diff --git a/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.cxx b/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.cxx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3d76f07a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.cxx
@@ -0,0 +1,1558 @@
+// VPBTechnique.cxx -- VirtualPlanetBuilder Effects technique
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2020 Stuart Buchanan
+//
+// This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+// modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+// published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+// License, or (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+// WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
+
+#include <osgTerrain/TerrainTile>
+#include <osgTerrain/Terrain>
+
+#include <osgUtil/MeshOptimizers>
+
+#include <osgDB/FileUtils>
+
+#include <osg/io_utils>
+#include <osg/Texture2D>
+#include <osg/Texture1D>
+#include <osg/Program>
+#include <osg/Math>
+#include <osg/Timer>
+
+
+#include <simgear/debug/logstream.hxx>
+#include <simgear/scene/util/SGReaderWriterOptions.hxx>
+#include <simgear/scene/material/Effect.hxx>
+#include <simgear/scene/material/EffectGeode.hxx>
+
+#include "VPBTechnique.hxx"
+
+using namespace osgTerrain;
+using namespace simgear;
+
+VPBTechnique::VPBTechnique()
+{
+    setFilterBias(0);
+    setFilterWidth(0.1);
+    setFilterMatrixAs(GAUSSIAN);
+}
+
+VPBTechnique::VPBTechnique(const SGReaderWriterOptions* options)
+{
+    setFilterBias(0);
+    setFilterWidth(0.1);
+    setFilterMatrixAs(GAUSSIAN);
+    setOptions(options);
+
+}
+
+VPBTechnique::VPBTechnique(const VPBTechnique& gt,const osg::CopyOp& copyop):
+    TerrainTechnique(gt,copyop)
+{
+    setFilterBias(gt._filterBias);
+    setFilterWidth(gt._filterWidth);
+    setFilterMatrix(gt._filterMatrix);
+    setOptions(gt._options);
+}
+
+VPBTechnique::~VPBTechnique()
+{
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::setFilterBias(float filterBias)
+{
+    _filterBias = filterBias;
+    if (!_filterBiasUniform) _filterBiasUniform = new osg::Uniform("filterBias",_filterBias);
+    else _filterBiasUniform->set(filterBias);
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::setFilterWidth(float filterWidth)
+{
+    _filterWidth = filterWidth;
+    if (!_filterWidthUniform) _filterWidthUniform = new osg::Uniform("filterWidth",_filterWidth);
+    else _filterWidthUniform->set(filterWidth);
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::setFilterMatrix(const osg::Matrix3& matrix)
+{
+    _filterMatrix = matrix;
+    if (!_filterMatrixUniform) _filterMatrixUniform = new osg::Uniform("filterMatrix",_filterMatrix);
+    else _filterMatrixUniform->set(_filterMatrix);
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::setOptions(const SGReaderWriterOptions* options)
+{
+    _options = simgear::SGReaderWriterOptions::copyOrCreate(options);
+    _options->setLoadOriginHint(simgear::SGReaderWriterOptions::LoadOriginHint::ORIGIN_EFFECTS);
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::setFilterMatrixAs(FilterType filterType)
+{
+    switch(filterType)
+    {
+        case(SMOOTH):
+            setFilterMatrix(osg::Matrix3(0.0, 0.5/2.5, 0.0,
+                                         0.5/2.5, 0.5/2.5, 0.5/2.5,
+                                         0.0, 0.5/2.5, 0.0));
+            break;
+        case(GAUSSIAN):
+            setFilterMatrix(osg::Matrix3(0.0, 1.0/8.0, 0.0,
+                                         1.0/8.0, 4.0/8.0, 1.0/8.0,
+                                         0.0, 1.0/8.0, 0.0));
+            break;
+        case(SHARPEN):
+            setFilterMatrix(osg::Matrix3(0.0, -1.0, 0.0,
+                                         -1.0, 5.0, -1.0,
+                                         0.0, -1.0, 0.0));
+            break;
+
+    };
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::init(int dirtyMask, bool assumeMultiThreaded)
+{
+    OSG_INFO<<"Doing VPBTechnique::init()"<<std::endl;
+
+    if (!_terrainTile) return;
+
+    OpenThreads::ScopedLock<OpenThreads::Mutex> lock(_writeBufferMutex);
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> tile = _terrainTile;
+
+    if (dirtyMask==0) return;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<BufferData> buffer = new BufferData;
+
+    Locator* masterLocator = computeMasterLocator();
+
+    osg::Vec3d centerModel = computeCenterModel(*buffer, masterLocator);
+
+    if ((dirtyMask & TerrainTile::IMAGERY_DIRTY)==0)
+    {
+        generateGeometry(*buffer, masterLocator, centerModel);
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<BufferData> read_buffer = _currentBufferData;
+
+        osg::StateSet* stateset = read_buffer->_geode->getStateSet();
+        if (stateset)
+        {
+            buffer->_geode->setStateSet(stateset);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            applyColorLayers(*buffer);
+            applyTransparency(*buffer);
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        generateGeometry(*buffer, masterLocator, centerModel);
+        applyColorLayers(*buffer);
+        applyTransparency(*buffer);
+    }
+
+    if (buffer->_transform.valid()) buffer->_transform->setThreadSafeRefUnref(true);
+
+    if (!_currentBufferData || !assumeMultiThreaded)
+    {
+        // no currentBufferData so we must be the first init to be applied
+        _currentBufferData = buffer;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // there is already an active _currentBufferData so we'll request that this gets swapped on next frame.
