diff --git a/applications/utilities/surface/README b/applications/utilities/surface/README
index 292d8ca0b5..a66c2463a1 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/surface/README
+++ b/applications/utilities/surface/README
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ surfaceFind
 - Finds nearest vertex and face to given point.
 
 surfaceMeshTriangulate
-- Triangulate external facses of mesh and write as surface.
+- Triangulate external faces of mesh and write as surface.
 
 surfacePointMerge
 - Explicit point merge of surface.
diff --git a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureConvert/surfaceFeatureConvert.C b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureConvert/surfaceFeatureConvert.C
index 046f9cefe8..ee221f992a 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureConvert/surfaceFeatureConvert.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceFeatureConvert/surfaceFeatureConvert.C
@@ -26,266 +26,85 @@ Application
     surfaceFeatureConvert
 
 Description
-    Extracts and writes surface features to file
+    Convert between edgeMesh formats
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-#include "featureEdgeMesh.H"
 #include "argList.H"
 #include "Time.H"
-#include "IFstream.H"
-#include "IStringStream.H"
-#include "OFstream.H"
-#include "Map.H"
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
 
 using namespace Foam;
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-void readNASEdges
-(
-    const fileName& inFileName,
-    pointField& allPoints,
-    edgeList& allEdges
-)
-{
-    IFstream is(inFileName);
-
-    if (!is.good())
-    {
-        FatalErrorIn("readNASEdges")
-            << "Cannot read file " << inFileName
-            << exit(FatalError);
-    }
-
-    // coordinates of point
-    DynamicList<point> points;
-    // Nastran index of point
-    DynamicList<label> pointIndices;
-
-    // beams
-    DynamicList<edge> edges;
-    DynamicList<label> edgeIndices;
-
-
-    while (is.good())
-    {
-        string line;
-        is.getLine(line);
-
-        if (line.empty() || line[0] == '$')
-        {
-            // Skip empty and comment
-            continue;
-        }
-
-        // Check if character 72 is continuation
-        if (line.size() > 72 && line[72] == '+')
-        {
-            line = line.substr(0, 72);
-
-            while (true)
-            {
-                string buf;
-                is.getLine(buf);
-
-                if (buf.size() > 72 && buf[72] == '+')
-                {
-                    line += buf.substr(8, 64);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    line += buf.substr(8, buf.size()-8);
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        // Read first word
-        IStringStream lineStream(line);
-        word cmd;
-        lineStream >> cmd;
-
-        if (cmd == "GRID")
-        {
-            label index;
-            lineStream >> index;
-            pointIndices.append(index);
-
-            scalar x = readScalar(IStringStream(line.substr(24, 8))());
-            scalar y = readScalar(IStringStream(line.substr(32, 8))());
-            scalar z = readScalar(IStringStream(line.substr(40, 8))());
-            points.append(point(x, y, z));
-        }
-        else if (cmd == "CBEAM")
-        {
-            // Read shell type since gives patchnames.
-            label index, group, v0, v1;
-            lineStream >> index >> group >> v0 >> v1;
-
-            edgeIndices.append(index);
-            edges.append(edge(v0, v1));
-        }
-    }
-
-    points.shrink();
-    pointIndices.shrink();
-    edges.shrink();
-    edgeIndices.shrink();
-
-    Pout<< "Read from " << inFileName
-        << " edges:" << edges.size() << " points:" << points.size()
-        << endl;
-
-    {
-        // Build inverse mapping (index to point)
-        Map<label> indexToPoint(2*pointIndices.size());
-        forAll(pointIndices, i)
-        {
-            indexToPoint.insert(pointIndices[i], i);
-        }
-
-        // Relabel edges
-        forAll(edges, i)
-        {
-            edge& e = edges[i];
-            e[0] = indexToPoint[e[0]];
-            e[1] = indexToPoint[e[1]];
-        }
-    }
-
-    allPoints.transfer(points);
-    allEdges.transfer(edges);
-}
-
-
-
-void write
-(
-    const Time& runTime,
-    const fileName& inFileName,
-    const fileName& outFileName,
-    const edgeMesh& eMesh
-)
-{
-    if (outFileName.ext() == "eMesh")
-    {
-        featureEdgeMesh fem
-        (
-            IOobject
-            (
-                outFileName,        // name
-                runTime.constant(), // instance
-                runTime,            // registry
-                IOobject::NO_READ,
-                IOobject::AUTO_WRITE,
-                false
-            ),
-            eMesh.points(),
-            eMesh.edges()
-        );
-
-        Pout<< "Writing feature edge mesh to " << fem.objectPath()
-            << endl;
-
-        fem.write();
-    }
-    else if (outFileName.ext() == "vtk")
-    {
-        OFstream str(outFileName);
-
-        str << "# vtk DataFile Version 2.0" << nl
-            << "featureEdgeMesh " << inFileName << nl
-            << "ASCII" << nl
-            << "DATASET POLYDATA" << nl;
-
-        str << "POINTS " << eMesh.points().size() << " float" << nl;
-        forAll(eMesh.points(), pointI)
-        {
-            const point& pt = eMesh.points()[pointI];
-
-            str << pt.x() << ' ' << pt.y() << ' ' << pt.z() << nl;
-        }
-
-        str << "LINES " << eMesh.edges().size() << ' '
-            << 3*eMesh.edges().size() << nl;
-        forAll(eMesh.edges(), edgeI)
-        {
-            const edge& e = eMesh.edges()[edgeI];
-
-            str << "2 " << e[0] << ' ' << e[1] << nl;
-        }
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        FatalErrorIn("write")
-            << "Supported output formats: .eMesh, .vtk"
-            << exit(FatalError);
-    }
-}
-
-
 // Main program:
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
+    argList::addNote
+    (
+        "Convert between edgeMesh formats"
+    );
     argList::noParallel();
-    argList::validArgs.append("input file");
-    argList::validArgs.append("output file");
-#   include "setRootCase.H"
-#   include "createTime.H"
+    argList::validArgs.append("inputFile");
+    argList::validArgs.append("outputFile");
+    argList::addOption
+    (
+        "scale",
+        "factor",
+        "specify a scaling factor for the points"
+    );
 
-    const fileName inFileName(args.additionalArgs()[0]);
-    const word outFileName(args.additionalArgs()[1]);
+    argList args(argc, argv);
+    Time runTime(args.rootPath(), args.caseName());
+    const stringList& params = args.additionalArgs();
 
-    Pout<< "Input features file  : " << inFileName << nl
-        << "Output features file : " << outFileName << nl
-        << endl;
+    const fileName importName(params[0]);
+    const fileName exportName(params[1]);
 
-
-    // Read
-    // ~~~~
-
-    if (inFileName.ext() == "nas")
-    {
-        pointField points;
-        edgeList edges;
-        readNASEdges(inFileName, points, edges);
-
-        edgeMesh eMesh(points, edges);
-
-        write(runTime, inFileName, outFileName, eMesh);
-    }
-    else if (inFileName.ext() == "eMesh")
-    {
-        featureEdgeMesh fem
-        (
-            IOobject
-            (
-                inFileName,         // name
-                runTime.constant(), // instance
-                runTime,            // registry
-                IOobject::MUST_READ,
-                IOobject::AUTO_WRITE,
-                false
-            )
-        );
-
-        Pout<< "Read from " << inFileName
-            << " edges:" << fem.edges().size()
-            << " points:" << fem.points().size()
-            << endl;
-
-        write(runTime, inFileName, outFileName, fem);
-    }
-    else
+    // disable inplace editing
+    if (importName == exportName)
     {
         FatalErrorIn(args.executable())
-            << "Can only handle NASTRAN data formats (.nas extension)."
+            << "Output file " << exportName << " would overwrite input file."
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
 
