From 9705520e246ebd9586c6e123dfb25d79eaea33f7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Mark Olesen <Mark.Olesen@Germany>
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 02:25:19 +0100
Subject: [PATCH] surfMesh changes

- read 'ftr' triSurface format
- added 'ofs' (OpenFOAM Surface) as new all-in-one surface format candidate
- trying to get some sanity into the surface patch classes, but called it
  'surfGroup' (for now) to avoid conflict with existing 'surfacePatch'
- add read() member like Mattijs suggested
---
 src/surfMesh/Make/files                       |   5 +
 .../fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C         |  28 +--
 .../fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.H         |   2 +-
 .../fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C           | 110 +++++++++
 .../fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.H           | 131 +++++++++++
 .../fileFormats/gts/GTSfileFormat.C           |   6 +-
 .../fileFormats/nas/NASfileFormat.C           |  13 +-
 .../fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.C           |  15 +-
 .../fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.H           |   2 +-
 .../fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.C           |  19 +-
 .../fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.H           |   2 +-
 .../fileFormats/smesh/SMESHfileFormat.C       |   4 +-
 .../fileFormats/starcd/STARCDfileFormat.C     |  13 +-
 .../fileFormats/stl/STLfileFormat.C           |  20 +-
 .../fileFormats/tri/TRIfileFormat.C           |   9 +-
 .../fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.C           |   6 +-
 .../fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.H           |   2 +-
 src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C      | 216 ++++++++++-------
 src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.H      | 221 ++++++++++--------
 src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.C    | 125 +++++-----
 src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.H    |  46 ++--
 .../meshedSurface/meshedSurfaceCleanup.C      |  24 +-
 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.C            | 166 +++++++++++++
 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.H            | 187 +++++++++++++++
 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C      | 152 ++++++++++++
 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.H      | 117 ++++++++++
 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupList.H        |  55 +++++
 .../surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C | 139 +++++++++++
 .../surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.H | 171 ++++++++++++++
 .../surfPatchIdentifierList.H                 |  55 +++++
 30 files changed, 1728 insertions(+), 333 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.H
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.C
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.H
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.H
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupList.H
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.H
 create mode 100644 src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifierList.H

diff --git a/src/surfMesh/Make/files b/src/surfMesh/Make/files
index 2bf476cb72..def352062d 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/Make/files
+++ b/src/surfMesh/Make/files
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+surfGroup/surfGroup.C
+surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C
+surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C
+
 keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C
 keyedSurface/keyedSurfaceCleanup.C
 keyedSurface/newKeyedSurface.C
@@ -8,6 +12,7 @@ meshedSurface/newMeshedSurface.C
 
 fileFormats = keyedSurface/fileFormats
 $(fileFormats)/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C
+$(fileFormats)/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C
 $(fileFormats)/gts/GTSfileFormat.C
 $(fileFormats)/nas/NASfileFormat.C
 $(fileFormats)/obj/OBJfileFormat.C
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C
index 0aa3f7d84f..2fd4b9e3ca 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.C
@@ -257,10 +257,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::AC3DfileFormat
             if (!readCmd(is, cmd, args))
             {
                 FatalErrorIn
-                    (
-                        "fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::AC3DfileFormat"
-                        "(const fileName&)"
-                    )
+                (
+                    "fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::AC3DfileFormat"
+                    "(const fileName&)"
+                )
                     << "Did not read up to \"kids 0\" while reading patch "
                     << patchI << " from file " << fName
                     << exit(FatalError);
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::AC3DfileFormat
 void Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::writeHeader
 (
     Ostream& os,
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst
 )
 {
     // Write with patches as separate objects under "world" object.
@@ -467,22 +467,22 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     writeHeader(os, patchLst);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& sp = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& p = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os  << "OBJECT poly" << nl
-            << "name \"" << sp.name() << '"' << endl;
+            << "name \"" << p.name() << '"' << endl;
 
         // Create patch with only patch faces included for ease of addressing
         boolList include(surf.size(), false);
 
-        forAll(sp, patchFaceI)
+        forAll(p, patchFaceI)
         {
             const label faceI = faceMap[faceIndex++];
 
@@ -536,16 +536,16 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::write
 {
     const pointField& pointLst = surf.points();
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     writeHeader(os, patchLst);
 
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& sp = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& p = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os  << "OBJECT poly" << nl
-            << "name \"" << sp.name() << '"' << endl;
+            << "name \"" << p.name() << '"' << endl;
 
         // Temporary primitivePatch to calculate compact points & faces
         primitivePatch patch
@@ -553,8 +553,8 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::AC3DfileFormat::write
             SubList<face>
             (
                 faceLst,
-                sp.start(),
-                sp.size()
+                p.start(),
+                p.size()
             ),
             pointLst
         );
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.H
index 286f17c284..49cb6c5733 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ac3d/AC3DfileFormat.H
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class AC3DfileFormat
         );
 
         //- Write header with materials
-        static void writeHeader(Ostream&, const List<surfacePatch>&);
+        static void writeHeader(Ostream&, const List<surfGroup>&);
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
         AC3DfileFormat(const AC3DfileFormat&);
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0ac81d5d46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "FTRfileFormat.H"
+#include "clock.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "IStringStream.H"
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    keyedSurface,
+    FTRfileFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    ftr
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::FTRfileFormat::FTRfileFormat()
+:
+    Foam::keyedSurface()
+{}
+
+
+Foam::fileFormats::FTRfileFormat::FTRfileFormat
+(
+    const fileName& fName,
+    const bool triangulate
+)
+:
+    Foam::keyedSurface()
+{
+    IFstream is(fName);
+
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::FTRfileFormat::FTRfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << fName
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    List<ftrPatch> readPatches(is);
+    List<point> pointLst(is);
+
+    // transfer to normal list
+    points().transfer(pointLst);
+
+    // read face with keys
+    List<keyedFace> readFaces(is);
+
+    List<face>  faceLst(readFaces.size());
+    List<label> regionLst(readFaces.size());
+
+    // disentangle faces/keys - already triangulated
+    forAll(readFaces, faceI)
+    {
+        faceLst[faceI].transfer(readFaces[faceI]);
+        regionLst[faceI] = readFaces[faceI].key();
+    }
+
+    faces().transfer(faceLst);
+    regions().transfer(regionLst);
+
+    Map<word> regionNames;
+    forAll(readPatches, patchI)
+    {
+        regionNames.insert(patchI, readPatches[patchI].name());
+    }
+
+    setPatches(regionNames, readPatches.size() - 1);
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d50947228b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/ftr/FTRfileFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Class
+    Foam::fileFormats::FTRfileFormat
+
+Description
+    Reading of Foam Trisurface Format
+
+SourceFiles
+    FTRfileFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef FTRfileFormat_H
+#define FTRfileFormat_H
+
+#include "Ostream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+#include "keyedSurface.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                       Class FTRfileFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class FTRfileFormat
+:
+    public keyedSurface
+{
+
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        FTRfileFormat(const FTRfileFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const FTRfileFormat&);
+
+
+    //- read compatibility for ftr format
+    class ftrPatch
+    {
+        //- Name of patch
+        word name_;
+
+        //- Type of patch
+        word type_;
+
+    public:
+
+        const word& name() const
+        {
+            return name_;
+        }
+
+        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, ftrPatch& p)
+        {
+            is >> p.name_ >> p.type_;
+
+            return is;
+        }
+    };
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        FTRfileFormat();
+
+        //- Construct from file name
+        FTRfileFormat(const fileName&, const bool triangulate=false);
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Read file and return keyedSurface
+        static autoPtr<keyedSurface> New
+        (
+            const fileName& fName,
+            const bool triangulate=false
+        )
+        {
+            return autoPtr<keyedSurface>
+            (
+                new FTRfileFormat(fName, triangulate)
+            );
+        }
+
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/gts/GTSfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/gts/GTSfileFormat.C
index 4ddc0ee573..f923d5e137 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/gts/GTSfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/gts/GTSfileFormat.C
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::GTSfileFormat::write
     }
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
 
