float(dy*dy));
+                                float local_multiplier = (abs(dx)>abs(dy)) ? D/float(abs(dx)) : D/float(abs(dy));
+
+                                float local_distance = sqrtf(float(radius*radius)+float(span*span));
+
+                                if (center_value==0) local_distance += (mid_point_f-local_value_f)*local_multiplier;
+                                else local_distance += (local_value_f - mid_point_f)*local_multiplier;
+
+                                if (local_distance<min_distance) min_distance = local_distance;
+                            }
+                        }
+
+                        {
+                            // bottom
+                            int dx = span;
+                            int dy = -radius;
+
+                            int c = dc+dx;
+                            int r = dr+dy;
+
+                            unsigned char local_value = 0;
+                            if (r>=0 && r<src_rows && c>=0 && c<src_columns) local_value = *(src_data + r*src_columns + c);
+                            if (local_value!=center_value)
+                            {
+                                float local_value_f = float(local_value)*multiplier;
+
+                                float D = sqrtf(float(dx*dx) + float(dy*dy));
+                                float local_multiplier = (abs(dx)>abs(dy)) ? D/float(abs(dx)) : D/float(abs(dy));
+
+                                float local_distance = sqrtf(float(radius*radius)+float(span*span));
+                                if (center_value==0) local_distance += (mid_point_f-local_value_f)*local_multiplier;
+                                else local_distance += (local_value_f - mid_point_f)*local_multiplier;
+
+                                if (local_distance<min_distance) min_distance = local_distance;
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (center_value_f>=0.5)
+                {
+                    value = 128+(min_distance/max_distance)*127;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    value = 127-(min_distance/max_distance)*127;
+                }
+            }
+
+
+            unsigned char* dest_ptr = dest_data + (dr*dest_columns + dc)*bytes_per_pixel;
+            if (num_components==2)
+            {
+                // signed distance field value
+                *(dest_ptr+sdf_offset) = value;
+
+                // original alpha value from glyph image
+                *(dest_ptr+alpha_offset) = center_value;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                *(dest_ptr) = value;
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 void GlyphTexture::setThreadSafeRefUnref(bool threadSafe)
@@ -147,22 +411,26 @@ osg::Image* GlyphTexture::createImage()
 {
     if (!_image)
     {
-        _image = new osg::Image;
-        _image->allocateImage(getTextureWidth(), getTextureHeight(), 1, OSGTEXT_GLYPH_FORMAT, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE);
-        memset(_image->data(), 0, _image->getTotalSizeInBytes());
+        OSG_INFO<<"GlyphTexture::createImage() : Creating image 0x"<<std::hex<<TEXTURE_IMAGE_FORMAT<<std::dec<<std::endl;
 
-        for(GlyphRefList::iterator itr = _glyphs.begin();
-            itr != _glyphs.end();
-            ++itr)
-        {
-            Glyph* glyph = itr->get();
-            _image->copySubImage(glyph->getTexturePositionX(), glyph->getTexturePositionY(), 0, glyph);
-        }
+        _image = new osg::Image;
+
+        GLenum imageFormat = (_shaderTechnique<=GREYSCALE) ? OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_FORMAT : OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_FORMAT;
+        GLenum internalFormat = (_shaderTechnique<=GREYSCALE) ? OSGTEXT_GLYPH_ALPHA_INTERNALFORMAT : OSGTEXT_GLYPH_SDF_INTERNALFORMAT;
+
+        _image->allocateImage(getTextureWidth(), getTextureHeight(), 1, imageFormat, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE);
+        _image->setInternalTextureFormat(internalFormat);
+
+        memset(_image->data(), 0, _image->getTotalSizeInBytes());
     }
 
     return _image.get();
 }
 
+//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//
+// Glyph
+//
 // all the methods in Font::Glyph have been made non inline because VisualStudio6.0 is STUPID, STUPID, STUPID PILE OF JUNK.
 Glyph::Glyph(Font* font, unsigned int glyphCode):
     _font(font),
@@ -172,12 +440,7 @@ Glyph::Glyph(Font* font, unsigned int glyphCode):
     _horizontalBearing(0.0f,0.f),
     _horizontalAdvance(0.f),
     _verticalBearing(0.0f,0.f),
-    _verticalAdvance(0.f),
-    _texture(0),
-    _texturePosX(0),
-    _texturePosY(0),
-    _minTexCoord(0.0f,0.0f),
-    _maxTexCoord(0.0f,0.0f)
+    _verticalAdvance(0.f)
 {
     setThreadSafeRefUnref(true);
 }
@@ -198,67 +461,37 @@ const osg::Vec2& Glyph::getVerticalBearing() const { return _verticalBearing; }
 void Glyph::setVerticalAdvance(float advance) {  _verticalAdvance=advance; }
 float Glyph::getVerticalAdvance() const { return _verticalAdvance; }
 
-void Glyph::setTexture(GlyphTexture* texture) { _texture = texture; }
-GlyphTexture* Glyph::getTexture() { return _texture; }
-const GlyphTexture* Glyph::getTexture() const { return _texture; }
-
-void Glyph::setTexturePosition(int posX,int posY) { _texturePosX = posX; _texturePosY = posY; }
-int Glyph::getTexturePositionX() const { return _texturePosX; }
-int Glyph::getTexturePositionY() const { return _texturePosY; }
-
-void Glyph::setMinTexCoord(const osg::Vec2& coord) { _minTexCoord=coord; }
-const osg::Vec2& Glyph::getMinTexCoord() const { return _minTexCoord; }
-
-void Glyph::setMaxTexCoord(const osg::Vec2& coord) { _maxTexCoord=coord; }
-const osg::Vec2& Glyph::getMaxTexCoord() const { return _maxTexCoord; }
-
-void Glyph::subload() const
+void Glyph::setTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique, TextureInfo* info)
 {
-    GLenum errorNo = glGetError();
-    if (errorNo!=GL_NO_ERROR)
+    if (technique>=_textureInfoList.size())
     {
-        const GLubyte* msg = osg::gluErrorString(errorNo);
-        if (msg) { OSG_WARN<<"before Glyph::subload(): detected OpenGL error: "<<msg<<std::endl; }
-        else  { OSG_WARN<<"before Glyph::subload(): detected OpenGL error number: "<<errorNo<<std::endl; }
-    }
-
-    if(s() <= 0 || t() <= 0)
-    {
-        OSG_INFO<<"Glyph::subload(): texture sub-image width and/or height of 0, ignoring operation."<<std::endl;
-        return;
-    }
-
-    glPixelStorei(GL_UNPACK_ALIGNMENT,getPacking());
-
-    #if !defined(OSG_GLES1_AVAILABLE) && !defined(OSG_GLES2_AVAILABLE)
-    glPixelStorei(GL_UNPACK_ROW_LENGTH,getRowLength());
-    #endif
-
-    glTexSubImage2D(GL_TEXTURE_2D,0,
-                    _texturePosX,_texturePosY,
-                    s(),t(),
-                    (GLenum)getPixelFormat(),
-                    (GLenum)getDataType(),
-                    data());
-
-    errorNo = glGetError();
-    if (errorNo!=GL_NO_ERROR)
-    {
-
-
-        const GLubyte* msg = osg::gluErrorString(errorNo);
-        if (msg) { OSG_WARN<<"after Glyph::subload() : detected OpenGL error: "<<msg<<std::endl; }
-        else { OSG_WARN<<"after Glyph::subload() : detected OpenGL error number: "<<errorNo<<std::endl; }
-
-        OSG_WARN<< "\tglTexSubImage2D(0x"<<hex<<GL_TEXTURE_2D<<dec<<" ,"<<0<<"\t"<<std::endl<<
-                                 "\t                "<<_texturePosX<<" ,"<<_texturePosY<<std::endl<<
-                                 "\t                "<<s()<<" ,"<<t()<<std::endl<<hex<<
-                                 "\t                0x"<<(GLenum)getPixelFormat()<<std::endl<<
-                                 "\t                0x"<<(GLenum)getDataType()<<std::endl<<
-                                 "\t                "<<static_cast<const void*>(data())<<");"<<dec<<std::endl;
+        _textureInfoList.resize(technique+1);
     }
+    _textureInfoList[technique] = info;
 }
 