+        _newBufferData = buffer;
+        if (_terrainTile->getTerrain()) _terrainTile->getTerrain()->updateTerrainTileOnNextFrame(_terrainTile);
+    }
+
+    _terrainTile->setDirtyMask(0);
+}
+
+Locator* VPBTechnique::computeMasterLocator()
+{
+    osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer = _terrainTile->getElevationLayer();
+    osgTerrain::Layer* colorLayer = _terrainTile->getColorLayer(0);
+
+    Locator* elevationLocator = elevationLayer ? elevationLayer->getLocator() : 0;
+    Locator* colorLocator = colorLayer ? colorLayer->getLocator() : 0;
+
+    Locator* masterLocator = elevationLocator ? elevationLocator : colorLocator;
+    if (!masterLocator)
+    {
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"Problem, no locator found in any of the terrain layers"<<std::endl;
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    return masterLocator;
+}
+
+osg::Vec3d VPBTechnique::computeCenter(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator)
+{
+    if (!masterLocator) return osg::Vec3d(0.0,0.0,0.0);
+
+    osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer = _terrainTile->getElevationLayer();
+    osgTerrain::Layer* colorLayer = _terrainTile->getColorLayer(0);
+
+    Locator* elevationLocator = elevationLayer ? elevationLayer->getLocator() : 0;
+    Locator* colorLocator = colorLayer ? colorLayer->getLocator() : 0;
+
+    if (!elevationLocator) elevationLocator = masterLocator;
+    if (!colorLocator) colorLocator = masterLocator;
+
+    osg::Vec3d bottomLeftNDC(DBL_MAX, DBL_MAX, 0.0);
+    osg::Vec3d topRightNDC(-DBL_MAX, -DBL_MAX, 0.0);
+
+    if (elevationLayer)
+    {
+        if (elevationLocator!= masterLocator)
+        {
+            masterLocator->computeLocalBounds(*elevationLocator, bottomLeftNDC, topRightNDC);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            bottomLeftNDC.x() = osg::minimum(bottomLeftNDC.x(), 0.0);
+            bottomLeftNDC.y() = osg::minimum(bottomLeftNDC.y(), 0.0);
+            topRightNDC.x() = osg::maximum(topRightNDC.x(), 1.0);
+            topRightNDC.y() = osg::maximum(topRightNDC.y(), 1.0);
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (colorLayer)
+    {
+        if (colorLocator!= masterLocator)
+        {
+            masterLocator->computeLocalBounds(*colorLocator, bottomLeftNDC, topRightNDC);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            bottomLeftNDC.x() = osg::minimum(bottomLeftNDC.x(), 0.0);
+            bottomLeftNDC.y() = osg::minimum(bottomLeftNDC.y(), 0.0);
+            topRightNDC.x() = osg::maximum(topRightNDC.x(), 1.0);
+            topRightNDC.y() = osg::maximum(topRightNDC.y(), 1.0);
+        }
+    }
+
+    OSG_INFO<<"bottomLeftNDC = "<<bottomLeftNDC<<std::endl;
+    OSG_INFO<<"topRightNDC = "<<topRightNDC<<std::endl;
+
+    osg::Vec3d centerNDC = (bottomLeftNDC + topRightNDC)*0.5;
+    return centerNDC;
+}
+
+osg::Vec3d VPBTechnique::computeCenterModel(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator)
+{
+    osg::Vec3d centerNDC = computeCenter(buffer, masterLocator);
+    osg::Vec3d centerModel = centerNDC;
+    masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(centerNDC, centerModel);
+
+    buffer._transform = new osg::MatrixTransform;
+    buffer._transform->setMatrix(osg::Matrix::translate(centerModel));
+
+    return centerModel;
+}
+
+class VertexNormalGenerator
+{
+    public:
+
+        typedef std::vector<int> Indices;
+        typedef std::pair< osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec2Array>, Locator* > TexCoordLocatorPair;
+        typedef std::map< Layer*, TexCoordLocatorPair > LayerToTexCoordMap;
+
+        VertexNormalGenerator(Locator* masterLocator, const osg::Vec3d& centerModel, int numRows, int numColmns, float scaleHeight, bool createSkirt);
+
+        void populateCenter(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer, LayerToTexCoordMap& layerToTexCoordMap);
+        void populateLeftBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer);
+        void populateRightBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer);
+        void populateAboveBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer);
+        void populateBelowBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer);
+
+        void computeNormals();
+
+        unsigned int capacity() const { return _vertices->capacity(); }
+
+        inline void setVertex(int c, int r, const osg::Vec3& v, const osg::Vec3& n)
+        {
+            int& i = index(c,r);
+            if (i==0)
+            {
+                if (r<0 || r>=_numRows || c<0 || c>=_numColumns)
+                {
+                    i = -(1+static_cast<int>(_boundaryVertices->size()));
+                    _boundaryVertices->push_back(v);
+                    // OSG_NOTICE<<"setVertex("<<c<<", "<<r<<", ["<<v<<"], ["<<n<<"]), i="<<i<<" _boundaryVertices["<<-i-1<<"]="<<(*_boundaryVertices)[-i-1]<<"]"<<std::endl;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    i = _vertices->size() + 1;
+                    _vertices->push_back(v);
+                    _normals->push_back(n);
+                    // OSG_NOTICE<<"setVertex("<<c<<", "<<r<<", ["<<v<<"], ["<<n<<"]), i="<<i<<" _vertices["<<i-1<<"]="<<(*_vertices)[i-1]<<"]"<<std::endl;
+                }
+            }
+            else if (i<0)
+            {
+                (*_boundaryVertices)[-i-1] = v;
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"setVertex("<<c<<", "<<r<<", ["<<v<<"], ["<<n<<"] _boundaryVertices["<<-i-1<<"]="<<(*_boundaryVertices)[-i-1]<<"]"<<std::endl;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"Overwriting setVertex("<<c<<", "<<r<<", ["<<v<<"], ["<<n<<"]"<<std::endl;
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"     previous values ( vertex ["<<(*_vertices)[i-1]<<"], normal (*_normals)[i-1] ["<<n<<"]"<<std::endl;
+                // (*_vertices)[i-1] = v;
+
+                // average the vertex positions
+                (*_vertices)[i-1] = ((*_vertices)[i-1] + v)*0.5f;
+
+                (*_normals)[i-1] = n;
+            }
+        }
+
+        inline int& index(int c, int r) { return _indices[(r+1)*(_numColumns+2)+c+1]; }
+
+        inline int index(int c, int r) const { return _indices[(r+1)*(_numColumns+2)+c+1]; }
+
+        inline int vertex_index(int c, int r) const { int i = _indices[(r+1)*(_numColumns+2)+c+1]; return i-1; }
+
+        inline bool vertex(int c, int r, osg::Vec3& v) const
+        {
+            int i = index(c,r);
+            if (i==0) return false;
+            if (i<0) v = (*_boundaryVertices)[-i-1];
+            else v = (*_vertices)[i-1];
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        inline bool computeNormal(int c, int r, osg::Vec3& n) const
+        {
+#if 1
+            return computeNormalWithNoDiagonals(c,r,n);
+#else
+            return computeNormalWithDiagonals(c,r,n);
+#endif
+        }
+
+        inline bool computeNormalWithNoDiagonals(int c, int r, osg::Vec3& n) const
+        {
+            osg::Vec3 center;
+            bool center_valid  = vertex(c, r,  center);
+            if (!center_valid) return false;
+
+            osg::Vec3 left, right, top,  bottom;
+            bool left_valid  = vertex(c-1, r,  left);
+            bool right_valid = vertex(c+1, r,   right);
+            bool bottom_valid = vertex(c,   r-1, bottom);
+            bool top_valid = vertex(c,   r+1, top);
+
+            osg::Vec3 dx(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            osg::Vec3 dy(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            osg::Vec3 zero(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            if (left_valid)
+            {
+                dx += center-left;
+            }
+            if (right_valid)
+            {
+                dx += right-center;
+            }
+            if (bottom_valid)
+            {
+                dy += center-bottom;
+            }
+            if (top_valid)
+            {
+                dy += top-center;
+            }
+
+            if (dx==zero || dy==zero) return false;
+
+            n = dx ^ dy;
+            return n.normalize() != 0.0f;
+        }
+
+        inline bool computeNormalWithDiagonals(int c, int r, osg::Vec3& n) const
+        {
+            osg::Vec3 center;
+            bool center_valid  = vertex(c, r,  center);
+            if (!center_valid) return false;
+
+            osg::Vec3 top_left, top_right, bottom_left, bottom_right;
