diff --git a/include/osgDB/ReaderWriter b/include/osgDB/ReaderWriter
index 77c8b54e1..03e53591a 100644
--- a/include/osgDB/ReaderWriter
+++ b/include/osgDB/ReaderWriter
@@ -41,13 +41,87 @@ class OSGDB_EXPORT ReaderWriter : public osg::Referenced
         };
 
 
-        virtual osg::Object* readObject(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return NULL; }
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return NULL; }
-        virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return NULL; }
+        class ReadResult
+        {
+            public:
 
-        virtual bool writeObject(const osg::Object& /*obj*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) {return false; }
-        virtual bool writeImage(const osg::Image& /*image*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) {return false; }
-        virtual bool writeNode(const osg::Node& /*node*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return false; }
+                enum Status
+                {
+                    FILE_NOT_HANDLED,
+                    FILE_LOADED,
+                    ERROR_IN_READING_FILE
+                };
+
+                ReadResult(Status status=FILE_NOT_HANDLED):_status(status) {}
+                ReadResult(const std::string& m):_status(ERROR_IN_READING_FILE),_message(m) {}
+                ReadResult(osg::Object* obj):_status(FILE_LOADED),_object(obj) {}
+                
+                ReadResult(const ReadResult& rr):_status(rr._status),_message(rr._message),_object(rr._object) {}
+                ReadResult& operator = (const ReadResult& rr) { if (this==&rr) return *this; _status=rr._status; _message=rr._message;_object=rr._object; return *this; }
+                
+                osg::Object* getObject() { return _object.get(); }
+                osg::Image* getImage() { return dynamic_cast<osg::Image*>(_object.get()); }
+                osg::Node* getNode() { return dynamic_cast<osg::Node*>(_object.get()); }
+                
+                const bool validObject() { return _object.valid(); }
+                const bool validImage() { return getImage()!=0; }
+                const bool validNode() { return getNode()!=0; }
+
+                osg::Object* takeObject() { osg::Object* obj = _object.get(); if (obj) { obj->ref(); _object=NULL; } return obj; }
+                osg::Image* takeImage() { osg::Image* image=dynamic_cast<osg::Image*>(_object.get()); if (image) { image->ref(); _object==NULL; } return image; }
+                osg::Node* takeNode() { osg::Node* node=dynamic_cast<osg::Node*>(_object.get()); if (node) { node->ref(); _object==NULL; } return node; }
+
+                const std::string& message() const { return _message; }
+
+                const Status status() const { return _status; }
+                const bool success() const { return _status==FILE_LOADED; }
+                const bool error() const { return _status==ERROR_IN_READING_FILE; }
+                const bool notHandled() const { return _status==FILE_NOT_HANDLED; }
+
+            protected:
+            
+                Status                      _status;
+                std::string                 _message;
+                osg::ref_ptr<osg::Object>   _object;
+        };
+
+        class WriteResult
+        {
+            public:
+
+                enum Status
+                {
+                    FILE_NOT_HANDLED,
+                    FILE_SAVED,
+                    ERROR_IN_WRITING_FILE
+                };
+
+                WriteResult(Status status=FILE_NOT_HANDLED):_status(status) {}
+                WriteResult(const std::string& m):_status(ERROR_IN_WRITING_FILE),_message(m) {}
+                
+                WriteResult(const WriteResult& rr):_status(rr._status),_message(rr._message) {}
+                WriteResult& operator = (const WriteResult& rr) { if (this==&rr) return *this; _status=rr._status; _message=rr._message; return *this; }
+                
+                const std::string& message() const { return _message; }
+
+                const Status status() const { return _status; }
+                const bool success() const { return _status==FILE_SAVED; }
+                const bool error() const { return _status==ERROR_IN_WRITING_FILE; }
+                const bool notHandled() const { return _status==FILE_NOT_HANDLED; }
+
+            protected:
+            
+                Status                      _status;
+                std::string                 _message;
+        };
+
+        virtual ReadResult readObject(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return ReadResult(ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return ReadResult(ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return ReadResult(ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
+
+        virtual WriteResult writeObject(const osg::Object& /*obj*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) {return WriteResult(WriteResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
+        virtual WriteResult writeImage(const osg::Image& /*image*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) {return WriteResult(WriteResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
+        virtual WriteResult writeNode(const osg::Node& /*node*/,const std::string& /*fileName*/,const Options* =NULL) { return WriteResult(WriteResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED); }
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/osgDB/Registry.cpp b/src/osgDB/Registry.cpp
index 7d396b3c1..24f7f895a 100644
--- a/src/osgDB/Registry.cpp
+++ b/src/osgDB/Registry.cpp
@@ -560,6 +560,10 @@ Object* Registry::readObject(const std::string& fileName)
 