+const Glyph::TextureInfo* Glyph::getTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique) const
+{
+    return  (technique<_textureInfoList.size()) ? _textureInfoList[technique].get() : 0;
+}
+
+Glyph::TextureInfo* Glyph::getOrCreateTextureInfo(ShaderTechnique technique)
+{
+    if (technique>=_textureInfoList.size())
+    {
+        _textureInfoList.resize(technique+1);
+    }
+    if (!_textureInfoList[technique])
+    {
+        _font->assignGlyphToGlyphTexture(this, technique);
+    }
+    return  _textureInfoList[technique].get();
+}
+
+//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//
+// Glyph3D
+//
 Glyph3D::Glyph3D(Font* font, unsigned int glyphCode):
     osg::Referenced(true),
     _font(font),
diff --git a/src/osgText/Text.cpp b/src/osgText/Text.cpp
index 53a5d3b1a..46c857639 100644
--- a/src/osgText/Text.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/Text.cpp
@@ -25,13 +25,19 @@
 
 #include <osgDB/ReadFile>
 
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iomanip>
+
+#define DEBUG_MESSAGE_LEVEL osg::INFO
+#define DEBUG_MESSAGE osg::notify(DEBUG_MESSAGE_LEVEL)
+
 using namespace osg;
 using namespace osgText;
 
 Text::Text():
+    _shaderTechnique(GREYSCALE),
     _enableDepthWrites(true),
     _backdropType(NONE),
-    _backdropImplementation(DELAYED_DEPTH_WRITES),
     _backdropHorizontalOffset(0.07f),
     _backdropVerticalOffset(0.07f),
     _backdropColor(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f),
@@ -42,13 +48,24 @@ Text::Text():
     _colorGradientTopRight(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f)
 {
     _supportsVertexBufferObjects = true;
+
+    const std::string& str = osg::DisplaySettings::instance()->getTextShaderTechnique();
+    if (!str.empty())
+    {
+        if (str=="ALL_FEATURES" || str=="ALL") _shaderTechnique = ALL_FEATURES;
+        else if (str=="GREYSCALE") _shaderTechnique = GREYSCALE;
+        else if (str=="SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD" || str=="SDF") _shaderTechnique = SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD;
+        else if (str=="NO_TEXT_SHADER" || str=="NONE") _shaderTechnique = NO_TEXT_SHADER;
+    }
+
+    assignStateSet();
 }
 
 Text::Text(const Text& text,const osg::CopyOp& copyop):
     osgText::TextBase(text,copyop),
+    _shaderTechnique(text._shaderTechnique),
     _enableDepthWrites(text._enableDepthWrites),
     _backdropType(text._backdropType),
-    _backdropImplementation(text._backdropImplementation),
     _backdropHorizontalOffset(text._backdropHorizontalOffset),
     _backdropVerticalOffset(text._backdropVerticalOffset),
     _backdropColor(text._backdropColor),
@@ -65,21 +82,170 @@ Text::~Text()
 {
 }
 
-void Text::setFont(osg::ref_ptr<Font> font)
+
+void Text::setShaderTechnique(ShaderTechnique technique)
 {
-    if (_font==font) return;
+    if (_shaderTechnique==technique) return;
 
-    osg::StateSet* previousFontStateSet = _font.valid() ? _font->getStateSet() : Font::getDefaultFont()->getStateSet();
-    osg::StateSet* newFontStateSet = font.valid() ? font->getStateSet() : Font::getDefaultFont()->getStateSet();
+    _shaderTechnique = technique;
 
-    if (getStateSet() == previousFontStateSet)
-    {
-        setStateSet( newFontStateSet );
-    }
+    assignStateSet();
 