     // Write header, print patch names as comment
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::GTSfileFormat::write
 {
     const pointField& pointLst = surf.points();
     const List<face>& faceLst  = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     // It is too annoying to triangulate on-the-fly
     // just issue a warning and get out
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::GTSfileFormat::write
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         forAll(patch, patchFaceI)
         {
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/nas/NASfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/nas/NASfileFormat.C
index f32bcd1a90..1c68306e7c 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/nas/NASfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/nas/NASfileFormat.C
@@ -120,7 +120,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat
 
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat(const fileName&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
             << "Cannot read file " << fName
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -373,10 +376,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat
             if (line[0] != '*')
             {
                 FatalErrorIn
-                    (
-                        "fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat"
-                        "(const fileName&)"
-                    )
+                (
+                    "fileFormats::NASfileFormat::NASfileFormat"
+                    "(const fileName&)"
+                )
                     << "Expected continuation symbol '*' when reading GRID*"
                     << " (double precision coordinate) output" << nl
                     << "Read:" << line << nl
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.C
index e996de8922..5bca9793d4 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.C
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::writeHead
     Ostream& os,
     const pointField& pointLst,
     const List<face>& faceLst,
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst
 )
 {
     os  << "# Wavefront OBJ file written " << clock::dateTime().c_str() << nl
@@ -128,7 +128,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::OBJfileFormat
 
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::OBJfileFormat(const fileName&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::OBJfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
             << "Cannot read file " << fName
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -282,7 +285,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::write
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst, patchLst);
 
@@ -290,7 +293,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::write
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
         // Print all faces belonging to this region
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os << "g " << patch.name() << endl;
 
@@ -318,14 +321,14 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OBJfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst, patchLst);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os << "g " << patch.name() << endl;
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.H
index 8a8fad2252..2637a10712 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/obj/OBJfileFormat.H
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class OBJfileFormat
             Ostream&, 
             const pointField&, 
             const List<face>&,
-            const List<surfacePatch>&
+            const List<surfGroup>&
         );
 
 public:
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.C
index ccc4f35106..200c85eef3 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.C
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OFFfileFormat::writeHead
     Ostream& os,
     const pointField& pointLst,
     const List<face>& faceLst,
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst
 )
 {
     // Write header
@@ -133,7 +133,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::OFFfileFormat::OFFfileFormat
 
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::OFFfileFormat(const fileName&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::OFFfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
             << "Cannot read file " << fName
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -142,9 +145,11 @@ Foam::fileFormats::OFFfileFormat::OFFfileFormat
     string hdr = getLineNoComment(is);
     if (hdr != "OFF")
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::OFFfileFormat(const fileName&)")
-            << "OFF file " << fName
-            << " does not start with 'OFF'"
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::OFFfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "OFF file " << fName << " does not start with 'OFF'"
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
 
@@ -239,7 +244,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OFFfileFormat::write
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst, patchLst);
 
@@ -274,7 +279,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::OFFfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst, patchLst);
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.H
index 447f961496..a4ac6c3e9d 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/off/OFFfileFormat.H
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class OFFfileFormat
             Ostream&, 
             const pointField&, 
             const List<face>&,
-            const List<surfacePatch>&
+            const List<surfGroup>&
         );
 
 public:
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/smesh/SMESHfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/smesh/SMESHfileFormat.C
index b477760552..e27406bfd7 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/smesh/SMESHfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/smesh/SMESHfileFormat.C
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ Foam::fileFormats::SMESHfileFormat::write
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst);
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ Foam::fileFormats::SMESHfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst);
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/starcd/STARCDfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/starcd/STARCDfileFormat.C
index 8cc7e98e17..6219c5fb78 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/starcd/STARCDfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/starcd/STARCDfileFormat.C
@@ -82,7 +82,10 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::readHeader
 {
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::readHeader()")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::readHeader()"
+        )
             << "cannot read " << signature  << "  " << is.name()
             << abort(FatalError);
     }
@@ -405,7 +408,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::write
 
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
 
     osPtr.reset(new OFstream(baseName + ".cel"));
@@ -414,7 +417,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::write
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         forAll(patch, patchFaceI)
         {
@@ -433,7 +436,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
 
     fileName baseName = fName.lessExt();
@@ -449,7 +452,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDfileFormat::write
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         forAll(patch, patchFaceI)
         {
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/stl/STLfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/stl/STLfileFormat.C
index aeaf6b24b3..741b2c46c8 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/stl/STLfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/stl/STLfileFormat.C
@@ -162,7 +162,10 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY
     // Check that stream is OK, if not this may be an ASCII file
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY(Istream&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY(Istream&)"
+        )
             << "problem reading header, perhaps file is not binary "
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -185,7 +188,10 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY
      || nTris > (fileSize - headerSize)/25
     )
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY(Istream&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STLfileFormat::readBINARY(Istream&)"
+        )
             << "problem reading number of triangles, perhaps file is not binary"
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -350,13 +356,13 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::writeASCII
     const vectorField& normLst = surf.faceNormals();
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
         // Print all faces belonging to this region
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os << "solid " << patch.name() << endl;
 
@@ -381,7 +387,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::writeASCII
 {
     const pointField& pointLst = surf.points();
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
     const vectorField& normLst = surf.faceNormals();
 
     // force triangulation, but just do the cheapest form possible
@@ -389,7 +395,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::writeASCII
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
         // Print all faces belonging to this region
-        const surfacePatch& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
 
         os << "solid " << patch.name() << endl;
 
@@ -459,7 +465,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STLfileFormat::writeBINARY
     const pointField& pointLst = surf.points();
     const List<face>& faceLst  = surf.faces();
     const vectorField& normLst = surf.faceNormals();
-    const surfacePatchList& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     // Write the STL header
     string header("STL binary file", headerSize);
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/tri/TRIfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/tri/TRIfileFormat.C
index 6d6a9d2788..88b05f2c12 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/tri/TRIfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/tri/TRIfileFormat.C
@@ -116,7 +116,10 @@ Foam::fileFormats::TRIfileFormat::TRIfileFormat
 
     if (!is.good())
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("fileFormats::TRIfileFormat(const fileName&)")
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::TRIfileFormat(const fileName&)"
+        )
             << "Cannot read file " << fName
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
@@ -242,7 +245,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::TRIfileFormat::write
     const List<face>& faceLst  = surf.faces();
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
@@ -264,7 +267,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::TRIfileFormat::write
 {
     const pointField& pointLst = surf.points();
     const List<face>& faceLst  = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.C
index 6ff42c3762..c2e789f8f2 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.C
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKfileFormat::writeHead
 void Foam::fileFormats::VTKfileFormat::writeTail
 (
     Ostream& os,
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst
 )
 {
     label nFaces = 0;
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKfileFormat::write
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst);
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    List<surfacePatch> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKfileFormat::write
 )
 {
     const List<face>& faceLst = surf.faces();
-    const List<surfacePatch>& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const List<surfGroup>& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     writeHead(os, surf.points(), faceLst);
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.H
index c6691b7ec5..082b795ed4 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/fileFormats/vtk/VTKfileFormat.H
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class VTKfileFormat
         void operator=(const VTKfileFormat&);
 
         static void writeHead(Ostream&, const pointField&, const List<face>&);
-        static void writeTail(Ostream&, const List<surfacePatch>&);
+        static void writeTail(Ostream&, const List<surfGroup>&);
 
 public:
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C
index c752a661af..45a75e0a0f 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.C
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ License
 #include "polyBoundaryMesh.H"
 #include "polyMesh.H"
 #include "primitivePatch.H"
+#include "SortableList.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -50,13 +51,12 @@ defineMemberFunctionSelectionTable
     write,
     fileExtension
 );
-}
 