+            bool top_left_valid  = vertex(c-1, r+1,  top_left);
+            bool top_right_valid  = vertex(c+1, r+1,  top_right);
+            bool bottom_left_valid  = vertex(c-1, r-1,  bottom_left);
+            bool bottom_right_valid  = vertex(c+1, r-1,  bottom_right);
+
+            osg::Vec3 left, right, top,  bottom;
+            bool left_valid  = vertex(c-1, r,  left);
+            bool right_valid = vertex(c+1, r,   right);
+            bool bottom_valid = vertex(c,   r-1, bottom);
+            bool top_valid = vertex(c,   r+1, top);
+
+            osg::Vec3 dx(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            osg::Vec3 dy(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            osg::Vec3 zero(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f);
+            const float ratio = 0.5f;
+            if (left_valid)
+            {
+                dx = center-left;
+                if (top_left_valid) dy += (top_left-left)*ratio;
+                if (bottom_left_valid) dy += (left-bottom_left)*ratio;
+            }
+            if (right_valid)
+            {
+                dx = right-center;
+                if (top_right_valid) dy += (top_right-right)*ratio;
+                if (bottom_right_valid) dy += (right-bottom_right)*ratio;
+            }
+            if (bottom_valid)
+            {
+                dy += center-bottom;
+                if (bottom_left_valid) dx += (bottom-bottom_left)*ratio;
+                if (bottom_right_valid) dx += (bottom_right-bottom)*ratio;
+            }
+            if (top_valid)
+            {
+                dy += top-center;
+                if (top_left_valid) dx += (top-top_left)*ratio;
+                if (top_right_valid) dx += (top_right-top)*ratio;
+            }
+
+            if (dx==zero || dy==zero) return false;
+
+            n = dx ^ dy;
+            return n.normalize() != 0.0f;
+        }
+
+        Locator*                        _masterLocator;
+        const osg::Vec3d                _centerModel;
+        int                             _numRows;
+        int                             _numColumns;
+        float                           _scaleHeight;
+
+        Indices                         _indices;
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array>    _vertices;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array>    _normals;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::FloatArray>   _elevations;
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array>    _boundaryVertices;
+
+};
+
+VertexNormalGenerator::VertexNormalGenerator(Locator* masterLocator, const osg::Vec3d& centerModel, int numRows, int numColumns, float scaleHeight, bool createSkirt):
+    _masterLocator(masterLocator),
+    _centerModel(centerModel),
+    _numRows(numRows),
+    _numColumns(numColumns),
+    _scaleHeight(scaleHeight)
+{
+    int numVerticesInBody = numColumns*numRows;
+    int numVerticesInSkirt = createSkirt ? numColumns*2 + numRows*2 - 4 : 0;
+    int numVertices = numVerticesInBody+numVerticesInSkirt;
+
+    _indices.resize((_numRows+2)*(_numColumns+2),0);
+
+    _vertices = new osg::Vec3Array;
+    _vertices->reserve(numVertices);
+
+    _normals = new osg::Vec3Array;
+    _normals->reserve(numVertices);
+
+    _elevations = new osg::FloatArray;
+    _elevations->reserve(numVertices);
+
+    _boundaryVertices = new osg::Vec3Array;
+    _boundaryVertices->reserve(_numRows*2 + _numColumns*2 + 4);
+}
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::populateCenter(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer, LayerToTexCoordMap& layerToTexCoordMap)
+{
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<std::endl<<"VertexNormalGenerator::populateCenter("<<elevationLayer<<")"<<std::endl;
+
+    bool sampled = elevationLayer &&
+                   ( (elevationLayer->getNumRows()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numRows)) ||
+                     (elevationLayer->getNumColumns()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numColumns)) );
+
+    for(int j=0; j<_numRows; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=0; i<_numColumns; ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Vec3d ndc( ((double)i)/(double)(_numColumns-1), ((double)j)/(double)(_numRows-1), 0.0);
+
+            bool validValue = true;
+            if (elevationLayer)
+            {
+                float value = 0.0f;
+                if (sampled) validValue = elevationLayer->getInterpolatedValidValue(ndc.x(), ndc.y(), value);
+                else validValue = elevationLayer->getValidValue(i,j,value);
+                ndc.z() = value*_scaleHeight;
+            }
+
+            if (validValue)
+            {
+                osg::Vec3d model;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc, model);
+
+                for(VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.begin();
+                    itr != layerToTexCoordMap.end();
+                    ++itr)
+                {
+                    osg::Vec2Array* texcoords = itr->second.first.get();
+                    osgTerrain::ImageLayer* imageLayer(dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::ImageLayer*>(itr->first));
+
+                    if (imageLayer != NULL)
+                    {
+                        Locator* colorLocator = itr->second.second;
+                        if (colorLocator != _masterLocator)
+                        {
+                            osg::Vec3d color_ndc;
+                            Locator::convertLocalCoordBetween(*_masterLocator, ndc, *colorLocator, color_ndc);
+                            (*texcoords).push_back(osg::Vec2(color_ndc.x(), color_ndc.y()));
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            (*texcoords).push_back(osg::Vec2(ndc.x(), ndc.y()));
+                        }
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        osgTerrain::ContourLayer* contourLayer(dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::ContourLayer*>(itr->first));
+
+                        bool texCoordSet = false;
+                        if (contourLayer)
+                        {
+                            osg::TransferFunction1D* transferFunction = contourLayer->getTransferFunction();
+                            if (transferFunction)
+                            {
+                                float difference = transferFunction->getMaximum()-transferFunction->getMinimum();
+                                if (difference != 0.0f)
+                                {
+                                    osg::Vec3d           color_ndc;
+                                    osgTerrain::Locator* colorLocator(itr->second.second);
+
+                                    if (colorLocator != _masterLocator)
+                                    {
+                                        Locator::convertLocalCoordBetween(*_masterLocator,ndc,*colorLocator,color_ndc);
+                                    }
+                                    else
+                                    {
+                                        color_ndc = ndc;
+                                    }
+
+                                    color_ndc[2] /= _scaleHeight;
+
+                                    (*texcoords).push_back(osg::Vec2((color_ndc[2]-transferFunction->getMinimum())/difference,0.0f));
+                                    texCoordSet = true;
+                                }
+                            }
+                        }
+                        if (!texCoordSet)
+                        {
+                            (*texcoords).push_back(osg::Vec2(0.0f,0.0f));
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                if (_elevations.valid())
+                {
+                    (*_elevations).push_back(ndc.z());
+                }
+
+                // compute the local normal
+                osg::Vec3d ndc_one = ndc; ndc_one.z() += 1.0;
+                osg::Vec3d model_one;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc_one, model_one);
+                model_one = model_one - model;
+                model_one.normalize();
+
+                setVertex(i, j, osg::Vec3(model-_centerModel), model_one);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::populateLeftBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer)
+{
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"   VertexNormalGenerator::populateLeftBoundary("<<elevationLayer<<")"<<std::endl;