-    TextBase::setFont(font);
+    computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
+osg::StateSet* Text::createStateSet()
+{
+    Font* activeFont = getActiveFont();
+    if (!activeFont) return 0;
+
+    Font::StateSets& statesets = activeFont->getCachedStateSets();
+
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    ss<<std::fixed<<std::setprecision(3);
+
+    osg::StateSet::DefineList defineList;
+    if (_backdropType!=NONE)
+    {
+        ss.str("");
+        ss << "vec4("<<_backdropColor.r()<<", "<<_backdropColor.g()<<", "<<_backdropColor.b()<<", "<<_backdropColor.a()<<")";
+
+        defineList["BACKDROP_COLOR"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair(ss.str(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+
+        if (_backdropType==OUTLINE)
+        {
+            ss.str("");
+            ss <<_backdropHorizontalOffset;
+            defineList["OUTLINE"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair(ss.str(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            osg::Vec2 offset(_backdropHorizontalOffset, _backdropVerticalOffset);
+            switch(_backdropType)
+            {
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT) :    offset.set(_backdropHorizontalOffset, -_backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_RIGHT) :    offset.set(_backdropHorizontalOffset, 0.0f); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_TOP_RIGHT) :       offset.set(_backdropHorizontalOffset, _backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_CENTER) :   offset.set(0.0f, -_backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_TOP_CENTER) :      offset.set(0.0f, _backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_LEFT) :     offset.set(-_backdropHorizontalOffset, -_backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_LEFT) :     offset.set(-_backdropHorizontalOffset, 0.0f); break;
+                case(DROP_SHADOW_TOP_LEFT) :        offset.set(-_backdropHorizontalOffset, _backdropVerticalOffset); break;
+                default : break;
+            }
+
+            ss.str("");
+            ss << "vec2("<<offset.x()<<", "<<offset.y()<<")";
+
+            defineList["SHADOW"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair(ss.str(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        ss<<std::fixed<<std::setprecision(1);
+
+        ss.str("");
+        ss << float(_fontSize.second);
+
+        defineList["GLYPH_DIMENSION"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair(ss.str(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+        ss.str("");
+        ss << float(activeFont->getTextureWidthHint());
+        defineList["TEXTURE_DIMENSION"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair(ss.str(), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+    }
+
+    if (_shaderTechnique>GREYSCALE)
+    {
+        defineList["SIGNED_DISTNACE_FIELD"] = osg::StateSet::DefinePair("1", osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+    }
+
+#if 0
+    OSG_NOTICE<<"Text::createStateSet() defines:"<<defineList.size()<<std::endl;
+    for(osg::StateSet::DefineList::iterator itr = defineList.begin();
+        itr != defineList.end();
+        ++itr)
+    {
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"   define["<<itr->first<<"] = "<<itr->second.first<<std::endl;
+    }
+#endif
+
+    if (!statesets.empty())
+    {
+        for(Font::StateSets::iterator itr = statesets.begin();
+            itr != statesets.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            if ((*itr)->getDefineList()==defineList)
+            {
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"Text::createStateSet() : Matched DefineList, return StateSet "<<itr->get()<<std::endl;
+                return itr->get();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    if (osg::isNotifyEnabled(DEBUG_MESSAGE_LEVEL))
+    {
+        DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Text::createStateSet() ShaderTechnique ";
+        switch(_shaderTechnique)
+        {
+            case(NO_TEXT_SHADER) : DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"NO_TEXT_SHADER"<<std::endl; break;
+            case(GREYSCALE) : DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"GREYSCALE"<<std::endl; break;
+            case(SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD) : DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"SIGNED_DISTANCE_FIELD"<<std::endl; break;
+            case(ALL_FEATURES) : DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"ALL_FEATURES"<<std::endl; break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Text::createStateSet() : Not Matched DefineList, creating new StateSet"<<std::endl;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset = new osg::StateSet;
+
+    stateset->setDefineList(defineList);
+
+    statesets.push_back(stateset.get());
+
+    stateset->setRenderingHint(osg::StateSet::TRANSPARENT_BIN);
+    stateset->setMode(GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
+    stateset->setMode(GL_BLEND, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+
+    #if defined(OSG_GL_FIXED_FUNCTION_AVAILABLE)
+    osg::DisplaySettings::ShaderHint shaderHint = osg::DisplaySettings::instance()->getShaderHint();
+    if (_shaderTechnique==NO_TEXT_SHADER && shaderHint==osg::DisplaySettings::SHADER_NONE)
+    {
+        DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Font::Font() Fixed function pipeline"<<std::endl;
+
+        stateset->setTextureMode(0, GL_TEXTURE_2D, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+        return stateset.release();
+    }
+    #endif
+
+    // set up the StateSet to use shaders
+    stateset->addUniform(new osg::Uniform("glyphTexture", 0));
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
+    stateset->setAttributeAndModes(program.get());
+
+    {
+        DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Using shaders/text.vert"<<std::endl;
+
+        #include "shaders/text_vert.cpp"
+        program->addShader(osgDB::readRefShaderFileWithFallback(osg::Shader::VERTEX, "shaders/text.vert", text_vert));
+    }
+
+    {
+        DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Using shaders/text.frag"<<std::endl;
+
+        #include "shaders/text_frag.cpp"
+        program->addShader(osgDB::readRefShaderFileWithFallback(osg::Shader::FRAGMENT, "shaders/text.frag", text_frag));
+    }
+
+    return stateset.release();
+}
 
 Font* Text::getActiveFont()
 {
@@ -225,22 +391,20 @@ String::iterator Text::computeLastCharacterOnLine(osg::Vec2& cursor, String::ite
 void Text::addGlyphQuad(Glyph* glyph, const osg::Vec2& minc, const osg::Vec2& maxc, const osg::Vec2& mintc, const osg::Vec2& maxtc)
 {
     // set up the coords of the quad
-    GlyphQuads& glyphquad = _textureGlyphQuadMap[glyph->getTexture()];
+    const Glyph::TextureInfo* info = glyph->getOrCreateTextureInfo(_shaderTechnique);
+    GlyphTexture* glyphTexture = info ? info->texture : 0;
+    GlyphQuads& glyphquad = _textureGlyphQuadMap[glyphTexture];
 
     glyphquad._glyphs.push_back(glyph);
 
-    osg::DrawElements* primitives = 0;
-    if (glyphquad._primitives.empty())
+    osg::DrawElements* primitives = glyphquad._primitives.get();
+    if (!primitives)
     {
         unsigned int maxIndices = _text.size()*4;
         if (maxIndices>=16384) primitives = new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_TRIANGLES);
         else primitives = new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_TRIANGLES);
         primitives->setBufferObject(_ebo.get());
-        glyphquad._primitives.push_back(primitives);
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        primitives = glyphquad._primitives[0].get();
+        glyphquad._primitives = primitives;
     }
 
 
@@ -280,25 +444,18 @@ void Text::computeGlyphRepresentation()
     if (!_texcoords) { _texcoords = new osg::Vec2Array(osg::Array::BIND_PER_VERTEX); _texcoords->setBufferObject(_vbo.get()); }
     else _texcoords->clear();
 
-#if 0
-    _textureGlyphQuadMap.clear();
-#else
     for(TextureGlyphQuadMap::iterator itr = _textureGlyphQuadMap.begin();
         itr != _textureGlyphQuadMap.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         GlyphQuads& glyphquads = itr->second;
         glyphquads._glyphs.clear();
-        for(Primitives::iterator pitr = glyphquads._primitives.begin();
-            pitr != glyphquads._primitives.end();
-            ++pitr)
+        if (glyphquads._primitives.valid())
         {
-            (*pitr)->resizeElements(0);
-            (*pitr)->dirty();
+            glyphquads._primitives->resizeElements(0);
+            glyphquads._primitives->dirty();
         }
     }
-#endif
-
 