-    Pout<< "End\n" << endl;
+    // check that reading/writing is supported
+    if
+    (
+        !edgeMesh::canReadType(importName.ext(), true)
+     || !edgeMesh::canWriteType(exportName.ext(), true)
+    )
+    {
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    edgeMesh mesh(importName);
+
+    Info<< "\nRead edgeMesh " << importName << nl;
+    mesh.writeStats(Info);
+    Info<< nl
+        << "\nwriting " << exportName;
+
+    scalar scaleFactor = 0;
+    if (args.optionReadIfPresent("scale", scaleFactor) && scaleFactor > 0)
+    {
+        Info<< " with scaling " << scaleFactor << endl;
+        mesh.scalePoints(scaleFactor);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        Info<< " without scaling" << endl;
+    }
+
+    mesh.write(exportName);
+    mesh.writeStats(Info);
+    Info<< endl;
+
+    Info<< "\nEnd\n" << endl;
 
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/Make/files b/src/edgeMesh/Make/files
index 4017257d8b..cdad239999 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/Make/files
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/Make/files
@@ -1,5 +1,26 @@
 edgeMesh.C
 edgeMeshIO.C
-featureEdgeMesh.C
+edgeMeshNew.C
+
+edgeFormats = edgeFormats
+$(edgeFormats)/edgeFormatsCore.C
+
+$(edgeFormats)/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.C
+$(edgeFormats)/emesh/EMESHedgeFormatRunTime.C
+
+$(edgeFormats)/nas/NASedgeFormat.C
+$(edgeFormats)/nas/NASedgeFormatRunTime.C
+
+$(edgeFormats)/obj/OBJedgeFormat.C
+$(edgeFormats)/obj/OBJedgeFormatRunTime.C
+
+$(edgeFormats)/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.C
+$(edgeFormats)/starcd/STARCDedgeFormatRunTime.C
+
+$(edgeFormats)/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.C
+$(edgeFormats)/vtk/VTKedgeFormatRunTime.C
+
+featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
+
 