-Foam::word Foam::keyedSurface::defaultGeometricType("empty");
+}
 
 //  File extension for 'native' raw format
 //! @cond localscope
-const char * const nativeExt = "ftr";
+const char * const nativeExt = "ofs";
 //! @endcond localscope
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -182,13 +182,12 @@ Foam::string Foam::keyedSurface::getLineNoComment(IFstream& is)
 
 void Foam::keyedSurface::setPatches(const label maxPatch)
 {
-    geoPatches_.setSize(maxPatch+1);
+    patches_.setSize(maxPatch+1);
 
-    forAll(geoPatches_, patchI)
+    forAll(patches_, patchI)
     {
-        geoPatches_[patchI] = geometricSurfacePatch
+        patches_[patchI] = PatchRegionType
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             "patch" + ::Foam::name(patchI),
             patchI
         );
@@ -240,9 +239,9 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::setPatches
 
     // Info<< "setPatches with maxPatch: " << maxPatch << endl;
 
-    geoPatches_.setSize(maxPatch+1);
+    patches_.setSize(maxPatch+1);
 
-    forAll(geoPatches_, patchI)
+    forAll(patches_, patchI)
     {
         Map<word>::const_iterator findPatch = regionNames.find(patchI);
         word patchName;
@@ -256,9 +255,8 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::setPatches
             patchName = "patch" + ::Foam::name(patchI);
         }
 
-        geoPatches_[patchI] = geometricSurfacePatch
+        patches_[patchI] = PatchRegionType
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             patchName,
             patchI
         );
@@ -287,36 +285,40 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::setPatches
     setPatches(regionNames, maxPatch);
 }
 
-// Read triangles, points from Istream
-//
-//  FIXME: needs to handle labelledTri etc.
+
+// Read surf grouping, points, faces directly from Istream
 bool Foam::keyedSurface::read(Istream& is)
 {
-    notImplemented("Foam::keyedSurface::read(Istream&)");
-    return false;
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst(is);
+    is >> points() >> faces();
 
-    //// is  >> geoPatches_ >> points() >> faces();
-    //// return true;
-}
+    patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
+    regions_.setSize(size());
 
-#if 0
-// Read from file in given format
-bool Foam::keyedSurface::read(const fileName& name, const word& ext)
-{
-    if (ext == "gz")
+    // copy patch info and set regions:
+    label faceIndex = 0;
+    forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        fileName unzipName = name.lessExt();
+        patches_[patchI] = PatchRegionType
+        (
+            patchLst[patchI],
+            patchI
+        );
 
-        return read(unzipName, unzipName.ext());
+        forAll(patchLst[patchI], patchFaceI)
+        {
+            regions_[faceIndex++] = patchI;
+        }
     }
+
+    return is.good();
 }
-#endif
 
 
 // Returns patch info.
 // Sets faceMap to the indexing according to patch numbers.
 // Patch numbers start at 0.
-Foam::surfacePatchList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
+Foam::surfGroupList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
 (
     const List<label>& regionLst,
     const Map<word>& patchNames,
@@ -348,7 +350,7 @@ Foam::surfacePatchList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
 
     // step 2: assign start/size (and name) to the newPatches
     // re-use the lookup to map (regionId => patchI)
-    surfacePatchList surfPatches(regionLookup.size());
+    surfGroupList patchLst(regionLookup.size());
     label patchStart = 0;
     label patchI = 0;
     forAllIter(Map<label>, regionLookup, iter)
@@ -366,9 +368,8 @@ Foam::surfacePatchList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
             patchName = iter2();
         }
 
-        surfPatches[patchI] = surfacePatch
+        patchLst[patchI] = surfGroup
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             patchName,
             0,           // initialize with zero size
             patchStart,
@@ -389,25 +390,24 @@ Foam::surfacePatchList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
     {
         label patchI = regionLookup[regionLst[faceI]];
 
-        faceMap[faceI] =
-            surfPatches[patchI].start() + surfPatches[patchI].size()++;
+        faceMap[faceI] = patchLst[patchI].start() + patchLst[patchI].size()++;
     }
 
-    // with reordered faces
-    return surfPatches;
+    // with reordered faces registered in faceMap
+    return patchLst;
 }
 
 
-Foam::surfacePatchList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
+Foam::surfGroupList Foam::keyedSurface::sortedRegions
 (
     labelList& faceMap
 ) const
 {
     // supply some patch names
     Map<word> patchNames;
-    forAll(geoPatches_, patchI)
+    forAll(patches_, patchI)
     {
-        patchNames.insert(patchI, geoPatches_[patchI].name());
+        patchNames.insert(patchI, patches_[patchI].name());
     }
 
     return sortedRegions(regions_, patchNames, faceMap);
@@ -427,12 +427,12 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
     const xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
     const xfer<List<face> >& faceLst,
     const xfer<List<label> >& regionIds,
-    const xfer<geometricSurfacePatchList>& patchLst
+    const xfer<surfPatchIdentifierList>& patchLst
 )
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField()),
     regions_(regionIds),
-    geoPatches_(patchLst)
+    patches_(patchLst)
 {
     points().transfer(pointLst());
     faces().transfer(faceLst());
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField()),
     regions_(faceLst().size(), 0),     // single default patch
-    geoPatches_()
+    patches_()
 {
     points().transfer(pointLst());
     faces().transfer(faceLst());
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
     const polyPatchList& bPatches = bMesh;
     const label nIntFaces = mesh.nInternalFaces();
 
-    geometricSurfacePatchList newPatches(bPatches.size());
+    List<PatchRegionType> newPatches(bPatches.size());
 
     // Get patch for all of outside
     primitivePatch allBoundary
@@ -556,9 +556,8 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
     {
         const polyPatch& p = bPatches[patchI];
 
-        newPatches[patchI] = geometricSurfacePatch
+        newPatches[patchI] = PatchRegionType
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             bPatches[patchI].name(),
             patchI
         );
@@ -573,7 +572,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
 
     faces().transfer(newFaces);
     regions_.transfer(newRegions);
-    geoPatches_.transfer(newPatches);
+    patches_.transfer(newPatches);
 }
 
 
@@ -585,11 +584,11 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), surf.points())
 {
     const List<face>& origFaces = surf.faces();
-    const surfacePatchList& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    const surfGroupList& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
     List<FaceType> newFaces(origFaces.size());
     List<label>    newRegions(origFaces.size());
-    geometricSurfacePatchList newPatches(patchLst.size());
+    List<PatchRegionType> newPatches(patchLst.size());
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
@@ -605,7 +604,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
 
     faces().transfer(newFaces);
     regions_.transfer(newRegions);
-    geoPatches_.transfer(newPatches);
+    patches_.transfer(newPatches);
 }
 
 
@@ -618,9 +617,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
-    // use selector mechanism
-    autoPtr<keyedSurface> surfPtr = New(fName, ext, triangulate);
-    transfer(surfPtr());
+    read(fName, ext, triangulate);
 }
 
 
@@ -632,9 +629,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
-    // use selector mechanism
-    autoPtr<keyedSurface> surfPtr = New(fName, triangulate);
-    transfer(surfPtr());
+    read(fName, fName.ext(), triangulate);
 }
 
 
@@ -643,7 +638,6 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface(Istream& is)
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
     read(is);
-    setPatches();
 }
 
 
@@ -652,7 +646,6 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface(const Time& d)
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
     read(IFstream(triSurfName(d))());
-    setPatches();
 }
 
 
@@ -660,7 +653,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface(const keyedSurface& surf)
 :
     MeshStorage(surf.faces(), surf.points()),
     regions_(surf.regions_),
-    geoPatches_(surf.geoPatches_)
+    patches_(surf.patches_)
 {}
 
 
@@ -668,7 +661,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface(const xfer<keyedSurface>& surf)
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField()),
     regions_(),
-    geoPatches_()
+    patches_()
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
@@ -678,7 +671,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface::keyedSurface(const xfer<meshedSurface>& surf)
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField()),
     regions_(),
-    geoPatches_()
+    patches_()
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
@@ -781,7 +774,7 @@ Foam::keyedSurface Foam::keyedSurface::subsetMesh
     subSurf.faces().transfer(newFaces);
 