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
+    
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::ReadResult> Results;
+    Results results;
 
     // first attempt to load the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
@@ -567,8 +571,9 @@ Object* Registry::readObject(const std::string& fileName)
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        Object* obj = (*itr)->readObject(file,_options.get());
-        if (obj) return obj;
+        ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readObject(file,_options.get());
+        if (rr.validObject()) return rr.takeObject();
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     // now look for a plug-in to load the file.
@@ -581,17 +586,27 @@ Object* Registry::readObject(const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                Object* obj = (*itr)->readObject(file,_options.get());
-                if (obj) return obj;
+                ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readObject(file,_options.get());
+                if (rr.validObject()) return rr.takeObject();
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
-    else
+    
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to read file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to read file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return NULL;
 }
@@ -602,13 +617,19 @@ bool Registry::writeObject(const Object& obj,const std::string& fileName)
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
 
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::WriteResult> Results;
+    Results results;
+
     // first attempt to load the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
         itr!=_rwList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        if ((*itr)->writeObject(obj,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+        ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeObject(obj,fileName,_options.get());
+        if (rr.success()) return true;
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     // now look for a plug-in to save the file.
@@ -621,16 +642,27 @@ bool Registry::writeObject(const Object& obj,const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                if ((*itr)->writeObject(obj,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+                ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeObject(obj,fileName,_options.get());
+                if (rr.success()) return true;
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
-    else
+
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to write file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to write file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return false;
 }
@@ -645,14 +677,19 @@ Image* Registry::readImage(const std::string& fileName)
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
 
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::ReadResult> Results;
+    Results results;
+
     // first attempt to load the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
         itr!=_rwList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        Image* image = (*itr)->readImage(file,_options.get());
-        if (image) return image;
+        ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readImage(file,_options.get());
+        if (rr.validImage()) return rr.takeImage();
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     // now look for a plug-in to load the file.
@@ -665,17 +702,27 @@ Image* Registry::readImage(const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                Image* image = (*itr)->readImage(file,_options.get());
-                if (image) return image;
+                ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readImage(file,_options.get());
+                if (rr.validImage()) return rr.takeImage();
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
-    else
+
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to read file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to read file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return NULL;
 }
@@ -686,13 +733,19 @@ bool Registry::writeImage(const Image& image,const std::string& fileName)
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
 
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::WriteResult> Results;
+    Results results;
+
     // first attempt to load the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
         itr!=_rwList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        if ((*itr)->writeImage(image,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+        ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeImage(image,fileName,_options.get());
+        if (rr.success()) return true;
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     // now look for a plug-in to save the file.
@@ -705,16 +758,27 @@ bool Registry::writeImage(const Image& image,const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                if ((*itr)->writeImage(image,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+                ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeImage(image,fileName,_options.get());
+                if (rr.success()) return true;
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
-    else
+
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to write file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to write file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return false;
 }
@@ -729,14 +793,19 @@ Node* Registry::readNode(const std::string& fileName)
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
 
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::ReadResult> Results;
+    Results results;
+
     // first attempt to load the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
         itr!=_rwList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        Node* node = (*itr)->readNode(file,_options.get());
-        if (node) return node;
+        ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readNode(file,_options.get());
+        if (rr.validNode()) return rr.takeNode();
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     bool couldNotFindPlugin = false;
@@ -752,8 +821,9 @@ Node* Registry::readNode(const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                Node* node = (*itr)->readNode(file,_options.get());
-                if (node) return node;
+                ReaderWriter::ReadResult rr = (*itr)->readNode(file,_options.get());
+                if (rr.validNode()) return rr.takeNode();
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -762,22 +832,38 @@ Node* Registry::readNode(const std::string& fileName)
         couldNotFindPlugin = true;
     }
 
-    if (_createNodeFromImage)
-    {
-        ref_ptr<Image> image = readImage(fileName);
-        if (image.valid())
-        {
-            return createGeodeForImage(image.get());
-        }
-    }
+// 
+//     if (_createNodeFromImage)
+//     {
+//         ref_ptr<Image> image = readImage(fileName);
+//         if (image.valid())
+//         {
+//             return createGeodeForImage(image.get());
+//         }
+//     }
+// 
+//     if (couldNotFindPlugin)
+//     {
+//         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to read file with extension ."
+//             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
+//     }
+// 
+//     notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to read file "<<fileName<<endl;
 