+
+    if (!elevationLayer) return;
+
+    bool sampled = elevationLayer &&
+                   ( (elevationLayer->getNumRows()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numRows)) ||
+                     (elevationLayer->getNumColumns()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numColumns)) );
+
+    for(int j=0; j<_numRows; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=-1; i<=0; ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Vec3d ndc( ((double)i)/(double)(_numColumns-1), ((double)j)/(double)(_numRows-1), 0.0);
+            osg::Vec3d left_ndc( 1.0+ndc.x(), ndc.y(), 0.0);
+
+            bool validValue = true;
+            if (elevationLayer)
+            {
+                float value = 0.0f;
+                if (sampled) validValue = elevationLayer->getInterpolatedValidValue(left_ndc.x(), left_ndc.y(), value);
+                else validValue = elevationLayer->getValidValue((_numColumns-1)+i,j,value);
+                ndc.z() = value*_scaleHeight;
+
+                ndc.z() += 0.f;
+            }
+            if (validValue)
+            {
+                osg::Vec3d model;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc, model);
+
+                // compute the local normal
+                osg::Vec3d ndc_one = ndc; ndc_one.z() += 1.0;
+                osg::Vec3d model_one;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc_one, model_one);
+                model_one = model_one - model;
+                model_one.normalize();
+
+                setVertex(i, j, osg::Vec3(model-_centerModel), model_one);
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"       setVertex("<<i<<", "<<j<<"..)"<<std::endl;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::populateRightBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer)
+{
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"   VertexNormalGenerator::populateRightBoundary("<<elevationLayer<<")"<<std::endl;
+
+    if (!elevationLayer) return;
+
+    bool sampled = elevationLayer &&
+                   ( (elevationLayer->getNumRows()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numRows)) ||
+                     (elevationLayer->getNumColumns()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numColumns)) );
+
+    for(int j=0; j<_numRows; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=_numColumns-1; i<_numColumns+1; ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Vec3d ndc( ((double)i)/(double)(_numColumns-1), ((double)j)/(double)(_numRows-1), 0.0);
+            osg::Vec3d right_ndc(ndc.x()-1.0, ndc.y(), 0.0);
+
+            bool validValue = true;
+            if (elevationLayer)
+            {
+                float value = 0.0f;
+                if (sampled) validValue = elevationLayer->getInterpolatedValidValue(right_ndc.x(), right_ndc.y(), value);
+                else validValue = elevationLayer->getValidValue(i-(_numColumns-1),j,value);
+                ndc.z() = value*_scaleHeight;
+            }
+
+            if (validValue)
+            {
+                osg::Vec3d model;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc, model);
+
+                // compute the local normal
+                osg::Vec3d ndc_one = ndc; ndc_one.z() += 1.0;
+                osg::Vec3d model_one;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc_one, model_one);
+                model_one = model_one - model;
+                model_one.normalize();
+
+                setVertex(i, j, osg::Vec3(model-_centerModel), model_one);
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"       setVertex("<<i<<", "<<j<<"..)"<<std::endl;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::populateAboveBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer)
+{
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"   VertexNormalGenerator::populateAboveBoundary("<<elevationLayer<<")"<<std::endl;
+
+    if (!elevationLayer) return;
+
+    bool sampled = elevationLayer &&
+                   ( (elevationLayer->getNumRows()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numRows)) ||
+                     (elevationLayer->getNumColumns()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numColumns)) );
+
+    for(int j=_numRows-1; j<_numRows+1; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=0; i<_numColumns; ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Vec3d ndc( ((double)i)/(double)(_numColumns-1), ((double)j)/(double)(_numRows-1), 0.0);
+            osg::Vec3d above_ndc( ndc.x(), ndc.y()-1.0, 0.0);
+
+            bool validValue = true;
+            if (elevationLayer)
+            {
+                float value = 0.0f;
+                if (sampled) validValue = elevationLayer->getInterpolatedValidValue(above_ndc.x(), above_ndc.y(), value);
+                else validValue = elevationLayer->getValidValue(i,j-(_numRows-1),value);
+                ndc.z() = value*_scaleHeight;
+            }
+
+            if (validValue)
+            {
+                osg::Vec3d model;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc, model);
+
+                // compute the local normal
+                osg::Vec3d ndc_one = ndc; ndc_one.z() += 1.0;
+                osg::Vec3d model_one;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc_one, model_one);
+                model_one = model_one - model;
+                model_one.normalize();
+
+                setVertex(i, j, osg::Vec3(model-_centerModel), model_one);
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"       setVertex("<<i<<", "<<j<<"..)"<<std::endl;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::populateBelowBoundary(osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer)
+{
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"   VertexNormalGenerator::populateBelowBoundary("<<elevationLayer<<")"<<std::endl;
+
+    if (!elevationLayer) return;
+
+    bool sampled = elevationLayer &&
+                   ( (elevationLayer->getNumRows()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numRows)) ||
+                     (elevationLayer->getNumColumns()!=static_cast<unsigned int>(_numColumns)) );
+
+    for(int j=-1; j<=0; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=0; i<_numColumns; ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Vec3d ndc( ((double)i)/(double)(_numColumns-1), ((double)j)/(double)(_numRows-1), 0.0);
+            osg::Vec3d below_ndc( ndc.x(), 1.0+ndc.y(), 0.0);
+
+            bool validValue = true;
+            if (elevationLayer)
+            {
+                float value = 0.0f;
+                if (sampled) validValue = elevationLayer->getInterpolatedValidValue(below_ndc.x(), below_ndc.y(), value);
+                else validValue = elevationLayer->getValidValue(i,(_numRows-1)+j,value);
+                ndc.z() = value*_scaleHeight;
+            }
+
+            if (validValue)
+            {
+                osg::Vec3d model;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc, model);
+
+                // compute the local normal
+                osg::Vec3d ndc_one = ndc; ndc_one.z() += 1.0;
+                osg::Vec3d model_one;
+                _masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(ndc_one, model_one);
+                model_one = model_one - model;
+                model_one.normalize();
+
+                setVertex(i, j, osg::Vec3(model-_centerModel), model_one);
+                // OSG_NOTICE<<"       setVertex("<<i<<", "<<j<<"..)"<<std::endl;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
+void VertexNormalGenerator::computeNormals()
+{
+    // compute normals for the center section
+    for(int j=0; j<_numRows; ++j)
+    {
+        for(int i=0; i<_numColumns; ++i)
+        {
+            int vi = vertex_index(i, j);
+            if (vi>=0) computeNormal(i, j, (*_normals)[vi]);
+            else OSG_NOTICE<<"Not computing normal, vi="<<vi<<std::endl;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::generateGeometry(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator, const osg::Vec3d& centerModel)
+{
+    Terrain* terrain = _terrainTile->getTerrain();
+    osgTerrain::Layer* elevationLayer = _terrainTile->getElevationLayer();
+
+    // Determine the correct Effect for this, based on a material lookup taking into account
+    // the lat/lon of the center.
+    SGPropertyNode_ptr effectProp;
+    SGMaterialLibPtr matlib  = _options->getMaterialLib();
+
+    if (matlib) {
+        // Determine the center of the tile, sadly non-trivial.
