Introduced CMake option OSG_PROVIDE_READFILE option that defaults to ON, but when switched to OFF disables the building of the osgDB::read*File() methods,

forcing users to use osgDB::readRef*File() methods.  The later is preferable as it closes a potential threading bug when using paging databases in conjunction
with the osgDB::Registry Object Cache.  This threading bug occurs when one thread gets an object from the Cache via an osgDB::read*File() call where only
a pointer to the object is passed back, so taking a reference to the object is delayed till it gets reassigned to a ref_ptr<>, but at the same time another
thread calls a flush of the Object Cache deleting this object as it's referenceCount is now zero.  Using osgDB::readREf*File() makes sure the a ref_ptr<> is
passed back and the referenceCount never goes to zero.

To ensure the OSG builds when OSG_PROVIDE_READFILE is to OFF the many cases of osgDB::read*File() usage had to be replaced with a ref_ptr<> osgDB::readRef*File()
usage.  The avoid this change causing lots of other client code to be rewritten to handle the use of ref_ptr<> in place of C pointer I introduced a serious of
templte methods in various class to adapt ref_ptr<> to the underly C pointer to be passed to old OSG API's, example of this is found in include/osg/Group:

    bool addChild(Node* child); // old method which can only be used with a Node*

    tempalte<class T> bool addChild(const osg::ref_ptr<T>& child) { return addChild(child.get()); } // adapter template method

These changes together cover 149 modified files, so it's a large submission. This extent of changes are warrent to make use of the Object Cache
and multi-threaded loaded more robust.



git-svn-id: http://svn.openscenegraph.org/osg/OpenSceneGraph/trunk@15164 16af8721-9629-0410-8352-f15c8da7e697

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -398,6 +398,7 @@ ENDIF()
 OPTION(OSG_DISABLE_MSVC_WARNINGS "Set to OFF to not disable MSVC warnings generated by OSG headers." ON)
 MARK_AS_ADVANCED(OSG_DISABLE_MSVC_WARNINGS)
 
+OPTION(OSG_PROVIDE_READFILE "Set to ON for include/osgDB/ReadFile to provide the osgDB::read*File(() methods. " ON)
 OPTION(OSG_USE_REF_PTR_IMPLICIT_OUTPUT_CONVERSION "Set to ON to use the ref_ptr<> T* operator() output conversion. " ON)
 
 

applications/osgarchive/osgarchive.cpp

@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
                 ++itr)
             {
                 std::cout<<"reading "<<*itr<<std::endl;
-                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> obj = osgDB::readObjectFile(*itr);
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> obj = osgDB::readRefObjectFile(*itr);
                 if (obj.valid())
                 {
                     std::cout<<"  write to archive "<<*itr<<std::endl;

applications/osgconv/osgconv.cpp

@@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
     osg::Timer_t startTick = osg::Timer::instance()->tick();
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> root = osgDB::readNodeFiles(fileNames);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> root = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(fileNames);
 
     if (root.valid())
     {

applications/osgfilecache/osgfilecache.cpp

@@ -272,9 +272,9 @@ public:
         }
     }
 
-    osg::Node* readNodeFileAndWriteToCache(const std::string& filename)
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> readNodeFileAndWriteToCache(const std::string& filename)
     {
-        osg::Node* node = 0;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = 0;
         if (_fileCache.valid() )
         {
             if (_fileCache->existsInCache(filename))
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ public:
             {
                 osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"reading : "<<filename<<std::endl;
 
-                node = osgDB::readNodeFile(filename);
+                node = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(filename);
                 if (node)
                 {
                     osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"write to FileCache : "<<filename<<std::endl;
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ public:
         else
         {
             osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"reading : "<<filename<<std::endl;
-            node = osgDB::readNodeFile(filename);
+            node = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(filename);
         }
         return node;
     }

applications/osgviewer/osgviewer.cpp

@@ -87,10 +87,10 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     std::string device;
     while(arguments.read("--device", device))
     {
-        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>(device);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>(device);
         if (dev.valid())
         {
-            viewer.addDevice(dev.get());
+            viewer.addDevice(dev);
         }
     }
 
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     viewer.addEventHandler(new osgViewer::ScreenCaptureHandler);
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;
@@ -172,9 +172,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     // optimize the scene graph, remove redundant nodes and state etc.
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimizer;
-    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel.get());
+    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel);
 
-    viewer.setSceneData( loadedModel.get() );
+    viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel);
 
     viewer.realize();
 

applications/present3D/ReadShowFile.cpp

@@ -215,24 +215,24 @@ osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> p3d::readShowFiles(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments,const
     std::string filename;
     while (arguments.read("--image",filename))
     {
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = readImageFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = readRefImageFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
-        if (image.valid()) nodeList.push_back(osg::createGeodeForImage(image.get()));
+        if (image.valid()) nodeList.push_back(osg::createGeodeForImage(image));
     }
 
     while (arguments.read("--movie",filename))
     {
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = readImageFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = readRefImageFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::ImageStream> imageStream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(image.get());
         if (image.valid())
         {
             imageStream->play();
-            nodeList.push_back(osg::createGeodeForImage(imageStream.get()));
+            nodeList.push_back(osg::createGeodeForImage(imageStream));
         }
     }
 
     while (arguments.read("--dem",filename))
     {
-        osg::HeightField* hf = readHeightFieldFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::HeightField> hf = readRefHeightFieldFile(filename.c_str(), local_options.get());
         if (hf)
         {
             osg::Geode* geode = new osg::Geode;
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> p3d::readShowFiles(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments,const
         if (!arguments.isOption(pos))
         {
             // not an option so assume string is a filename.
-            osg::Node *node = osgDB::readNodeFile( arguments[pos], local_options.get());
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFile( arguments[pos], local_options.get());
 
             if(node)
             {

applications/present3D/present3D.cpp

@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ void processLoadedModel(osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node>& loadedModel, int optimizer_opti
 
 void addDeviceTo(osgViewer::Viewer& viewer, const std::string& device_name, bool forward_mouse_events)
 {
-    osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>(device_name);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>(device_name);
     if (dev.valid())
     {
         OSG_INFO << "Adding Device : " << device_name << std::endl;
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     if (arguments.read("-devices") || arguments.read("--devices"))
     {
         // Force load QuickTime plugin, probe video capability, exit
-        osgDB::readImageFile("devices.live");
+        osgDB::readRefImageFile("devices.live");
         return 1;
     }
 
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
         osg::ref_ptr<osgDB::Options> device_options = new osgDB::Options("documentRegisteredHandlers");
 
-        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> rest_http_device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>(server_address+":"+server_port+"/"+document_root+".resthttp", device_options.get());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> rest_http_device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>(server_address+":"+server_port+"/"+document_root+".resthttp", device_options.get());
         if (rest_http_device.valid())
         {
             viewer.addDevice(rest_http_device.get());

examples/osg2cpp/osg2cpp.cpp

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     std::string filename;
     if (arguments.read("--shader",filename))
     {
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> shader = osgDB::readShaderFile(filename);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> shader = osgDB::readRefShaderFile(filename);
         if (shader.valid())
         {
             std::string name = osgDB::getStrippedName(filename);

examples/osgSSBO/osgSSBO.cpp

@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ public:
 //set  OSG_FILE_PATH for loading axes.osgt
 void ComputeNode::addHelperGeometry()
 {
-    _helperNode = osgDB::readNodeFile("axes.osgt");
+    _helperNode = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("axes.osgt");
 
     if (_helperNode.valid())
     {
@@ -464,8 +464,8 @@ void ComputeNode::addDataMonitor(osg::Vec3 placement, osg::Vec3 relativePlacemen
     ss->setMode(GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
 
     //add a label
-    osgText::Text* text = new osgText::Text;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Text> text = new osgText::Text;
-    osgText::Font* font = osgText::readFontFile("fonts/arial.ttf");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> font = osgText::readRefFontFile("fonts/arial.ttf");
     text->setFont(font);
     text->setColor(osg::Vec4(1, 1, 1, 1));
     text->setCharacterSize(0.1*scale);

examples/osganalysis/osganalysis.cpp

@@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ public:
         osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"LoadAndCompileOperation "<<_filename<<std::endl;
 
         _modelReadyToMerge = false;
-        _loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(_filename);
+        _loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(_filename);
 
         if (_loadedModel.valid())
         {

examples/osganimate/osganimate.cpp

@@ -136,9 +136,9 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
 
     osg::AnimationPath* animationPath = createAnimationPath(center,radius,animationLength);
 
-    osg::Group* model = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> model = new osg::Group;
 
-    osg::Node* glider = osgDB::readNodeFile("glider.osgt");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> glider = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("glider.osgt");
     if (glider)
     {
         const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = glider->getBound();
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
         model->addChild(xform);
     }
 
-    osg::Node* cessna = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> cessna = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
     if (cessna)
     {
         const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = cessna->getBound();
@@ -173,26 +173,26 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
 
         positioned->addChild(cessna);
 