 LIB = $(FOAM_LIBBIN)/libedgeMesh
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8af7666cff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.C
@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "edgeFormatsCore.H"
+
+#include "Time.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::word Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::nativeExt("eMesh");
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::string Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::getLineNoComment
+(
+    IFstream& is
+)
+{
+    string line;
+    do
+    {
+        is.getLine(line);
+    }
+    while ((line.empty() || line[0] == '#') && is.good());
+
+    return line;
+}
+
+
+#if 0
+Foam::fileName Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::localMeshFileName
+(
+    const word& meshName
+)
+{
+    const word name(meshName.size() ? meshName : surfaceRegistry::defaultName);
+
+    return fileName
+    (
+        surfaceRegistry::prefix/name/surfMesh::meshSubDir
+      / name + "." + nativeExt
+    );
+}
+
+
+Foam::fileName Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::findMeshInstance
+(
+    const Time& t,
+    const word& meshName
+)
+{
+    fileName localName = localMeshFileName(meshName);
+
+    // Search back through the time directories list to find the time
+    // closest to and lower than current time
+
+    instantList ts = t.times();
+    label instanceI;
+
+    for (instanceI = ts.size()-1; instanceI >= 0; --instanceI)
+    {
+        if (ts[instanceI].value() <= t.timeOutputValue())
+        {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Noting that the current directory has already been searched
+    // for mesh data, start searching from the previously stored time directory
+
+    if (instanceI >= 0)
+    {
+        for (label i = instanceI; i >= 0; --i)
+        {
+            if (isFile(t.path()/ts[i].name()/localName))
+            {
+                return ts[i].name();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return "constant";
+}
+
+
+Foam::fileName Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::findMeshFile
+(
+    const Time& t,
+    const word& meshName
+)
+{
+    fileName localName = localMeshFileName(meshName);
+
+    // Search back through the time directories list to find the time
+    // closest to and lower than current time
+
+    instantList ts = t.times();
+    label instanceI;
+
+    for (instanceI = ts.size()-1; instanceI >= 0; --instanceI)
+    {
+        if (ts[instanceI].value() <= t.timeOutputValue())
+        {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Noting that the current directory has already been searched
+    // for mesh data, start searching from the previously stored time directory
+
+    if (instanceI >= 0)
+    {
+        for (label i = instanceI; i >= 0; --i)
+        {
+            fileName testName(t.path()/ts[i].name()/localName);
+
+            if (isFile(testName))
+            {
+                return testName;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // fallback to "constant"
+    return t.path()/"constant"/localName;
+}
+#endif
+
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::checkSupport
+(
+    const wordHashSet& available,
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool verbose,
+    const word& functionName
+)
+{
+    if (available.found(ext))
+    {
+        return true;
+    }
+    else if (verbose)
+    {
+        wordList known = available.sortedToc();
+
+        Info<<"Unknown file extension for " << functionName
+            << " : " << ext << nl
+            <<"Valid types: (";
+        // compact output:
+        forAll(known, i)
+        {
+            Info<<" " << known[i];
+        }
+        Info<<" )" << endl;
+    }
+
+    return false;
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::edgeFormatsCore()
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore::~edgeFormatsCore()
+{}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a18f4f8a4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/edgeFormatsCore.H
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::edgeFormatsCore
+
+Description
+    A collection of helper functions for reading/writing edge formats.
+
+SourceFiles
+    edgeFormatsCore.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef edgeFormatsCore_H
+#define edgeFormatsCore_H
+
+#include "Map.H"
+#include "HashSet.H"
+#include "labelList.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
+class IFstream;
+class Time;
+
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                       Class edgeFormatsCore Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class edgeFormatsCore
+{
+protected:
+
+        //- Read non-comment line
+        static string getLineNoComment(IFstream&);
+
+public:
+    // Static Data
+
+        //- The file extension corresponding to 'native' edge format
+        //  Normally "eMesh" (edge-mesh)
+        static word nativeExt;
+
+    // Static Member Functions
+
+        static bool checkSupport
+        (
+            const wordHashSet& available,
+            const word& ext,
+            const bool verbose,
+            const word& functionName
+        );
+
+//        //- Return the local file name (within time directory)
+//        //  NEEDS FIXING
+//        static fileName localMeshFileName(const word& edgeName="");
+//
+//        //- Find instance with edgeName
+//        //  NEEDS FIXING
+//        static fileName findMeshInstance(const Time&, const word& edgeName="");
+//
+//        //- Find mesh file with edgeName
+//        //  NEEDS FIXING
+//        static fileName findMeshFile(const Time&, const word& edgeName="");
+
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        edgeFormatsCore();
+
+
+    //- Destructor
+    virtual ~edgeFormatsCore();
+
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b085542f1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "EMESHedgeFormat.H"
+#include "IOobject.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "clock.H"
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::EMESHedgeFormat
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    read(filename);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    clear();
+
+    IFstream is(filename);
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    return read(is, this->storedPoints(), this->storedEdges());
+}
+
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read
+(
+    Istream& is,
+    pointField& pointLst,
+    edgeList& edgeLst
+)
+{
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read"
+            "(Istream&, pointField&, edgeList&)"
+        )
+            << "read error "
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    token firstToken(is);
+
+    // swallow IOobject header
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalIOErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read"
+            "(Istream&, pointField&, edgeList&)",
+            is
+        )
+            << "First token could not be read" << nl
+            << exit(FatalIOError);
+
+        return false;
+    }
+    else if (firstToken.isWord() && firstToken.wordToken() == "FoamFile")
+    {
+        // read and discard
+        dictionary headerDict(is);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        is.putBack(firstToken);
+    }
+
+    // read points:
+    is  >> pointLst;
+
+    // read edges:
+    is  >> edgeLst;
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+Foam::Ostream&
+Foam::fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::write
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const pointField& pointLst,
+    const edgeList& edgeLst
+)
+{
+    if (!os.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::write"
+            "(Ostream&, const fileName&, const edgeMesh&)"
+        )
+            << "bad output stream " << os.name()
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << pointLst << nl
+        << "\n// edges:" << nl << edgeLst << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
+
+    // Check state of Ostream
+    os.check
+    (
+        "EMESHedgeFormat::write"
+        "(Ostream&, const pointField&, const edgeList&)"
+    );
+
+    return os;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::write
+(
+    const fileName& filename,
+    const edgeMesh& mesh
+)
+{
+    OFstream os(filename);
+    if (!os.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::write"
+            "(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot open file for writing " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+
+    // just emit some information until we get a nicer IOobject
+    IOobject::writeBanner(os)
+        << "FoamFile\n{\n"
+        << "    version     " << os.version() << ";\n"
+        << "    format      " << os.format() << ";\n"
+        << "    class       " << "featureEdgeMesh" << ";\n"
+        << "    note        " << "written " + clock::dateTime() << nl
+        << "    object      " << filename.name() << ";\n"
+        << "}" << nl;
+
+    IOobject::writeDivider(os);
+
+    write(os, mesh.points(), mesh.edges());
+
+    // Check state of Ostream
+    os.check("EMESHedgeFormat::write(Ostream&)");
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..370b5e7ae1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::EMESHedgeFormat
+
+Description
+    Provide a means of reading/writing the single-file OpenFOAM edge format.
+
+Note
+   This class provides more methods than the regular edge format interface.
+
+SourceFiles
+    EMESHedgeFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef EMESHedgeFormat_H
+#define EMESHedgeFormat_H
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+#include "Ostream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                      Class EMESHedgeFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class EMESHedgeFormat
+:
+    public edgeMesh
+{
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        EMESHedgeFormat(const EMESHedgeFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const EMESHedgeFormat&);
+
+
+protected:
+
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+        //- Write header information
+        static void writeHeader
+        (
+            Ostream&,
+            const pointField&,
+            const edgeList&
+        );
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct from file name
+        EMESHedgeFormat(const fileName&);
+
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Read file and return edgeMesh
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New(const fileName& name)
+        {
+            return autoPtr<edgeMesh>
+            (
+                new EMESHedgeFormat(name)
+            );
+        }
+
+
+    //- Destructor
+    virtual ~EMESHedgeFormat()
+    {}
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Read edgeMesh components from stream
+        static bool read
+        (
+            Istream&,
+            pointField&,
+            edgeList&
+        );
+
+        //- Write edgeMesh components to stream
+        static Ostream& write
+        (
+            Ostream&,
+            const pointField&,
+            const edgeList&
+        );
+
+        //- Write edgeMesh with a mimicked IOobject header
+        static void write(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&);
+
+        //- Read from file
+        virtual bool read(const fileName&);
+
+        //- Write object
+        virtual void write(const fileName& name) const
+        {
+            write(name, *this);
+        }
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormatRunTime.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormatRunTime.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..28e6ddd6d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/emesh/EMESHedgeFormatRunTime.C
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "EMESHedgeFormat.H"
+
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+// read edgeMesh
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    EMESHedgeFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    eMesh
+);
+
+// write edgeMesh
+addNamedToMemberFunctionSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    EMESHedgeFormat,
+    write,
+    fileExtension,
+    eMesh
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4b178d1dbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,260 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "NASedgeFormat.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "IStringStream.H"
+#include "PackedBoolList.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * Protected Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// Do weird things to extract a floating point number
+Foam::scalar Foam::fileFormats::NASedgeFormat::parseNASCoord
+(
+    const string& s
+)
+{
+    size_t expSign = s.find_last_of("+-");
+
+    if (expSign != string::npos && expSign > 0 && !isspace(s[expSign-1]))
+    {
+        scalar mantissa = readScalar(IStringStream(s.substr(0, expSign))());
+        scalar exponent = readScalar(IStringStream(s.substr(expSign+1))());
+
+        if (s[expSign] == '-')
+        {
+            exponent = -exponent;
+        }
+        return mantissa * pow(10, exponent);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        return readScalar(IStringStream(s)());
+    }
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::NASedgeFormat::NASedgeFormat
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    read(filename);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::NASedgeFormat::read
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    clear();
+
+    IFstream is(filename);
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::NASedgeFormat::read(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    DynamicList<point>  dynPoints;
+    DynamicList<edge>   dynEdges;
+    DynamicList<label>  pointId;     // Nastran index of points
+
+    while (is.good())
+    {
+        string line;
+        is.getLine(line);
+
+        // Skip empty or comment
+        if (line.empty() || line[0] == '$')
+        {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        // Check if character 72 is continuation
+        if (line.size() > 72 && line[72] == '+')
+        {
+            line = line.substr(0, 72);
+
+            while (true)
+            {
+                string buf;
+                is.getLine(buf);
+
+                if (buf.size() > 72 && buf[72] == '+')
+                {
+                    line += buf.substr(8, 64);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    line += buf.substr(8, buf.size()-8);
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+
+        // Read first word
+        IStringStream lineStream(line);
+        word cmd;
+        lineStream >> cmd;
+
+        if (cmd == "CBEAM" || cmd == "CROD")
+        {
+            edge e;
+
+            // label groupId = readLabel(IStringStream(line.substr(16,8))());
+            e[0] = readLabel(IStringStream(line.substr(24,8))());
+            e[1] = readLabel(IStringStream(line.substr(32,8))());
+
+            // discard groupID
+            dynEdges.append(e);
+        }
+        else if (cmd == "GRID")
+        {
+            label index = readLabel(IStringStream(line.substr(8,8))());
+            scalar x = parseNASCoord(line.substr(24, 8));
+            scalar y = parseNASCoord(line.substr(32, 8));
+            scalar z = parseNASCoord(line.substr(40, 8));
+
+            pointId.append(index);
+            dynPoints.append(point(x, y, z));
+        }
+        else if (cmd == "GRID*")
+        {
+            // Long format is on two lines with '*' continuation symbol
+            // on start of second line.
+            // Typical line (spaces compacted)
+            // GRID*      126   0 -5.55999875E+02 -5.68730474E+02
+            // *         2.14897901E+02
+
+            label index = readLabel(IStringStream(line.substr(8,16))());
+            scalar x = parseNASCoord(line.substr(40, 16));
+            scalar y = parseNASCoord(line.substr(56, 16));
+
+            is.getLine(line);
+            if (line[0] != '*')
+            {
+                FatalErrorIn
+                (
+                    "fileFormats::NASedgeFormat::read(const fileName&)"
+                )
+                    << "Expected continuation symbol '*' when reading GRID*"
+                    << " (double precision coordinate) format" << nl
+                    << "Read:" << line << nl
+                    << "File:" << is.name() << " line:" << is.lineNumber()
+                    << exit(FatalError);
+            }
+            scalar z = parseNASCoord(line.substr(8, 16));
+
+            pointId.append(index);
+            dynPoints.append(point(x, y, z));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // transfer to normal lists
+    storedPoints().transfer(dynPoints);
+
+    pointId.shrink();
+    dynEdges.shrink();
+
+    // Build inverse mapping (NASTRAN pointId -> index)
+    Map<label> mapPointId(2*pointId.size());
+    forAll(pointId, i)
+    {
+        mapPointId.insert(pointId[i], i);
+    }
+
+    // note which points were really used and which can be culled
+    PackedBoolList usedPoints(points().size());
+
+
+    // Pass1: relabel edges
+    // ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+    forAll(dynEdges, i)
+    {
+        edge& e = dynEdges[i];
+        e[0] = mapPointId[e[0]];
+        e[1] = mapPointId[e[1]];
+
+        usedPoints.set(e[0]);
+        usedPoints.set(e[1]);
+    }
+    pointId.clearStorage();
+    mapPointId.clear();
+
+    // not all the points were used, cull them accordingly
+    if (unsigned(points().size()) != usedPoints.count())
+    {
+        label nUsed = 0;
+
+        pointField& pts = storedPoints();
+        forAll(pts, pointI)
+        {
+            if (usedPoints.get(pointI))
+            {
+                if (nUsed != pointI)
+                {
+                    pts[nUsed] = pts[pointI];
+                }
+
+                // map prev -> new id
+                mapPointId[pointI] = nUsed;
+
+                ++nUsed;
+            }
+        }
+
+        pts.setSize(nUsed);
+
+        // renumber edge vertices
+        forAll(dynEdges, edgeI)
+        {
+            edge& e = dynEdges[edgeI];
+
+            e[0] = mapPointId[e[0]];
+            e[1] = mapPointId[e[1]];
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    // transfer to normal lists
+    storedEdges().transfer(dynEdges);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..600b880cb7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::NASedgeFormat
+
+Description
+    Nastran edge reader.
+
+SourceFiles
+    NASedgeFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef NASedgeFormat_H
+#define NASedgeFormat_H
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                      Class NASedgeFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class NASedgeFormat
+:
+    public edgeMesh
+{
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        NASedgeFormat(const NASedgeFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const NASedgeFormat&);
+
+protected:
+
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+        //- Do weird things to extract number
+        static scalar parseNASCoord(const string&);
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct from file name
+        NASedgeFormat(const fileName&);
+
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Read file and return edge mesh
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New(const fileName& name)
+        {
+            return autoPtr<edgeMesh>
+            (
+                new NASedgeFormat(name)
+            );
+        }
+
+
+    // Destructor
+
+        virtual ~NASedgeFormat()
+        {}
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Read from a file
+        virtual bool read(const fileName&);
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormatRunTime.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormatRunTime.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec03e44bbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/nas/NASedgeFormatRunTime.C
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "NASedgeFormat.H"
+
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+// read edgeMesh - .bdf (Bulk Data Format)
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    NASedgeFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    bdf
+);
+
+// read edgeMesh - .nas (Nastran Data Format)
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    NASedgeFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    nas
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..530d2a2a97
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "OBJedgeFormat.H"
+#include "clock.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "IStringStream.H"
+#include "Ostream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+#include "ListOps.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::OBJedgeFormat::OBJedgeFormat
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    read(filename);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::OBJedgeFormat::read
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    clear();
+
+    IFstream is(filename);
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::OBJedgeFormat::read(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    DynamicList<point> dynPoints;
+    DynamicList<edge>  dynEdges;
+    DynamicList<label> dynUsedPoints;
+
+    while (is.good())
+    {
+        string line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
+
+        // handle continuations
+        if (line[line.size()-1] == '\\')
+        {
+            line.substr(0, line.size()-1);
+            line += this->getLineNoComment(is);
+        }
+
+        // Read first word
+        IStringStream lineStream(line);
+        word cmd;
+        lineStream >> cmd;
+
+        if (cmd == "v")
+        {
+            scalar x, y, z;
+            lineStream >> x >> y >> z;