 
     _lineCount = 0;
@@ -487,45 +644,53 @@ void Text::computeGlyphRepresentation()
                     local.x() += bearing.x() * wr;
                     local.y() += bearing.y() * hr;
 
-
-                    // Adjust coordinates and texture coordinates to avoid
-                    // clipping the edges of antialiased characters.
-                    osg::Vec2 mintc = glyph->getMinTexCoord();
-                    osg::Vec2 maxtc = glyph->getMaxTexCoord();
-                    osg::Vec2 vDiff = maxtc - mintc;
-
-                    float fHorizTCMargin = 1.0f / glyph->getTexture()->getTextureWidth();
-                    float fVertTCMargin = 1.0f / glyph->getTexture()->getTextureHeight();
-                    float fHorizQuadMargin = vDiff.x() == 0.0f ? 0.0f : width * fHorizTCMargin / vDiff.x();
-                    float fVertQuadMargin = vDiff.y() == 0.0f ? 0.0f : height * fVertTCMargin / vDiff.y();
-
-                    mintc.x() -= fHorizTCMargin;
-                    mintc.y() -= fVertTCMargin;
-                    maxtc.x() += fHorizTCMargin;
-                    maxtc.y() += fVertTCMargin;
-                    osg::Vec2 minc = local+osg::Vec2(0.0f-fHorizQuadMargin,0.0f-fVertQuadMargin);
-                    osg::Vec2 maxc = local+osg::Vec2(width+fHorizQuadMargin,height+fVertQuadMargin);
-
-                    addGlyphQuad(glyph, minc, maxc, mintc, maxtc);
-
-                    // move the cursor onto the next character.
-                    // also expand bounding box
-                    switch(_layout)
+                    const Glyph::TextureInfo* info = glyph->getOrCreateTextureInfo(_shaderTechnique);
+                    if (info)
                     {
-                        case LEFT_TO_RIGHT:
-                            cursor.x() += glyph->getHorizontalAdvance() * wr;
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(), minc.y(), 0.0f)); //lower left corner
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(), maxc.y(), 0.0f)); //upper right corner
-                            break;
-                        case VERTICAL:
-                            cursor.y() -= glyph->getVerticalAdvance() * hr;
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(),maxc.y(),0.0f)); //upper left corner
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(),minc.y(),0.0f)); //lower right corner
-                            break;
-                        case RIGHT_TO_LEFT:
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(),minc.y(),0.0f)); //lower right corner
-                            _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(),maxc.y(),0.0f)); //upper left corner
-                            break;
+                        // Adjust coordinates and texture coordinates to avoid
+                        // clipping the edges of antialiased characters.
+                        osg::Vec2 mintc = info->minTexCoord;
+                        osg::Vec2 maxtc = info->maxTexCoord;
+                        osg::Vec2 vDiff = maxtc - mintc;
+                        float texelMargin = info->texelMargin;
+
+                        float fHorizTCMargin = texelMargin / info->texture->getTextureWidth();
+                        float fVertTCMargin = texelMargin / info->texture->getTextureHeight();
+                        float fHorizQuadMargin = vDiff.x() == 0.0f ? 0.0f : width * fHorizTCMargin / vDiff.x();
+                        float fVertQuadMargin = vDiff.y() == 0.0f ? 0.0f : height * fVertTCMargin / vDiff.y();
+
+                        mintc.x() -= fHorizTCMargin;
+                        mintc.y() -= fVertTCMargin;
+                        maxtc.x() += fHorizTCMargin;
+                        maxtc.y() += fVertTCMargin;
+                        osg::Vec2 minc = local+osg::Vec2(0.0f-fHorizQuadMargin,0.0f-fVertQuadMargin);
+                        osg::Vec2 maxc = local+osg::Vec2(width+fHorizQuadMargin,height+fVertQuadMargin);
+
+                        addGlyphQuad(glyph, minc, maxc, mintc, maxtc);
+
+                        // move the cursor onto the next character.
+                        // also expand bounding box
+                        switch(_layout)
+                        {
+                            case LEFT_TO_RIGHT:
+                                cursor.x() += glyph->getHorizontalAdvance() * wr;
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(), minc.y(), 0.0f)); //lower left corner
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(), maxc.y(), 0.0f)); //upper right corner
+                                break;
+                            case VERTICAL:
+                                cursor.y() -= glyph->getVerticalAdvance() * hr;
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(),maxc.y(),0.0f)); //upper left corner
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(),minc.y(),0.0f)); //lower right corner
+                                break;
+                            case RIGHT_TO_LEFT:
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(maxc.x(),minc.y(),0.0f)); //lower right corner
+                                _textBB.expandBy(osg::Vec3(minc.x(),maxc.y(),0.0f)); //upper left corner
+                                break;
+                        }
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        OSG_NOTICE<<"No TextureInfo for "<<charcode<<std::endl;
                     }
 
                     previous_charcode = charcode;
@@ -622,153 +787,10 @@ void Text::computePositionsImplementation()
 {
     TextBase::computePositionsImplementation();
 
-    computeBackdropPositions();
     computeBackdropBoundingBox();
     computeBoundingBoxMargin();
 }
 