     // copy
-    subSurf.geoPatches_ = geoPatches_;
+    subSurf.patches_ = patches_;
 
     return subSurf;
 }
@@ -793,25 +786,26 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::transfer(keyedSurface& surf)
     faces().transfer(surf.faces());
     points().transfer(surf.points());
     regions_.transfer(surf.regions_);
-    geoPatches_.transfer(surf.geoPatches_);
+    patches_.transfer(surf.patches_);
     surf.clearOut();
 }
 
 
 void Foam::keyedSurface::transfer(meshedSurface& surf)
 {
+    surfGroupList& patchLst = surf.patches();
+
     clearOut();
     points().transfer(surf.points());
     faces().transfer(surf.faces());
     regions_.setSize(size());
-
-    surfacePatchList& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
 
     label faceIndex = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
         // copy info
-        geoPatches_[patchI] = patchLst[patchI];
+        patches_[patchI] = patchLst[patchI];
 
         forAll(patchLst[patchI], patchFaceI)
         {
@@ -837,21 +831,24 @@ bool Foam::keyedSurface::canRead(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
         fExt = fExt.substr(dot+1);
     }
 
-    fileExtensionConstructorTable::iterator cstrIter =
-        fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->find(fExt);
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
     if (fExt == nativeExt)
     {
         return true;
     }
 
+    fileExtensionConstructorTable::iterator cstrIter =
+        fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->find(fExt);
+
     // would be nice to have information about which format this actually is
     if (cstrIter == fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->end())
     {
         if (verbose)
         {
-            const wordList& known = fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->toc();
+            SortableList<word> known
+            (
+                fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
+            );
 
             Info<<"Unknown file extension for reading: " << fExt << nl;
             // compact output:
@@ -894,8 +891,10 @@ bool Foam::keyedSurface::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
     {
         if (verbose)
         {
-            const wordList& known =
-                writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc();
+            SortableList<word> known
+            (
+                writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc()
+            );
 
             Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << fExt << nl;
             // compact output:
@@ -914,17 +913,26 @@ bool Foam::keyedSurface::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
 }
 
 
-
-#if 0
-void Foam::keyedSurface::write
+// Read from file in given format
+bool Foam::keyedSurface::read
 (
     const fileName& fName,
-    const bool sorted
-) const
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool triangulate
+)
 {
-    write(fName, fName.ext(), sorted);
+    // handle 'native' format directly
+    if (ext == nativeExt)
+    {
+        return read(IFstream(fName)());
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // use selector mechanism
+        transfer(New(fName, ext, triangulate)());
+        return true;
+    }
 }
-#endif
 
 
 void Foam::keyedSurface::write
@@ -968,22 +976,54 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::write
 }
 
 
-
+// write sorted
 void Foam::keyedSurface::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    os  << "\n// geometric regions:\n"
-        << geoPatches_ << endl;
+    const List<face>& faceLst = faces();
+    labelList faceMap;
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst = sortedRegions(faceMap);
+
+    // just emit some information until we get a nice IOobject
+    IOobject::writeBanner(os);
+    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface format" << nl
+        << "// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" << nl
+        << "// regions:" << nl
+        << patchLst.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << incrIndent << nl;
+
+    forAll(patchLst, patchI)
+    {
+        patchLst[patchI].writeDict(os);
+    }
+    os  << decrIndent << token::END_LIST << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Note: Write with global point numbering
-    os  << "\n// points:\n"
-        << points() << nl
-        << "\n// faces:\n"
-        << faces() << nl
-        << "\n// regions:\n"
-        << regions() << endl;
+    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << points() << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
+    os  << "\n// faces:"  << nl;
+    os  << faceLst.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << nl;
+
+    label faceIndex = 0;
+    forAll(patchLst, patchI)
+    {
+        // Print all faces belonging to this region
+        const surfGroup& patch = patchLst[patchI];
+
+        forAll(patch, patchFaceI)
+        {
+            const face& f = faceLst[faceMap[faceIndex++]];
+
+            os  << f << nl;
+        }
+    }
+    os << token::END_LIST << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Check state of Ostream
-    os.check("keyedSurface::write(Ostream&)");
+    os.check("meshedSurface::write(Ostream&)");
 }
 
 
@@ -1009,7 +1049,7 @@ void Foam::keyedSurface::operator=(const keyedSurface& surf)
     clearOut();
     faces()  = surf.faces();
     points() = surf.points();
-    geoPatches_ = surf.geoPatches_;
+    patches_ = surf.patches_;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.H b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.H
index d51d716fba..2d15435a1c 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/keyedSurface/keyedSurface.H
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ SourceFiles
 #include "pointField.H"
 #include "PrimitivePatchExtra.H"
 #include "boolList.H"
-#include "geometricSurfacePatchList.H"
-#include "surfacePatchList.H"
+#include "surfPatchIdentifierList.H"
+#include "surfGroupList.H"
 #include "face.H"
 #include "Keyed.H"
 #include "xfer.H"
@@ -63,11 +63,18 @@ SourceFiles
 namespace Foam
 {
 
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
 class Time;
 class IFstream;
+class keyedSurface;
 class meshedSurface;
 class polyBoundaryMesh;
 
+Istream& operator>>(Istream&, keyedSurface&);
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const keyedSurface&);
+
+
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
                       Class keyedSurface Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
@@ -88,6 +95,9 @@ protected:
         //- Typedef for similar code in keyedSurface and meshedSurface
         typedef face FaceType;
 
+        //- Typedef for type holding the region (patch) informationm
+        typedef surfPatchIdentifier PatchRegionType;
+
 private:
 
     // Private typedefs
@@ -108,17 +118,13 @@ private:
 
         //- Patch information (face ordering nFaces/startFace only used
         //  during reading and writing)
-        geometricSurfacePatchList geoPatches_;
+        List<PatchRegionType> patches_;
 
     // Private member functions
 
-        //- Read in Foam format
+        //- Read OpenFOAM Surface format
         bool read(Istream&);
 
-        //- Generic read routine. Chooses reader based on extension.
-        //? bool read(const fileName&, const word& ext);
-
-  
         //- Disable setSize with value
         void setSize(const label, const FaceType&);
 
@@ -175,9 +181,6 @@ public:
         //- Runtime type information
         ClassName("keyedSurface");
 
-        //- Return the default geometric patch type (usually "empty")
-        static word defaultGeometricType;
-
     // Static
 
         //- Name of keyedSurface directory to use.
@@ -199,7 +202,7 @@ public:
             const xfer<pointField>&,
             const xfer<List<face> >&,
             const xfer<List<label> >& regionIds,
-            const xfer<geometricSurfacePatchList>&
+            const xfer<surfPatchIdentifierList>&
         );
 
         //- Construct by transferring points, faces and regionIds
@@ -240,6 +243,13 @@ public:
         //- Construct from a meshedSurface
         keyedSurface(const meshedSurface&);
 
+        //- Construct by transferring the contents from a keyedSurface
+        keyedSurface(const xfer<keyedSurface>&);
+
+        //- Construct by transferring the contents from a meshedSurface
+        keyedSurface(const xfer<meshedSurface>&);
+
+
         //- Construct from file name (uses extension to determine type)
         keyedSurface
         (
@@ -264,12 +274,6 @@ public:
         //- Construct as copy
         keyedSurface(const keyedSurface&);
 
-        //- Construct by transferring the contents from a keyedSurface
-        keyedSurface(const xfer<keyedSurface>&);
-
-        //- Construct by transferring the contents from a meshedSurface
-        keyedSurface(const xfer<meshedSurface>&);
-
 
     // Declare run-time constructor selection table
 
@@ -334,116 +338,126 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        // Access
+    // Access
 
-            //- Return the number of points
-            label nPoints() const
-            {
-                return points().size();
-            }
+        //- Return the number of points
+        label nPoints() const
+        {
+            return points().size();
+        }
 