+      osg::Vec3d tileloc = computeCenter(buffer, masterLocator);
+      osg::Vec3d world;
+      masterLocator->convertLocalToModel(tileloc, world);
+      const SGVec3d world2 = SGVec3d(world.x(), world.y(), world.z());
+      const SGGeod loc = SGGeod::fromCart(world2);
+      SG_LOG(SG_TERRAIN, SG_DEBUG, "Applying VPB material " << loc);
+      SGMaterialCache* matcache = _options->getMaterialLib()->generateMatCache(loc);
+      SGMaterial* mat = matcache->find("ws30");
+      delete matcache;
+
+      if (mat) {
+        effectProp = new SGPropertyNode();
+        makeChild(effectProp, "inherits-from")->setStringValue(mat->get_effect_name());
+        //effectPropeffect->getChild("texture", 0, true)->getChild("image", 0, true)->setStringValue("Terrain/forest1a.png");
+        //SG_LOG(SG_TERRAIN, SG_ALERT, "Created VPB effect property " << mat->get_effect_name());
+      } else {
+        SG_LOG( SG_TERRAIN, SG_ALERT, "Unable to get effect for VPB - no matching material in library");
+        effectProp = new SGPropertyNode;
+        makeChild(effectProp.ptr(), "inherits-from")->setStringValue("Effects/model-default");
+      }
+    } else {
+        SG_LOG( SG_TERRAIN, SG_ALERT, "Unable to get effect for VPB - no material library available");
+        effectProp = new SGPropertyNode;
+        makeChild(effectProp.ptr(), "inherits-from")->setStringValue("Effects/model-default");
+    }
+
+    buffer._geode = new EffectGeode();
+    if(buffer._transform.valid())
+        buffer._transform->addChild(buffer._geode.get());
+
+    buffer._geometry = new osg::Geometry;
+    buffer._geode->addDrawable(buffer._geometry.get());
+  
+    osg::ref_ptr<Effect> effect = makeEffect(effectProp, true, _options);
+    buffer._geode->setEffect(effect.get());
+
+    osg::Geometry* geometry = buffer._geometry.get();
+
+    unsigned int numRows = 20;
+    unsigned int numColumns = 20;
+
+    if (elevationLayer)
+    {
+        numColumns = elevationLayer->getNumColumns();
+        numRows = elevationLayer->getNumRows();
+    }
+
+    float sampleRatio = terrain ? terrain->getSampleRatio() : 1.0f;
+
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"Sample ratio="<<sampleRatio<<std::endl;
+
+    unsigned int minimumNumColumns = 16u;
+    unsigned int minimumNumRows = 16u;
+
+    if ((sampleRatio!=1.0f) && (numColumns>minimumNumColumns) && (numRows>minimumNumRows))
+    {
+        unsigned int originalNumColumns = numColumns;
+        unsigned int originalNumRows = numRows;
+
+        numColumns = std::max((unsigned int) (float(originalNumColumns)*sqrtf(sampleRatio)), minimumNumColumns);
+        numRows = std::max((unsigned int) (float(originalNumRows)*sqrtf(sampleRatio)),minimumNumRows);
+    }
+
+
+
+    bool treatBoundariesToValidDataAsDefaultValue = _terrainTile->getTreatBoundariesToValidDataAsDefaultValue();
+    OSG_INFO<<"TreatBoundariesToValidDataAsDefaultValue="<<treatBoundariesToValidDataAsDefaultValue<<std::endl;
+
+    float skirtHeight = 0.0f;
+    HeightFieldLayer* hfl = dynamic_cast<HeightFieldLayer*>(elevationLayer);
+    if (hfl && hfl->getHeightField())
+    {
+        skirtHeight = hfl->getHeightField()->getSkirtHeight();
+    }
+
+    bool createSkirt = skirtHeight != 0.0f;
+
+
+    float scaleHeight = terrain ? terrain->getVerticalScale() : 1.0f;
+
+    // construct the VertexNormalGenerator which will manage the generation and the vertices and normals
+    VertexNormalGenerator VNG(masterLocator, centerModel, numRows, numColumns, scaleHeight, createSkirt);
+
+    unsigned int numVertices = VNG.capacity();
+
+    // allocate and assign vertices
+    geometry->setVertexArray(VNG._vertices.get());
+
+    // allocate and assign normals
+    geometry->setNormalArray(VNG._normals.get(), osg::Array::BIND_PER_VERTEX);
+
+
+    // allocate and assign tex coords
+    // typedef std::pair< osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec2Array>, Locator* > TexCoordLocatorPair;
+    // typedef std::map< Layer*, TexCoordLocatorPair > LayerToTexCoordMap;
+
+    VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap layerToTexCoordMap;
+    for(unsigned int layerNum=0; layerNum<_terrainTile->getNumColorLayers(); ++layerNum)
+    {
+        osgTerrain::Layer* colorLayer = _terrainTile->getColorLayer(layerNum);
+        if (colorLayer)
+        {
+            VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.find(colorLayer);
+            if (itr!=layerToTexCoordMap.end())
+            {
+                geometry->setTexCoordArray(layerNum, itr->second.first.get());
+            }
+            else
+            {
+
+                Locator* locator = colorLayer->getLocator();
+                if (!locator)
+                {
+                    osgTerrain::SwitchLayer* switchLayer = dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::SwitchLayer*>(colorLayer);
+                    if (switchLayer)
+                    {
+                        if (switchLayer->getActiveLayer()>=0 &&
+                            static_cast<unsigned int>(switchLayer->getActiveLayer())<switchLayer->getNumLayers() &&
+                            switchLayer->getLayer(switchLayer->getActiveLayer()))
+                        {
+                            locator = switchLayer->getLayer(switchLayer->getActiveLayer())->getLocator();
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                VertexNormalGenerator::TexCoordLocatorPair& tclp = layerToTexCoordMap[colorLayer];
+                tclp.first = new osg::Vec2Array;
+                tclp.first->reserve(numVertices);
+                tclp.second = locator ? locator : masterLocator;
+                geometry->setTexCoordArray(layerNum, tclp.first.get());
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // allocate and assign color
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec4Array> colors = new osg::Vec4Array(1);
+    (*colors)[0].set(1.0f,1.0f,1.0f,1.0f);
+
+    geometry->setColorArray(colors.get(), osg::Array::BIND_OVERALL);
+
+    //
+    // populate vertex and tex coord arrays
+    //
+    VNG.populateCenter(elevationLayer, layerToTexCoordMap);
+
+    if (terrain && terrain->getEqualizeBoundaries())
+    {
+        TileID tileID = _terrainTile->getTileID();
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> left_tile  = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x-1, tileID.y));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> right_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x+1, tileID.y));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> top_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x, tileID.y+1));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> bottom_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x, tileID.y-1));
+
+#if 0
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> top_left_tile  = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x-1, tileID.y+1));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> top_right_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x+1, tileID.y+1));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> bottom_left_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x-1, tileID.y-1));
+        osg::ref_ptr<TerrainTile> bottom_right_tile = terrain->getTile(TileID(tileID.level, tileID.x+1, tileID.y-1));
+#endif
+        VNG.populateLeftBoundary(left_tile.valid() ? left_tile->getElevationLayer() : 0);
+        VNG.populateRightBoundary(right_tile.valid() ? right_tile->getElevationLayer() : 0);
+        VNG.populateAboveBoundary(top_tile.valid() ? top_tile->getElevationLayer() : 0);
+        VNG.populateBelowBoundary(bottom_tile.valid() ? bottom_tile->getElevationLayer() : 0);
+
+        _neighbours.clear();
+
+        bool updateNeighboursImmediately = false;
+
+        if (left_tile.valid())   addNeighbour(left_tile.get());
+        if (right_tile.valid())  addNeighbour(right_tile.get());
+        if (top_tile.valid())    addNeighbour(top_tile.get());
+        if (bottom_tile.valid()) addNeighbour(bottom_tile.get());
+
+#if 0
+        if (bottom_left_tile.valid()) addNeighbour(bottom_left_tile.get());
+        if (bottom_right_tile.valid()) addNeighbour(bottom_right_tile.get());
+        if (top_left_tile.valid()) addNeighbour(top_left_tile.get());
+        if (top_right_tile.valid()) addNeighbour(top_right_tile.get());
+#endif
+
+        if (left_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (left_tile->getTerrainTechnique()==0 || !(left_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = left_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::LEFT_EDGE_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) left_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else left_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+        if (right_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (right_tile->getTerrainTechnique()==0 || !(right_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = right_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::RIGHT_EDGE_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) right_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else right_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+        if (top_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (top_tile->getTerrainTechnique()==0 || !(top_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = top_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::TOP_EDGE_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) top_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else top_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (bottom_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (bottom_tile->getTerrainTechnique()==0 || !(bottom_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = bottom_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::BOTTOM_EDGE_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) bottom_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else bottom_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+
+#if 0
+        if (bottom_left_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (!(bottom_left_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = bottom_left_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::BOTTOM_LEFT_CORNER_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) bottom_left_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else bottom_left_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (bottom_right_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (!(bottom_right_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = bottom_right_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::BOTTOM_RIGHT_CORNER_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) bottom_right_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else bottom_right_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (top_right_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (!(top_right_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = top_right_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::TOP_RIGHT_CORNER_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) top_right_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else top_right_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (top_left_tile.valid())
+        {
+            if (!(top_left_tile->getTerrainTechnique()->containsNeighbour(_terrainTile)))
+            {
+                int dirtyMask = top_left_tile->getDirtyMask() | TerrainTile::TOP_LEFT_CORNER_DIRTY;
+                if (updateNeighboursImmediately) top_left_tile->init(dirtyMask, true);
+                else top_left_tile->setDirtyMask(dirtyMask);
+            }
+        }
+#endif
+    }
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array> skirtVectors = new osg::Vec3Array((*VNG._normals));
+    VNG.computeNormals();
+
+    //
+    // populate the primitive data
+    //
+    bool swapOrientation = !(masterLocator->orientationOpenGL());
+    bool smallTile = numVertices < 65536;
+
+    // OSG_NOTICE<<"smallTile = "<<smallTile<<std::endl;
+
+    osg::ref_ptr<osg::DrawElements> elements = smallTile ?