-        osg::MatrixTransform* xform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> xform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
         xform->setUpdateCallback(new osg::AnimationPathCallback(animationPath,0.0f,2.0));
         xform->addChild(positioned);
 
         model->addChild(xform);
     }
 
-    return model;
+    return model.release();
 }
 
-osg::Node* createModel(bool overlay, osgSim::OverlayNode::OverlayTechnique technique)
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> createModel(bool overlay, osgSim::OverlayNode::OverlayTechnique technique)
 {
     osg::Vec3 center(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
     float radius = 100.0f;
 
-    osg::Group* root = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = new osg::Group;
 
     float baseHeight = center.z()-radius*0.5;
-    osg::Node* baseModel = createBase(osg::Vec3(center.x(), center.y(), baseHeight),radius);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> baseModel = createBase(osg::Vec3(center.x(), center.y(), baseHeight),radius);
-    osg::Node* movingModel = createMovingModel(center,radius*0.8f);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> movingModel = createMovingModel(center,radius*0.8f);
 
     if (overlay)
     {
@@ -232,14 +232,14 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* model = createModel(overlay, technique);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> model = createModel(overlay, technique);
     if (!model)
     {
         return 1;
     }
 
     // tilt the scene so the default eye position is looking down on the model.
-    osg::MatrixTransform* rootnode = new osg::MatrixTransform;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> rootnode = new osg::MatrixTransform;
     rootnode->setMatrix(osg::Matrix::rotate(osg::inDegrees(30.0f),1.0f,0.0f,0.0f));
     rootnode->addChild(model);
 

examples/osganimationhardware/osganimationhardware.cpp

@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ int main (int argc, char* argv[])
     while (psr.read("--software")) { hardware = false; }
     while (psr.read("--number", maxChar)) {}
 
-
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(psr);
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(osgDB::readNodeFiles(psr));
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(node.get());
     if (!root)
     {
         std::cout << psr.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osganimationmorph/osganimationmorph.cpp

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ struct GeometryFinder : public osg::NodeVisitor
 
 osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geometry> getShape(const std::string& name)
 {
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> shape0 = osgDB::readNodeFile(name);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> shape0 = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(name);
     if (shape0)
     {
         GeometryFinder finder;

examples/osganimationtimeline/osganimationtimeline.cpp

@@ -163,7 +163,8 @@ int main (int argc, char* argv[])
         file = psr[1];
 
     // replace the manager
-    osg::Group* root = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(osgDB::readNodeFile(file));
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedmodel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(file);
+    osg::Group* root = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(loadedmodel.get());
     if (!root) {
         osg::notify(osg::FATAL) << "can't read file " << file << std::endl;
         return 1;

examples/osganimationviewer/AnimtkViewer.cpp

@@ -127,7 +127,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer(arguments);
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group = new osg::Group();
 
-    osg::Group* node = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments)); //dynamic_cast<osgAnimation::AnimationManager*>(osgDB::readNodeFile(psr[1]));
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedmodel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::Group* node = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(loadedmodel.get());
     if(!node)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osgatomiccounter/osgatomiccounter.cpp

@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     viewer.addEventHandler(new osgViewer::ScreenCaptureHandler);
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         osg::Geometry * quad = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(osg::Vec3f(-2.0f, 0.0f, -2.0f),

examples/osgautocapture/osgautocapture.cpp

@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osgbillboard/osgbillboard.cpp

@@ -42,10 +42,10 @@
 typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> > ImageList;
 
 /** create quad at specified position. */
-osg::Drawable* createSquare(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& width,const osg::Vec3& height, osg::Image* image=NULL)
+osg::Drawable* createSquare(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& width,const osg::Vec3& height, osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image)
 {
     // set up the Geometry.
-    osg::Geometry* geom = new osg::Geometry;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geometry> geom = new osg::Geometry;
 
     osg::Vec3Array* coords = new osg::Vec3Array(4);
     (*coords)[0] = corner;
@@ -80,13 +80,13 @@ osg::Drawable* createSquare(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& width,const
         geom->setStateSet(stateset);
     }
 
-    return geom;
+    return geom.release();
 }
 
 osg::Drawable* createAxis(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& xdir,const osg::Vec3& ydir,const osg::Vec3& zdir)
 {
     // set up the Geometry.
-    osg::Geometry* geom = new osg::Geometry;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geometry> geom = new osg::Geometry;
 
     osg::Vec3Array* coords = new osg::Vec3Array(6);
     (*coords)[0] = corner;
@@ -121,20 +121,20 @@ osg::Drawable* createAxis(const osg::Vec3& corner,const osg::Vec3& xdir,const os
     stateset->setMode(GL_LIGHTING,osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
     geom->setStateSet(stateset);
 
-    return geom;
+    return geom.release();
 }
 
-osg::Node* createModel()
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> createModel()
 {
 
     // create the root node which will hold the model.
-    osg::Group* root = new osg::Group();
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = new osg::Group();
 
     // add the drawable into a single geode to be shared...
     osg::Billboard* center = new osg::Billboard();
     center->setMode(osg::Billboard::POINT_ROT_EYE);
     center->addDrawable(
-        createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readImageFile("Images/reflect.rgb")),
+        createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/reflect.rgb")),
         osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f));
 
     osg::Billboard* x_arrow = new osg::Billboard();
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel()
     x_arrow->setAxis(osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f));
     x_arrow->setNormal(osg::Vec3(0.0f,-1.0f,0.0f));
     x_arrow->addDrawable(
-       createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posx.png")),
+       createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posx.png")),
        osg::Vec3(5.0f,0.0f,0.0f));
 
     osg::Billboard* y_arrow = new osg::Billboard();
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel()
     y_arrow->setAxis(osg::Vec3(0.0f,1.0f,0.0f));
     y_arrow->setNormal(osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f));
     y_arrow->addDrawable(
-        createSquare(osg::Vec3(0.0f,-0.5f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,1.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posy.png")),
+        createSquare(osg::Vec3(0.0f,-0.5f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,1.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posy.png")),
         osg::Vec3(0.0f,5.0f,0.0f));
 
     osg::Billboard* z_arrow = new osg::Billboard();
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel()
     z_arrow->setAxis(osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f));
     z_arrow->setNormal(osg::Vec3(0.0f,-1.0f,0.0f));
     z_arrow->addDrawable(
-        createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posz.png")),
+        createSquare(osg::Vec3(-0.5f,0.0f,-0.5f),osg::Vec3(1.0f,0.0f,0.0f),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posz.png")),
         osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,5.0f));
 
 

examples/osgblenddrawbuffers/osgblenddrawbuffers.cpp

@@ -71,9 +71,17 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     bool useGlobalBlending = false;
     if ( arguments.read("--no-draw-buffers") ) useGlobalBlending = true;
 
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> cessna = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    if (!cessna)
+    {
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"Cannot not find model 'cessna.osg' to render"<<std::endl;
+        return 1;
+    }
+
     // Create a camera to output multi-rendering-targets (MRT)
-    osg::Camera* mrtCam = createMRTCamera( textures );
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Camera> mrtCam = createMRTCamera( textures );
-    mrtCam->addChild( osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt") );
+    mrtCam->addChild( cessna );
 
     // Create shader program to be used
     const char* mrtFragmentCode = {
@@ -87,8 +95,8 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
     program->addShader( new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::FRAGMENT, mrtFragmentCode) );
 
-    osg::StateSet* ss = mrtCam->getOrCreateStateSet();
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> ss = mrtCam->getOrCreateStateSet();
-    ss->setAttributeAndModes( program.get() );
+    ss->setAttributeAndModes( program );
 
     // Apply blending to the original scene in MRT
     if ( !useGlobalBlending )
@@ -103,8 +111,8 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         // Accept different blend/colormask attributes on multiple render targets
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::BlendFunci> blend0 = new osg::BlendFunci(0, GL_SRC_ALPHA, GL_ONE_MINUS_SRC_ALPHA);
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::ColorMaski> colormask3 = new osg::ColorMaski(3, false, true, false, true);
-        ss->setAttribute( blend0.get() );
+        ss->setAttribute( blend0 );
-        ss->setAttributeAndModes( colormask3.get() );
+        ss->setAttributeAndModes( colormask3 );
     }
     else
     {

examples/osgblendequation/osgblendequation.cpp

@@ -139,10 +139,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
@@ -150,11 +150,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         return 1;
     }
 
-    osg::Group* root = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = new osg::Group;
     root->addChild(loadedModel);
 
 
-    osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset = new osg::StateSet;
     stateset->setDataVariance(osg::Object::DYNAMIC);
 
     osg::BlendEquation* blendEquation = new osg::BlendEquation(osg::BlendEquation::FUNC_ADD);

examples/osgcallback/osgcallback.cpp

@@ -239,10 +239,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
     else
     {
-        rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+        rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
         // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-        if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+        if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
         if (!rootnode)
         {

examples/osgcamera/osgcamera.cpp

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ public:
             {
                 if (ea.getKey()=='l')
                 {
-                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readNodeFile( _filenames[_position] );
+                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readRefNodeFile( _filenames[_position] );
                     ++_position;
                     if (_position>=_filenames.size()) _position = 0;
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model;
         if (sharedModel)
         {
-            model = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+            model = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
             if (!model) return 0;
 
             if (enableVBO)
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
                 if (sharedModel) viewer.setSceneData(model.get());
                 else
                 {
-                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+                    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
                     if (!node) return 0;
 
                     if (enableVBO)
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     while (arguments.read("--config", configfile))
     {
         osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"Trying to read config file "<<configfile<<std::endl;
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> object = osgDB::readObjectFile(configfile);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> object = osgDB::readRefObjectFile(configfile);
         osgViewer::View* view = dynamic_cast<osgViewer::View*>(object.get());
         if (view)
         {
@@ -329,9 +329,9 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     else
     {
         // load the scene.
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
-        if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+        if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
         if (!loadedModel)
         {
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
             return 1;
         }
 