-    if (couldNotFindPlugin)
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to read file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to read file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return NULL;
 }
@@ -788,13 +874,19 @@ bool Registry::writeNode(const Node& node,const std::string& fileName)
     // record the existing reader writer.
     std::set<ReaderWriter*> rwOriginal;
 
+    // record the errors reported by readerwriters.
+    typedef std::vector<ReaderWriter::WriteResult> Results;
+    Results results;
+
     // first attempt to write the file from existing ReaderWriter's
     for(ReaderWriterList::iterator itr=_rwList.begin();
         itr!=_rwList.end();
         ++itr)
     {
         rwOriginal.insert(itr->get());
-        if ((*itr)->writeNode(node,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+        ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeNode(node,fileName,_options.get());
+        if (rr.success()) return true;
+        else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
     }
 
     // now look for a plug-in to save the file.
@@ -807,16 +899,27 @@ bool Registry::writeNode(const Node& node,const std::string& fileName)
         {
             if (rwOriginal.find(itr->get())==rwOriginal.end())
             {
-                if ((*itr)->writeNode(node,fileName,_options.get())) return true;
+                ReaderWriter::WriteResult rr = (*itr)->writeNode(node,fileName,_options.get());
+                if (rr.success()) return true;
+                else if (rr.error()) results.push_back(rr);
             }
         }
     }
-    else
+
+    if (results.empty())
     {
         notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Could not find plugin to write file with extension ."
             <<getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName)<<endl;
     }
-    notify(NOTICE)<<"Warning: Unable to write file "<<fileName<<endl;
+    else
+    {
+        for(Results::iterator itr=results.begin();
+            itr!=results.end();
+            ++itr)
+        {
+            notify(NOTICE)<<itr->message()<<endl;
+        }
+    }
 
     return false;
 }
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/bmp/ReaderWriterBMP.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/bmp/ReaderWriterBMP.cpp
index b65a9e316..988524838 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/bmp/ReaderWriterBMP.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/bmp/ReaderWriterBMP.cpp
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class ReaderWriterBMP : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "BMP Image Reader"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="bmp"; }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ class ReaderWriterBMP : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = bmp_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/dw/ReaderWriterDW.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/dw/ReaderWriterDW.cpp
index 463c91b53..aa5d9fcef 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/dw/ReaderWriterDW.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/dw/ReaderWriterDW.cpp
@@ -879,19 +879,19 @@ class ReaderWriterDW : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"dw");
         }
 
-        virtual Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {   
-			_dwobj obj;
-			enum reading {NONE, MATERIAL, OBJECT};
-			//osg::ushort nrecs=0; // number of records read after a divider (numVerts, numFaces, numOpenings...)
-			int nexpected=0; // number of records to be read in a block
-			dwmaterial *matpalet=NULL;
-			int nmat=-1; // current element of matpalet being modified
-			int nmn=0; // number of materials found
-			reading rdg=NONE;
+	    _dwobj obj;
+	    enum reading {NONE, MATERIAL, OBJECT};
+	    //osg::ushort nrecs=0; // number of records read after a divider (numVerts, numFaces, numOpenings...)
+	    int nexpected=0; // number of records to be read in a block
+	    dwmaterial *matpalet=NULL;
+	    int nmat=-1; // current element of matpalet being modified
+	    int nmn=0; // number of materials found
+	    reading rdg=NONE;
 
             std::string ext = osgDB::getFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             char buff[256];
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.cpp
index 471d046da..b39c0455d 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.cpp
@@ -14,19 +14,23 @@
 
 using namespace flt;
 
-osg::Object* ReaderWriterFLT::readObject(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ReaderWriterFLT::readObject(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
 {
     FltFile read;
 
-    return read.readObject(fileName);
+    osg::Object* obj=read.readObject(fileName);
+    if (obj) return obj;
+    else return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 }
 
 
-osg::Node* ReaderWriterFLT::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ReaderWriterFLT::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
 {
     FltFile read;
 
-    return read.readNode(fileName);
+    osg::Node* obj=read.readNode(fileName);
+    if (obj) return obj;
+    else return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.h b/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.h
index efb806dc0..35c598167 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.h
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/flt/ReaderWriterFLT.h
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ public:
         return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"flt");
     }
 