-// Presumes the atc matrix is already up-to-date
-void Text::computeBackdropPositions()
-{
-    if(_backdropType == NONE)
-    {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    float avg_width = 0.0f;
-    float avg_height = 0.0f;
-
-    // FIXME: OPTIMIZE: This function produces the same value regardless of contextID.
-    // Since we tend to loop over contextID, we should cache this value some how
-    // instead of recomputing it each time.
-    bool is_valid_size = computeAverageGlyphWidthAndHeight(avg_width, avg_height);
-    if (!is_valid_size) return;
-
-    unsigned int backdrop_index;
-    unsigned int max_backdrop_index;
-    if(_backdropType == OUTLINE)
-    {
-        // For outline, we want to draw the in every direction
-        backdrop_index = 1;
-        max_backdrop_index = backdrop_index+8;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        // Yes, this may seem a little strange,
-        // but since the code is using references,
-        // I would have to duplicate the following code twice
-        // for each part of the if/else because I can't
-        // declare a reference without setting it immediately
-        // and it wouldn't survive the scope.
-        // So it happens that the _backdropType value matches
-        // the index in the array I want to store the coordinates
-        // in. So I'll just setup the for-loop so it only does
-        // the one direction I'm interested in.
-        backdrop_index = _backdropType+1;
-        max_backdrop_index = backdrop_index+1;
-    }
-
-    for( ; backdrop_index < max_backdrop_index; backdrop_index++)
-    {
-        float horizontal_shift_direction;
-        float vertical_shift_direction;
-        switch(backdrop_index)
-        {
-            case DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_RIGHT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = 0.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_TOP_RIGHT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_CENTER:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 0.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_TOP_CENTER:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 0.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_LEFT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_CENTER_LEFT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = 0.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            case DROP_SHADOW_TOP_LEFT:
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    break;
-                }
-            default: // error
-                {
-                    horizontal_shift_direction = 1.0f;
-                    vertical_shift_direction = -1.0f;
-                }
-        }
-
-        // now apply matrix to the glyphs.
-        for(TextureGlyphQuadMap::iterator titr=_textureGlyphQuadMap.begin();
-            titr!=_textureGlyphQuadMap.end();
-            ++titr)
-        {
-            GlyphQuads& glyphquad = titr->second;
-
-            osg::DrawElements* src_primitives = glyphquad._primitives[0].get();
-
-            for(unsigned int i=glyphquad._primitives.size(); i<=backdrop_index; ++i)
-            {
-                osg::DrawElementsUShort* dst_primitives = new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_TRIANGLES);
-                dst_primitives->setBufferObject(src_primitives->getBufferObject());
-                glyphquad._primitives.push_back(dst_primitives);
-            }
-
-            osg::DrawElements* dst_primitives = glyphquad._primitives[backdrop_index].get();
-            dst_primitives->resizeElements(0);
-
-            unsigned int numCoords = src_primitives->getNumIndices();
-
-            Coords& src_coords = _coords;
-            TexCoords& src_texcoords = _texcoords;
-
-            Coords& dst_coords = _coords;
-            TexCoords& dst_texcoords = _texcoords;
-
-            for(unsigned int i=0;i<numCoords;++i)
-            {
-                unsigned int si = (*src_primitives).getElement(i);
-                osg::Vec3 v(horizontal_shift_direction * _backdropHorizontalOffset * avg_width + (*src_coords)[si].x(), vertical_shift_direction * _backdropVerticalOffset * avg_height + (*src_coords)[si].y(), 0.0f);
-                unsigned int di = dst_coords->size();
-                (*dst_primitives).addElement(di);
-                (*dst_coords).push_back(v);
-                (*dst_texcoords).push_back((*src_texcoords)[si]);
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 // This method adjusts the bounding box to account for the expanded area caused by the backdrop.
 // This assumes that the bounding box has already been computed for the text without the backdrop.
 void Text::computeBackdropBoundingBox()
@@ -1095,6 +1117,8 @@ void Text::drawImplementation(osg::RenderInfo& renderInfo) const
 
 void Text::drawImplementationSinglePass(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colorMultiplier) const
 {
+    if (colorMultiplier.a()==0.0f || _color.a()==0.0f) return;
+
     osg::VertexArrayState* vas = state.getCurrentVertexArrayState();
     bool usingVertexBufferObjects = state.useVertexBufferObject(_supportsVertexBufferObjects && _useVertexBufferObjects);
     bool usingVertexArrayObjects = usingVertexBufferObjects && state.useVertexArrayObject(_useVertexArrayObject);
@@ -1117,7 +1141,6 @@ void Text::drawImplementationSinglePass(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colo
     }
 
     if (_drawMode & TEXT)
-//    if (false)
     {
         for(TextureGlyphQuadMap::const_iterator titr=_textureGlyphQuadMap.begin();
             titr!=_textureGlyphQuadMap.end();
@@ -1128,33 +1151,6 @@ void Text::drawImplementationSinglePass(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colo
 
             const GlyphQuads& glyphquad = titr->second;
 
-#if 1
-            if(_backdropType != NONE)
-            {
-                unsigned int backdrop_index;
-                unsigned int max_backdrop_index;
-                if(_backdropType == OUTLINE)
-                {
-                    backdrop_index = 1;
-                    max_backdrop_index = 8;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    backdrop_index = _backdropType+1;
-                    max_backdrop_index = backdrop_index+1;
-                }
-
-                if (max_backdrop_index>glyphquad._primitives.size()) max_backdrop_index=glyphquad._primitives.size();
-
-                state.disableColorPointer();
-                state.Color(_backdropColor.r(),_backdropColor.g(),_backdropColor.b(),_backdropColor.a());
-
-                for( ; backdrop_index < max_backdrop_index; backdrop_index++)
-                {
-                    glyphquad._primitives[backdrop_index]->draw(state, usingVertexBufferObjects);
-                }
-            }
-#endif
             if(_colorGradientMode == SOLID)
             {
                 vas->disableColorArray(state);
@@ -1168,7 +1164,7 @@ void Text::drawImplementationSinglePass(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colo
                 }
             }
 
-            glyphquad._primitives[0]->draw(state, usingVertexBufferObjects);
+            glyphquad._primitives->draw(state, usingVertexBufferObjects);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1216,9 +1212,6 @@ void Text::drawImplementation(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colorMultiplie
         vas->applyDisablingOfVertexAttributes(state);
     }
 
-#if 0
-    drawImplementationSinglePass(state, colorMultiplier);
-#else
     glDepthMask(GL_FALSE);
 
     drawImplementationSinglePass(state, colorMultiplier);
@@ -1235,7 +1228,6 @@ void Text::drawImplementation(osg::State& state, const osg::Vec4& colorMultiplie
     }
 
     state.haveAppliedAttribute(osg::StateAttribute::DEPTH);
-#endif
 
     if (usingVertexBufferObjects && !usingVertexArrayObjects)
     {
@@ -1273,16 +1265,16 @@ void Text::accept(osg::PrimitiveFunctor& pf) const
         ++titr)
     {
         const GlyphQuads& glyphquad = titr->second;
-        if (!glyphquad._primitives.empty())
+        if (glyphquad._primitives.valid())
         {
-            const osg::DrawElementsUShort* drawElementsUShort = dynamic_cast<const osg::DrawElementsUShort*>(glyphquad._primitives[0].get());
+            const osg::DrawElementsUShort* drawElementsUShort = dynamic_cast<const osg::DrawElementsUShort*>(glyphquad._primitives.get());
             if (drawElementsUShort)
             {
                 pf.drawElements(GL_TRIANGLES, drawElementsUShort->size(), &(drawElementsUShort->front()));
             }
             else
             {
-                const osg::DrawElementsUInt* drawElementsUInt = dynamic_cast<const osg::DrawElementsUInt*>(glyphquad._primitives[0].get());
+                const osg::DrawElementsUInt* drawElementsUInt = dynamic_cast<const osg::DrawElementsUInt*>(glyphquad._primitives.get());
                 if (drawElementsUInt)
                 {
                     pf.drawElements(GL_TRIANGLES, drawElementsUInt->size(), &(drawElementsUInt->front()));
@@ -1322,22 +1314,19 @@ void Text::setBackdropType(BackdropType type)
     if (_backdropType==type) return;
 