-        viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel.get());
+        viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel);
     }
 
     viewer.realize();

examples/osgcatch/osgcatch.cpp

@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ void Character::setCharacter(const std::string& filename, const std::string& nam
 
     float _characterSize = _width.length()*0.2f;
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename);
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Vec3 pos(-0.5f*_characterSize,0.0f,0.0f);
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ void Character::setLives(const std::string& filename, const osg::Vec3& origin, c
     _numLives = numLives;
     _livesSwitch = new osg::Switch;
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename);
     if (image)
     {
         osg::StateSet* stateset = _livesSwitch->getOrCreateStateSet();
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ void Character::setCatches(const std::string& filename, const osg::Vec3& origin,
     _numCatches = 0;
     _catchSwitch = new osg::Switch;
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename);
     if (image)
     {
         osg::StateSet* stateset = _catchSwitch->getOrCreateStateSet();
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ void CatchableObject::setUpCatchablesMap(const FileList& fileList)
         ++itr)
     {
         const std::string& filename = *itr;
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename);
         if (image)
         {
             osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset = new osg::StateSet();
@@ -1045,10 +1045,10 @@ osg::Node* GameEventHandler::createScene()
 
     // set up welcome subgraph
     {
-        osg::Geode* geode = new osg::Geode;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> geode = new osg::Geode;
 
         // set up the background
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Catch/Welcome.jpg");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Catch/Welcome.jpg");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Geometry* geometry = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(_origin,_width,_height);
@@ -1121,9 +1121,9 @@ osg::Node* GameEventHandler::createScene()
 
     // set up you've lost subgraph
     {
-        osg::Geode* geode = new osg::Geode;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> geode = new osg::Geode;
 
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Catch/YouLost.jpg");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Catch/YouLost.jpg");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Geometry* geometry = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(_origin,_width,_height);
@@ -1184,9 +1184,9 @@ osg::Node* GameEventHandler::createScene()
 
     // set up you've won subgraph
     {
-        osg::Geode* geode = new osg::Geode;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geode> geode = new osg::Geode;
 
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Catch/YouWon.jpg");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Catch/YouWon.jpg");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Geometry* geometry = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(_origin,_width,_height);
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ osg::Node* GameEventHandler::createScene()
                 ++itr)
             {
 
-                osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(*itr);
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(*itr);
                 if (image)
                 {
                     osg::Geometry* geometry = osg::createTexturedQuadGeometry(_origin,_width,_height);

examples/osgclip/osgclip.cpp

@@ -40,10 +40,9 @@
 #include <osgUtil/Optimizer>
 
 
-osg::Node* decorate_with_clip_node(osg::Node* subgraph)
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> decorate_with_clip_node(const osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node>& subgraph)
 {
-    osg::Group* rootnode = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> rootnode = new osg::Group;
-    
 
     // create wireframe view of the model so the user can see
     // what parts are being culled away.
@@ -117,11 +116,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
 
     if (!loadedModel)
@@ -131,7 +130,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // decorate the scenegraph with a clip node.
-    osg::Node* rootnode = decorate_with_clip_node(loadedModel);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = decorate_with_clip_node(loadedModel);
 
     // run optimization over the scene graph
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimzer;

examples/osgcluster/osgcluster.cpp

@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // load model.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // set the scene to render
     viewer.setSceneData(rootnode.get());

examples/osgcompositeviewer/osgcompositeviewer.cpp

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene)
     {
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         {
             osgViewer::View* view = new osgViewer::View;
             view->setName("Single view");
-            view->setSceneData(osgDB::readNodeFile("fountain.osgt"));
+            view->setSceneData(osgDB::readRefNodeFile("fountain.osgt"));
 
             view->addEventHandler( new osgViewer::StatsHandler );
 
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
             view->setName("View three");
             viewer.addView(view);
 
-            view->setSceneData(osgDB::readNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt"));
+            view->setSceneData(osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt"));
 
             view->getCamera()->setName("Cam three");
             view->getCamera()->setProjectionMatrixAsPerspective(30.0, double(traits->width) / double(traits->height/2), 1.0, 1000.0);

examples/osgcomputeshaders/osgcomputeshaders.cpp

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     // Create a node for outputting to the texture.
     // It is OK to have just an empty node here, but seems inbuilt uniforms like osg_FrameTime won't work then.
     // TODO: maybe we can have a custom drawable which also will implement glMemoryBarrier?
-    osg::Node* sourceNode = osgDB::readNodeFile("axes.osgt");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> sourceNode = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("axes.osgt");
     if ( !sourceNode ) sourceNode = new osg::Node;
     sourceNode->setDataVariance( osg::Object::DYNAMIC );
     sourceNode->getOrCreateStateSet()->setAttributeAndModes( computeProg.get() );

examples/osgcopy/osgcopy.cpp

@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!rootnode)
     {
         osg::notify(osg::NOTICE)<<"Please specify a model filename on the command line."<<std::endl;

examples/osgcubemap/osgcubemap.cpp

@@ -95,10 +95,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
 
     if (!rootnode)
     {
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
 
     // create specular highlights
-    create_specular_highlights(rootnode);
+    create_specular_highlights(rootnode.get());
 
     // run optimization over the scene graph
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimzer;

examples/osgdatabaserevisions/osgdatabaserevisions.cpp

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(file);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(file);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osgdelaunay/osgdelaunay.cpp

@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ public:
         osg::StateSet *dstate=   gm->getOrCreateStateSet(  );
         dstate->setMode( GL_LIGHTING, osg::StateAttribute::ON );
 
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/Brick-Std-Orange.TGA");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/Brick-Std-Orange.TGA");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* txt = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ osg::Group *makedelaunay(const int ndcs)
 
     osg::Vec3Array *points=new osg::Vec3Array;
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/blueFlowers.png");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/blueFlowers.png");
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ osg::Geometry *WallConstraint::makeWallGeometry() const
 {
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geometry> gm=new osg::Geometry; // the wall
     if (texture!="") {
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(texture.c_str());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(texture.c_str());
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* txt = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -1005,7 +1005,7 @@ deprecated_osg::Geometry *ArealConstraint::makeWallGeometry( osg::Vec3Array *pt)
     tscx->retessellatePolygons(*(edges)); // find all edges
 
     if (walltexture!="") {
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(walltexture.c_str());
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(walltexture.c_str());
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* txt = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -1062,7 +1062,7 @@ deprecated_osg::Geometry * ArealConstraint::makeAreal( osg::Vec3Array *points)
         gm->setNormalArray(getCanopyNormals(points));
         gm->setNormalBinding(deprecated_osg::Geometry::BIND_PER_PRIMITIVE);
         gm->setTexCoordArray(0,getCanopyTexcoords(points));
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(texture);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(texture);
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* txt = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -1238,7 +1238,7 @@ deprecated_osg::Geometry * LinearConstraint::makeGeometry(const osg::Vec3Array *
     if (_midline->size()>0) {
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array> locpts=getPoints(points);
         if (texture!="") {
-            osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(texture.c_str());
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(texture.c_str());
             if (image)
             {
                 osg::Texture2D* txt = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgdepthpartition/osgdepthpartition.cpp

@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     bool needToSetHomePosition = false;
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if one hasn't been loaded create an earth and sun test model.
     if (!scene)

examples/osgdepthpeeling/osgdepthpeeling.cpp

@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
   viewer.getCamera()->setComputeNearFarMode(osg::CullSettings::DO_NOT_COMPUTE_NEAR_FAR);
 
   // read the model to do depth peeling with
-  osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(arguments.argv()[1]);
+  osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(arguments.argv()[1]);
 
   if (!loadedModel)
     return 1;

examples/osgdistortion/osgdistortion.cpp

@@ -703,10 +703,10 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer(arguments);
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
@@ -731,7 +731,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     }
     else
     {
-        osg::Node* distortionNode = createDistortionSubgraph( options, loadedModel, viewer.getCamera()->getClearColor());
+        osg::Node* distortionNode = createDistortionSubgraph( options, loadedModel.get(), viewer.getCamera()->getClearColor());
         viewer.setSceneData( distortionNode );
     }
 

examples/osgdrawinstanced/osgdrawinstanced.cpp

@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ createStateSet()
     ss->setAttribute( program.get(),
         osg::StateAttribute::ON | osg::StateAttribute::PROTECTED );
 