-    virtual osg::Object* readObject(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
-    virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
+    virtual ReadResult readObject(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
+    virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/gif/ReaderWriterGIF.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/gif/ReaderWriterGIF.cpp
index 8b143ba51..412ba0d44 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/gif/ReaderWriterGIF.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/gif/ReaderWriterGIF.cpp
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class ReaderWriterGIF : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"gif");
         }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -333,7 +333,17 @@ class ReaderWriterGIF : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_gif_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            switch (giferror)
+            {
+                case ERR_OPEN:
+                    return ReadResult("GIF loader: Error opening file");
+                case ERR_READ:
+                    return ReadResult("GIF loader: Error reading file");
+                case ERR_MEM:
+                    return ReadResult("GIF loader: Out of memory error");
+            }
+
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/jpeg/ReaderWriterJPEG.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/jpeg/ReaderWriterJPEG.cpp
index 53595e7f5..59d65fea3 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/jpeg/ReaderWriterJPEG.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/jpeg/ReaderWriterJPEG.cpp
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ class ReaderWriterJPEG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"jpeg");
         }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ class ReaderWriterJPEG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_jpeg_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/lib3ds/ReaderWriter3DS.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/lib3ds/ReaderWriter3DS.cpp
index c2dfbeb47..807fec8d2 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/lib3ds/ReaderWriter3DS.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/lib3ds/ReaderWriter3DS.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class ReaderWriter3DS : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "3DS Auto Studio Reader"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="3ds"; }
 
-        virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
 
         typedef std::vector<int> FaceList;
         typedef std::map<std::string,osg::StateSet*> GeoStateMap;
@@ -59,11 +59,11 @@ ReaderWriter3DS::ReaderWriter3DS()
 }
 
 
-osg::Node* ReaderWriter3DS::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ReaderWriter3DS::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
 {
 
     Lib3dsFile *f = lib3ds_open(fileName.c_str());
-    if (f==NULL) return NULL;
+    if (f==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
     _directory = osgDB::getFilePath(fileName);
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/lwo/ReaderWriterLWO.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/lwo/ReaderWriterLWO.cpp
index 8398f3df9..a5f8bb024 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/lwo/ReaderWriterLWO.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/lwo/ReaderWriterLWO.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public:
         return (extension == "lwo" || extension == "lw" || extension == "geo");
     }
 
-    virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
+    virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
 
 protected:
 };
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ osgDB::RegisterReaderWriterProxy<ReaderWriterLWO> g_lwoReaderWriterProxy;
 
 
 // read file and convert to OSG.
-osg::Node* ReaderWriterLWO::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ReaderWriterLWO::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
 {
     lwObject* lw = lw_object_read(fileName.c_str());
     if (!lw)
-        return NULL;
+        return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
     osg::notify(osg::INFO) << "faces " << lw->face_cnt << endl;
     osg::notify(osg::INFO) << "materials " << lw->material_cnt << endl;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/obj/ReaderWriterOBJ.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/obj/ReaderWriterOBJ.cpp
index 8aa194703..8aadde108 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/obj/ReaderWriterOBJ.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/obj/ReaderWriterOBJ.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public:
         return (extension == "obj");
     }
 
-    virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
+    virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*);
 
 protected:
     osg::Drawable* makeDrawable(GLMmodel* obj, GLMgroup* grp, osg::StateSet**);
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ osgDB::RegisterReaderWriterProxy<ReaderWriterOBJ> g_objReaderWriterProxy;
 
 
 // read file and convert to OSG.
-osg::Node* ReaderWriterOBJ::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+osgDB::ReaderWriter::ReadResult ReaderWriterOBJ::readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
 {
     GLMmodel* obj = glmReadOBJ((char*) fileName.c_str());
     if (!obj)
-        return NULL;
+        return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
     std::string directory = osgDB::getFilePath(fileName);
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/osg/ReaderWriterOSG.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/osg/ReaderWriterOSG.cpp
index c64431093..e0c0baac3 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/osg/ReaderWriterOSG.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/osg/ReaderWriterOSG.cpp
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@ class OSGReaderWriter : public ReaderWriter
             return equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"osg");
         }
 
-        virtual Object* readObject(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options* opt) { return readNode(fileName,opt); }
+        virtual ReadResult readObject(const std::string& fileName, const Options* opt) { return readNode(fileName,opt); }
 