-            //- Return the number of faces
-            label nFaces() const
-            {
-                return MeshStorage::size();
-            }
+        //- Return the number of faces
+        label nFaces() const
+        {
+            return MeshStorage::size();
+        }
 
-            //- The surface size is the number of faces
-            label size() const
-            {
-                return MeshStorage::size();
-            }
+        //- The surface size is the number of faces
+        label size() const
+        {
+            return MeshStorage::size();
+        }
 
-            //- Reset size of face and region list
-            void setSize(const label);
+        //- Reset size of face and region list
+        void setSize(const label);
 
-            //- Return const access to global points
-            const pointField& points() const
-            {
-                return MeshStorage::points();
-            }
+        //- Return const access to global points
+        const pointField& points() const
+        {
+            return MeshStorage::points();
+        }
 
-            //- Return const access to the faces
-            const List<FaceType>& faces() const
-            {
-                return static_cast<const List<FaceType> &>(*this);
-            }
+        //- Return const access to the faces
+        const List<FaceType>& faces() const
+        {
+            return static_cast<const List<FaceType> &>(*this);
+        }
 
-            //- Return const access to the regions
-            const List<label>& regions() const
-            {
-                return regions_;
-            }
+        //- Return const access to the regions
+        const List<label>& regions() const
+        {
+            return regions_;
+        }
 
-            const geometricSurfacePatchList& geoPatches() const
-            {
-                return geoPatches_;
-            }
+        const surfPatchIdentifierList& patches() const
+        {
+            return patches_;
+        }
 
-            geometricSurfacePatchList& geoPatches()
-            {
-                return geoPatches_;
-            }
+        surfPatchIdentifierList& patches()
+        {
+            return patches_;
+        }
 
-            //- Determine the sort order from the region list.
-            //  Returns patch list and sets faceMap to indices within faceLst
-            static surfacePatchList sortedRegions
-            (
-                const List<label>& regionLst,
-                const Map<word>& patchNames,
-                labelList& faceMap
-            );
+        //- Determine the sort order from the region list.
+        //  Returns patch list and sets faceMap to indices within faceLst
+        static surfGroupList sortedRegions
+        (
+            const List<label>& regionLst,
+            const Map<word>& patchNames,
+            labelList& faceMap
+        );
 
-            //- Sort faces according to region.
-            //  Returns patch list and sets faceMap to index within faces()
-            surfacePatchList sortedRegions(labelList& faceMap) const;
+        //- Sort faces according to region.
+        //  Returns patch list and sets faceMap to index within faces()
+        surfGroupList sortedRegions(labelList& faceMap) const;
 
-        // Edit
+    // Edit
 
-            //- Move points
-            virtual void movePoints(const pointField&);
+        //- Move points
+        virtual void movePoints(const pointField&);
 
-            //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
-            virtual void scalePoints(const scalar&);
+        //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
+        virtual void scalePoints(const scalar&);
 
-            void checkFaces(const bool verbose);
+        void checkFaces(const bool verbose);
 
-            //- Remove invalid faces
-            void cleanup(const bool verbose);
+        //- Remove invalid faces
+        void cleanup(const bool verbose);
 
-            //- Return new surface. Returns pointMap, faceMap from
-            //  subsetMeshMap
-            keyedSurface subsetMesh
-            (
-                const boolList& include,
-                labelList& pointMap,
-                labelList& faceMap
-            ) const;
+        //- Return new surface. Returns pointMap, faceMap from
+        //  subsetMeshMap
+        keyedSurface subsetMesh
+        (
+            const boolList& include,
+            labelList& pointMap,
+            labelList& faceMap
+        ) const;
 
-            //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
-            void transfer(keyedSurface&);
+        //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
+        void transfer(keyedSurface&);
 
-            //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
-            void transfer(meshedSurface&);
+        //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
+        void transfer(meshedSurface&);
 
-        // Write
+    // Read
 
-            //- Write to Ostream in simple FOAM format
-            virtual void write(Ostream&) const;
+        //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on extension
+        bool read
+        (
+            const fileName&,
+            const word& ext,
+            const bool triangulate=false
+        );
 
-            //- Generic write routine. Chooses writer based on extension.
-            virtual void write(const fileName& fName) const
-            {
-                write(fName, *this);
-            }
 
-            //- Write to database
-            void write(const Time&) const;
+    // Write
 
-            //- Write some statistics
-            void writeStats(Ostream&) const;
+        //- Write to Ostream in simple FOAM format
+        virtual void write(Ostream&) const;
+
+        //- Generic write routine. Chooses writer based on extension.
+        virtual void write(const fileName& fName) const
+        {
+            write(fName, *this);
+        }
+
+        //- Write to database
+        void write(const Time&) const;
+
+        //- Write some statistics
+        void writeStats(Ostream&) const;
 
-    // Friend Functions
 
     // Member operators
 
@@ -452,6 +466,7 @@ public:
 
     // Ostream Operator
 
+        // friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, keyedSurface&);
         friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const keyedSurface&);
 };
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.C b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.C
index 381ca0542e..3e81b83444 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.C
@@ -55,10 +55,9 @@ defineMemberFunctionSelectionTable
 
 }
 
-Foam::word Foam::meshedSurface::defaultGeometricType("empty");
 //  File extension for 'native' raw format
 //! @cond localscope
-const char * const nativeExt = "ftr";
+const char * const nativeExt = "ofs";
 //! @endcond localscope
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -174,9 +173,8 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::onePatch()
 {
     // set single default patch
     patches_.setSize(1);
-    patches_[0] = surfacePatch
+    patches_[0] = surfGroup
     (
-        defaultGeometricType,
         "patch0",
         size(),         // patch size
         0,              // patch start
@@ -255,7 +253,7 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::sortFacesByRegion
     else if (regionIds.size() == unsortedFaces.size())
     {
         labelList faceMap;
-        surfacePatchList newPatches = keyedSurface::sortedRegions
+        surfGroupList newPatches = keyedSurface::sortedRegions
         (
             regionIds,
             regionNames,
@@ -276,29 +274,25 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::sortFacesByRegion
 }
 
 
-// Read points, faces, from Istream
+// Read surf grouping, points, faces directly from Istream
 bool Foam::meshedSurface::read(Istream& is)
 {
-    notImplemented("Foam::meshedSurface::read(Istream&)");
-    return false;
+    List<surfGroup> patchLst(is);
+    is >> points() >> faces();
 
-    //// is  >> patches_ >> points() >> faces();
-    //// return true;
-}
-
-#if 0
-// Read from file in given format
-bool Foam::meshedSurface::read(const fileName& name, const word& ext)
-{
-    if (ext == "gz")
+    // copy patch info:
+    patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
+    forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        fileName unzipName = name.lessExt();
-
-        return read(unzipName, unzipName.ext());
+        patches_[patchI] = surfGroup
+        (
+            patchLst[patchI],
+            patchI
+        );
     }
-}
-#endif
 
+    return is.good();
+}
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -312,7 +306,7 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
 (
     const xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
     const xfer<List<FaceType> >& faceLst,
-    const xfer<surfacePatchList>& patchLst
+    const xfer<surfGroupList>& patchLst
 )
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField()),
@@ -337,14 +331,13 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
     points().transfer(pointLst());
     faces().transfer(faceLst());
 
-    surfacePatchList newPatches(patchSizes.size());
+    surfGroupList newPatches(patchSizes.size());
 
     label start = 0;
     forAll(newPatches, patchI)
     {
-        newPatches[patchI] = surfacePatch
+        newPatches[patchI] = surfGroup
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             patchNames[patchI],
             patchSizes[patchI],
             start,
@@ -477,16 +470,15 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
     }
 
     // create patch list
-    surfacePatchList newPatches(bPatches.size());
+    surfGroupList newPatches(bPatches.size());
 
     label startFaceI = 0;
     forAll(bPatches, patchI)
     {
         const polyPatch& p = bPatches[patchI];
 