+        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_TRIANGLES)) :
+        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_TRIANGLES));
+
+    elements->reserveElements((numRows-1) * (numColumns-1) * 6);
+
+    geometry->addPrimitiveSet(elements.get());
+
+    unsigned int i, j;
+    for(j=0; j<numRows-1; ++j)
+    {
+        for(i=0; i<numColumns-1; ++i)
+        {
+            // remap indices to final vertex positions
+            int i00 = VNG.vertex_index(i,   j);
+            int i01 = VNG.vertex_index(i,   j+1);
+            int i10 = VNG.vertex_index(i+1, j);
+            int i11 = VNG.vertex_index(i+1, j+1);
+
+            if (swapOrientation)
+            {
+                std::swap(i00,i01);
+                std::swap(i10,i11);
+            }
+
+            unsigned int numValid = 0;
+            if (i00>=0) ++numValid;
+            if (i01>=0) ++numValid;
+            if (i10>=0) ++numValid;
+            if (i11>=0) ++numValid;
+
+            if (numValid==4)
+            {
+                // optimize which way to put the diagonal by choosing to
+                // place it between the two corners that have the least curvature
+                // relative to each other.
+                float dot_00_11 = (*VNG._normals)[i00] * (*VNG._normals)[i11];
+                float dot_01_10 = (*VNG._normals)[i01] * (*VNG._normals)[i10];
+                if (dot_00_11 > dot_01_10)
+                {
+                    elements->addElement(i01);
+                    elements->addElement(i00);
+                    elements->addElement(i11);
+
+                    elements->addElement(i00);
+                    elements->addElement(i10);
+                    elements->addElement(i11);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    elements->addElement(i01);
+                    elements->addElement(i00);
+                    elements->addElement(i10);
+
+                    elements->addElement(i01);
+                    elements->addElement(i10);
+                    elements->addElement(i11);
+                }
+            }
+            else if (numValid==3)
+            {
+                if (i00>=0) elements->addElement(i00);
+                if (i01>=0) elements->addElement(i01);
+                if (i11>=0) elements->addElement(i11);
+                if (i10>=0) elements->addElement(i10);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    if (createSkirt)
+    {
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array> vertices = VNG._vertices.get();
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Vec3Array> normals = VNG._normals.get();
+
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::DrawElements> skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+            static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+            static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+
+        // create bottom skirt vertices
+        int r,c;
+        r=0;
+        for(c=0;c<static_cast<int>(numColumns);++c)
+        {
+            int orig_i = VNG.vertex_index(c,r);
+            if (orig_i>=0)
+            {
+                unsigned int new_i = vertices->size(); // index of new index of added skirt point
+                osg::Vec3 new_v = (*vertices)[orig_i] - ((*skirtVectors)[orig_i])*skirtHeight;
+                (*vertices).push_back(new_v);
+                if (normals.valid()) (*normals).push_back((*normals)[orig_i]);
+
+                for(VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.begin();
+                    itr != layerToTexCoordMap.end();
+                    ++itr)
+                {
+                    itr->second.first->push_back((*itr->second.first)[orig_i]);
+                }
+
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(orig_i);
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(new_i);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+                {
+                    geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+                    skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+                }
+
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+        {
+            geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+            skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+        }
+
+        // create right skirt vertices
+        c=numColumns-1;
+        for(r=0;r<static_cast<int>(numRows);++r)
+        {
+            int orig_i = VNG.vertex_index(c,r); // index of original vertex of grid
+            if (orig_i>=0)
+            {
+                unsigned int new_i = vertices->size(); // index of new index of added skirt point
+                osg::Vec3 new_v = (*vertices)[orig_i] - ((*skirtVectors)[orig_i])*skirtHeight;
+                (*vertices).push_back(new_v);
+                if (normals.valid()) (*normals).push_back((*normals)[orig_i]);
+                for(VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.begin();
+                    itr != layerToTexCoordMap.end();
+                    ++itr)
+                {
+                    itr->second.first->push_back((*itr->second.first)[orig_i]);
+                }
+
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(orig_i);
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(new_i);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+                {
+                    geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+                    skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+                }
+
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+        {
+            geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+            skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+        }
+
+        // create top skirt vertices
+        r=numRows-1;
+        for(c=numColumns-1;c>=0;--c)
+        {
+            int orig_i = VNG.vertex_index(c,r); // index of original vertex of grid
+            if (orig_i>=0)
+            {
+                unsigned int new_i = vertices->size(); // index of new index of added skirt point
+                osg::Vec3 new_v = (*vertices)[orig_i] - ((*skirtVectors)[orig_i])*skirtHeight;
+                (*vertices).push_back(new_v);
+                if (normals.valid()) (*normals).push_back((*normals)[orig_i]);
+                for(VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.begin();
+                    itr != layerToTexCoordMap.end();
+                    ++itr)
+                {
+                    itr->second.first->push_back((*itr->second.first)[orig_i]);
+                }
+
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(orig_i);
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(new_i);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+                {
+                    geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+                    skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+                }
+
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+        {
+            geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+            skirtDrawElements = smallTile ?