+
+            dynPoints.append(point(x, y, z));
+            dynUsedPoints.append(-1);
+        }
+        else if (cmd == "l")
+        {
+            edge edgeRead;
+
+            // Assume 'l' is followed by space.
+            string::size_type endNum = 1;
+
+            int nVerts = 0;
+            for (int count = 0; count < 2; ++count)
+            {
+                string::size_type startNum =
+                    line.find_first_not_of(' ', endNum);
+
+                if (startNum == string::npos)
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+
+                endNum = line.find(' ', startNum);
+
+                string vertexSpec;
+                if (endNum != string::npos)
+                {
+                    vertexSpec = line.substr(startNum, endNum-startNum);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    vertexSpec = line.substr(startNum, line.size() - startNum);
+                }
+
+                string::size_type slashPos = vertexSpec.find('/');
+
+                label vertI = 0;
+                if (slashPos != string::npos)
+                {
+                    IStringStream intStream(vertexSpec.substr(0, slashPos));
+
+                    intStream >> vertI;
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    IStringStream intStream(vertexSpec);
+
+                    intStream >> vertI;
+                }
+
+                edgeRead[nVerts++] = (vertI - 1); // change to zero-offset
+            }
+
+            if (nVerts >= 2)
+            {
+                dynUsedPoints[edgeRead[0]] = edgeRead[0];
+                dynUsedPoints[edgeRead[1]] = edgeRead[1];
+
+                dynEdges.append(edgeRead);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // cull unused points
+    label nUsed = 0;
+
+    forAll(dynPoints, pointI)
+    {
+        if (dynUsedPoints[pointI] >= 0)
+        {
+            if (nUsed != pointI)
+            {
+                dynPoints[nUsed] = dynPoints[pointI];
+                dynUsedPoints[pointI] = nUsed;   // new position
+            }
+            ++nUsed;
+        }
+    }
+
+    dynPoints.setSize(nUsed);
+
+    // transfer to normal lists
+    storedPoints().transfer(dynPoints);
+
+    // renumber edge vertices
+    if (nUsed != dynUsedPoints.size())
+    {
+        forAll(dynEdges, edgeI)
+        {
+            edge& e = dynEdges[edgeI];
+
+            e[0] = dynUsedPoints[e[0]];
+            e[1] = dynUsedPoints[e[1]];
+        }
+    }
+    storedEdges().transfer(dynEdges);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::OBJedgeFormat::write
+(
+    const fileName& filename,
+    const edgeMesh& mesh
+)
+{
+    const pointField& pointLst = mesh.points();
+    const edgeList&   edgeLst  = mesh.edges();
+
+    OFstream os(filename);
+    if (!os.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::OBJedgeFormat::write"
+            "(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot open file for writing " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+
+    os  << "# Wavefront OBJ file written " << clock::dateTime().c_str() << nl
+        << "o " << os.name().lessExt().name() << nl
+        << nl
+        << "# points : " << pointLst.size() << nl
+        << "# lines  : " << edgeLst.size() << nl;
+
+    os  << nl
+        << "# <points count=\"" << pointLst.size() << "\">" << nl;
+
+    // Write vertex coords
+    forAll(pointLst, ptI)
+    {
+        const point& p = pointLst[ptI];
+
+        os  << "v " << p.x() << ' ' << p.y() << ' ' << p.z() << nl;
+    }
+
+    os  << "# </points>" << nl
+        << nl
+        << "# <edges count=\"" << edgeLst.size() << "\">" << endl;
+
+    // Write line connectivity
+    forAll(edgeLst, edgeI)
+    {
+        const edge& e = edgeLst[edgeI];
+
+        os << "l " << (e[0] + 1) << " " << (e[1] + 1) << nl;
+    }
+    os << "# </edges>" << endl;
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d6eab70b60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::OBJedgeFormat
+
+Description
+    Provide a means of reading/writing Alias/Wavefront OBJ format.
+
+    Does not handle negative vertex indices.
+
+SourceFiles
+    OBJedgeFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef OBJedgeFormat_H
+#define OBJedgeFormat_H
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "Ostream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                        Class OBJedgeFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class OBJedgeFormat
+:
+    public edgeMesh
+{
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        OBJedgeFormat(const OBJedgeFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const OBJedgeFormat&);
+
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct from file name
+        OBJedgeFormat(const fileName&);
+
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Read file and return surface
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New(const fileName& name)
+        {
+            return autoPtr<edgeMesh>
+            (
+                new OBJedgeFormat(name)
+            );
+        }
+
+
+    // Destructor
+
+        virtual ~OBJedgeFormat()
+        {}
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Write surface mesh components by proxy
+        static void write(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&);
+
+        //- Read from file
+        virtual bool read(const fileName&);
+
+        //- Write object file
+        virtual void write(const fileName& name) const
+        {
+            write(name, *this);
+        }
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormatRunTime.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormatRunTime.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b223f44c69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/obj/OBJedgeFormatRunTime.C
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "OBJedgeFormat.H"
+
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+// read edgeMesh
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    OBJedgeFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    obj
+);
+
+// write edgeMesh
+addNamedToMemberFunctionSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    OBJedgeFormat,
+    write,
+    fileExtension,
+    obj
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b6ecd4d19e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,387 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "STARCDedgeFormat.H"
+#include "ListOps.H"
+#include "clock.H"
+#include "PackedBoolList.H"
+#include "IStringStream.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+inline void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::writeLines
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const edgeList& edges
+)
+{
+    writeHeader(os, "CELL");
+
+    forAll(edges, edgeI)
+    {
+        const edge& e = edges[edgeI];
+        const label cellId = edgeI + 1;
+
+        os  << cellId                    // includes 1 offset
+            << ' ' << starcdLineShape_   // 2(line) shape
+            << ' ' << e.size()
+            << ' ' << 401                // arbitrary value
+            << ' ' << starcdLineType_;   // 5(line)
+
+        os  << nl << "  " << cellId << "  "
+            << (e[0]+1) << "  " << (e[1]+1) << nl;
+    }
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::readHeader
+(
+    IFstream& is,
+    const word& signature
+)
+{
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::readHeader(...)"
+        )
+            << "cannot read " << signature  << "  " << is.name()
+            << abort(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    word header;
+    label majorVersion;
+
+    string line;
+
+    is.getLine(line);
+    IStringStream(line)() >> header;
+
+    is.getLine(line);
+    IStringStream(line)() >> majorVersion;
+
+    // add other checks ...
+    if (header != signature)
+    {
+        Info<< "header mismatch " << signature << "  " << is.name()
+            << endl;
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::writeHeader
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const char* filetype
+)
+{
+    os  << "PROSTAR_" << filetype << nl
+        << 4000
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << " " << 0
+        << endl;
+}
+
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::readPoints
+(
+    IFstream& is,
+    pointField& points,
+    labelList& ids
+)
+{
+    //
+    // read .vrt file
+    // ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::readPoints(...)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << is.name()
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    readHeader(is, "PROSTAR_VERTEX");
+
+    DynamicList<point> dynPoints;
+    DynamicList<label> dynPointId;    // STAR-CD index of points
+
+    label lineLabel;
+    while ((is >> lineLabel).good())
+    {
+        scalar x, y, z;
+
+        is >> x >> y >> z;
+
+        dynPoints.append(point(x, y, z));
+        dynPointId.append(lineLabel);
+    }
+
+    points.transfer(dynPoints);
+    ids.transfer(dynPointId);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::writePoints
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const pointField& pointLst
+)
+{
+    writeHeader(os, "VERTEX");
+
+    // Set the precision of the points data to 10
+    os.precision(10);
+
+    // force decimal point for Fortran input
+    os.setf(std::ios::showpoint);
+
+    forAll(pointLst, ptI)
+    {
+        os
+            << ptI + 1 << " "
+            << pointLst[ptI].x() << " "
+            << pointLst[ptI].y() << " "
+            << pointLst[ptI].z() << nl;
+    }
+    os.flush();
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::writeCase
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const pointField& pointLst,
+    const label nEdges
+)
+{
+    word caseName = os.name().lessExt().name();
+
+    os  << "! STAR-CD file written " << clock::dateTime().c_str() << nl
+        << "! " << pointLst.size() << " points, " << nEdges << " lines" << nl
+        << "! case " << caseName << nl
+        << "! ------------------------------" << nl;
+
+//     forAll(zoneLst, zoneI)
+//     {
+//         os  << "ctable " << zoneI + 1 << " line" << nl
+//             << "ctname " << zoneI + 1 << " "
+//             << zoneLst[zoneI].name() << nl;
+//     }
+
+    os  << "! ------------------------------" << nl
+        << "*set icvo mxv - 1" << nl
+        << "vread " << caseName << ".vrt icvo,,,coded" << nl
+        << "cread " << caseName << ".cel icvo,,,add,coded" << nl
+        << "*set icvo" << nl
+        << "! end" << nl;
+
+    os.flush();
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::STARCDedgeFormat
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    read(filename);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::read
+(
+    const fileName& filename
+)
+{
+    clear();
+
+    fileName baseName = filename.lessExt();
+
+    // STAR-CD index of points
+    List<label> pointId;
+
+    // read points from .vrt file
+    readPoints
+    (
+        IFstream(baseName + ".vrt")(),
+        storedPoints(),
+        pointId
+    );
+
+    // Build inverse mapping (STAR-CD pointId -> index)
+    Map<label> mapPointId(2*pointId.size());
+    forAll(pointId, i)
+    {
+        mapPointId.insert(pointId[i], i);
+    }
+    pointId.clear();
+
+    // note which points were really used and which can be culled
+    PackedBoolList usedPoints(points().size());
+
+    //
+    // read .cel file
+    // ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+    IFstream is(baseName + ".cel");
+    if (!is.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::read(const fileName&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot read file " << is.name()
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    readHeader(is, "PROSTAR_CELL");
+
+    DynamicList<edge>  dynEdges;
+
+    label lineLabel, shapeId, nLabels, cellTableId, typeId;
+    DynamicList<label> vertexLabels(64);
+
+    while ((is >> lineLabel).good())
+    {
+        is >> shapeId >> nLabels >> cellTableId >> typeId;
+
+        vertexLabels.clear();
+        vertexLabels.reserve(nLabels);
+
+        // read indices - max 8 per line
+        for (label i = 0; i < nLabels; ++i)
+        {
+            label vrtId;
+            if ((i % 8) == 0)
+            {
+               is >> lineLabel;
+            }
+            is >> vrtId;
+
+            // convert original vertex id to point label
+            vertexLabels.append(mapPointId[vrtId]);
+        }
+
+        if (typeId == starcdLineType_)
+        {
+            if (vertexLabels.size() >= 2)
+            {
+                dynEdges.append(edge(vertexLabels[0], vertexLabels[1]));
+
+                usedPoints.set(vertexLabels[0]);
+                usedPoints.set(vertexLabels[1]);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    mapPointId.clear();
+
+    // not all the points were used, cull them accordingly
+    if (unsigned(points().size()) != usedPoints.count())
+    {
+        label nUsed = 0;
+
+        pointField& pts = storedPoints();
+        forAll(pts, pointI)
+        {
+            if (usedPoints.get(pointI))
+            {
+                if (nUsed != pointI)
+                {
+                    pts[nUsed] = pts[pointI];
+                }
+
+                // map prev -> new id
+                mapPointId.set(pointI, nUsed);
+
+                ++nUsed;
+            }
+        }
+
+        pts.setSize(nUsed);
+
+        // renumber edge vertices
+        forAll(dynEdges, edgeI)
+        {
+            edge& e = dynEdges[edgeI];
+
+            e[0] = mapPointId[e[0]];
+            e[1] = mapPointId[e[1]];
+        }
+    }
+
+
+    storedEdges().transfer(dynEdges);
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDedgeFormat::write
+(
+    const fileName& filename,
+    const edgeMesh& mesh
+)
+{
+    const pointField& pointLst = mesh.points();
+    const edgeList&   edgeLst  = mesh.edges();
+
+    fileName baseName = filename.lessExt();
+
+    writePoints(OFstream(baseName + ".vrt")(), pointLst);
+    writeLines(OFstream(baseName + ".cel")(), edgeLst);
+
+    // write a simple .inp file
+    writeCase
+    (
+        OFstream(baseName + ".inp")(),
+        pointLst,
+        edgeLst.size()
+    );
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..31d4a8db5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::STARCDedgeFormat
+
+Description
+    Read/write the lines from pro-STAR vrt/cel files.
+
+Note
+    Uses the extension @a .inp (input) to denote the format.
+
+See Also
+    Foam::meshReaders::STARCD
+
+SourceFiles
+    STARCDedgeFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef STARCDedgeFormat_H
+#define STARCDedgeFormat_H
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+#include "IFstream.H"
+#include "Ostream.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                      Class STARCDedgeFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class STARCDedgeFormat
+:
+    public edgeMesh
+{
+    // Private Data
+
+        //- STAR-CD identifier for line shapes (1d elements)
+        static const int starcdLineShape_ = 2;
+
+        //- STAR-CD identifier for line type
+        static const int starcdLineType_  = 5;
+
+
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        static inline void writeLines
+        (
+            Ostream&,
+            const edgeList&
+        );
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        STARCDedgeFormat(const STARCDedgeFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const STARCDedgeFormat&);
+
+
+protected:
+
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+    static bool readHeader(IFstream&, const word&);
+
+    static void writeHeader(Ostream&, const char* filetype);
+
+    static bool readPoints(IFstream&, pointField&, labelList& ids);
+
+    static void writePoints(Ostream&, const pointField&);
+
+    static void writeCase
+    (
+        Ostream&,
+        const pointField&,
+        const label nEdges
+    );
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct from file name
+        STARCDedgeFormat(const fileName&);
+
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Read file and return edgeMesh
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New(const fileName& name)
+        {
+            return autoPtr<edgeMesh>
+            (
+                new STARCDedgeFormat(name)
+            );
+        }
+
+
+    //- Destructor
+    virtual ~STARCDedgeFormat()
+    {}
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Write edge mesh
+        static void write(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&);
+
+        //- Read from file
+        virtual bool read(const fileName&);
+
+        //- Write object
+        virtual void write(const fileName& name) const
+        {
+            write(name, *this);
+        }
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormatRunTime.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormatRunTime.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..192c0aeaab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/starcd/STARCDedgeFormatRunTime.C
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "STARCDedgeFormat.H"
+
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+// read edgeMesh
+addNamedToRunTimeSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    STARCDedgeFormat,
+    fileExtension,
+    inp
+);
+
+// write edgeMesh
+addNamedToMemberFunctionSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    STARCDedgeFormat,
+    write,
+    fileExtension,
+    inp
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d78b20d4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.C
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "VTKedgeFormat.H"
+#include "OFstream.H"
+#include "clock.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::VTKedgeFormat::writeHeader
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const pointField& pointLst
+)
+{
+    // Write header
+    os  << "# vtk DataFile Version 2.0" << nl
+        << "featureEdgeMesh written " << clock::dateTime().c_str() << nl
+        << "ASCII" << nl
+        << nl
+        << "DATASET POLYDATA" << nl;
+
+    // Write vertex coords
+    os  << "POINTS " << pointLst.size() << " float" << nl;
+    forAll(pointLst, ptI)
+    {
+        const point& pt = pointLst[ptI];
+
+        os  << pt.x() << ' ' << pt.y() << ' ' << pt.z() << nl;
+    }
+}
+
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::VTKedgeFormat::writeEdges
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const UList<edge>& edgeLst
+)
+{
+    os  << "LINES " << edgeLst.size() << ' '
+        << 3*edgeLst.size() << nl;
+
+    forAll(edgeLst, edgeI)
+    {
+        const edge& e = edgeLst[edgeI];
+
+        os  << "2 " << e[0] << ' ' << e[1] << nl;
+    }
+}
+
+
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::fileFormats::VTKedgeFormat::VTKedgeFormat()
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void Foam::fileFormats::VTKedgeFormat::write
+(
+    const fileName& filename,
+    const edgeMesh& eMesh
+)
+{
+    OFstream os(filename);
+    if (!os.good())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "fileFormats::VTKedgeFormat::write"
+            "(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&)"
+        )
+            << "Cannot open file for writing " << filename
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    writeHeader(os, eMesh.points());
+    writeEdges(os, eMesh.edges());
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..af4b4b78ed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormat.H
@@ -0,0 +1,116 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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::VTKedgeFormat
+
+Description
+    Provide a means of writing VTK legacy format.
+
+SourceFiles
+    VTKedgeFormat.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef VTKedgeFormat_H
+#define VTKedgeFormat_H
+
+#include "edgeMesh.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                     Class VTKedgeFormat Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+class VTKedgeFormat
+:
+    public edgeMesh
+{
+    // Private Member Functions
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        VTKedgeFormat(const VTKedgeFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const VTKedgeFormat&);
+
+
+protected:
+
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+        //- Write header information with points
+        static void writeHeader
+        (
+            Ostream&,
+            const pointField&
+        );
+
+        //- Write edges
+        static void writeEdges(Ostream&, const UList<edge>&);
+
+public:
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        VTKedgeFormat();
+
+
+    //- Destructor
+    virtual ~VTKedgeFormat()
+    {}
+
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+        // Write
+
+            //- Write edgeMesh
+            static void write(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&);
+
+//            //- Write object
+//            virtual void write(Ostream& os) const
+//            {
+//                write(os, *this);
+//            }
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace fileFormats
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormatRunTime.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormatRunTime.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7a9f4b859f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeFormats/vtk/VTKedgeFormatRunTime.C
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "VTKedgeFormat.H"
+
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace fileFormats
+{
+
+addNamedToMemberFunctionSelectionTable
+(
+    edgeMesh,
+    VTKedgeFormat,
+    write,
+    fileExtension,
+    vtk
+);
+
+}
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.C
index d39810a62d..06502ef282 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.C
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.C
@@ -26,6 +26,76 @@ License
 