-        newPatches[patchI] = surfacePatch
+        newPatches[patchI] = surfGroup
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             p.name(),
             p.size(),
             startFaceI,
@@ -512,16 +504,15 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
     const surfPatchList& sPatches = sMesh.boundaryMesh();
 
     // create patch list
-    surfacePatchList newPatches(sPatches.size());
+    List<surfGroup> newPatches(sPatches.size());
 
     label startFaceI = 0;
     forAll(sPatches, patchI)
     {
         const surfPatch& p = sPatches[patchI];
 
-        newPatches[patchI] = surfacePatch
+        newPatches[patchI] = surfGroup
         (
-            defaultGeometricType,
             p.name(),
             p.size(),
             startFaceI,
@@ -544,7 +535,7 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), surf.points())
 {
     labelList faceMap;
-    surfacePatchList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    surfGroupList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
     patches_.transfer(patchLst);
 
     const List<FaceType>& origFaces = surf.faces();
@@ -569,11 +560,10 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
-    // use selector mechanism
-    autoPtr<meshedSurface> surfPtr = New(fName, ext, triangulate);
-    transfer(surfPtr());
+    read(fName, ext, triangulate);
 }
 
+
 Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
 (
     const fileName& fName,
@@ -582,9 +572,7 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface
 :
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
-    // use selector mechanism
-    autoPtr<meshedSurface> surfPtr = New(fName, triangulate);
-    transfer(surfPtr());
+    read(fName, fName.ext(), triangulate);
 }
 
 
@@ -593,7 +581,6 @@ Foam::meshedSurface::meshedSurface(Istream& is)
     MeshStorage(List<FaceType>(), pointField())
 {
     read(is);
-    // setDefaultPatches();
 }
 
 
@@ -694,7 +681,7 @@ Foam::meshedSurface Foam::meshedSurface::subsetMesh
     }
 
     // create a new patch list
-    surfacePatchList newPatches(patches_);
+    surfGroupList newPatches(patches_);
     forAll(newPatches, patchI)
     {
         newPatches[patchI].size() = 0;
@@ -769,10 +756,10 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::transfer(keyedSurface& surf)
     faces().clear();
 
     labelList faceMap;
-    surfacePatchList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
+    surfGroupList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
     patches_.transfer(patchLst);
     surf.regions().clear();
-    surf.geoPatches_.clear();
+    surf.patches_.clear();
 
     List<FaceType>& oldFaces = surf.faces();
     List<FaceType> newFaces(oldFaces.size());
@@ -820,8 +807,10 @@ bool Foam::meshedSurface::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
     {
         if (verbose)
         {
-            const wordList& known =
-                writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc();
+            SortableList<word> known
+            (
+                writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc()
+            );
 
             Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << fExt << nl;
             // compact output:
@@ -840,6 +829,28 @@ bool Foam::meshedSurface::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
 }
 
 
+// Read from file in given format
+bool Foam::meshedSurface::read
+(
+    const fileName& fName,
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool triangulate
+)
+{
+    // handle 'native' format directly
+    if (ext == nativeExt)
+    {
+        return read(IFstream(fName)());
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // use selector mechanism
+        transfer(New(fName, ext, triangulate)());
+        return true;
+    }
+}
+
+
 void Foam::meshedSurface::write
 (
     const fileName& fName,
@@ -883,20 +894,28 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::write
 
 void Foam::meshedSurface::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    // quick-hack
-    os  << "\n// regions:\n"
-        << patches_.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST;
+    // just emit some information until we get a nice IOobject
+    IOobject::writeBanner(os);
+    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface format" << nl
+        << "// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" << nl
+        << "// regions:" << nl
+        << patches_.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << incrIndent << nl;
+
     forAll(patches_, patchI)
     {
         patches_[patchI].writeDict(os);
     }
-    os << token::END_LIST << endl;
+    os  << decrIndent << token::END_LIST << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Note: Write with global point numbering
-    os  << "\n// points:\n"
-        << points() << nl
-        << "\n// faces:\n"
-        << faces() << endl;
+    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << points() << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
+    os  << "\n// faces:"  << nl << faces() << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Check state of Ostream
     os.check("meshedSurface::write(Ostream&)");
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.H b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.H
index e841dc7462..bada9064dc 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurface.H
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ SourceFiles
 #include "pointField.H"
 #include "PrimitivePatchExtra.H"
 #include "boolList.H"
-#include "geometricSurfacePatchList.H"
-#include "surfacePatchList.H"
+#include "surfGroupList.H"
 #include "face.H"
 #include "Keyed.H"
 #include "xfer.H"
@@ -60,11 +59,17 @@ SourceFiles
 namespace Foam
 {
 
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
 class Time;
 class keyedSurface;
+class meshedSurface;
 class polyBoundaryMesh;
 class surfMesh;
 
+Istream& operator>>(Istream&, meshedSurface&);
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const meshedSurface&);
+
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
                       Class meshedSurface Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
@@ -100,11 +105,11 @@ private:
         >
         MeshStorage;
 
-    // Private data
+    // Private Member Data
 
         //- Patch information (face ordering nFaces/startFace only used
         //  during reading and writing)
-        surfacePatchList patches_;
+        List<surfGroup> patches_;
 
     // Private member functions
 
@@ -117,14 +122,11 @@ private:
         //- basic sanity check on patches
         void checkPatches();
 
-        //- Read in Foam format
+        //- Read OpenFOAM Surface format
         bool read(Istream&);
 
-    // Static private functions
 
-public:
-
-    // Protected Member Data
+protected:
 
     // Protected Member functions
 
@@ -145,10 +147,6 @@ public:
         //- Runtime type information
         ClassName("meshedSurface");
 
-        //- Return the default geometric patch type (usually "empty")
-        static word defaultGeometricType;
-
-
     // Static
 
         //- Name of meshedSurface directory to use.
@@ -158,7 +156,6 @@ public:
         static fileName triSurfName(const Time&);
 
 
-
     // Constructors
 
         //- Construct null
@@ -170,7 +167,7 @@ public:
         (
             const xfer<pointField>&,
             const xfer<List<face> >&,
-            const xfer<surfacePatchList>&
+            const xfer<surfGroupList>&
         );
 
         //- Construct from points, faces, and patch information
@@ -235,7 +232,7 @@ public:
         meshedSurface
         (
             const fileName&,
-            const word&,
+            const word& ext,
             const bool triangulate=false
         );
 
@@ -295,6 +292,7 @@ public:
         //- Can we write this file format?
         static bool canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
 
+
     // Member Functions
 
     // Access
@@ -329,12 +327,12 @@ public:
             return static_cast<const List<FaceType> &>(*this);
         }
 
-        const surfacePatchList& patches() const
+        const surfGroupList& patches() const
         {
             return patches_;
         }
 
-        surfacePatchList& patches()
+        surfGroupList& patches()
         {
             return patches_;
         }
@@ -377,6 +375,17 @@ public:
         void transfer(keyedSurface&);
 
 
+    // Read
+
+        //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on extension
+        bool read
+        (
+            const fileName&,
+            const word& ext,
+            const bool triangulate=false
+        );
+
+
     // Write
 
         //- Write to Ostream in simple FOAM format
@@ -401,6 +410,7 @@ public:
 
     // Ostream Operator
 
+        // friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, meshedSurface&);
         friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const meshedSurface&);
 };
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurfaceCleanup.C b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurfaceCleanup.C
index 6c6567f880..5e07716424 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurfaceCleanup.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/meshedSurface/meshedSurfaceCleanup.C
@@ -74,12 +74,12 @@ bool Foam::meshedSurface::stitchFaces(const scalar tol, const bool verbose)
     label newFaceI = 0;
     forAll (patches_, patchI)
     {
-        surfacePatch& surfPatch = patches_[patchI];
+        surfGroup& p = patches_[patchI];
 
         // adjust patch start
-        surfPatch.start() = newFaceI;
+        p.start() = newFaceI;
 