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP)) :
+                        static_cast<osg::DrawElements*>(new osg::DrawElementsUInt(GL_QUAD_STRIP));
+        }
+
+        // create left skirt vertices
+        c=0;
+        for(r=numRows-1;r>=0;--r)
+        {
+            int orig_i = VNG.vertex_index(c,r); // index of original vertex of grid
+            if (orig_i>=0)
+            {
+                unsigned int new_i = vertices->size(); // index of new index of added skirt point
+                osg::Vec3 new_v = (*vertices)[orig_i] - ((*skirtVectors)[orig_i])*skirtHeight;
+                (*vertices).push_back(new_v);
+                if (normals.valid()) (*normals).push_back((*normals)[orig_i]);
+                for(VertexNormalGenerator::LayerToTexCoordMap::iterator itr = layerToTexCoordMap.begin();
+                    itr != layerToTexCoordMap.end();
+                    ++itr)
+                {
+                    itr->second.first->push_back((*itr->second.first)[orig_i]);
+                }
+
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(orig_i);
+                skirtDrawElements->addElement(new_i);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+                {
+                    geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+                    skirtDrawElements = new osg::DrawElementsUShort(GL_QUAD_STRIP);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (skirtDrawElements->getNumIndices()!=0)
+        {
+            geometry->addPrimitiveSet(skirtDrawElements.get());
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    geometry->setUseDisplayList(false);
+    geometry->setUseVertexBufferObjects(true);
+
+#if 0
+    {
+        osgUtil::VertexCacheMissVisitor vcmv_before;
+        osgUtil::VertexCacheMissVisitor vcmv_after;
+        osgUtil::VertexCacheVisitor vcv;
+        osgUtil::VertexAccessOrderVisitor vaov;
+
+        vcmv_before.doGeometry(*geometry);
+        vcv.optimizeVertices(*geometry);
+        vaov.optimizeOrder(*geometry);
+        vcmv_after.doGeometry(*geometry);
+#if 0
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"vcmv_before.triangles="<<vcmv_before.triangles<<std::endl;
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"vcmv_before.misses="<<vcmv_before.misses<<std::endl;
+        OSG_NOTICE<<"vcmv_after.misses="<<vcmv_after.misses<<std::endl;
+        OSG_NOTICE<<std::endl;
+#endif
+    }
+#endif
+
+    // Force build of KD trees?
+    if (osgDB::Registry::instance()->getBuildKdTreesHint()==osgDB::ReaderWriter::Options::BUILD_KDTREES &&
+        osgDB::Registry::instance()->getKdTreeBuilder())
+    {
+
+        //osg::Timer_t before = osg::Timer::instance()->tick();
+        //OSG_NOTICE<<"osgTerrain::VPBTechnique::build kd tree"<<std::endl;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::KdTreeBuilder> builder = osgDB::Registry::instance()->getKdTreeBuilder()->clone();
+        buffer._geode->accept(*builder);
+        //osg::Timer_t after = osg::Timer::instance()->tick();
+        //OSG_NOTICE<<"KdTree build time "<<osg::Timer::instance()->delta_m(before, after)<<std::endl;
+    }
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::applyColorLayers(BufferData& buffer)
+{
+    typedef std::map<osgTerrain::Layer*, osg::Texture*> LayerToTextureMap;
+    LayerToTextureMap layerToTextureMap;
+
+    for(unsigned int layerNum=0; layerNum<_terrainTile->getNumColorLayers(); ++layerNum)
+    {
+        osgTerrain::Layer* colorLayer = _terrainTile->getColorLayer(layerNum);
+        if (!colorLayer) continue;
+
+        osgTerrain::SwitchLayer* switchLayer = dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::SwitchLayer*>(colorLayer);
+        if (switchLayer)
+        {
+            if (switchLayer->getActiveLayer()<0 ||
+                static_cast<unsigned int>(switchLayer->getActiveLayer())>=switchLayer->getNumLayers())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            colorLayer = switchLayer->getLayer(switchLayer->getActiveLayer());
+            if (!colorLayer) continue;
+        }
+
+        osg::Image* image = colorLayer->getImage();
+        if (!image) continue;
+
+        osgTerrain::ImageLayer* imageLayer = dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::ImageLayer*>(colorLayer);
+        osgTerrain::ContourLayer* contourLayer = dynamic_cast<osgTerrain::ContourLayer*>(colorLayer);
+        if (imageLayer)
+        {
+            osg::StateSet* stateset = buffer._geode->getOrCreateStateSet();
+
+            osg::Texture2D* texture2D = dynamic_cast<osg::Texture2D*>(layerToTextureMap[colorLayer]);
+            if (!texture2D)
+            {
+                texture2D = new osg::Texture2D;
+                texture2D->setImage(image);
+                texture2D->setMaxAnisotropy(16.0f);
+                texture2D->setResizeNonPowerOfTwoHint(false);
+
+                texture2D->setFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER, colorLayer->getMinFilter());
+                texture2D->setFilter(osg::Texture::MAG_FILTER, colorLayer->getMagFilter());
+
+                texture2D->setWrap(osg::Texture::WRAP_S,osg::Texture::CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+                texture2D->setWrap(osg::Texture::WRAP_T,osg::Texture::CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+
+                bool mipMapping = !(texture2D->getFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER)==osg::Texture::LINEAR || texture2D->getFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER)==osg::Texture::NEAREST);
+                bool s_NotPowerOfTwo = image->s()==0 || (image->s() & (image->s() - 1));
+                bool t_NotPowerOfTwo = image->t()==0 || (image->t() & (image->t() - 1));
+
+                if (mipMapping && (s_NotPowerOfTwo || t_NotPowerOfTwo))
+                {
+                    OSG_INFO<<"Disabling mipmapping for non power of two tile size("<<image->s()<<", "<<image->t()<<")"<<std::endl;
+                    texture2D->setFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER, osg::Texture::LINEAR);
+                }
+
+
+                layerToTextureMap[colorLayer] = texture2D;
+
+            }
+
+            stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(layerNum, texture2D, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+        }
+        else if (contourLayer)
+        {
+            osg::StateSet* stateset = buffer._geode->getOrCreateStateSet();
+
+            osg::Texture1D* texture1D = dynamic_cast<osg::Texture1D*>(layerToTextureMap[colorLayer]);
+            if (!texture1D)
+            {
+                texture1D = new osg::Texture1D;
+                texture1D->setImage(image);
+                texture1D->setResizeNonPowerOfTwoHint(false);
+                texture1D->setFilter(osg::Texture::MIN_FILTER, osg::Texture::NEAREST);
+                texture1D->setFilter(osg::Texture::MAG_FILTER, colorLayer->getMagFilter());
+
+                layerToTextureMap[colorLayer] = texture1D;
+            }
+
+            stateset->setTextureAttributeAndModes(layerNum, texture1D, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::applyTransparency(BufferData& buffer)
+{
+    TerrainTile::BlendingPolicy blendingPolicy = _terrainTile->getBlendingPolicy();
+    if (blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::INHERIT && _terrainTile->getTerrain())
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"VPBTechnique::applyTransparency() inheriting policy from Terrain"<<std::endl;
+        blendingPolicy = _terrainTile->getTerrain()->getBlendingPolicy();
+    }
+
+    if (blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::INHERIT)
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"VPBTechnique::applyTransparency() policy is INHERIT, defaulting to ENABLE_BLENDING_WHEN_ALPHA_PRESENT"<<std::endl;
+        blendingPolicy = TerrainTile::ENABLE_BLENDING_WHEN_ALPHA_PRESENT;
+    }
+
+    if (blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::DO_NOT_SET_BLENDING)
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::DO_NOT_SET_BLENDING"<<std::endl;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    bool enableBlending = false;
+
+    if (blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::ENABLE_BLENDING)
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::ENABLE_BLENDING"<<std::endl;
+        enableBlending = true;
+    }
+    else if (blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::ENABLE_BLENDING_WHEN_ALPHA_PRESENT)
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"blendingPolicy == TerrainTile::ENABLE_BLENDING_WHEN_ALPHA_PRESENT"<<std::endl;
+        for(unsigned int i=0; i<_terrainTile->getNumColorLayers(); ++i)
+        {
+            osg::Image* image = (_terrainTile->getColorLayer(i)!=0) ? _terrainTile->getColorLayer(i)->getImage() : 0;
+            if (image)
+            {
+                enableBlending = image->isImageTranslucent();
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (enableBlending)
+    {
+        osg::StateSet* stateset = buffer._geode->getOrCreateStateSet();
+        stateset->setMode(GL_BLEND, osg::StateAttribute::ON);
+        stateset->setRenderingHint(osg::StateSet::TRANSPARENT_BIN);
+    }
+
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::update(osgUtil::UpdateVisitor* uv)
+{
+    if (_terrainTile) _terrainTile->osg::Group::traverse(*uv);
+
+    if (_newBufferData.valid())
+    {
+        _currentBufferData = _newBufferData;
+        _newBufferData = 0;
+    }
+}
+
+
+void VPBTechnique::cull(osgUtil::CullVisitor* cv)
+{
+    if (_currentBufferData.valid())
+    {
+        if (_currentBufferData->_transform.valid())
+        {
+            _currentBufferData->_transform->accept(*cv);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+
+void VPBTechnique::traverse(osg::NodeVisitor& nv)
+{
+    if (!_terrainTile) return;
+
+    // if app traversal update the frame count.