 #include "edgeMesh.H"
 #include "mergePoints.H"
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
+#include "addToMemberFunctionSelectionTable.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+    defineTypeNameAndDebug(edgeMesh, 0);
+    defineRunTimeSelectionTable(edgeMesh, fileExtension);
+    defineMemberFunctionSelectionTable(edgeMesh,write,fileExtension);
+}
+
+Foam::wordHashSet Foam::edgeMesh::readTypes()
+{
+    return wordHashSet(*fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_);
+}
+
+Foam::wordHashSet Foam::edgeMesh::writeTypes()
+{
+    return wordHashSet(*writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::edgeMesh::canReadType
+(
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    return checkSupport
+    (
+        readTypes(),
+        ext,
+        verbose,
+        "reading"
+   );
+}
+
+bool Foam::edgeMesh::canWriteType
+(
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    return checkSupport
+    (
+        writeTypes(),
+        ext,
+        verbose,
+        "writing"
+    );
+}
+
+
+bool Foam::edgeMesh::canRead
+(
+    const fileName& name,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    word ext = name.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
+    {
+        ext = name.lessExt().ext();
+    }
+    return canReadType(ext, verbose);
+}
+
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -63,10 +133,10 @@ void Foam::edgeMesh::calcPointEdges() const
     forAll(edges_, edgeI)
     {
         const edge& e = edges_[edgeI];
+        const label p0 = e[0];
+        const label p1 = e[1];
 