-    osg::ref_ptr< osg::Image> iLogo = osgDB::readImageFile( "Images/osg128.png" );
+    osg::ref_ptr< osg::Image> iLogo = osgDB::readRefImageFile( "Images/osg128.png" );
     if( !iLogo.valid() )
     {
         osg::notify( osg::ALWAYS ) << "Can't open image file osg128.png" << std::endl;

examples/osgfadetext/osgfadetext.cpp

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ osg::Node* createEarth()
     geode->addDrawable(sd);
 
     std::string filename = osgDB::findDataFile("Images/land_shallow_topo_2048.jpg");
-    geode->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readImageFile(filename)));
+    geode->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename)));
 
     osg::CoordinateSystemNode* csn = new osg::CoordinateSystemNode;
     csn->setEllipsoidModel(new osg::EllipsoidModel());

examples/osgfont/osgfont.cpp

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ osgText::Text* createLabel(const std::string& l, const char* f, unsigned int siz
     static osg::Vec3 pos(10.0f, 10.0f, 0.0f);
 
     osgText::Text* label = new osgText::Text();
-    osgText::Font* font  = osgText::readFontFile(f);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> font  = osgText::readRefFontFile(f);
 
     label->setFont(font);
     label->setCharacterSize(size);

examples/osgforest/osgforest.cpp

@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ osg::Geode* ForestTechniqueManager::createTerrain(const osg::Vec3& origin, const
     // ---------------------------------------
     osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet();
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -1182,7 +1182,7 @@ osg::Node* ForestTechniqueManager::createScene(unsigned int numTreesToCreates, u
     osg::Texture2D *tex = new osg::Texture2D;
     tex->setWrap( osg::Texture2D::WRAP_S, osg::Texture2D::CLAMP );
     tex->setWrap( osg::Texture2D::WRAP_T, osg::Texture2D::CLAMP );
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/tree0.rgba"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/tree0.rgba"));
 
     osg::StateSet *dstate = new osg::StateSet;
     {

examples/osgfpdepth/osgfpdepth.cpp

@@ -961,7 +961,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
         arguments.getApplicationUsage()->write(std::cout,osg::ApplicationUsage::COMMAND_LINE_OPTION);
         return 1;
     }
-    ref_ptr<Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    ref_ptr<Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel) {
         cerr << "couldn't load " << argv[1] << "\n";
         return 1;

examples/osgfxbrowser/osgfxbrowser.cpp

@@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ protected:
                 float zPos = -0.1; // note from Robert, was 0.1f, but now must be -0.1f to keep text visible??#!? due
                                    // to some other change in the OSG not tracked down yet...
 
-        osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> arial = osgText::readFontFile("fonts/arial.ttf");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Font> arial = osgText::readRefFontFile("fonts/arial.ttf");
 
         osg::ref_ptr<osgText::Text> hints = new osgText::Text;
-        hints->setFont(arial.get());
+        hints->setFont(arial);
         hints->setColor(_hints_color);
         hints->setAlignment(osgText::Text::CENTER_BOTTOM);
         hints->setCharacterSize(13);
@@ -336,10 +336,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {

examples/osggameoflife/osggameoflife.cpp

@@ -117,14 +117,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     }
 
     // load the image
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> startIm = osgDB::readImageFile(startName);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> startIm = osgDB::readRefImageFile(startName);
 
     if (!startIm) {
         std::cout << "Could not load start image.\n";
         return(1);
     }
 
-    osg::Node* scene = createScene(startIm.get());
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = createScene(startIm.get());
 
     // construct the viewer.
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;

examples/osggeometry/osggeometry.cpp

@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ osg::Node* createBackground()
 {
 
     // we'll create a texture mapped quad to sit behind the Geometry
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/primitives.gif");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/primitives.gif");
     if (!image) return NULL;
 
 

examples/osggpx/osggpx.cpp

@@ -434,8 +434,8 @@ int main(int argv, char **argc)
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group = new osg::Group;
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
-    if (loadedModel.valid()) group->addChild(loadedModel.get());
+    if (loadedModel.valid()) group->addChild(loadedModel);
 
     for(Tracks::iterator itr = tracks.begin();
         itr != tracks.end();

examples/osggraphicscost/osggraphicscost.cpp

@@ -52,12 +52,12 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer(arguments);
 
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!node) return 0;
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::GraphicsCostEstimator> gce = new osg::GraphicsCostEstimator;
 
-    viewer.setSceneData(node.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(node);
 
     viewer.realize();
 

examples/osghangglide/base.cpp

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ Node *makeBase( void )
 
     Texture2D *tex = new Texture2D;
 
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/water.rgb"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/water.rgb"));
     tex->setWrap( Texture2D::WRAP_S, Texture2D::REPEAT );
     tex->setWrap( Texture2D::WRAP_T, Texture2D::REPEAT );
 

examples/osghangglide/sky.cpp

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Node *makeSky( void )
 
 
     Texture2D *tex = new Texture2D;
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/white.rgb"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/white.rgb"));
 
     StateSet *dstate = new StateSet;
 

examples/osghangglide/tank.cpp

@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ Node *makeTank( void )
 
     tex->setWrap( Texture2D::WRAP_S, Texture2D::REPEAT );
     tex->setWrap( Texture2D::WRAP_T, Texture2D::REPEAT );
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/tank.rgb"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/tank.rgb"));
 
     StateSet *dstate = new StateSet;
     dstate->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, tex, StateAttribute::ON );

examples/osghangglide/terrain.cpp

@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ Node *makeTerrain( void )
 
     Texture2D *tex = new Texture2D;
 
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb"));
 
     StateSet *dstate = new StateSet;
     dstate->setMode( GL_LIGHTING, StateAttribute::OFF );

examples/osghangglide/trees.cpp

@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ Node *makeTrees( void )
     struct _tree  *t;
 
     Texture2D *tex = new Texture2D;
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/tree0.rgba"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/tree0.rgba"));
 
     StateSet *dstate = new StateSet;
 

examples/osghud/osghud.cpp

@@ -284,10 +284,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default model instead.
-    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
+    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
 
 
     if (!scene)
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         viewer.addSlave(hudCamera, false);
 
         // set the scene to render
-        viewer.setSceneData(scene.get());
+        viewer.setSceneData(scene);
 
         return viewer.run();
 
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         osgViewer::View* view = new osgViewer::View;
         viewer.addView(view);
 
-        view->setSceneData(scene.get());
+        view->setSceneData(scene);
         view->setUpViewAcrossAllScreens();;
         view->setCameraManipulator(new osgGA::TrackballManipulator);
 
@@ -375,11 +375,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group = new osg::Group;
 
         // add the HUD subgraph.
-        if (scene.valid()) group->addChild(scene.get());
+        if (scene.valid()) group->addChild(scene);
         group->addChild(createHUD());
 
         // set the scene to render
-        viewer.setSceneData(group.get());
+        viewer.setSceneData(group);
 
         return viewer.run();
     }

examples/osgimagesequence/osgimagesequence.cpp

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ osg::StateSet* createState(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
             const std::string& filename = *itr;
             if (preLoad)
             {
-                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename);
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename);
                 if (image.valid())
                 {
                     imageSequence->addImage(image.get());
@@ -144,12 +144,12 @@ osg::StateSet* createState(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
         {
             imageSequence->setLength(4.0);
         }
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posx.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posx.png"));
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negx.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negx.png"));
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posy.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posy.png"));
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negy.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negy.png"));
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posz.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/posz.png"));
-        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negz.png"));
+        imageSequence->addImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Cubemap_axis/negz.png"));
     }
 
     // start the image sequence playing

examples/osgimpostor/osgimpostor.cpp

@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (model)
     {
         // the osgSim::InsertImpostorsVisitor used lower down to insert impostors
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         // on it right now as it requires a getRoots() method to be added to
         // osg::Node, and we're about to make a release so no new features!
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> rootnode = new osg::Group;
-        rootnode->addChild(model.get());
+        rootnode->addChild(model);
 
 
         // now insert impostors in the model using the InsertImpostorsVisitor.
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // add model to viewer.
-    viewer.setSceneData(model.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(model);
 
     return viewer.run();
 }

examples/osgintersection/osgintersection.cpp

@@ -36,9 +36,15 @@
 
 struct MyReadCallback : public osgUtil::IntersectionVisitor::ReadCallback
 {
+#if 0
     virtual osg::Node* readNodeFile(const std::string& filename)
     {
-        return osgDB::readNodeFile(filename);
+        return osgDB::readRefNodeFile(filename).release();
+    }
+#endif
+    virtual osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> readNodeFile(const std::string& filename)
+    {
+        return osgDB::readRefNodeFile(filename);
     }
 };
 
@@ -48,7 +54,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     // use an ArgumentParser object to manage the program arguments.
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene)
     {

examples/osgkdtree/osgkdtree.cpp

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
     osgDB::Registry::instance()->setBuildKdTreesHint(osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options::BUILD_KDTREES);
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene)
     {
@@ -65,6 +65,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     }
 
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
-    viewer.setSceneData(scene.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(scene);
     return viewer.run();
 }

examples/osgkeyboardmouse/osgkeyboardmouse.cpp

@@ -341,10 +341,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel;
 
     // load the scene.
-    if (argc>1) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(argv[1]);
+    if (argc>1) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(argv[1]);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
     viewer.getCamera()->setGraphicsContext(gc.get());
     viewer.getCamera()->setViewport(0,0,800,600);
-    viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel);
 