+    if (nv.getVisitorType()==osg::NodeVisitor::UPDATE_VISITOR)
+    {
+        if (_terrainTile->getDirty()) _terrainTile->init(_terrainTile->getDirtyMask(), false);
+
+        osgUtil::UpdateVisitor* uv = nv.asUpdateVisitor();
+        if (uv)
+        {
+            update(uv);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+    else if (nv.getVisitorType()==osg::NodeVisitor::CULL_VISITOR)
+    {
+        osgUtil::CullVisitor* cv = nv.asCullVisitor();
+        if (cv)
+        {
+            cull(cv);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    if (_terrainTile->getDirty())
+    {
+        OSG_INFO<<"******* Doing init ***********"<<std::endl;
+        _terrainTile->init(_terrainTile->getDirtyMask(), false);
+    }
+
+    if (_currentBufferData.valid())
+    {
+        if (_currentBufferData->_transform.valid()) _currentBufferData->_transform->accept(nv);
+    }
+}
+
+
+void VPBTechnique::cleanSceneGraph()
+{
+}
+
+void VPBTechnique::releaseGLObjects(osg::State* state) const
+{
+    if (_currentBufferData.valid() && _currentBufferData->_transform.valid()) _currentBufferData->_transform->releaseGLObjects(state);
+    if (_newBufferData.valid() && _newBufferData->_transform.valid()) _newBufferData->_transform->releaseGLObjects(state);
+}
+
diff --git a/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.hxx b/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.hxx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..75cbab30
--- /dev/null
+++ b/simgear/scene/tgdb/VPBTechnique.hxx
@@ -0,0 +1,130 @@
+// VPBTechnique.hxx -- VirtualPlanetBuilder Effects technique
+//
+// Copyright (C) 2020 Stuart Buchanan
+//
+// This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+// modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+// published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+// License, or (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+// WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+// General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+// Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301, USA.
+
+#ifndef VPBTECHNIQUE
+#define VPBTECHNIQUE 1
+
+#include <osg/MatrixTransform>
+#include <osg/Geode>
+#include <osg/Geometry>
+
+#include <osgTerrain/TerrainTechnique>
+#include <osgTerrain/Locator>
+
+#include <simgear/scene/material/EffectGeode.hxx>
+
+using namespace osgTerrain;
+
+namespace simgear {
+
+class VPBTechnique : public TerrainTechnique
+{
+    public:
+
+        VPBTechnique();
+        VPBTechnique(const SGReaderWriterOptions* options);
+
+        /** Copy constructor using CopyOp to manage deep vs shallow copy.*/
+        VPBTechnique(const VPBTechnique&,const osg::CopyOp& copyop=osg::CopyOp::SHALLOW_COPY);
+
+        META_Object(osgTerrain, VPBTechnique);
+
+        virtual void init(int dirtyMask, bool assumeMultiThreaded);
+
+        virtual Locator* computeMasterLocator();
+
+
+        virtual void update(osgUtil::UpdateVisitor* nv);
+
+        virtual void cull(osgUtil::CullVisitor* nv);
+
+        /** Traverse the terain subgraph.*/
+        virtual void traverse(osg::NodeVisitor& nv);
+
+        virtual void cleanSceneGraph();
+
+        void setFilterBias(float filterBias);
+        float getFilterBias() const { return _filterBias; }
+
+        void setFilterWidth(float filterWidth);
+        float getFilterWidth() const { return _filterWidth; }
+
+        void setFilterMatrix(const osg::Matrix3& matrix);
+        osg::Matrix3& getFilterMatrix() { return _filterMatrix; }
+        const osg::Matrix3& getFilterMatrix() const { return _filterMatrix; }
+
+        enum FilterType
+        {
+            GAUSSIAN,
+            SMOOTH,
+            SHARPEN
+        };
+
+        void setFilterMatrixAs(FilterType filterType);
+
+        void setOptions(const SGReaderWriterOptions* options);
+
+        /** If State is non-zero, this function releases any associated OpenGL objects for
+        * the specified graphics context. Otherwise, releases OpenGL objects
+        * for all graphics contexts. */
+        virtual void releaseGLObjects(osg::State* = 0) const;
+
+
+    protected:
+
+        virtual ~VPBTechnique();
+
+        class BufferData : public osg::Referenced
+        {
+        public:
+            BufferData() {}
+
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::MatrixTransform>  _transform;
+            osg::ref_ptr<EffectGeode>           _geode;
+            osg::ref_ptr<osg::Geometry>         _geometry;
+
+        protected:
+            ~BufferData() {}
+        };
+
+        virtual osg::Vec3d computeCenter(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator);
+        virtual osg::Vec3d computeCenterModel(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator);
+
+        virtual void generateGeometry(BufferData& buffer, Locator* masterLocator, const osg::Vec3d& centerModel);
+
+        virtual void applyColorLayers(BufferData& buffer);
+
+        virtual void applyTransparency(BufferData& buffer);
+
+
+        OpenThreads::Mutex                  _writeBufferMutex;
+        osg::ref_ptr<BufferData>            _currentBufferData;
+        osg::ref_ptr<BufferData>            _newBufferData;
+
+        float                               _filterBias;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Uniform>          _filterBiasUniform;
+        float                               _filterWidth;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Uniform>          _filterWidthUniform;
+        osg::Matrix3                        _filterMatrix;
+        osg::ref_ptr<osg::Uniform>          _filterMatrixUniform;
+        osg::ref_ptr<SGReaderWriterOptions> _options;
+};
+
+}
+
+#endif