-        label p0 = e[0];
         pointEdges[p0][nEdgesPerPoint[p0]++] = edgeI;
-        label p1 = e[1];
         pointEdges[p1][nEdgesPerPoint[p1]++] = edgeI;
     }
 }
@@ -74,32 +144,102 @@ void Foam::edgeMesh::calcPointEdges() const
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-// construct from components
-Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const pointField& points, const edgeList& edges)
+Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh()
 :
-    points_(points),
-    edges_(edges)
-{}
-
-
-// construct as copy
-Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const edgeMesh& em)
-:
-    points_(em.points_),
-    edges_(em.edges_),
+    points_(0),
+    edges_(0),
     pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
 {}
 
 
+Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh
+(
+    const pointField& points,
+    const edgeList& edges
+)
+:
+    points_(points),
+    edges_(edges),
+    pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
+{}
+
+
+Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh
+(
+    const Xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
+    const Xfer<edgeList>& edgeLst
+)
+:
+    points_(0),
+    edges_(0),
+    pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
+{
+    points_.transfer(pointLst());
+    edges_.transfer(edgeLst());
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+Foam::edgeMesh::~edgeMesh()
+{}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+void Foam::edgeMesh::clear()
+{
+    points_.clear();
+    edges_.clear();
+    pointEdgesPtr_.clear();
+}
+
+
+void Foam::edgeMesh::reset
+(
+    const Xfer< pointField >& pointLst,
+    const Xfer< edgeList >& edgeLst
+)
+{
+    // Take over new primitive data.
+    // Optimized to avoid overwriting data at all
+    if (&pointLst)
+    {
+        points_.transfer(pointLst());
+    }
+
+    if (&edgeLst)
+    {
+        edges_.transfer(edgeLst());
+
+        // connectivity likely changed
+        pointEdgesPtr_.clear();
+    }
+
+}
+
+
+void Foam::edgeMesh::transfer(edgeMesh& mesh)
+{
+    points_.transfer(mesh.points_);
+    edges_.transfer(mesh.edges_);
+    pointEdgesPtr_ = mesh.pointEdgesPtr_;
+}
+
+
+Foam::Xfer< Foam::edgeMesh >
+Foam::edgeMesh::xfer()
+{
+    return xferMove(*this);
+}
+
+
 Foam::label Foam::edgeMesh::regions(labelList& edgeRegion) const
 {
     edgeRegion.setSize(edges_.size());
     edgeRegion = -1;
 