-        virtual Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const Options*)
         {
             std::string ext = getFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             ifstream fin(fileName.c_str());
             if (fin)
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class OSGReaderWriter : public ReaderWriter
                 }                // group->getNumChildren()==0
                 else
                 {
-                    return 0L;
+                    return ReadResult("No data loaded from "+fileName);
                 }
 
             }
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class OSGReaderWriter : public ReaderWriter
             }
         }
 
-        virtual bool writeObject(const Object& obj,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual WriteResult writeObject(const Object& obj,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             Output fout;
             fout.open(fileName.c_str());
@@ -78,12 +78,12 @@ class OSGReaderWriter : public ReaderWriter
             {
                 fout.writeObject(obj);
                 fout.close();
-                return true;
+                return WriteResult::FILE_SAVED;
             }
-            return false;
+            return WriteResult("Unable to open file for output");
         }
 
-        virtual bool writeNode(const Node& node,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual WriteResult writeNode(const Node& node,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             Output fout;
             fout.open(fileName.c_str());
@@ -91,9 +91,9 @@ class OSGReaderWriter : public ReaderWriter
             {
                 fout.writeObject(node);
                 fout.close();
-                return true;
+                return WriteResult::FILE_SAVED;
             }
-            return false;
+            return WriteResult("Unable to open file for output");
         }
 
 };
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/osgtgz/ReaderWriterOSGTGZ.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/osgtgz/ReaderWriterOSGTGZ.cpp
index e0f449e1e..1752a5c49 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/osgtgz/ReaderWriterOSGTGZ.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/osgtgz/ReaderWriterOSGTGZ.cpp
@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ class sgReaderWriterOSGTGZ : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"osgtgz");
         }
 
-        virtual Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             std::string ext = osgDB::getFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<"sgReaderWriterOSGTGZ::readNode( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class sgReaderWriterOSGTGZ : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             if( grp->getNumChildren() == 0 )
             {
                 grp->unref();
-                return NULL;
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             }
 
             return grp;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/pfb/ReaderWriterPFB.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/pfb/ReaderWriterPFB.cpp
index 7edddf0cc..6ef8c88bd 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/pfb/ReaderWriterPFB.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/pfb/ReaderWriterPFB.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPFB : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 		false;
 	}
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<   "ReaderWriterPFB::readImage( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
 
@@ -133,26 +133,34 @@ class ReaderWriterPFB : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
                 return image;
             }
 
-            return NULL;
+            return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
         }
 
-        virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<   "ReaderWriterPFB::readNode( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
 
             initPerformer();
 
             pfNode* root = pfdLoadFile(fileName.c_str());
+            
+            if (root)
+            {
 
-            ConvertFromPerformer converter;
-            return converter.convert(root);
+                ConvertFromPerformer converter;
+                return converter.convert(root);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
+            }
 
         }
 
-        virtual bool writeNode(const osg::Node& node,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual WriteResult writeNode(const osg::Node& node,const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             std::string ext = osgDB::getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return false;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return WriteResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
 
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<   "ReaderWriterPFB::writeNode( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
@@ -161,11 +169,12 @@ class ReaderWriterPFB : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             pfNode* root = converter.convert(&node);
             if (root)
             {
-                return pfdStoreFile(root,fileName.c_str())!=0;
+                if (pfdStoreFile(root,fileName.c_str())!=0) return WriteResult::FILE_SAVED;
+                else return "Unable to write file from performer.";
             }
             else
             {
-                return false;
+                return "Unable to convert scene to performer, cannot write file.";
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/pic/ReaderWriterPIC.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/pic/ReaderWriterPIC.cpp
index 5bb22d52a..c96f49ab7 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/pic/ReaderWriterPIC.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/pic/ReaderWriterPIC.cpp
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPIC : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "PIC Image Reader"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="pic"; }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPIC : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_pic_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/png/ReaderWriterPNG.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/png/ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
index 5fe5497d1..e7ed80c0b 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/png/ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/png/ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "PNG Image Reader/Writer"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="png"; }
 
-        virtual Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             int trans = PNG_ALPHA;
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             else
             {
                 png_destroy_read_struct(&png, &info, &endinfo);
-                return NULL;
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             }
             png_set_sig_bytes(png, 8);
 