     _backdropType = type;
+
+    assignStateSet();
+
     computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
-void Text::setBackdropImplementation(BackdropImplementation implementation)
-{
-    if (_backdropImplementation==implementation) return;
-
-    _backdropImplementation = implementation;
-    computeGlyphRepresentation();
-}
-
-
 void Text::setBackdropOffset(float offset)
 {
     _backdropHorizontalOffset = offset;
     _backdropVerticalOffset = offset;
+
+    assignStateSet();
+
     computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
@@ -1345,12 +1334,17 @@ void Text::setBackdropOffset(float horizontal, float vertical)
 {
     _backdropHorizontalOffset = horizontal;
     _backdropVerticalOffset = vertical;
+
+    assignStateSet();
+
     computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
 void Text::setBackdropColor(const osg::Vec4& color)
 {
     _backdropColor = color;
+
+    assignStateSet();
 }
 
 void Text::setColorGradientMode(ColorGradientMode mode)
@@ -1391,20 +1385,10 @@ Text::GlyphQuads::GlyphQuads(const GlyphQuads&)
 
 void Text::GlyphQuads::resizeGLObjectBuffers(unsigned int maxSize)
 {
-    for(Primitives::iterator itr = _primitives.begin();
-        itr != _primitives.end();
-        ++itr)
-    {
-        (*itr)->resizeGLObjectBuffers(maxSize);
-    }
+    if (_primitives.valid()) _primitives->resizeGLObjectBuffers(maxSize);
 }
 
 void Text::GlyphQuads::releaseGLObjects(osg::State* state) const
 {
-    for(Primitives::const_iterator itr = _primitives.begin();
-        itr != _primitives.end();
-        ++itr)
-    {
-        (*itr)->releaseGLObjects(state);
-    }
+    if (_primitives.valid()) _primitives->releaseGLObjects(state);
 }
diff --git a/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp b/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
index 5c5e5460e..6fbf2e5ba 100644
--- a/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ TextBase::TextBase():
     _lineCount(0),
     _glyphNormalized(false)
 {
-    setStateSet(Font::getDefaultFont()->getStateSet());
     setUseDisplayList(false);
     setSupportsDisplayList(false);
 
@@ -89,6 +88,11 @@ TextBase::~TextBase()
 {
 }
 
+osg::StateSet* TextBase::createStateSet()
+{
+    return 0;
+}
+
 void TextBase::initArraysAndBuffers()
 {
      _vbo = new osg::VertexBufferObject;
@@ -182,6 +186,10 @@ void TextBase::setColor(const osg::Vec4& color)
     _color = color;
 }
 
+void TextBase::assignStateSet()
+{
+    setStateSet(createStateSet());
+}
 
 void TextBase::setFont(osg::ref_ptr<Font> font)
 {
@@ -189,6 +197,8 @@ void TextBase::setFont(osg::ref_ptr<Font> font)
 
     _font = font;
 
+    assignStateSet();
+
     computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
@@ -203,6 +213,9 @@ void TextBase::setFontResolution(unsigned int width, unsigned int height)
     if (_fontSize==size) return;
 