     // create a tracball manipulator to move the camera around in response to keyboard/mouse events
     viewer.setCameraManipulator( new osgGA::TrackballManipulator );

examples/osgkeystone/osgkeystone.cpp

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::DisplaySettings* ds = viewer.getDisplaySettings() ? viewer.getDisplaySettings() : osg::DisplaySettings::instance().get();
     ds->readCommandLine(arguments);
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!model)
     {
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     OSG_NOTICE<<"Stereo "<<ds->getStereo()<<std::endl;
     OSG_NOTICE<<"StereoMode "<<ds->getStereoMode()<<std::endl;
 
-    viewer.setSceneData(model.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(model);
 
     // add the state manipulator
     viewer.addEventHandler( new osgGA::StateSetManipulator(viewer.getCamera()->getOrCreateStateSet()) );

examples/osglauncher/osglauncher.cpp

@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ void SetObjectTextureState(osg::Geode *geodeCurrent, std::string texture)
     osg::StateSet* stateTexture = geodeCurrent->getOrCreateStateSet();
 
     // load texture.jpg as an image
-    osg::Image* imgTexture = osgDB::readImageFile( texture );
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> imgTexture = osgDB::readRefImageFile( texture );
 
     // if the image is successfully loaded
     if (imgTexture)

examples/osglight/osglight.cpp

@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ osg::Geometry* createWall(const osg::Vec3& v1,const osg::Vec3& v2,const osg::Vec
 }
 
 
-osg::Node* createRoom(osg::Node* loadedModel)
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> createRoom(const osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node>& loadedModel)
 {
     // default scale for this model.
     osg::BoundingSphere bs(osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f),1.0f);
@@ -323,13 +323,13 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("glider.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("glider.osgt");
 
     // create a room made of foor walls, a floor, a roof, and swinging light fitting.
-    osg::Node* rootnode = createRoom(loadedModel);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = createRoom(loadedModel);
 
     // run optimization over the scene graph
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimzer;

examples/osglightpoint/osglightpoint.cpp

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ osg::Node* createLightPointsDatabase()
 
             // Set point sprite texture in LightPointNode StateSet.
             osg::Texture2D *tex = new osg::Texture2D();
-            tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
+            tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
             set->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, tex, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
         }
 
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::Group* rootnode = new osg::Group;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    rootnode->addChild(osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments));
+    rootnode->addChild(osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments));
     rootnode->addChild(createLightPointsDatabase());
     rootnode->addChild(CreateBlinkSequenceLightNode());
 

examples/osglogicop/osglogicop.cpp

@@ -142,10 +142,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("glider.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("glider.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
@@ -153,11 +153,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         return 1;
     }
 
-    osg::Group* root = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> root = new osg::Group;
     root->addChild(loadedModel);
 
-    osg::StateSet*  stateset =  new osg::StateSet;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet>  stateset =  new osg::StateSet;
-    osg::LogicOp*   logicOp =   new osg::LogicOp(osg::LogicOp::OR_INVERTED);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::LogicOp>   logicOp =   new osg::LogicOp(osg::LogicOp::OR_INVERTED);
 
     stateset->setAttributeAndModes(logicOp,osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE|osg::StateAttribute::ON);
 
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     // construct the viewer.
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
-    viewer.addEventHandler(new TechniqueEventHandler(logicOp));
+    viewer.addEventHandler(new TechniqueEventHandler(logicOp.get()));
 
     // run optimization over the scene graph
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimzer;

examples/osglogo/osglogo.cpp

@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ osg:: Node* createGlobe(const osg::BoundingBox& bb,float ratio, const std::strin
     osg::MatrixTransform* xform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
     xform->setUpdateCallback(new osg::AnimationPathCallback(bb.center(),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osg::inDegrees(10.0f)));
 
-    osg::Node* bluemarble = filename.empty() ? 0 : osgDB::readNodeFile(filename.c_str());
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> bluemarble = filename.empty() ? 0 : osgDB::readRefNodeFile(filename.c_str());
     if (bluemarble)
     {
         const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = bluemarble->getBound();
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ osg:: Node* createGlobe(const osg::BoundingBox& bb,float ratio, const std::strin
 
         osg::StateSet* stateset = geode->getOrCreateStateSet();
 
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/land_shallow_topo_2048.jpg");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/land_shallow_topo_2048.jpg");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgmanipulator/osgmanipulator.cpp

@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::Timer_t start_tick = osg::Timer::instance()->tick();
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified command line args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if no model has been successfully loaded report failure.
     bool tragger2Scene(true);
@@ -481,14 +481,14 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
     // optimize the scene graph, remove redundant nodes and state etc.
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimizer;
-    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel.get());
+    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel);
 
 
     // pass the loaded scene graph to the viewer.
     if ( tragger2Scene ) {
         viewer.setSceneData(addDraggerToScene(loadedModel.get(), dragger_name, fixedSizeInScreen));
     } else {
-        viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel.get());
+        viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel);
     }
 
 

examples/osgmotionblur/osgmotionblur.cpp

@@ -96,10 +96,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     arguments.read("-P", persistence) || arguments.read("--persistence", persistence);
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
     // if no model has been successfully loaded report failure.
     if (!loadedModel)

examples/osgmovie/osgmovie.cpp

@@ -520,8 +520,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     {
         if (arguments.isString(i))
         {
-            osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(arguments[i]);
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(arguments[i]);
-            osg::ImageStream* imagestream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(image);
+            osg::ImageStream* imagestream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(image.get());
             if (imagestream)
             {
                 osg::ImageStream::AudioStreams& audioStreams = imagestream->getAudioStreams();
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
                 float width = image->s() * image->getPixelAspectRatio();
                 float height = image->t();
 
-                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Drawable> drawable = myCreateTexturedQuadGeometry(pos, width, height,image, useTextureRectangle, xyPlane, flip);
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Drawable> drawable = myCreateTexturedQuadGeometry(pos, width, height, image.get(), useTextureRectangle, xyPlane, flip);
 
                 if (image->isImageTranslucent())
                 {

examples/osgmultiplemovies/osgmultiplemovies.cpp

@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ private:
 
 static osg::Node* readImageStream(const std::string& file_name, osg::Vec3& p, float desired_height, osgDB::Options* options)
 {
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> obj = osgDB::readObjectFile(file_name, options);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object> obj = osgDB::readRefObjectFile(file_name, options);
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Texture> tex = dynamic_cast<osg::Texture*>(obj.get());
     osg::Geometry* geo(NULL);
     float w(0);
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ static osg::Node* readImageStream(const std::string& file_name, osg::Vec3& p, fl
         // try readImageFile if readObjectFile failed
         if (!img_stream)
         {
-            img_stream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(osgDB::readImageFile(file_name, options));
+            img_stream = osgDB::readRefFile<osg::ImageStream>(file_name, options);
         }
 
         if (img_stream)
@@ -531,7 +531,9 @@ private:
         if (!tex) {
             osg::ref_ptr<osg::ImageStream> stream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(obj.get());
             if (!stream)
-                stream = dynamic_cast<osg::ImageStream*>(osgDB::readImageFile(_files[_currentFile], _options.get()));
+            {
+                stream = osgDB::readRefFile<osg::ImageStream>(_files[_currentFile], _options.get());
+            }
 
             if (stream)
             {

examples/osgmultitexture/osgmultitexture.cpp

@@ -44,10 +44,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt");
+    if (!rootnode) rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessnafire.osgt");
 
     if (!rootnode)
     {
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         return 1;
     }
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/reflect.rgb");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/reflect.rgb");
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgmultitexturecontrol/osgmultitexturecontrol.cpp

@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ public:
     T* _foundNode;
 };
 
-template<class T>
+template<class T, class R>
-T* findTopMostNodeOfType(osg::Node* node)
+T* findTopMostNodeOfType(R node)
 {
     if (!node) return 0;
 
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     // set up the scene graph
     {
         // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-        osg::Node* rootnode = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootnode = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
         if (!rootnode)
         {

examples/osgmultitouch/osgmultitouch.cpp

@@ -284,10 +284,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default model instead.
-    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
+    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("dumptruck.osgt");
 
     if (!scene)
     {
@@ -307,10 +307,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     std::string device;
     while(arguments.read("--device", device))
     {
-        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>(device);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> dev = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>(device);
         if (dev.valid())
         {
-            viewer.addDevice(dev.get());
+            viewer.addDevice(dev);
         }
     }
 
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group  = new osg::Group;
 
     // add the HUD subgraph.
-    if (scene.valid()) group->addChild(scene.get());
+    if (scene) group->addChild(scene);
 
     viewer.setCameraManipulator(new osgGA::MultiTouchTrackballManipulator());
     viewer.realize();

examples/osgmultiviewpaging/osgmultiviewpaging.cpp

@@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene)
     {
-        scene = osgDB::readNodeFile("http://www.openscenegraph.org/data/earth_bayarea/earth.ive");
+        scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("http://www.openscenegraph.org/data/earth_bayarea/earth.ive");
     }
 
     if (!scene)
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
             view->setName("View one");
             viewer.addView(view);
 