     label startEdgeI = 0;
-
     label currentRegion = 0;
 
     while (true)
@@ -159,6 +299,16 @@ Foam::label Foam::edgeMesh::regions(labelList& edgeRegion) const
 }
 
 
+void Foam::edgeMesh::scalePoints(const scalar scaleFactor)
+{
+    // avoid bad scaling
+    if (scaleFactor > 0 && scaleFactor != 1.0)
+    {
+        points_ *= scaleFactor;
+    }
+}
+
+
 void Foam::edgeMesh::mergePoints(const scalar mergeDist)
 {
     pointField newPoints;
@@ -180,7 +330,7 @@ void Foam::edgeMesh::mergePoints(const scalar mergeDist)
 
         points_.transfer(newPoints);
 
-        // Renumber and make sure e[0] < e[1] (not really nessecary)
+        // Renumber and make sure e[0] < e[1] (not really necessary)
         forAll(edges_, edgeI)
         {
             edge& e = edges_[edgeI];
@@ -243,7 +393,7 @@ void Foam::edgeMesh::operator=(const edgeMesh& rhs)
 {
     points_ = rhs.points_;
     edges_ = rhs.edges_;
-    pointEdgesPtr_.reset(NULL);
+    pointEdgesPtr_.clear();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.H
index 55934f3824..952a5378ed 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.H
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMesh.H
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Class
     Foam::edgeMesh
 
 Description
-    points connected by edges.
+    Points connected by edges.
 
 SourceFiles
     edgeMeshI.H
@@ -40,17 +40,33 @@ SourceFiles
 
 #include "pointField.H"
 #include "edgeList.H"
+#include "edgeFormatsCore.H"
+#include "runTimeSelectionTables.H"
+#include "memberFunctionSelectionTables.H"
+#include "HashSet.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 namespace Foam
 {
 
+// Forward declaration of classes
+class Istream;
+class Ostream;
+
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+class edgeMesh;
+Istream& operator>>(Istream&, edgeMesh&);
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const edgeMesh&);
+
+
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
                            Class edgeMesh Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class edgeMesh
+:
+    public fileFormats::edgeFormatsCore
 {
     // Private data
 
@@ -68,39 +84,179 @@ class edgeMesh
         //- Calculate point-edge addressing (inverse of edges)
         void calcPointEdges() const;
 
+
+protected:
+
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+        //- Non-const access to global points
+        inline pointField& storedPoints();
+
+        //- Non-const access to the edges
+        inline edgeList& storedEdges();
+
+
 public:
 
+        //- Runtime type information
+        TypeName("edgeMesh");
+
+    // Static
+
+        //- Can we read this file format?
+        static bool canRead(const fileName&, const bool verbose=false);
+
+        //- Can we read this file format?
+        static bool canReadType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+
+        //- Can we write this file format type?
+        static bool canWriteType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+
+        static wordHashSet readTypes();
+        static wordHashSet writeTypes();
+
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct null
+        edgeMesh();
+
         //- Construct from components
         edgeMesh(const pointField&, const edgeList&);
 
-        //- Construct from file
-        edgeMesh(const fileName&);
-
-        //- Construct from Istream
-        edgeMesh(Istream&);
+        //- Construct by transferring components (points, edges).
+        edgeMesh
+        (
+            const Xfer< pointField >&,
+            const Xfer< edgeList >&
+        );
 
         //- Construct as copy
         edgeMesh(const edgeMesh&);
 
+        //- Construct from file name (uses extension to determine type)
+        edgeMesh(const fileName&);
+
+        //- Construct from file name (uses extension to determine type)
+        edgeMesh(const fileName&, const word& ext);
+
+        //- Construct from Istream
+        edgeMesh(Istream&);
+
+    // Declare run-time constructor selection table
+
+        declareRunTimeSelectionTable
+        (
+            autoPtr,
+            edgeMesh,
+            fileExtension,
+            (
+                const fileName& name
+            ),
+            (name)
+        );
+
+    // Selectors
+
+        //- Select constructed from filename (explicit extension)
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New
+        (
+            const fileName&,
+            const word& ext
+        );
+
+        //- Select constructed from filename (implicit extension)
+        static autoPtr<edgeMesh> New(const fileName&);
+
+
+    //- Destructor
+    virtual ~edgeMesh();
+
+
+    // Member Function Selectors
+
+        declareMemberFunctionSelectionTable
+        (
+            void,
+            edgeMesh,
+            write,
+            fileExtension,
+            (
+                const fileName& name,
+                const edgeMesh& mesh
+            ),
+            (name, mesh)
+        );
+
+        //- Write to file
+        static void write(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&);
 
 
     // Member Functions
 
+        //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annul the argument
+        void transfer(edgeMesh&);
+
+        //- Transfer contents to the Xfer container
+        Xfer< edgeMesh > xfer();
+
+    // Read
+
+        //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on explicit extension
+        bool read(const fileName&, const word& ext);
+
+        //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on detected extension
+        virtual bool read(const fileName&);
+
+
+    // Access
+
+        //- Return points
         inline const pointField& points() const;
 
+        //- Return edges
         inline const edgeList& edges() const;
 
+        //- Return edges
         inline const labelListList& pointEdges() const;
 
         //- Find connected regions. Set region number per edge.
         //  Returns number of regions.
         label regions(labelList& edgeRegion) const;
 
+
+    // Edit
+
+        //- Clear all storage
+        virtual void clear();
+
+        //- Reset primitive data (points, edges)
+        //  Note, optimized to avoid overwriting data (with Xfer::null)
+        virtual void reset
+        (
+            const Xfer< pointField >& points,
+            const Xfer< edgeList >& edges
+        );
+
+        //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
+        virtual void scalePoints(const scalar);
+
         //- Merge common points (points within mergeDist)
         void mergePoints(const scalar mergeDist);
 