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
                         break;
 
                     default:
-                        return NULL;
+                        return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
                 }
             }
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/png/new_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/png/new_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
index 5f1c1b33d..2d18b6d5c 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/png/new_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/png/new_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"png");
         }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_png_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/png/prev_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/png/prev_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
index 9440ff044..342668a07 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/png/prev_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/png/prev_ReaderWriterPNG.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "PNG Image Reader/Writer"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="png"; }
 
-        virtual Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName,const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             int trans = PNG_ALPHA;
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             else
             {
                 png_destroy_read_struct(&png, &info, &endinfo);
-                return NULL;
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             }
             png_set_sig_bytes(png, 8);
 
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class ReaderWriterPNG : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
                         break;
 
                     default:
-                        return NULL;
+                        return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
                 }
             }
 
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/rgb/ReaderWriterRGB.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/rgb/ReaderWriterRGB.cpp
index 603e7a6d8..2a0048cbd 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/rgb/ReaderWriterRGB.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/rgb/ReaderWriterRGB.cpp
@@ -304,17 +304,16 @@ class ReaderWriterRGB : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
                 osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"bw");
         }
 
-        virtual Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             std::string ext = osgDB::getFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             
             rawImageRec *raw;
 
             if( (raw = RawImageOpen(fileName.c_str())) == NULL )
             {
-                notify(FATAL)<< "Unable to open \""<<fileName<<"\""<<endl;
-                return NULL;
+                return "Unable to open \""+fileName+"\"";
             }
 
             int s = raw->sizeX;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/tga/ReaderWriterTGA.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/tga/ReaderWriterTGA.cpp
index 6b5c67a6f..019a8b8d6 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/tga/ReaderWriterTGA.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/tga/ReaderWriterTGA.cpp
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ class ReaderWriterTGA : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "TGA Image Reader"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="tga"; }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -479,7 +479,7 @@ class ReaderWriterTGA : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_tga_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/tgz/ReaderWriterTGZ.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/tgz/ReaderWriterTGZ.cpp
index ba12b147a..13a60eefa 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/tgz/ReaderWriterTGZ.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/tgz/ReaderWriterTGZ.cpp
@@ -31,10 +31,10 @@ class ReaderWriterTGZ : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"tgz");
         }
 
-        virtual Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
             std::string ext = osgDB::getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<   "ReaderWriterTGZ::readNode( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
 
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ class ReaderWriterTGZ : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             if( grp->getNumChildren() == 0 )
             {
                 grp->unref();
-                return NULL;
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             }
 
             return grp;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/tiff/ReaderWriterTIFF.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/tiff/ReaderWriterTIFF.cpp
index 5ee9e5d14..4972bed39 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/tiff/ReaderWriterTIFF.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/tiff/ReaderWriterTIFF.cpp
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ class ReaderWriterTIFF : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
         virtual const char* className() { return "TIFF Image Reader"; }
         virtual bool acceptsExtension(const std::string& extension) { return extension=="tiff"; }
 
-        virtual osg::Image* readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readImage(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             unsigned char *imageData = NULL;
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ class ReaderWriterTIFF : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
 
             imageData = simage_tiff_load(fileName.c_str(),&width_ret,&height_ret,&numComponents_ret);
 
-            if (imageData==NULL) return NULL;
+            if (imageData==NULL) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             int s = width_ret;
             int t = height_ret;
diff --git a/src/osgPlugins/zip/ReaderWriterZIP.cpp b/src/osgPlugins/zip/ReaderWriterZIP.cpp
index 9daf1c38f..a5b7bb446 100644
--- a/src/osgPlugins/zip/ReaderWriterZIP.cpp
+++ b/src/osgPlugins/zip/ReaderWriterZIP.cpp
@@ -29,11 +29,11 @@ class ReaderWriterZIP : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             return osgDB::equalCaseInsensitive(extension,"zip");
         }
 
-        virtual osg::Node* readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
+        virtual ReadResult readNode(const std::string& fileName, const osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options*)
         {
 
             std::string ext = osgDB::getLowerCaseFileExtension(fileName);
-            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return NULL;
+            if (!acceptsExtension(ext)) return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
 
             osg::notify(osg::INFO)<<"ReaderWriterZIP::readNode( "<<fileName.c_str()<<" )\n";
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class ReaderWriterZIP : public osgDB::ReaderWriter
             if( grp->getNumChildren() == 0 )
             {
                 grp->unref();
-                return NULL;
+                return ReadResult::FILE_NOT_HANDLED;
             }
 
             return grp;