-            view->setSceneData(scene.get());
+            view->setSceneData(scene);
             view->getCamera()->setName("Cam one");
             view->getCamera()->setViewport(new osg::Viewport(0,0, traits->width/2, traits->height/2));
             view->getCamera()->setGraphicsContext(gc.get());
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
             view->setName("View two");
             viewer.addView(view);
 
-            view->setSceneData(scene.get());
+            view->setSceneData(scene);
             view->getCamera()->setName("Cam two");
             view->getCamera()->setViewport(new osg::Viewport(traits->width/2,0, traits->width/2, traits->height/2));
             view->getCamera()->setGraphicsContext(gc.get());
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
             view->setName("View three");
             viewer.addView(view);
 
-            view->setSceneData(scene.get());
+            view->setSceneData(scene);
 
             view->getCamera()->setName("Cam three");
             view->getCamera()->setProjectionMatrixAsPerspective(30.0, double(traits->width) / double(traits->height/2), 1.0, 1000.0);

examples/osgoccluder/osgoccluder.cpp

@@ -311,10 +311,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedmodel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedmodel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try using default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedmodel) loadedmodel = osgDB::readNodeFile("glider.osgt");
+    if (!loadedmodel) loadedmodel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("glider.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedmodel)
     {
@@ -336,12 +336,12 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
     else
     {
-        rootnode = createOccludersAroundModel(loadedmodel);
+        rootnode = createOccludersAroundModel(loadedmodel.get());
     }
 
 
     // add a viewport to the viewer and attach the scene graph.
-    viewer.setSceneData( rootnode.get() );
+    viewer.setSceneData( rootnode );
 
     return viewer.run();
 }

examples/osgocclusionquery/osgocclusionquery.cpp

@@ -749,8 +749,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     if (arguments.argc()>1)
     {
-        root = osgDB::readNodeFiles( arguments );
+        root = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles( arguments );
-        if (root.valid())
+        if (root)
         {
             // Run a NodeVisitor to insert OcclusionQueryNodes in the scene graph.
             OcclusionQueryVisitor oqv;
@@ -787,10 +787,10 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     if (optimize)
     {
         osgUtil::Optimizer optimizer;
-        optimizer.optimize( root.get() );
+        optimizer.optimize( root );
     }
 
-    viewer.setSceneData( root.get() );
+    viewer.setSceneData( root );
 
     KeyHandler* kh = new KeyHandler( *root );
     viewer.addEventHandler( kh );

examples/osgoit/osgoit.cpp

@@ -66,12 +66,12 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     arguments.reportRemainingOptionsAsUnrecognized();
 
     // read the dump truck, we will need it twice
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> dt = osgDB::readNodeFile("dumptruck.osg");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> dt = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("dumptruck.osg");
 
     // display a solid version of the dump truck
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> solidModel = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
     solidModel->setPosition(osg::Vec3f(7.0f, -2.0f, 7.0f));
-    solidModel->addChild(dt.get());
+    solidModel->addChild(dt);
 
     // generate the 3D heatmap surface to display
     osg::ref_ptr<Heatmap> hm = new Heatmap(30, 30, 10, 30, 30, 1.0, 0.25);

examples/osgoscdevice/osgoscdevice.cpp

@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ public:
 
             std::ostringstream ss ;
             ss << host << ":" << port << ".sender.osc";
-            _device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>(ss.str());
+            _device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>(ss.str());
 
             osgGA::EventVisitor* ev = dynamic_cast<osgGA::EventVisitor*>(nv);
             osgViewer::View* view = ev ? dynamic_cast<osgViewer::View*>(ev->getActionAdapter()) : NULL;
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene)
     {
@@ -463,15 +463,15 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         view->addEventHandler( new osgViewer::StatsHandler );
         view->addEventHandler( new UserEventHandler(text) );
 
-        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>("0.0.0.0:9000.receiver.osc");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>("0.0.0.0:9000.receiver.osc");
         if (device.valid() && (device->getCapabilities() & osgGA::Device::RECEIVE_EVENTS))
         {
-            view->addDevice(device.get());
+            view->addDevice(device);
 
             // add a zeroconf device, advertising the osc-device
             if(use_zeroconf)
             {
-                osgGA::Device* zeroconf_device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>("_osc._udp:9000.advertise.zeroconf");
+                osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> zeroconf_device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>("_osc._udp:9000.advertise.zeroconf");
                 if (zeroconf_device)
                 {
                     view->addDevice(zeroconf_device);
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
         if (use_zeroconf)
         {
-            osgGA::Device* zeroconf_device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>("_osc._udp.discover.zeroconf");
+            osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> zeroconf_device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>("_osc._udp.discover.zeroconf");
             if(zeroconf_device) {
                 view->addDevice(zeroconf_device);
                 view->getEventHandlers().push_front(new OscServiceDiscoveredEventHandler());
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
         }
         else
         {
-            osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> device = osgDB::readFile<osgGA::Device>("localhost:9000.sender.osc");
+            osg::ref_ptr<osgGA::Device> device = osgDB::readRefFile<osgGA::Device>("localhost:9000.sender.osc");
             if (device.valid() && (device->getCapabilities() & osgGA::Device::SEND_EVENTS))
             {
                 // add as first event handler, so it gets ALL events ...

examples/osgoutline/osgoutline.cpp

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     // load outlined object
     std::string modelFilename = arguments.argc() > 1 ? arguments[1] : "dumptruck.osgt";
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> outlineModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(modelFilename);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> outlineModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(modelFilename);
     if (!outlineModel)
     {
         osg::notify(osg::FATAL) << "Unable to load model '" << modelFilename << "'\n";
@@ -38,18 +38,18 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     {
         // create outline effect
         osg::ref_ptr<osgFX::Outline> outline = new osgFX::Outline;
-        root->addChild(outline.get());
+        root->addChild(outline);
 
         outline->setWidth(8);
         outline->setColor(osg::Vec4(1,1,0,1));
-        outline->addChild(outlineModel.get());
+        outline->addChild(outlineModel);
     }
 
     if (testOcclusion)
     {
         // load occluder
         std::string occludedModelFilename = "cow.osgt";
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> occludedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(occludedModelFilename);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> occludedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(occludedModelFilename);
         if (!occludedModel)
         {
             osg::notify(osg::FATAL) << "Unable to load model '" << occludedModelFilename << "'\n";
@@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
         // occluder behind outlined model
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> modelTransform0 = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
         modelTransform0->setPosition(bsphere.center() + occluderOffset);
-        modelTransform0->addChild(occludedModel.get());
+        modelTransform0->addChild(occludedModel);
-        root->addChild(modelTransform0.get());
+        root->addChild(modelTransform0);
 
         // occluder in front of outlined model
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::PositionAttitudeTransform> modelTransform1 = new osg::PositionAttitudeTransform;
         modelTransform1->setPosition(bsphere.center() - occluderOffset);
-        modelTransform1->addChild(occludedModel.get());
+        modelTransform1->addChild(occludedModel);
-        root->addChild(modelTransform1.get());
+        root->addChild(modelTransform1);
     }
 
     // must have stencil buffer...
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     // construct the viewer
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
-    viewer.setSceneData(root.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(root);
 
     // must clear stencil buffer...
     unsigned int clearMask = viewer.getCamera()->getClearMask();

examples/osgpagedlod/osgpagedlod.cpp

@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 //     }
 
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!model)
     {

examples/osgparametric/osgparametric.cpp

@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel(const std::string& shader, const std::string& textureFile
             osg::Shader* vertex_shader = new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::VERTEX, vertexShaderSource_texture);
             program->addShader(vertex_shader);
 
-            osg::Image* image = 0;
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image;
 
             if (terrainFileName.empty())
             {
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel(const std::string& shader, const std::string& textureFile
             }
             else
             {
-                image = osgDB::readImageFile(terrainFileName);
+                image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(terrainFileName);
 
                 num_x = image->s();
                 num_y = image->t();
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ osg::Node* createModel(const std::string& shader, const std::string& textureFile
         osg::Shader* fragment_shader = new osg::Shader(osg::Shader::FRAGMENT, fragmentShaderSource);
         program->addShader(fragment_shader);
 
-        osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readImageFile(textureFileName));
+        osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readRefImageFile(textureFileName));
         stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0,texture);
 
         osg::Uniform* baseTextureSampler = new osg::Uniform("baseTexture",0);

examples/osgparticleeffects/osgparticleeffects.cpp

@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
 
     osg::AnimationPath* animationPath = createAnimationPath(center,radius,animationLength);
 
-    osg::Group* model = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> model = new osg::Group;
 
-    osg::Node* glider = osgDB::readNodeFile("glider.osgt");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> glider = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("glider.osgt");
     if (glider)
     {
         const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = glider->getBound();
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
         model->addChild(xform);
     }
 
-    osg::Node* cessna = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> cessna = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
     if (cessna)
     {
         const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = cessna->getBound();
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ osg::Node* createMovingModel(const osg::Vec3& center, float radius)
         model->addChild(xform);
     }
 
-    return model;
+    return model.release();
 }
 
 
@@ -162,8 +162,8 @@ void build_world(osg::Group *root)
     osg::Geode* terrainGeode = new osg::Geode;
     // create terrain
     {
-        osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet();
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset = new osg::StateSet();
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgphotoalbum/ImageReaderWriter.cpp