     _fontSize = size;
+
+    assignStateSet();
+
     computeGlyphRepresentation();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/osgText/shaders/text_frag.cpp b/src/osgText/shaders/text_frag.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..02c253100
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/osgText/shaders/text_frag.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+char text_frag[] = "$OSG_GLSL_VERSION\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#pragma import_defines( BACKDROP_COLOR, SHADOW, OUTLINE, SIGNED_DISTNACE_FIELD, TEXTURE_DIMENSION, GLYPH_DIMENSION)\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifdef GL_ES\n"
+                   "    #extension GL_OES_standard_derivatives : enable\n"
+                   "    #ifndef GL_OES_standard_derivatives\n"
+                   "        #undef SIGNED_DISTNACE_FIELD\n"
+                   "    #endif\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#if !defined(GL_ES)\n"
+                   "    #if __VERSION__>=400\n"
+                   "        #define osg_TextureQueryLOD textureQueryLod\n"
+                   "    #else\n"
+                   "        #extension GL_ARB_texture_query_lod : enable\n"
+                   "        #ifdef GL_ARB_texture_query_lod\n"
+                   "            #define osg_TextureQueryLOD textureQueryLOD\n"
+                   "        #endif\n"
+                   "    #endif\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "$OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#if __VERSION__>=130\n"
+                   "    #define TEXTURE texture\n"
+                   "    #define TEXTURELOD textureLod\n"
+                   "    out vec4 osg_FragColor;\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "    #define TEXTURE texture2D\n"
+                   "    #define TEXTURELOD texture2DLod\n"
+                   "    #define osg_FragColor gl_FragColor\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#if !defined(GL_ES) && __VERSION__>=130\n"
+                   "    #define ALPHA r\n"
+                   "    #define SDF g\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "    #define ALPHA a\n"
+                   "    #define SDF r\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "uniform sampler2D glyphTexture;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "$OSG_VARYING_IN vec2 texCoord;\n"
+                   "$OSG_VARYING_IN vec4 vertexColor;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifndef TEXTURE_DIMENSION\n"
+                   "const float TEXTURE_DIMENSION = 1024.0;\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifndef GLYPH_DIMENSION\n"
+                   "const float GLYPH_DIMENSION = 32.0;\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifdef SIGNED_DISTNACE_FIELD\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "float distanceFromEdge(vec2 tc)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "    float center_alpha = TEXTURELOD(glyphTexture, tc, 0.0).SDF;\n"
+                   "    if (center_alpha==0.0) return -1.0;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    //float distance_scale = (1.0/4.0)*1.41;\n"
+                   "    float distance_scale = (1.0/6.0)*1.41;\n"
+                   "    //float distance_scale = (1.0/8.0)*1.41;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    return (center_alpha-0.5)*distance_scale;\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "vec4 distanceFieldColorSample(float edge_distance, float blend_width, float  blend_half_width)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "#ifdef OUTLINE\n"
+                   "    float outline_width = OUTLINE*0.5;\n"
+                   "    if (edge_distance>blend_half_width)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vertexColor;\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else if (edge_distance>-blend_half_width)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return mix(vertexColor, vec4(BACKDROP_COLOR.rgb, BACKDROP_COLOR.a*vertexColor.a), smoothstep(0.0, 1.0, (blend_half_width-edge_distance)/(blend_width)));\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else if (edge_distance>(blend_half_width-outline_width))\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vec4(BACKDROP_COLOR.rgb, BACKDROP_COLOR.a*vertexColor.a);\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else if (edge_distance>-(outline_width+blend_half_width))\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vec4(BACKDROP_COLOR.rgb, vertexColor.a * ((blend_half_width+outline_width+edge_distance)/blend_width));\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "    if (edge_distance>blend_half_width)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vertexColor;\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else if (edge_distance>-blend_half_width)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vec4(vertexColor.rgb, vertexColor.a * smoothstep(1.0, 0.0, (blend_half_width-edge_distance)/(blend_width)));\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "    else\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        return vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "vec4 textColor(vec2 src_texCoord)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "    float sample_distance_scale = 0.75;\n"
+                   "    vec2 dx = dFdx(src_texCoord)*sample_distance_scale;\n"
+                   "    vec2 dy = dFdy(src_texCoord)*sample_distance_scale;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float distance_across_pixel = length(dx+dy)*(TEXTURE_DIMENSION/GLYPH_DIMENSION);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    // compute the appropriate number of samples required to avoid aliasing.\n"
+                   "    int maxNumSamplesAcrossSide = 4;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    int numSamplesX = int(TEXTURE_DIMENSION * length(dx));\n"
+                   "    int numSamplesY = int(TEXTURE_DIMENSION * length(dy));\n"
+                   "    if (numSamplesX<2) numSamplesX = 2;\n"
+                   "    if (numSamplesY<2) numSamplesY = 2;\n"
+                   "    if (numSamplesX>maxNumSamplesAcrossSide) numSamplesX = maxNumSamplesAcrossSide;\n"
+                   "    if (numSamplesY>maxNumSamplesAcrossSide) numSamplesY = maxNumSamplesAcrossSide;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    vec2 delta_tx = dx/float(numSamplesX-1);\n"
+                   "    vec2 delta_ty = dy/float(numSamplesY-1);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float numSamples = float(numSamplesX)*float(numSamplesY);\n"
+                   "    float scale = 1.0/numSamples;\n"
+                   "    vec4 total_color = vec4(0.0,0.0,0.0,0.0);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float blend_width = 1.5*distance_across_pixel/numSamples;\n"
+                   "    float blend_half_width = blend_width*0.5;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    // check whether fragment is wholly within or outwith glyph body+outline\n"
+                   "    float cd = distanceFromEdge(src_texCoord); // central distance (distance from center to edge)\n"
+                   "    if (cd-blend_half_width>distance_across_pixel) return vertexColor; // pixel fully within glyph body\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    #ifdef OUTLINE\n"
+                   "    float outline_width = OUTLINE*0.5;\n"
+                   "    if ((-cd-outline_width-blend_half_width)>distance_across_pixel) return vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0); // pixel fully outside outline+glyph body\n"
+                   "    #else\n"
+                   "    if (-cd-blend_half_width>distance_across_pixel) return vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0); // pixel fully outside glyph body\n"
+                   "    #endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    // use multi-sampling to provide high quality antialised fragments\n"
+                   "    vec2 origin = src_texCoord - dx*0.5 - dy*0.5;\n"
+                   "    for(;numSamplesY>0; --numSamplesY)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        vec2 pos = origin;\n"
+                   "        int numX = numSamplesX;\n"
+                   "        for(;numX>0; --numX)\n"
+                   "        {\n"
+                   "            vec4 c = distanceFieldColorSample(distanceFromEdge(pos), blend_width, blend_half_width);\n"
+                   "            total_color = total_color + c * c.a;\n"
+                   "            pos += delta_tx;\n"
+                   "        }\n"
+                   "        origin += delta_ty;\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    total_color.rgb /= total_color.a;\n"
+                   "    total_color.a *= scale;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    return total_color;\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "vec4 textColor(vec2 src_texCoord)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifdef OUTLINE\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float alpha = TEXTURE(glyphTexture, src_texCoord).ALPHA;\n"
+                   "    float delta_tc = 1.6*OUTLINE*GLYPH_DIMENSION/TEXTURE_DIMENSION;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float outline_alpha = alpha;\n"
+                   "    vec2 origin = src_texCoord-vec2(delta_tc*0.5, delta_tc*0.5);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float numSamples = 3.0;\n"
+                   "    delta_tc = delta_tc/(numSamples-1.0);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float background_alpha = 1.0;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    for(float i=0.0; i<numSamples; ++i)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        for(float j=0.0; j<numSamples; ++j)\n"
+                   "        {\n"
+                   "            float local_alpha = TEXTURE(glyphTexture, origin + vec2(i*delta_tc, j*delta_tc)).ALPHA;\n"
+                   "            outline_alpha = max(outline_alpha, local_alpha);\n"
+                   "            background_alpha = background_alpha * (1.0-local_alpha);\n"
+                   "        }\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    #ifdef osg_TextureQueryLOD\n"
+                   "        float mipmapLevel = osg_TextureQueryLOD(glyphTexture, src_texCoord).x;\n"
+                   "        if (mipmapLevel<1.0)\n"
+                   "        {\n"
+                   "            outline_alpha = mix(1.0-background_alpha, outline_alpha, mipmapLevel/1.0);\n"
+                   "        }\n"
+                   "    #endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    if (outline_alpha<alpha) outline_alpha = alpha;\n"
+                   "    if (outline_alpha>1.0) outline_alpha = 1.0;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    if (outline_alpha==0.0) return vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0); // outside glyph and outline\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    vec4 color = mix(BACKDROP_COLOR, vertexColor, smoothstep(0.0, 1.0, alpha));\n"
+                   "    color.a = vertexColor.a * smoothstep(0.0, 1.0, outline_alpha);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    return color;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    float alpha = TEXTURE(glyphTexture, src_texCoord).ALPHA;\n"
+                   "    if (alpha==0.0) vec4(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);\n"
+                   "    return vec4(vertexColor.rgb, vertexColor.a * alpha);\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "void main(void)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "    if (texCoord.x<0.0 && texCoord.y<0.0)\n"
+                   "    {\n"
+                   "        osg_FragColor = vertexColor;\n"
+                   "        return;\n"
+                   "    }\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "#ifdef SHADOW\n"
+                   "    float scale = -1.0*GLYPH_DIMENSION/TEXTURE_DIMENSION;\n"
+                   "    vec2 delta_tc = SHADOW*scale;\n"
+                   "    vec4 shadow_color = textColor(texCoord+delta_tc);\n"
+                   "    shadow_color.rgb = BACKDROP_COLOR.rgb;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    vec4 glyph_color = textColor(texCoord);\n"
+                   "    vec4 color = mix(shadow_color, glyph_color, glyph_color.a);\n"
+                   "#else\n"
+                   "    vec4 color = textColor(texCoord);\n"
+                   "#endif\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    if (color.a==0.0) discard;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "    osg_FragColor = color;\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n";
diff --git a/src/osgText/shaders/text_vert.cpp b/src/osgText/shaders/text_vert.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..72506284f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/osgText/shaders/text_vert.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+char text_vert[] = "$OSG_GLSL_VERSION\n"
+                   "$OSG_PRECISION_FLOAT\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "$OSG_VARYING_OUT vec2 texCoord;\n"
+                   "$OSG_VARYING_OUT vec4 vertexColor;\n"
+                   "\n"
+                   "void main(void)\n"
+                   "{\n"
+                   "    gl_Position = gl_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * gl_Vertex;\n"
+                   "    texCoord = gl_MultiTexCoord0.xy;\n"
+                   "    vertexColor = gl_Color;\n"
+                   "}\n"
+                   "\n";
diff --git a/src/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor.cpp b/src/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor.cpp
index b194b7990..25aa8c896 100644
--- a/src/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor.cpp
+++ b/src/osgUtil/GLObjectsVisitor.cpp
@@ -153,6 +153,23 @@ void GLObjectsVisitor::apply(osg::StateSet& stateset)
     }
 }
 