+
+    // Write
+
+        void writeStats(Ostream&) const;
+
+    // Write
+
+        //- Generic write routine. Chooses writer based on extension.
+        virtual void write(const fileName& name) const
+        {
+            write(name, *this);
+        }
+
+
     // Member Operators
 
         inline void operator=(const edgeMesh&);
@@ -109,6 +265,7 @@ public:
 
         friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const edgeMesh&);
         friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, edgeMesh&);
+
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshI.H b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshI.H
index 85951e8735..e0dbb30a08 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshI.H
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshI.H
@@ -24,14 +24,14 @@ License
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructors * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+inline Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const edgeMesh& em)
+:
+    points_(em.points_),
+    edges_(em.edges_),
+    pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
+{}
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -58,15 +58,16 @@ inline const Foam::labelListList& Foam::edgeMesh::pointEdges() const
 }
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+inline Foam::pointField& Foam::edgeMesh::storedPoints()
+{
+    return points_;
+}
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IOstream Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+inline Foam::edgeList& Foam::edgeMesh::storedEdges()
+{
+    return edges_;
+}
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ostream Operator  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshIO.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshIO.C
index e2dffb864b..9b81c7b81f 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshIO.C
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshIO.C
@@ -25,42 +25,107 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "edgeMesh.H"
-#include "IFstream.H"
-
+#include "boundBox.H"
+#include "EMESHedgeFormat.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-// construct from file
-Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const fileName& fname)
+Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh
+(
+    const fileName& name,
+    const word& ext
+)
 :
     points_(0),
     edges_(0),
     pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
 {
-    IFstream is(fname);
+    read(name, ext);
+}
 
-    if (is.good())
+
+Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const fileName& name)
+:
+    points_(0),
+    edges_(0),
+    pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
+{
+    read(name);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+bool Foam::edgeMesh::read(const fileName& name)
+{
+    word ext = name.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
     {
-        is >> points_ >> edges_;
+        fileName unzipName = name.lessExt();
+        return read(unzipName, unzipName.ext());
     }
     else
     {
-        FatalErrorIn("edgeMesh::edgeMesh(const fileName&)")
-            << "cannot open file " << fname
-            << abort(FatalError);
+        return read(name, ext);
     }
 }
 
 
-// construct from Istream
-Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(Istream& is)
-:
-    points_(is),
-    edges_(is),
-    pointEdgesPtr_(NULL)
+// Read from file in given format
+bool Foam::edgeMesh::read
+(
+    const fileName& name,
+    const word& ext
+)
 {
-    // Check state of Istream
-    is.check("edgeMesh::edgeMesh(Istream&)");
+    // read via selector mechanism
+    transfer(New(name, ext)());
+    return true;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::edgeMesh::write
+(
+    const fileName& name,
+    const edgeMesh& mesh
+)
+{
+    if (debug)
+    {
+        Info<< "edgeMesh::write"
+            "(const fileName&, const edgeMesh&) : "
+            "writing to " << name
+            << endl;
+    }
+
+    const word ext = name.ext();
+
+    writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTable::iterator mfIter =
+        writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->find(ext);
+
+    if (mfIter == writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->end())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "MeshedSurface::write"
+            "(const fileName&, const MeshedSurface&)"
+        )   << "Unknown file extension " << ext << nl << nl
+            << "Valid types are :" << endl
+            << writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->sortedToc()
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        mfIter()(name, mesh);
+    }
+}
+
+
+void Foam::edgeMesh::writeStats(Ostream& os) const
+{
+    os  << "points      : " << points().size() << nl;
+    os  << "edges       : " << edges().size() << nl;
+    os  << "boundingBox : " << boundBox(this->points()) << endl;
 }
 
 
@@ -68,7 +133,7 @@ Foam::edgeMesh::edgeMesh(Istream& is)
 
 Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const edgeMesh& em)
 {
-    os  << em.points_ << nl << em.edges_ << endl;
+    fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::write(os, em.points_, em.edges_);
 
     // Check state of Ostream
     os.check("Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const edgeMesh&)");
@@ -79,7 +144,9 @@ Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const edgeMesh& em)
 
 Foam::Istream& Foam::operator>>(Istream& is, edgeMesh& em)
 {
-    is >> em.points_ >> em.edges_;
+    fileFormats::EMESHedgeFormat::read(is, em.points_, em.edges_);
+
+    em.pointEdgesPtr_.clear();
 
     // Check state of Istream
     is.check("Istream& operator>>(Istream&, edgeMesh&)");
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshNew.C b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshNew.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d63a61536
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/edgeMeshNew.C
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2009-2009 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 "edgeMesh.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+
+Foam::autoPtr< Foam::edgeMesh >
+Foam::edgeMesh::New(const fileName& name, const word& ext)
+{
+    fileExtensionConstructorTable::iterator cstrIter =
+        fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->find(ext);
+
+    if (cstrIter == fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->end())
+    {
+        FatalErrorIn
+        (
+            "edgeMesh<Face>::New(const fileName&, const word&) : "
+            "constructing edgeMesh"
+        )   << "Unknown file extension " << ext << nl << nl
+            << "Valid types are :" << nl
+            << fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->sortedToc()
+            << exit(FatalError);
+    }
+
+    return autoPtr< edgeMesh >(cstrIter()(name));
+}
+
+
+Foam::autoPtr< Foam::edgeMesh >
+Foam::edgeMesh::New(const fileName& name)
+{
+    word ext = name.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
+    {
+        ext = name.lessExt().ext();
+    }
+    return New(name, ext);
+}
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C b/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
similarity index 81%
rename from src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
rename to src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
index dab3c2cbb5..a579d4ff14 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.C
@@ -28,21 +28,7 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-namespace Foam
-{
-
-defineTypeNameAndDebug(featureEdgeMesh, 0);
-
-}
-
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+defineTypeNameAndDebug(Foam::featureEdgeMesh, 0);
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -73,20 +59,6 @@ Foam::featureEdgeMesh::featureEdgeMesh(const IOobject& io)
 }
 
 
-//- Construct from components
-Foam::featureEdgeMesh::featureEdgeMesh
-(
-    const IOobject& io,
-    const pointField& points,
-    const edgeList& edges
-)
-:
-    regIOobject(io),
-    edgeMesh(points, edges)
-{}
-
-
-// Construct as copy
 Foam::featureEdgeMesh::featureEdgeMesh
 (
     const IOobject& io,
@@ -98,24 +70,43 @@ Foam::featureEdgeMesh::featureEdgeMesh
 {}
 
 
+Foam::featureEdgeMesh::featureEdgeMesh
+(
+    const IOobject& io,
+    const Xfer< pointField >& pointLst,
+    const Xfer< edgeList >& edgeLst
+)
+:
+    regIOobject(io),
+    edgeMesh(pointLst, edgeLst)
+{
+    if
+    (
+        io.readOpt() == IOobject::MUST_READ
+     || (io.readOpt() == IOobject::READ_IF_PRESENT && headerOk())
+    )
+    {
+        readStream(typeName) >> *this;
+        close();
+    }
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 bool Foam::featureEdgeMesh::readData(Istream& is)
 {
-    is >> *this;
+    is  >> *this;
     return !is.bad();
 }
 
 
 bool Foam::featureEdgeMesh::writeData(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    os << *this;
+    os  << *this;
 
     return os.good();
 }
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H b/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H
similarity index 85%
rename from src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H
rename to src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H
index b22859e799..8fc7b36744 100644
--- a/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H
+++ b/src/edgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh/featureEdgeMesh.H
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                           Class featureEdgeMesh Declaration
+                       Class featureEdgeMesh Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class featureEdgeMesh
@@ -56,25 +56,28 @@ class featureEdgeMesh
 
 public:
 
+    //- Runtime type information
     TypeName("featureEdgeMesh");
 
 
     // Constructors
 
         //- Construct (read) given an IOobject
-        featureEdgeMesh(const IOobject&);
+        explicit featureEdgeMesh(const IOobject&);
 
-        //- Construct from featureEdgeMesh data
+        //- Construct as copy
+        explicit featureEdgeMesh(const IOobject&, const featureEdgeMesh&);
+
+        //- Construct by transferring components (points, edges)
         featureEdgeMesh
         (
             const IOobject&,
-            const pointField&,
-            const edgeList&
+            const Xfer<pointField>&,
+            const Xfer<edgeList>&
         );
 
-        //- Construct as copy
-        featureEdgeMesh(const IOobject&, const featureEdgeMesh&);
-
+        //- Give precedence to the regIOobject write
+        using regIOobject::write;
 
         //- ReadData function required for regIOobject read operation
         virtual bool readData(Istream&);