-        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + surfPatch.size();
+        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + p.size();
         for (; oldFaceI < patchEnd; ++oldFaceI)
         {
             FaceType& f = faceLst[oldFaceI];
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ bool Foam::meshedSurface::stitchFaces(const scalar tol, const bool verbose)
         }
 
         // adjust patch size
-        surfPatch.size() = newFaceI - surfPatch.size();
+        p.size() = newFaceI - p.size();
     }
 
     if (newFaceI != faceLst.size())
@@ -165,12 +165,12 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::checkFaces(const bool verbose)
     label newFaceI = 0;
     forAll (patches_, patchI)
     {
-        surfacePatch& surfPatch = patches_[patchI];
+        surfGroup& p = patches_[patchI];
 
         // correct the patch start
-        surfPatch.start() = newFaceI;
+        p.start() = newFaceI;
 
-        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + surfPatch.size();
+        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + p.size();
         for (; oldFaceI < patchEnd; ++oldFaceI)
         {
             FaceType& f = faceLst[oldFaceI];
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ void Foam::meshedSurface::checkFaces(const bool verbose)
         }
 
         // adjust patch size
-        surfPatch.size() = newFaceI - surfPatch.start();
+        p.size() = newFaceI - p.start();
     }
 
     if (newFaceI < faceLst.size())
@@ -288,12 +288,12 @@ Foam::label Foam::meshedSurface::triangulate()
     label newFaceI = 0;
     forAll (patches_, patchI)
     {
-        surfacePatch& surfPatch = patches_[patchI];
+        surfGroup& p = patches_[patchI];
 
         // adjust patch start
-        surfPatch.start() = newFaceI;
+        p.start() = newFaceI;
 
-        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + surfPatch.size();
+        label patchEnd = oldFaceI + p.size();
         for (; oldFaceI < patchEnd; ++oldFaceI)
         {
             const FaceType& f = faceLst[oldFaceI];
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ Foam::label Foam::meshedSurface::triangulate()
         }
 
         // adjust patch size
-        surfPatch.size() = newFaceI - surfPatch.start();
+        p.size() = newFaceI - p.start();
     }
 