@@ -75,21 +75,20 @@ std::string ImageReaderWriter::local_insertReference(const std::string& fileName
     return myReference;
 }
 
-osg::Image* ImageReaderWriter::readImage_Archive(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t)
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> ImageReaderWriter::readImage_Archive(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t)
 {
     for(PhotoArchiveList::iterator itr=_photoArchiveList.begin();
         itr!=_photoArchiveList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
-        osg::Image* image = (*itr)->readImage(dr._fileName,dr._resolutionX,dr._resolutionY,s,t);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = (*itr)->readImage(dr._fileName,dr._resolutionX,dr._resolutionY,s,t);
         if (image) return image;
     }
     return 0;
 }
 
-osg::Image* ImageReaderWriter::readImage_DynamicSampling(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t)
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> ImageReaderWriter::readImage_DynamicSampling(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t)
 {
-
     // record previous options.
     osg::ref_ptr<osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options> previousOptions = osgDB::Registry::instance()->getOptions();
 
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ osg::Image* ImageReaderWriter::readImage_DynamicSampling(DataReference& dr, floa
 
     osgDB::Registry::instance()->setOptions(options.get());
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(dr._fileName);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(dr._fileName);
 
     // restore previous options.
     osgDB::Registry::instance()->setOptions(previousOptions.get());
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ImageReaderWriter::local_readNode(const std::str
 
     DataReference& dr = itr->second;
 
-    osg::Image* image = 0;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image;
     float s=1.0f,t=1.0f;
 
     // try to load photo from any loaded PhotoArchives

examples/osgphotoalbum/ImageReaderWriter.h

@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ class ImageReaderWriter : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             bool            _backPage;
         };
 
-        osg::Image* readImage_Archive(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> readImage_Archive(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t);
 
-        osg::Image* readImage_DynamicSampling(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> readImage_DynamicSampling(DataReference& dr, float& s,float& t);
 
         typedef std::map< std::string,DataReference > DataReferenceMap;
         typedef std::vector< osg::ref_ptr<PhotoArchive> > PhotoArchiveList;

examples/osgphotoalbum/PhotoArchive.cpp

@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ void PhotoArchive::getImageFileNameList(FileNameList& filenameList)
 
 }
 
-osg::Image* PhotoArchive::readImage(const std::string& filename,
+osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> PhotoArchive::readImage(const std::string& filename,
                                     unsigned int target_s, unsigned target_t,
                                     float& original_s, float& original_t)
 {
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ osg::Image* PhotoArchive::readImage(const std::string& filename,
                 unsigned char* data = new unsigned char[imageHeader.size];
                 in.read((char*)data,imageHeader.size);
 
-                osg::Image* image = new osg::Image;
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = new osg::Image;
                 image->setImage(photoHeader.thumbnail_s,photoHeader.thumbnail_t,1,
                                 imageHeader.pixelFormat,imageHeader.pixelFormat,imageHeader.type,
                                 data,osg::Image::USE_NEW_DELETE);
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ osg::Image* PhotoArchive::readImage(const std::string& filename,
                 unsigned char* data = new unsigned char[imageHeader.size];
                 in.read((char*)data,imageHeader.size);
 
-                osg::Image* image = new osg::Image;
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = new osg::Image;
                 image->setImage(photoHeader.fullsize_s,photoHeader.fullsize_t,1,
                                 imageHeader.pixelFormat,imageHeader.pixelFormat,imageHeader.type,
                                 data,osg::Image::USE_NEW_DELETE);
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ void PhotoArchive::buildArchive(const std::string& filename, const FileNameList&
         std::cout<<"Processing image "<<photoCount<<" of "<< photoIndex.size()<<" filename="<< photoHeader.filename << std::endl;
         std::cout<<"    reading image...";std::cout.flush();
 
-        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readImageFile(photoHeader.filename);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(photoHeader.filename);
 
         std::cout<<"done."<< std::endl;
 

examples/osgphotoalbum/PhotoArchive.h

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public:
 
     static void buildArchive(const std::string& filename, const FileNameList& imageList, unsigned int thumbnailSize=256, unsigned int maximumSize=1024, bool compressed=true);
 
-    osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& filename,
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> readImage(const std::string& filename,
                           unsigned int target_s, unsigned target_t,
                           float& original_s, float& original_t);
 

examples/osgpick/osgpick.cpp

@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ArgumentParser arguments(&argc,argv);
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     if (!scene && arguments.read("--relative-camera-scene"))
     {
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readNodeFile("fountain.osgt");
+    if (!scene) scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("fountain.osgt");
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group = dynamic_cast<osg::Group*>(scene.get());
     if (!group)

examples/osgplanets/osgplanets.cpp

@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ osg::Geode* SolarSystem::createSpace( const std::string& name, const std::string
 
     if( !textureName.empty() )
     {
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile( textureName );
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile( textureName );
         if ( image )
         {
             sSpaceSphere->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes( 0, new osg::Texture2D( image ), osg::StateAttribute::ON );
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ osg::Geode* SolarSystem::createPlanet( double radius, const std::string& name, c
 
     if( !textureName.empty() )
     {
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile( textureName );
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile( textureName );
         if ( image )
         {
             osg::Texture2D* tex2d = new osg::Texture2D( image );
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ osg::Geode* SolarSystem::createPlanet( double radius, const std::string& name, c
 
     if( !textureName2.empty() )
     {
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile( textureName2 );
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile( textureName2 );
         if ( image )
         {
             osg::StateSet* stateset = geodePlanet->getOrCreateStateSet();

examples/osgpoints/osgpoints.cpp

@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if no model has been successfully loaded report failure.
     if (!loadedModel)
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
         /// The texture for the sprites
         osg::Texture2D *tex = new osg::Texture2D();
-        tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
+        tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
         stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, tex, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
     }
 

examples/osgpointsprite/osgpointsprite.cpp

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ osg::StateSet* makeStateSet(float size)
 
     /// The texture for the sprites
     osg::Texture2D *tex = new osg::Texture2D();
-    tex->setImage(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
+    tex->setImage(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/particle.rgb"));
     set->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, tex, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
 
     return set;

examples/osgposter/PosterPrinter.cpp

@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@
 /* PagedLoadingCallback: Callback for loading paged nodes while doing intersecting test */
 struct PagedLoadingCallback : public osgUtil::IntersectionVisitor::ReadCallback
 {
-    virtual osg::Node* readNodeFile( const std::string& filename )
+    virtual osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> readNodeFile( const std::string& filename )
     {
-        return osgDB::readNodeFile( filename );
+        return osgDB::readRefNodeFile( filename );
     }
 };
 static osg::ref_ptr<PagedLoadingCallback> g_pagedLoadingCallback = new PagedLoadingCallback;

examples/osgposter/osgposter.cpp

@@ -298,8 +298,8 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     }
 
     // Construct scene graph
-    osg::Node* scene = osgDB::readNodeFiles( arguments );
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles( arguments );
-    if ( !scene ) scene = osgDB::readNodeFile( "cow.osgt" );
+    if ( !scene ) scene = osgDB::readRefNodeFile( "cow.osgt" );
     if ( !scene )
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ int main( int argc, char** argv )
     {
         osg::Camera* camera = viewer.getCamera();
         if ( !useLatLongHeight ) computeViewMatrix( camera, eye, hpr );
-        else computeViewMatrixOnEarth( camera, scene, latLongHeight, hpr );
+        else computeViewMatrixOnEarth( camera, scene.get(), latLongHeight, hpr );
 
         osg::ref_ptr<CustomRenderer> renderer = new CustomRenderer( camera );
         camera->setRenderer( renderer.get() );

examples/osgprecipitation/osgprecipitation.cpp

@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     }
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osgprerender/osgprerender.cpp

@@ -463,10 +463,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {

examples/osgreflect/osgreflect.cpp

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ osg::StateSet* createMirrorTexturedState(const std::string& filename)
     dstate->setMode(GL_CULL_FACE,osg::StateAttribute::OFF|osg::StateAttribute::PROTECTED);
 
     // set up the texture.
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile(filename.c_str());
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile(filename.c_str());
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -335,10 +335,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // read the scene from the list of file specified commandline args.
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
 
     // if no model has been successfully loaded report failure.
     if (!loadedModel)
@@ -350,11 +350,11 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
 
     // optimize the scene graph, remove redundant nodes and state etc.
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimizer;
-    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel.get());
+    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel);
 
     // add a transform with a callback to animate the loaded model.
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> loadedModelTransform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
-    loadedModelTransform->addChild(loadedModel.get());
+    loadedModelTransform->addChild(loadedModel);
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::NodeCallback> nc = new osg::AnimationPathCallback(loadedModelTransform->getBound().center(),osg::Vec3(0.0f,0.0f,1.0f),osg::inDegrees(45.0f));
     loadedModelTransform->setUpdateCallback(nc.get());
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> rootNode = createMirroredScene(loadedModelTransform.get());
 
     // set the scene to render
-    viewer.setSceneData(rootNode.get());
+    viewer.setSceneData(rootNode);
 
     // hint to tell viewer to request stencil buffer when setting up windows
     osg::DisplaySettings::instance()->setMinimumNumStencilBits(8);

examples/osgscreencapture/osgscreencapture.cpp

@@ -726,7 +726,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     }
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;
@@ -746,9 +746,9 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     // optimize the scene graph, remove redundant nodes and state etc.
     osgUtil::Optimizer optimizer;
-    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel.get());
+    optimizer.optimize(loadedModel);
 
-    viewer.setSceneData( loadedModel.get() );
+    viewer.setSceneData(loadedModel);
 
 
     if (pbuffer.valid())

examples/osgscribe/osgscribe.cpp

@@ -40,10 +40,10 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osgViewer::Viewer viewer;
 
     // load the nodes from the commandline arguments.
-    osg::Node* loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
 
     // if not loaded assume no arguments passed in, try use default mode instead.
-    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile("cow.osgt");
+    if (!loadedModel) loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cow.osgt");
 
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
@@ -56,9 +56,9 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     // but overrides various state attributes, so that the second instance
     // is rendered as wireframe.
 
-    osg::Group* rootnode = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> rootnode = new osg::Group;
 
-    osg::Group* decorator = new osg::Group;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> decorator = new osg::Group;
 
     rootnode->addChild(loadedModel);
 
@@ -71,17 +71,17 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     // and that the drawing mode is changed to wireframe, and a polygon offset
     // is added to ensure that we see the wireframe itself, and turn off
     // so texturing too.
-    osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::StateSet> stateset = new osg::StateSet;
-    osg::PolygonOffset* polyoffset = new osg::PolygonOffset;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::PolygonOffset> polyoffset = new osg::PolygonOffset;
     polyoffset->setFactor(-1.0f);
     polyoffset->setUnits(-1.0f);
-    osg::PolygonMode* polymode = new osg::PolygonMode;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::PolygonMode> polymode = new osg::PolygonMode;
     polymode->setMode(osg::PolygonMode::FRONT_AND_BACK,osg::PolygonMode::LINE);
     stateset->setAttributeAndModes(polyoffset,osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE|osg::StateAttribute::ON);
     stateset->setAttributeAndModes(polymode,osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE|osg::StateAttribute::ON);
 
 #if 1
-    osg::Material* material = new osg::Material;
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Material> material = new osg::Material;
     stateset->setAttributeAndModes(material,osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE|osg::StateAttribute::ON);
     stateset->setMode(GL_LIGHTING,osg::StateAttribute::OVERRIDE|osg::StateAttribute::OFF);
 #else

examples/osgsequence/osgsequence.cpp

@@ -145,11 +145,11 @@ osg::Sequence* createSequence(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
         ++itr)
     {
         // load model
-        osg::Node* node = osgDB::readNodeFile(*itr);
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(*itr);
 
         if (node)
         {
-            seq->addChild(createScaledNode(node, 100.0f));
+            seq->addChild(createScaledNode(node.get(), 100.0f));
             seq->setTime(seq->getNumChildren()-1, 1.0f);
         }
     }

examples/osgshadercomposition/oldshadercomposition.cpp

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 osg::Node* createOldShaderCompositionScene(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
 {
-    osg::Node* node = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!node) return 0;
 
     osg::Group* group = new osg::Group;

examples/osgshadercomposition/osgshadercomposition.cpp

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ extern osg::Node* createOldShaderCompositionScene(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments
 
 osg::Node* createNewShaderCompositionScene(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
 {
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> node = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!node) return 0;
 
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Group> group = new osg::Group;
@@ -34,21 +34,21 @@ osg::Node* createNewShaderCompositionScene(osg::ArgumentParser& arguments)
     osg::ref_ptr<osg::Program> program = new osg::Program;
     stateset->setAttribute(program.get());
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> lighting_shader = osgDB::readShaderFile("shaders/lighting.vert");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> lighting_shader = osgDB::readRefShaderFile("shaders/lighting.vert");
     if (lighting_shader.valid())
     {
         program->addShader(lighting_shader.get());
         OSG_NOTICE<<"Adding lighting shader"<<std::endl;
     }
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> vertex_shader = osgDB::readShaderFile("shaders/osgshadercomposition.vert");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> vertex_shader = osgDB::readRefShaderFile("shaders/osgshadercomposition.vert");
     if (vertex_shader.valid())
     {
         program->addShader(vertex_shader.get());
         OSG_NOTICE<<"Adding vertex shader"<<std::endl;
     }
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> fragment_shader = osgDB::readShaderFile("shaders/osgshadercomposition.frag");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Shader> fragment_shader = osgDB::readRefShaderFile("shaders/osgshadercomposition.frag");
     if (fragment_shader.valid())
     {
         program->addShader(fragment_shader.get());

examples/osgshadergen/osgshadergen.cpp

@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
     osgDB::Registry::instance()->setReadFileCallback(readFileCallback);
 
     // load the data
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << arguments.getApplicationName() <<": No data loaded" << std::endl;

examples/osgshaderterrain/osgshaderterrain.cpp

@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ osg::Node* createScene()
     stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0,terrainTexture,osg::StateAttribute::ON);
 
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgshadow/osgshadow.cpp

@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ namespace ModelTwo
 
         // set up the texture of the base.
         osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet();
-        osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb");
         if (image)
         {
             osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ namespace ModelTwo
 
         osg::Group* model = new osg::Group;
 
-        osg::Node* cessna = osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> cessna = osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osgt");
         if (cessna)
         {
             const osg::BoundingSphere& bs = cessna->getBound();
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ namespace ModelThree
 
         if (withBaseTexture)
         {
-            scene->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes( 0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb")), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+            scene->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes( 0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb")), osg::StateAttribute::ON);
         }
 
         return scene;
@@ -626,13 +626,13 @@ namespace ModelFive
     {
         // Set the ground (only receives shadow)
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> groundNode = new osg::MatrixTransform;
-        groundNode->addChild( osgDB::readNodeFile("lz.osg") );
+        groundNode->addChild( osgDB::readRefNodeFile("lz.osg") );
         groundNode->setMatrix( osg::Matrix::translate(200.0f, 200.0f,-200.0f) );
         groundNode->setNodeMask( ReceivesShadowTraversalMask );
 
         // Set the cessna (only casts shadow)
         osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform> cessnaNode = new osg::MatrixTransform;
-        cessnaNode->addChild( osgDB::readNodeFile("cessna.osg.0,0,90.rot") );
+        cessnaNode->addChild( osgDB::readRefNodeFile("cessna.osg.0,0,90.rot") );
         cessnaNode->addUpdateCallback( createAnimationPathCallback(50.0f, 6.0f) );
         cessnaNode->setNodeMask( CastsShadowTraversalMask );
 
@@ -1025,7 +1025,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
     OSG_INFO<<"shadowedScene->getShadowTechnique()="<<shadowedScene->getShadowTechnique()<<std::endl;
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> model = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
     if (model.valid())
     {
         model->setNodeMask(CastsShadowTraversalMask | ReceivesShadowTraversalMask);
@@ -1061,7 +1061,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 
         geode->setNodeMask(shadowedScene->getReceivesShadowTraversalMask());
 
-        geode->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readImageFile("Images/lz.rgb")));
+        geode->getOrCreateStateSet()->setTextureAttributeAndModes(0, new osg::Texture2D(osgDB::readRefImageFile("Images/lz.rgb")));
 
         shadowedScene->addChild(geode);
     }

examples/osgshape/osgshape.cpp

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ osg::Geode* createShapes()
     // ---------------------------------------
     osg::StateSet* stateset = new osg::StateSet();
 
-    osg::Image* image = osgDB::readImageFile( "Images/lz.rgb" );
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Image> image = osgDB::readRefImageFile( "Images/lz.rgb" );
     if (image)
     {
         osg::Texture2D* texture = new osg::Texture2D;

examples/osgsidebyside/osgsidebyside.cpp

@@ -265,10 +265,8 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     SwitchDOFVisitor* visit = new SwitchDOFVisitor;
     viewer.addEventHandler(visit);
 
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel;
     // load the scene.
-    loadedModel = osgDB::readNodeFiles(arguments);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> loadedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFiles(arguments);
-
     if (!loadedModel)
     {
         std::cout << argv[0] <<": No data loaded." << std::endl;
@@ -278,16 +276,14 @@ int main( int argc, char **argv )
     osg::Group* group = new osg::Group;
 
     osg::Group* group1 = new osg::Group;
-    group1->addChild(loadedModel.get());
+    group1->addChild(loadedModel);
     group1->setNodeMask(1);
 
     // Uncomment these lines if you like to compare the loaded model to the resulting model in a merge/diff tool
     //osgDB::writeNodeFile(*loadedModel.get(), "dummy1.osgt");
 
-    osgDB::writeNodeFile(*loadedModel.get(), outputfile);
+    osgDB::writeNodeFile(*loadedModel, outputfile);
-    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> convertedModel = osgDB::readNodeFile(outputfile);
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Node> convertedModel = osgDB::readRefNodeFile(outputfile);
-
-    //osgDB::writeNodeFile(*convertedModel.get(), "dummy2.osgt");
 
     osg::Group* group2 = new osg::Group;
     group2->addChild(convertedModel.get());