+void GLObjectsVisitor::compile(osg::Node& node)
+{
+    if (_renderInfo.getState())
+    {
+        node.accept(*this);
+
+        if (_lastCompiledProgram.valid())
+        {
+            osg::State* state = _renderInfo.getState();
+            osg::GLExtensions* extensions = state->get<osg::GLExtensions>();
+            extensions->glUseProgram(0);
+            _renderInfo.getState()->setLastAppliedProgramObject(0);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //
 // GLObjectsOperation
diff --git a/src/osgViewer/Renderer.cpp b/src/osgViewer/Renderer.cpp
index 71f93ccc5..06620af32 100644
--- a/src/osgViewer/Renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/osgViewer/Renderer.cpp
@@ -571,7 +571,6 @@ void Renderer::compile()
 {
     DEBUG_MESSAGE<<"Renderer::compile()"<<std::endl;
 
-
     _compileOnNextDraw = false;
 
     osgUtil::SceneView* sceneView = _sceneView[0].get();
@@ -583,7 +582,7 @@ void Renderer::compile()
     {
         osgUtil::GLObjectsVisitor glov;
         glov.setState(sceneView->getState());
-        sceneView->getSceneData()->accept(glov);
+        glov.compile(*(sceneView->getSceneData()));
     }
 
     sceneView->getState()->checkGLErrors("After Renderer::compile");
diff --git a/src/osgWidget/Label.cpp b/src/osgWidget/Label.cpp
index 3731bca8c..6c7e9ebc4 100644
--- a/src/osgWidget/Label.cpp
+++ b/src/osgWidget/Label.cpp
@@ -134,7 +134,6 @@ void Label::setFontColor(const Color& c) {
 
 void Label::setShadow(point_type offset) {
     _text->setBackdropType(osgText::Text::DROP_SHADOW_BOTTOM_RIGHT);
-    _text->setBackdropImplementation(osgText::Text::NO_DEPTH_BUFFER);
     _text->setBackdropOffset(offset);
 
     _calculateSize(getTextSize());
diff --git a/src/osgWrappers/deprecated-dotosg/osgText/IO_Text.cpp b/src/osgWrappers/deprecated-dotosg/osgText/IO_Text.cpp
index e34c1d46e..c2bb99e6a 100644
--- a/src/osgWrappers/deprecated-dotosg/osgText/IO_Text.cpp
+++ b/src/osgWrappers/deprecated-dotosg/osgText/IO_Text.cpp
@@ -57,27 +57,6 @@ std::string convertBackdropTypeEnumToString(osgText::Text::BackdropType backdrop
     }
 }
 
-
-osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation convertBackdropImplementationStringToEnum(std::string & str)
-{
-    if      (str=="POLYGON_OFFSET") return osgText::Text::POLYGON_OFFSET;
-    else if (str=="NO_DEPTH_BUFFER") return osgText::Text::NO_DEPTH_BUFFER;
-    else if (str=="DEPTH_RANGE") return osgText::Text::DEPTH_RANGE;
-    else if (str=="STENCIL_BUFFER") return osgText::Text::STENCIL_BUFFER;
-    else return static_cast<osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation>(-1);
-}
-std::string convertBackdropImplementationEnumToString(osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation backdropImplementation)
-{
-    switch (backdropImplementation)
-    {
-    case osgText::Text::POLYGON_OFFSET: return "POLYGON_OFFSET";
-    case osgText::Text::NO_DEPTH_BUFFER: return "NO_DEPTH_BUFFER";
-    case osgText::Text::DEPTH_RANGE: return "DEPTH_RANGE";
-    case osgText::Text::STENCIL_BUFFER: return "STENCIL_BUFFER";
-    default : return "";
-    }
-}
-
 osgText::Text::ColorGradientMode convertColorGradientModeStringToEnum(std::string & str)
 {
     if      (str=="SOLID") return osgText::Text::SOLID;
@@ -155,12 +134,6 @@ bool Text_readLocalData(osg::Object &obj, osgDB::Input &fr)
     // backdropImplementation
     if (fr[0].matchWord("backdropImplementation"))
     {
-        std::string str = fr[1].getStr();
-        osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation backdropImplementation = convertBackdropImplementationStringToEnum(str);
-
-        if (backdropImplementation != static_cast<osgText::Text::BackdropImplementation>(-1))
-            text.setBackdropImplementation(backdropImplementation);
-
         fr += 2;
         itAdvanced = true;
     }
@@ -254,9 +227,6 @@ bool Text_writeLocalData(const osg::Object &obj, osgDB::Output &fw)
     osg::Vec4 c = text.getBackdropColor();
     fw.indent() << "backdropColor " << c.x() << " " << c.y() << " " << c.z() << " " << c.w() << std::endl;
 
-    // backdropImplementation
-    fw.indent() << "backdropImplementation " << convertBackdropImplementationEnumToString(text.getBackdropImplementation()) << std::endl;
-
     // colorGradientMode
     fw.indent() << "colorGradientMode " << convertColorGradientModeEnumToString(text.getColorGradientMode()) << std::endl;