     faceLst.transfer(newFaces);
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.C b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..798d72b6a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.C
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Description
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "surfGroup.H"
+#include "dictionary.H"
+#include "word.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+defineTypeNameAndDebug(Foam::surfGroup, 0);
+
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup()
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(),
+    size_(0),
+    start_(0)
+{}
+
+
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup
+(
+    const word& name,
+    const label size,
+    const label start,
+    const label index,
+    const word& geometricType
+)
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(name, index, geometricType),
+    size_(size),
+    start_(start)
+{}
+
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup(Istream& is, const label index)
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(),
+    size_(0),
+    start_(0)
+{
+    word name(is);
+    dictionary dict(is);
+
+    operator=(surfGroup(name, dict, index));
+}
+
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup
+(
+    const word& name,
+    const dictionary& dict,
+    const label index
+)
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(name, dict, index),
+    size_(readLabel(dict.lookup("nFaces"))),
+    start_(readLabel(dict.lookup("startFace")))
+{}
+
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup(const Foam::surfGroup& p)
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(p, p.index()),
+    size_(p.size()),
+    start_(p.start())
+{}
+
+
+Foam::surfGroup::surfGroup(const Foam::surfGroup& p, const label index)
+:
+    surfPatchIdentifier(p, index),
+    size_(p.size()),
+    start_(p.start())
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void Foam::surfGroup::write(Ostream& os) const
+{
+    writeDict(os);
+}
+
+
+void Foam::surfGroup::writeDict(Ostream& os) const
+{
+    os  << indent << name() << nl
+        << indent << token::BEGIN_BLOCK << incrIndent << nl;
+
+    surfPatchIdentifier::write(os);
+    os.writeKeyword("nFaces") << size() << token::END_STATEMENT << nl;
+    os.writeKeyword("startFace") << start() << token::END_STATEMENT << nl;
+
+    os  << decrIndent << indent << token::END_BLOCK << endl;
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::surfGroup::operator!=(const surfGroup& p) const
+{
+    return !(*this == p);
+}
+
+
+bool Foam::surfGroup::operator==(const surfGroup& p) const
+{
+    return
+    (
+        (geometricType() == p.geometricType())
+     && (size() == p.size())
+     && (start() == p.start())
+    );
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::Istream& Foam::operator>>(Istream& is, surfGroup& p)
+{
+    p = surfGroup(is, 0);
+
+    is.check("Istream& operator>>(Istream&, surfGroup&)");
+    return is;
+}
+
+
+Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const surfGroup& p)
+{
+    p.write(os);
+    os.check("Ostream& operator<<(Ostream& f, const surfGroup& p");
+    return os;
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.H b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f0183d839e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroup.H
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Class
+    Foam::surfGroup
+
+Description
+    'Patch' on surface as subset of triSurface.
+
+SourceFiles
+    surfGroup.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef surfGroup_H
+#define surfGroup_H
+
+#include "word.H"
+#include "label.H"
+#include "className.H"
+#include "surfPatchIdentifier.H"
+#include "autoPtr.H"
+#include "dictionary.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
+class surfGroup;
+
+Istream& operator>>(Istream&, surfGroup&);
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfGroup&);
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                           Class surfGroup Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class surfGroup
+:
+    public surfPatchIdentifier
+{
+    // Private data
+
+        //- size of this group in the face list
+        label size_;
+
+        //- Start label of this group in the face list
+        label start_;
+
+public:
+
+    //- Runtime type information
+    ClassName("surfGroup");
+
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        surfGroup();
+
+        //- Construct from components
+        surfGroup
+        (
+            const word& name,
+            const label size,
+            const label start,
+            const label index,
+            const word& geometricType = word::null
+        );
+
+        //- Construct from Istream
+        surfGroup(Istream& is, const label index);
+
+        //- Construct from dictionary
+        surfGroup
+        (
+            const word& name,
+            const dictionary& dict,
+            const label index
+        );
+
+        //- Construct as copy
+        surfGroup(const surfGroup&);
+
+        //- Construct from another patch, resetting the index
+        surfGroup
+        (
+            const surfGroup&,
+            const label index
+        );
+
+        //- Return clone
+        autoPtr<surfGroup> clone() const
+        {
+            notImplemented("autoPtr<surfGroup> clone() const");
+            return autoPtr<surfGroup>(NULL);
+        }
+
+        static autoPtr<surfGroup> New(Istream& is)
+        {
+            word name(is);
+            dictionary dict(is);
+
+            return autoPtr<surfGroup>(new surfGroup(name, dict, 0));
+        }
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Return start label of this patch in the face list
+        label start() const
+        {
+            return start_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return start label of this patch in the face list
+        label& start()
+        {
+            return start_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return size of this patch in the face list
+        label size() const
+        {
+            return size_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return size of this patch in the face list
+        label& size()
+        {
+            return size_;
+        }
+
+        //- Write
+        void write(Ostream&) const;
+
+        //- Write dictionary
+        void writeDict(Ostream&) const;
+
+
+    // Member Operators
+
+        bool operator!=(const surfGroup&) const;
+
+        //- compare.
+        bool operator==(const surfGroup&) const;
+
+    // IOstream Operators
+
+        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, surfGroup&);
+        friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfGroup&);
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..544bc95305
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.C
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "surfGroupIOList.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+defineTypeNameAndDebug(Foam::surfGroupIOList, 0);
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::surfGroupIOList::surfGroupIOList
+(
+    const IOobject& io
+)
+:
+    surfGroupList(),
+    regIOobject(io)
+{
+    Foam::string functionName =
+        "surfGroupIOList::surfGroupIOList"
+        "(const IOobject& io)";
+
+
+    if (readOpt() == IOobject::MUST_READ)
+    {
+        surfGroupList& patches = *this;
+
+        // read polyPatchList
+        Istream& is = readStream(typeName);
+
+        PtrList<entry> patchEntries(is);
+        patches.setSize(patchEntries.size());
+
+        label faceI = 0;
+        forAll(patches, patchI)
+        {
+            const dictionary& dict = patchEntries[patchI].dict();
+
+            label patchSize  = readLabel(dict.lookup("nFaces"));
+            label startFaceI = readLabel(dict.lookup("startFace"));
+
+            patches[patchI] = surfGroup
+            (
+                patchEntries[patchI].keyword(),
+                patchSize,
+                startFaceI,
+                patchI
+            );
+
+            word geoType;
+            if (dict.readIfPresent("geometricType", geoType))
+            {
+                patches[patchI].geometricType() = geoType;
+            }
+
+            if (startFaceI != faceI)
+            {
+                FatalErrorIn(functionName)
+                    << "Patches are not ordered. Start of patch " << patchI
+                    << " does not correspond to sum of preceding patches."
+                    << endl
+                    << "while reading " << io.objectPath()
+                    << exit(FatalError);
+            }
+
+            faceI += patchSize;
+        }
+
+        // Check state of IOstream
+        is.check(functionName.c_str());
+
+        close();
+    }
+}
+
+// Construct from IOObject
+Foam::surfGroupIOList::surfGroupIOList
+(
+    const IOobject& io,
+    const surfGroupList& patches
+)
+:
+    surfGroupList(patches),
+    regIOobject(io)
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::surfGroupIOList::~surfGroupIOList()
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+
+// writeData member function required by regIOobject
+bool Foam::surfGroupIOList::writeData(Ostream& os) const
+{
+    os << *this;
+    return os.good();
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const surfGroupIOList& patches)
+{
+    os  << patches.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST;
+
+    forAll(patches, patchI)
+    {
+        patches[patchI].writeDict(os);
+    }
+
+    os  << token::END_LIST;
+
+    return os;
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.H b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..30a4f0a68b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupIOList.H
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Class
+    Foam::surfGroupIOList
+
+Description
+    IOobject for a surfGroupList
+
+SourceFiles
+    surfGroupIOList.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef surfGroupIOList_H
+#define surfGroupIOList_H
+
+#include "surfGroupList.H"
+#include "regIOobject.H"
+#include "faceList.H"
+#include "className.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// Forward declaration of classes
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                           Class surfGroupIOList Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class surfGroupIOList
+:
+    public surfGroupList,
+    public regIOobject
+{
+    // Private data
+
+
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        surfGroupIOList(const surfGroupIOList&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const surfGroupIOList&);
+
+
+public:
+
+    //- Runtime type information
+    TypeName("surfGroupIOList");
+
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct from IOobject
+        explicit surfGroupIOList(const IOobject& io);
+
+        //- Construct from IOobject
+        surfGroupIOList(const IOobject& io, const surfGroupList&);
+
+    // Destructor
+
+        ~surfGroupIOList();
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- writeData member function required by regIOobject
+        bool writeData(Ostream&) const;
+
+
+    // Member Operators
+
+    // Friend Functions
+
+    // Friend Operators
+
+    // IOstream Operators
+
+        friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfGroupIOList&);
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupList.H b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupList.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d008ce1fdb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfGroup/surfGroupList.H
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Typedef
+    Foam::surfGroupList
+
+Description
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef surfGroupList_H
+#define surfGroupList_H
+
+#include "surfGroup.H"
+#include "List.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+typedef List<surfGroup>  surfGroupList;
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..abd1d36fc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.C
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "surfPatchIdentifier.H"
+#include "dictionary.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::surfPatchIdentifier()
+:
+    name_(word::null),
+    boundaryIndex_(0),
+    geometricType_(word::null)
+{}
+
+
+Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::surfPatchIdentifier
+(
+    const word& name,
+    const label index,
+    const word& geometricType
+)
+:
+    name_(name),
+    boundaryIndex_(index),
+    geometricType_(geometricType)
+{}
+
+
+Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::surfPatchIdentifier
+(
+    const word& name,
+    const dictionary& dict,
+    const label index
+)
+:
+    name_(name),
+    boundaryIndex_(index)
+{
+    dict.readIfPresent("geometricType", geometricType_);
+}
+
+
+Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::surfPatchIdentifier
+(
+    const surfPatchIdentifier& p,
+    const label index
+)
+:
+    name_(p.name()),
+    boundaryIndex_(index),
+    geometricType_(p.geometricType())
+{}
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::~surfPatchIdentifier()
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+
+void Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::write(Ostream& os) const
+{
+    if (geometricType_.size())
+    {
+        os.writeKeyword("geometricType") << geometricType_
+            << token::END_STATEMENT << nl;
+    }
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// bool Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::operator!=
+// (
+//     const surfPatchIdentifier& p
+// ) const
+// {
+//     return !(*this == p);
+// }
+//
+//
+// bool Foam::surfPatchIdentifier::operator==
+// (
+//     const surfPatchIdentifier& p
+// ) const
+// {
+//     return geometricType() == p.geometricType() && name() == p.name();
+// }
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// Foam::Istream& Foam::operator>>(Istream& is, surfPatchIdentifier& p)
+// {
+//     is >> p.name_ >> p.geometricType_;
+//
+//     return is;
+// }
+
+
+Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const surfPatchIdentifier& p)
+{
+    p.write(os);
+    os.check
+    (
+        "Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfPatchIdentifier&)"
+    );
+    return os;
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.H b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f30831009f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifier.H
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Class
+    Foam::surfPatchIdentifier
+
+Description
+    Like patchIdentifier but for surfaces with "geometricType" rather
+    than "physicalType".
+
+SourceFiles
+    surfPatchIdentifier.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef surfPatchIdentifier_H
+#define surfPatchIdentifier_H
+
+#include "word.H"
+#include "label.H"
+#include "typeInfo.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+class dictionary;
+
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
+class surfPatchIdentifier;
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfPatchIdentifier&);
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                    Class surfPatchIdentifier Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class surfPatchIdentifier
+{
+    // Private data
+
+        //- Name of patch
+        word name_;
+
+        //- Index of patch in boundary
+        label boundaryIndex_;
+
+        //- Type name of patch
+        mutable word geometricType_;
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        surfPatchIdentifier();
+
+        //- Construct from components
+        surfPatchIdentifier
+        (
+            const word& name,
+            const label index,
+            const word& geometricType = word::null
+
+        );
+
+        //- Construct from dictionary
+        surfPatchIdentifier
+        (
+            const word& name,
+            const dictionary&,
+            const label index
+        );
+
+        //- Construct from another patch, resetting the index
+        surfPatchIdentifier
+        (
+            const surfPatchIdentifier&,
+            const label index
+        );
+
+
+    // Destructor
+
+        virtual ~surfPatchIdentifier();
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Return name
+        const word& name() const
+        {
+            return name_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return name for modification
+        word& name()
+        {
+            return name_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return the geometric type of the patch
+        const word& geometricType() const
+        {
+            return geometricType_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return the geometric type of the patch for modification
+        word& geometricType()
+        {
+            return geometricType_;
+        }
+
+        //- Return the index of this patch in the boundaryMesh
+        label index() const
+        {
+            return boundaryIndex_;
+        }
+
+        //- Write surfPatchIdentifier as a dictionary
+        void write(Ostream&) const;
+
+        //- Write surfPatchIdentifier as a dictionary
+//        void writeDict(Ostream&) const;
+
+
+    // Member Operators
+
+//        bool operator!=(const surfPatchIdentifier&) const;
+//
+//        //- compare.
+//        bool operator==(const surfPatchIdentifier&) const;
+
+    // Ostream Operator
+
+        friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const surfPatchIdentifier&);
+//        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, surfPatchIdentifier&);
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifierList.H b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifierList.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c0bb416b57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfPatchIdentifier/surfPatchIdentifierList.H
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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.
+
+    OpenFOAM 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 OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Typedef
+    Foam::surfPatchIdentifierList
+
+Description
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef surfPatchIdentifierList_H
+#define surfPatchIdentifierList_H
+
+#include "surfPatchIdentifier.H"
+#include "List.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+typedef List<surfPatchIdentifier>  surfPatchIdentifierList;
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //