diff --git a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceMeshConvert/surfaceMeshConvert.C b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceMeshConvert/surfaceMeshConvert.C
index c9b5678dfb..a907c7208c 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceMeshConvert/surfaceMeshConvert.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/surface/surfaceMeshConvert/surfaceMeshConvert.C
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     if
     (
-        !meshedSurface::canRead(importName.ext(), true)
-     || !meshedSurface::canWrite(exportName.ext(), true)
+        !meshedSurface::canRead(importName, true)
+     || !meshedSurface::canWriteType(exportName.ext(), true)
     )
     {
         return 1;
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.C
index 2e528a710e..a7b92cc73a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.C
@@ -26,11 +26,9 @@ License
 
 #include "MeshedSurface.H"
 #include "UnsortedMeshedSurface.H"
-#include "demandDrivenData.H"
 #include "IFstream.H"
 #include "OFstream.H"
 #include "Time.H"
-#include "boundBox.H"
 #include "SortableList.H"
 #include "ListOps.H"
 #include "polyBoundaryMesh.H"
@@ -45,14 +43,11 @@ License
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class Face>
-inline bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::isTri()
-{
-    return false;
-}
-
-
-template<class Face>
-bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canRead(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
+bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canReadType
+(
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool verbose
+)
 {
     // handle 'native' format directly
     if (isNative(ext))
@@ -65,25 +60,20 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canRead(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
 
 
 template<class Face>
-bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
+bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canWriteType
+(
+    const word& ext,
+    const bool verbose
+)
 {
-    // perhaps sent an entire name
-    word fExt(ext);
-
-    string::size_type dot = ext.find_last_of(".");
-    if (dot != string::npos)
-    {
-        fExt = ext.substr(dot+1);
-    }
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
-    if (isNative(fExt))
+    if (isNative(ext))
     {
         return true;
     }
 
     typename writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTable::iterator mfIter =
-        writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->find(fExt);
+        writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->find(ext);
 
     if (mfIter == writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->end())
     {
@@ -94,7 +84,7 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
                 writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc()
             );
 
-            Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << fExt << nl;
+            Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << ext << nl;
             // compact output:
             Info<<"Valid types: ( " << nativeExt;
             forAll(known, i)
@@ -111,6 +101,22 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose)
 }
 
 
+template<class Face>
+bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::canRead
+(
+    const fileName& fName,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
+    {
+        ext = fName.lessExt().ext();
+    }
+    return canReadType(ext, verbose);
+}
+
+
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write
 (
@@ -125,7 +131,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write
             << endl;
     }
 
-    const word ext = fName.ext();
+    word ext = fName.ext();
 
     // handle 'native' format directly
     if (isNative(ext))
@@ -156,8 +162,6 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface()
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {}
 
 
@@ -169,12 +173,9 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const xfer<surfGroupList>& patchLst
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst),
     patches_(patchLst)
-{
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-}
+{}
 
 
 template<class Face>
@@ -187,11 +188,8 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const UList<word>& patchTypes
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
     surfGroupList newPatches(patchSizes.size());
 
     label start = 0;
@@ -221,17 +219,9 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const Map<word>& regionNames
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
-    if
-    (
-        &regionIds
-     && regionIds.size() != 0
-     && regionIds.size() != nFaces()
-    )
+    if (&regionIds && regionIds.size() && regionIds.size() != size())
     {
         FatalErrorIn
         (
@@ -243,7 +233,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
             "    const Map<word>& regionNames\n"
             " )\n"
         )
-            << "size mismatch : regionIds.size() != nFaces()"
+            << "size mismatch : region and face sizes"
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
     else
@@ -262,12 +252,9 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const HashTable<label>& nameToRegionMapping
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
-    if (regionIds.size() != nFaces())
+    if (&regionIds && regionIds.size() && regionIds.size() != size())
     {
         FatalErrorIn
         (
@@ -279,7 +266,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
             "    const HashTable<label>& nameToRegionMapping\n"
             " )\n"
         )
-            << "size mismatch : regionIds.size() != nFaces()"
+            << "size mismatch : region and face sizes"
             << exit(FatalError);
     }
     else
@@ -301,37 +288,34 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const polyBoundaryMesh& bMesh,
     const bool useGlobalPoints
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     const polyMesh& mesh = bMesh.mesh();
     const polyPatchList& bPatches = bMesh;
-    const label nIntFaces = mesh.nInternalFaces();
 
-    // Get patch for all of outside
+    // Get a single patch for all boundaries
     primitivePatch allBoundary
     (
-        SubList<Face>
+        SubList<face>
         (
             mesh.faces(),
-            mesh.nFaces() - nIntFaces,
-            nIntFaces
+            mesh.nFaces() - mesh.nInternalFaces(),
+            mesh.nInternalFaces()
         ),
         mesh.points()
     );
 
-    if (useGlobalPoints)
-    {
-        // copy in the global points and the global face addressing
-        storedPoints() = mesh.points();
-        storedFaces() = allBoundary;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        // copy in the local points and the local face addressing
-        storedPoints() = allBoundary.localPoints();
-        storedFaces() = allBoundary.localFaces();
-    }
+    // use global/local points
+    const pointField& bPoints =
+    (
+        useGlobalPoints ? mesh.points() : allBoundary.localPoints()
+    );
+
+    // global or local face addressing
+    const List<Face>& bFaces =
+    (
+        useGlobalPoints ? allBoundary : allBoundary.localFaces()
+    );
+
 
     // create patch list
     surfGroupList newPatches(bPatches.size());
@@ -352,7 +336,40 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
         startFaceI += p.size();
     }
 
-    patches_.transfer(newPatches);
+    // must create with the same face type as the polyBoundaryMesh
+    MeshedSurface<face> surf
+    (
+        xferCopy(bPoints),
+        xferCopy(bFaces),
+        xferMove(newPatches)
+    );
+
+
+    // must triangulate?
+    if (this->isTri())
+    {
+        surf.triangulate();
+        this->storedPoints().transfer(surf.storedPoints());
+
+        // transcribe from face -> triFace
+        List<face>&    origFaces = surf.storedFaces();
+        List<triFace>  newFaces(origFaces.size());
+        forAll(origFaces, faceI)
+        {
+            newFaces[faceI] = Face
+            (
+                static_cast<const UList<label>&>(origFaces[faceI])
+            );
+        }
+        origFaces.clear();
+
+        this->storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
+        patches_.transfer(surf.patches_);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        this->transfer(surf);
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -363,7 +380,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const surfMesh& sMesh
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(sMesh.faces()), sMesh.points())
+    ParentType(xferCopy(sMesh.points()), xferCopy(sMesh.faces()))
 {
     const surfPatchList& sPatches = sMesh.boundaryMesh();
 
@@ -396,8 +413,6 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
 (
     const UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), surf.points())
 {
     labelList faceMap;
     surfGroupList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
@@ -412,7 +427,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
         newFaces[faceI] = origFaces[faceMap[faceI]];
     }
 
-    storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
+    reset(xferCopy(surf.points()), xferMove(newFaces));
 }
 
 
@@ -422,29 +437,20 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
     const fileName& fName,
     const word& ext
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     read(fName, ext);
 }
 
 
 template<class Face>
-Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
-(
-    const fileName& fName
-)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(const fileName& fName)
 {
-    read(fName, fName.ext());
+    read(fName);
 }
 
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(Istream& is)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     read(is);
 }
@@ -452,8 +458,6 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(Istream& is)
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(const Time& d)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     read(IFstream(findMeshName(d))());
     // setDefaultPatches();
@@ -463,7 +467,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(const Time& d)
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(const MeshedSurface& surf)
 :
-    ParentType(surf.faces(), surf.points()),
+    ParentType(surf),
     patches_(surf.patches_)
 {}
 
@@ -473,8 +477,6 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
 (
     const xfer<UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> >& surf
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
@@ -482,8 +484,6 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::MeshedSurface(const xfer<MeshedSurface>& surf)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
@@ -556,8 +556,8 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::checkPatches()
     else if (patches_.size() == 1)
     {
         // like onePatch, but preserve the name
-        patches_[0].start() = 0;
         patches_[0].size() = size();
+        patches_[0].start() = 0;
         if (!patches_[0].name().size())
         {
             patches_[0].name() = "patch0";
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::sortFacesByRegion
     const Map<word>& regionNames
 )
 {
-    const List<Face>& unsortedFaces = faces();
+    const List<Face>& unsortedFaces = this->faces();
 
     if (!&regionNames || !&regionIds || regionIds.size() == 0)
     {
@@ -602,7 +602,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::sortFacesByRegion
         }
         faceMap.clear();
 
-        storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
+        this->storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
     }
 }
 
@@ -615,45 +615,11 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::sortFacesByRegion
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::clear()
 {
-    ParentType::clearOut();
-
-    storedPoints().clear();
-    storedFaces().clear();
+    ParentType::clear();
     patches_.clear();
 }
 
 
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::movePoints(const pointField& newPoints)
-{
-    // Remove all geometry dependent data
-    ParentType::clearTopology();
-
-    // Adapt for new point position
-    ParentType::movePoints(newPoints);
-
-    // Copy new points
-    storedPoints() = newPoints;
-}
-
-
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::scalePoints(const scalar& scaleFactor)
-{
-    // avoid bad scaling
-    if (scaleFactor > 0 && scaleFactor != 1.0)
-    {
-        // Remove all geometry dependent data
-        ParentType::clearTopology();
-
-        // Adapt for new point position
-        ParentType::movePoints(pointField());
-
-        storedPoints() *= scaleFactor;
-    }
-}
-
-
 template<class Face>
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
 (
@@ -662,11 +628,11 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
     labelList& faceMap
 ) const
 {
-    const pointField& locPoints = ParentType::localPoints();
-    const List<Face>& locFaces  = ParentType::localFaces();
+    const pointField& locPoints = this->localPoints();
+    const List<Face>& locFaces  = this->localFaces();
 
     // Fill pointMap, faceMap
-    ParentType::subsetMap(include, pointMap, faceMap);
+    this->subsetMap(include, pointMap, faceMap);
 
     // Create compact coordinate list and forward mapping array
     pointField newPoints(pointMap.size());
@@ -675,10 +641,9 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
     {
         newPoints[pointI] = locPoints[pointMap[pointI]];
         oldToNew[pointMap[pointI]] = pointI;
-
     }
 
-    // create a new patch list
+    // create/copy a new patch list, each patch with zero size
     surfGroupList newPatches(patches_);
     forAll(newPatches, patchI)
     {
@@ -690,8 +655,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
 
     forAll(faceMap, faceI)
     {
-        // Get old vertex labels
-        label origFaceI = faceMap[faceI];
+        const label origFaceI = faceMap[faceI];
         const Face& oldFace = locFaces[origFaceI];
 
         newFaces[faceI] = Face(oldFace);
@@ -704,7 +668,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
         }
 
         // adjust patch sizes
-        forAllReverse (newPatches, patchI)
+        forAllReverse(newPatches, patchI)
         {
             if
             (
@@ -717,7 +681,6 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
             }
         }
     }
-
     oldToNew.clear();
 
     // adjust patch start
@@ -729,14 +692,33 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
     }
 
     // construct a sub-surface
-    MeshedSurface subSurf
+    return MeshedSurface
     (
         xferMove(newPoints),
         xferMove(newFaces),
         xferMove(newPatches)
     );
+}
 
-    return subSurf;
+
+template<class Face>
+Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
+(
+    const UList<bool>& include
+) const
+{
+    labelList pointMap, faceMap;
+    return subsetMesh(include, pointMap, faceMap);
+}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::addPatches
+(
+    const UList<surfGroup>& patchLst
+)
+{
+    patches_ = patchLst;
 }
 
 
@@ -746,10 +728,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
     MeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 {
-    clear();
-
-    storedPoints().transfer(surf.storedPoints());
-    storedFaces().transfer(surf.storedFaces());
+    reset(xferMove(surf.storedPoints()), xferMove(surf.storedFaces()));
     patches_.transfer(surf.patches_);
 
     surf.clear();
@@ -763,14 +742,9 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
 )
 {
     clear();
-    storedPoints().transfer(surf.storedPoints());
 
     labelList faceMap;
     surfGroupList patchLst = surf.sortedRegions(faceMap);
-    patches_.transfer(patchLst);
-
-    surf.regions_.clear();
-    surf.patches_.clear();
 
     const List<Face>& oldFaces = surf.faces();
     List<Face>  newFaces(oldFaces.size());
@@ -780,33 +754,30 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
     {
         newFaces[faceI] = oldFaces[faceMap[faceI]];
     }
+    faceMap.clear();
 
-    storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
+    reset(xferMove(surf.storedPoints()), xferMove(newFaces));
+    patches_.transfer(patchLst);
 
+    surf.regions_.clear();
+    surf.patches_.clear();
     surf.clear();
 }
 
 
-// Read from file in given format
+// Read from file, determine format from extension
 template<class Face>
-bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::read
-(
-    const fileName& fName
-)
+bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::read(const fileName& fName)
 {
-    clear();
-    const word ext = fName.ext();
-
-    // handle 'native' format directly
-    if (isNative(ext))
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
     {
-        return read(IFstream(fName)());
+        fileName unzipName = fName.lessExt();
+        return read(unzipName, unzipName.ext());
     }
     else
     {
-        // use selector mechanism
-        transfer(New(fName, ext)());
-        return true;
+        return read(fName, ext);
     }
 }
 
@@ -819,8 +790,6 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::read
     const word& ext
 )
 {
-    clear();
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
     if (isNative(ext))
     {
@@ -841,17 +810,6 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write(const Time& d) const
     write(OFstream(findMeshName(d))());
 }
 
-
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::writeStats(Ostream& os) const
-{
-//    os  << "Faces        : " << size() << endl
-//        << "Edges        : " << nEdges() << endl
-//        << "Vertices     : " << nPoints() << endl
-//        << "Bounding Box : " << boundBox(localPoints(), false) << endl;
-}
-
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class Face>
@@ -859,8 +817,8 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::operator=(const MeshedSurface& surf)
 {
     clear();
 
-    storedPoints() = surf.points();
-    storedFaces()  = surf.faces();
+    this->storedPoints() = surf.points();
+    this->storedFaces()  = surf.faces();
     patches_ = surf.patches_;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.H b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.H
index 68d4524049..35073fdc2a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurface.H
@@ -44,14 +44,9 @@ SourceFiles
 #ifndef MeshedSurface_H
 #define MeshedSurface_H
 
-#include "pointField.H"
-#include "PrimitivePatchExtra.H"
-#include "boolList.H"
+#include "PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H"
 #include "surfGroupList.H"
 #include "surfaceFormatsCore.H"
-#include "xfer.H"
-#include "face.H"
-#include "triFace.H"
 #include "runTimeSelectionTables.H"
 #include "memberFunctionSelectionTables.H"
 
@@ -79,7 +74,7 @@ template<class Face>
 template<class Face>
 class MeshedSurface
 :
-    public PrimitivePatchExtra<Face, ::Foam::List, pointField, point>,
+    public PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public fileFormats::surfaceFormatsCore
 {
     friend class UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>;
@@ -87,14 +82,7 @@ class MeshedSurface
 private:
 
     //- Private typedefs for convenience
-        typedef PrimitivePatchExtra
-        <
-            Face,
-            ::Foam::List,
-            pointField,
-            point
-        >
-        ParentType;
+        typedef PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
 
     // Private Member Data
 
@@ -116,22 +104,6 @@ private:
         //- Read OpenFOAM Surface format
         bool read(Istream&);
 
-protected:
-
-    // Protected member functions
-
-        //- Return non-const access to global points
-        pointField& storedPoints()
-        {
-            return const_cast<pointField&>(ParentType::points());
-        }
-
-        //- Return non-const access to the faces
-        List<Face>& storedFaces()
-        {
-            return static_cast<List<Face> &>(*this);
-        }
-
 public:
 
         //- Runtime type information
@@ -139,14 +111,14 @@ public:
 
     // Static
 
-        //- Only handles triangulated faces
-        inline static bool isTri();
+        //- Can we read this file format?
+        static bool canRead(const fileName&, const bool verbose=false);
 
         //- Can we read this file format?
-        static bool canRead(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+        static bool canReadType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
 
         //- Can we write this file format?
-        static bool canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+        static bool canWriteType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
 
 
     // Constructors
@@ -243,12 +215,6 @@ public:
 
     // Selectors
 
-        //- Select constructed from filename (implicit extension)
-        static autoPtr<MeshedSurface> New
-        (
-            const fileName&
-        );
-
         //- Select constructed from filename (explicit extension)
         static autoPtr<MeshedSurface> New
         (
@@ -256,6 +222,8 @@ public:
             const word& ext
         );
 
+        //- Select constructed from filename (implicit extension)
+        static autoPtr<MeshedSurface> New(const fileName&);
 
     // Destructor
 
@@ -285,68 +253,41 @@ public:
 
     // Access
 
-        //- Return the number of points
-        label nPoints() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::points().size();
-        }
-
-        //- Return the number of faces
-        label nFaces() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::size();
-        }
-
         //- The surface size is the number of faces
         label size() const
         {
             return ParentType::size();
         }
 
-        //- Return const access to global points
-        const pointField& points() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::points();
-        }
-
-        //- Return const access to the faces
-        const List<Face>& faces() const
-        {
-            return static_cast<const List<Face> &>(*this);
-        }
-
         const List<surfGroup>& patches() const
         {
             return patches_;
         }
 
+        void addPatches(const UList<surfGroup>&);
+
+
     // Edit
 
         //- Clear all storage
         virtual void clear();
 
-        //- Move points
-        virtual void movePoints(const pointField&);
+        //- Remove invalid faces
+        void cleanup(const bool verbose);
 
-        //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
-        virtual void scalePoints(const scalar&);
-
-        //- Triangulate the surface, return the number of added faces.
-        //  The patch list will be adjusted accordingly.
-        label triangulate();
+        //- Check/fix duplicate/degenerate faces
+        void checkFaces(const bool verbose);
 
         //- Join the faces by removing duplicate points.
         //  Returns true if any points merged
         bool stitchFaces(const scalar tol=SMALL, const bool verbose=false);
 
-        //- Check/fix duplicate/degenerate faces
-        void checkFaces(const bool verbose);
-
-        //- Remove invalid faces
-        void cleanup(const bool verbose);
+        //- Triangulate the surface, return the number of added faces.
+        //  The patch list will be adjusted accordingly.
+        virtual label triangulate();
 
         //- Return new surface.
-        // Returns pointMap, faceMap from subsetMeshMap
+        //  Returns return pointMap, faceMap from subsetMeshMap
         MeshedSurface subsetMesh
         (
             const UList<bool>& include,
@@ -354,6 +295,12 @@ public:
             labelList& faceMap
         ) const;
 
+        //- Return new surface.
+        MeshedSurface subsetMesh
+        (
+            const UList<bool>& include
+        ) const;
+
         //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
         void transfer(MeshedSurface<Face>&);
 
@@ -366,7 +313,6 @@ public:
         //- 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&);
 
@@ -385,9 +331,6 @@ public:
         //- Write to database
         void write(const Time&) const;
 
-        //- Write some statistics
-        void writeStats(Ostream&) const;
-
 
     // Member operators
 
@@ -406,13 +349,6 @@ public:
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-//- Specialization for holding triangulated information
-template<>
-inline bool MeshedSurface<triFace>::isTri()
-{
-    return true;
-}
-
 //- Specialization for holding triangulated information
 template<>
 inline label MeshedSurface<triFace>::triangulate()
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceCleanup.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
index 7a287ec763..c53197c115 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::stitchFaces
     const bool verbose
 )
 {
-    pointField& pointLst = storedPoints();
+    pointField& pointLst = this->storedPoints();
 
     // Merge points
     labelList pointMap(pointLst.size());
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::stitchFaces
     // Set the coordinates to the merged ones
     pointLst.transfer(newPoints);
 
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // ensure we have at some patches, and they cover all the faces
     checkPatches();
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::stitchFaces
         }
 
         // adjust patch size
-        p.size() = newFaceI - p.size();
+        p.size() = newFaceI - p.start();
     }
 
     if (newFaceI != faceLst.size())
@@ -139,9 +139,9 @@ template<class Face>
 void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::checkFaces(const bool verbose)
 {
     // Simple check on indices ok.
-    const label maxPointI = points().size() - 1;
+    const label maxPointI = this->points().size() - 1;
 
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // Phase 0: detect badly labelled faces
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::checkFaces(const bool verbose)
 
     // Phase 1: find and skip over invalid faces
     // Phase 2: pack
-    const labelListList& fFaces = ParentType::faceFaces();
+    const labelListList& fFaces = this->faceFaces();
 
     label oldFaceI = 0;
     label newFaceI = 0;
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ template<class Face>
 Foam::label Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::triangulate()
 {
     label nTri = 0;
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // determine how many triangles are needed
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceIO.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceIO.C
index 0997d8d14f..f285b4b149 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceIO.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceIO.C
@@ -37,16 +37,6 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::read(Istream& is)
 {
     clear();
 
-    // triangulation required?
-    bool mustTriangulate = false;
-    {
-        Face f;
-        if (f.max_size() == 3)
-        {
-            mustTriangulate = true;
-        }
-    }
-
     List<surfGroup> patchLst(is);
 
     // copy and set the indices
@@ -61,17 +51,45 @@ bool Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::read(Istream& is)
     }
 
     // read points:
-    is >> storedPoints();
+    is >> this->storedPoints();
 
-    // read faces:
-    // TODO - specialization to triangulate on-the-fly
-    if (mustTriangulate)
+#if 1
+    // must triangulate?
+    if (this->isTri())
     {
-        is >> storedFaces();
+        List<face> faceLst(is);
+
+        MeshedSurface<face> surf;
+        surf.reset
+        (
+            xfer<pointField>::null(),
+            xferMove(faceLst)
+        );
+        surf.addPatches(patches_);
+
+        // this will break if the triangulation uses points
+        surf.triangulate();
+        patches_ = surf.patches();
+
+        // transcribe from face -> triFace (Face)
+        const List<face>& origFaces = surf.faces();
+        List<Face>  newFaces(origFaces.size());
+        forAll(origFaces, faceI)
+        {
+            newFaces[faceI] = Face
+            (
+                static_cast<const UList<label>&>(origFaces[faceI])
+            );
+        }
+        surf.clear();
+
+        this->storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
     }
     else
+#endif
     {
-        is >> storedFaces();
+        // read faces:
+        is >> this->storedFaces();
     }
 
     return is.good();
@@ -83,7 +101,7 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
     // just emit some information until we get a nice IOobject
     IOobject::writeBanner(os);
-    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface format" << nl
+    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface Format" << nl
         << "// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" << nl
         << "// regions:" << nl
         << patches_.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << incrIndent << nl;
@@ -97,10 +115,10 @@ void Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Note: Write with global point numbering
-    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << points() << nl;
+    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << this->points() << nl;
 
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
-    os  << "\n// faces:"  << nl << faces() << nl;
+    os  << "\n// faces:"  << nl << this->faces() << nl;
 
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceNew.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceNew.C
index 4eb86d92e4..4dbfe34464 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceNew.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaceNew.C
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::New
     return surf;
 }
 
+
 template<class Face>
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::MeshedSurface<Face> >
 Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::New
@@ -59,14 +60,12 @@ Foam::MeshedSurface<Face>::New
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    if (debug)
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
     {
-        Info<< "MeshedSurface::New(const fileName&) : "
-            "constructing MeshedSurface"
-            << endl;
+        ext = fName.lessExt().ext();
     }
-
-    return New(fName, fName.ext());
+    return New(fName, ext);
 }
 
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaces.C b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaces.C
index 15ac8eff77..f602bb1ae0 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaces.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/MeshedSurface/MeshedSurfaces.C
@@ -33,17 +33,14 @@ namespace Foam
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-#define makeMeshedSurface(faceType)                                           \
-    defineNamedTemplateTypeNameAndDebug                                       \
-        (MeshedSurface<faceType>, 0);                                         \
-    defineTemplatedRunTimeSelectionTable                                      \
-        (MeshedSurface, fileExtension,faceType);                              \
-    defineTemplatedMemberFunctionSelectionTable                               \
-        (MeshedSurface, write,fileExtension,faceType);
+#define makeSurface(surfType, faceType)                                       \
+    defineNamedTemplateTypeNameAndDebug(surfType<faceType>, 0);               \
+    defineTemplatedRunTimeSelectionTable(surfType,fileExtension,faceType);    \
+    defineTemplatedMemberFunctionSelectionTable(surfType,write,fileExtension,faceType);
 
 
-makeMeshedSurface(face)
-makeMeshedSurface(triFace)
+makeSurface(MeshedSurface, face)
+makeSurface(MeshedSurface, triFace)
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.C b/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8dc0e40029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.C
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
+    Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your
+    option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+template<class Face>
+inline bool Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::isTri()
+{
+    return false;
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+template<class Face>
+Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::PrimitiveMeshedSurface()
+:
+    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+{}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::PrimitiveMeshedSurface
+(
+    const xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
+    const xfer<List<Face> >& faceLst
+)
+:
+    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+{
+    reset(pointLst, faceLst);
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+template<class Face>
+Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::~PrimitiveMeshedSurface()
+{}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::clear()
+{
+    ParentType::clearOut();
+
+    storedPoints().clear();
+    storedFaces().clear();
+}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::movePoints(const pointField& newPoints)
+{
+    // Remove all geometry dependent data
+    ParentType::clearTopology();
+
+    // Adapt for new point position
+    ParentType::movePoints(newPoints);
+
+    // Copy new points
+    storedPoints() = newPoints;
+}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::scalePoints(const scalar& scaleFactor)
+{
+    // avoid bad scaling
+    if (scaleFactor > 0 && scaleFactor != 1.0)
+    {
+        // Remove all geometry dependent data
+        ParentType::clearTopology();
+
+        // Adapt for new point position
+        ParentType::movePoints(pointField());
+
+        storedPoints() *= scaleFactor;
+    }
+}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>::reset
+(
+    const xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
+    const xfer<List<Face> >& faceLst
+)
+{
+    ParentType::clearOut();
+
+    // Take over new primitive data.
+    // Optimized to avoid overwriting data at all
+    if (&pointLst)
+    {
+        storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
+    }
+
+    if (&faceLst)
+    {
+        storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
+    }
+}
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IOstream Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H b/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a019d284da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/surfMesh/PrimitiveMeshedSurface/PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
+    Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your
+    option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Class
+    Foam::PrimitiveMeshedSurface
+
+Description
+    Holds surfaces without any patch information
+
+SourceFiles
+    PrimitiveMeshedSurface.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef PrimitiveMeshedSurface_H
+#define PrimitiveMeshedSurface_H
+
+#include "PrimitivePatchExtra.H"
+#include "pointField.H"
+#include "xfer.H"
+#include "face.H"
+#include "triFace.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+// Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
+
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+                  Class PrimitiveMeshedSurface Declaration
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+template<class Face>
+class PrimitiveMeshedSurface
+:
+    public PrimitivePatchExtra<Face, ::Foam::List, pointField, point>
+{
+
+    //- Typedefs for convenience
+        typedef PrimitivePatchExtra
+        <
+            Face,
+            ::Foam::List,
+            pointField,
+            point
+        >
+        ParentType;
+
+protected:
+    // Protected Member Functions
+
+        //- Non-const access to global points
+        pointField& storedPoints()
+        {
+            return const_cast<pointField&>(ParentType::points());
+        }
+
+        //- Non-const access to the faces
+        List<Face>& storedFaces()
+        {
+            return static_cast<List<Face> &>(*this);
+        }
+
+public:
+
+    // Static
+
+        //- Face storage only handles triangulated faces
+        inline static bool isTri();
+
+    // Constructors
+
+        //- Construct null
+        PrimitiveMeshedSurface();
+
+        //- Construct by transferring components (points, faces).
+        PrimitiveMeshedSurface
+        (
+            const xfer<pointField>&,
+            const xfer<List<Face> >&
+        );
+
+    // Destructor
+
+        virtual ~PrimitiveMeshedSurface();
+
+    // Member Functions
+
+    // Access
+
+        //- Return const access to the faces
+        inline const List<Face>& faces() const
+        {
+            return static_cast<const List<Face> &>(*this);
+        }
+
+    // Edit
+
+        //- Clear all storage
+        virtual void clear();
+
+        //- Move points
+        virtual void movePoints(const pointField&);
+
+        //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
+        virtual void scalePoints(const scalar&);
+
+        //- Transfer components (points, faces).
+        virtual void reset
+        (
+            const xfer<pointField>&,
+            const xfer<List<Face> >&
+        );
+
+};
+
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+//- Specialization for holding triangulated information
+template<>
+inline bool PrimitiveMeshedSurface<triFace>::isTri()
+{
+    return true;
+}
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#ifdef NoRepository
+#   include "PrimitiveMeshedSurface.C"
+#endif
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.C b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.C
index c314847882..a47254d64a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.C
@@ -40,36 +40,20 @@ License
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class Face>
-inline bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::isTri()
-{
-    return false;
-}
-
-
-template<class Face>
-bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canRead
+bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canReadType
 (
     const word& ext,
     const bool verbose
 )
 {
-    // perhaps sent an entire name
-    word fExt(ext);
-
-    string::size_type dot = fExt.find_last_of(".");
-    if (dot != string::npos)
-    {
-        fExt = fExt.substr(dot+1);
-    }
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
-    if (isNative(fExt))
+    if (isNative(ext))
     {
         return true;
     }
 
     typename fileExtensionConstructorTable::iterator cstrIter =
-        fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->find(fExt);
+        fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->find(ext);
 
     // would be nice to have information about which format this actually is
     if (cstrIter == fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->end())
@@ -81,7 +65,7 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canRead
                 fileExtensionConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
             );
 
-            Info<<"Unknown file extension for reading: " << fExt << nl;
+            Info<<"Unknown file extension for reading: " << ext << nl;
             // compact output:
             Info<<"Valid types: ( " << nativeExt;
             forAll(known, i)
@@ -98,29 +82,20 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canRead
 
 
 template<class Face>
-bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite
+bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canWriteType
 (
     const word& ext,
     const bool verbose
 )
 {
-    // perhaps sent an entire name
-    word fExt(ext);
-
-    string::size_type dot = ext.find_last_of(".");
-    if (dot != string::npos)
-    {
-        fExt = ext.substr(dot+1);
-    }
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
-    if (isNative(fExt))
+    if (isNative(ext))
     {
         return true;
     }
 
     typename writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTable::iterator mfIter =
-        writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->find(fExt);
+        writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->find(ext);
 
     if (mfIter == writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->end())
     {
@@ -131,7 +106,7 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite
                 writefileExtensionMemberFunctionTablePtr_->toc()
             );
 
-            Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << fExt << nl;
+            Info<<"Unknown file extension for writing: " << ext << nl;
             // compact output:
             Info<<"Valid types: ( " << nativeExt;
             forAll(known, i)
@@ -148,6 +123,22 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canWrite
 }
 
 
+template<class Face>
+bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::canRead
+(
+    const fileName& fName,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
+    {
+        ext = fName.lessExt().ext();
+    }
+    return canReadType(ext, verbose);
+}
+
+
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write
 (
@@ -194,8 +185,6 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface()
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {}
 
 
@@ -208,13 +197,10 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const xfer<surfPatchIdentifierList>& patchLst
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst),
     regions_(regionIds),
     patches_(patchLst)
-{
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-}
+{}
 
 
 template<class Face>
@@ -226,12 +212,9 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const Map<word>& regionNames
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst),
     regions_(regionIds)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
     if (&regionNames)
     {
         // set patch names from (id => name) mapping
@@ -254,12 +237,9 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const HashTable<label>& labelToRegion
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst),
     regions_(regionIds)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
     // set patch names from (name => id) mapping
     setPatches(labelToRegion);
 }
@@ -272,126 +252,50 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const xfer<List<Face> >& faceLst
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
-    regions_(faceLst().size(), 0),     // single default patch
-    patches_()
+    ParentType(pointLst, faceLst)
 {
-    storedPoints().transfer(pointLst());
-    storedFaces().transfer(faceLst());
-
-    setPatches(0);
+    onePatch();
 }
 
 
-#if 0
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
 (
     const polyBoundaryMesh& bMesh,
     const bool useGlobalPoints
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
-    const polyMesh& mesh = bMesh.mesh();
-    const polyPatchList& bPatches = bMesh;
-    const label nIntFaces = mesh.nInternalFaces();
-
-    List<PatchRegionType> newPatches(bPatches.size());
-
-    // Get patch for all of outside
-    primitivePatch allBoundary
-    (
-        SubList<Face>
-        (
-            mesh.faces(),
-            mesh.nFaces() - nIntFaces,
-            nIntFaces
-        ),
-        mesh.points()
-    );
-
-    List<Face>  newFaces(allBoundary.size());
-    List<label> newRegions(allBoundary.size());
-
-    if (useGlobalPoints)
-    {
-        // copy in the global points
-        storedPoints() = mesh.points();
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        // copy in the local points
-        storedPoints() = allBoundary.localPoints();
-    }
-
-    // global or local face addressing
-    const List<Face>& bfaces =
-    (
-        useGlobalPoints
-      ? allBoundary
-      : allBoundary.localFaces()
-    );
-
-    label faceIndex = 0;
-    forAll(bPatches, patchI)
-    {
-        const polyPatch& p = bPatches[patchI];
-
-        newPatches[patchI] = PatchRegionType
-        (
-            bPatches[patchI].name(),
-            patchI
-        );
-
-        forAll(p, patchFaceI)
-        {
-            newFaces[faceIndex] = bfaces[faceIndex];
-            newRegions[faceIndex] = patchI;
-            faceIndex++;
-        }
-    }
-
-    storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
-    regions_.transfer(newRegions);
-    patches_.transfer(newPatches);
+    // creating via MeshedSurface is the easiest
+    MeshedSurface<Face> surf(bMesh, useGlobalPoints);
+    transfer(surf);
 }
-#endif
 
 
-#if 0
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
 (
     const MeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 :
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), surf.points())
+    ParentType(xferCopy(surf.points()), xferCopy(surf.faces()))
 {
-    const List<Face>&   origFaces = surf.faces();
     const surfGroupList& patchLst = surf.patches();
 
-    List<Face>   newFaces(origFaces.size());
-    List<label>  newRegions(origFaces.size());
-    List<PatchRegionType> newPatches(patchLst.size());
+    regions_.setSize(size());
+    patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
 
-    label faceIndex = 0;
+    label faceI = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
-        newPatches[patchI] = patchLst[patchI];
+        patches_[patchI] = patchLst[patchI];
+
         forAll(patchLst[patchI], patchFaceI)
         {
-            newFaces[faceIndex] = origFaces[faceIndex];
-            newRegions[faceIndex] = patchI;
-            faceIndex++;
+            regions_[faceI++] = patchI;
         }
     }
-
-    storedFaces().transfer(newFaces);
-    regions_.transfer(newRegions);
-    patches_.transfer(newPatches);
 }
-#endif
+
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
@@ -399,32 +303,20 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const fileName& fName,
     const word& ext
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     read(fName, ext);
 }
 
 
 template<class Face>
-Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
-(
-    const fileName& fName
-)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface(const fileName& fName)
 {
-    read(fName, fName.ext());
+    read(fName);
 }
 
 
 template<class Face>
-Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
-(
-    Istream& is
-)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
+Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface(Istream& is)
 {
     read(is);
 }
@@ -432,8 +324,6 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface(const Time& d)
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField())
 {
     read(IFstream(findMeshName(d))());
 }
@@ -445,7 +335,7 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
     const UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 :
-    ParentType(surf.faces(), surf.points()),
+    ParentType(xferCopy(surf.points()), xferCopy(surf.faces())),
     regions_(surf.regions_),
     patches_(surf.patches_)
 {}
@@ -456,28 +346,19 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
 (
     const xfer<UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> >& surf
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
-    regions_(),
-    patches_()
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
 
-#if 0
+
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::UnsortedMeshedSurface
 (
     const xfer<MeshedSurface<Face> >& surf
 )
-:
-    ParentType(List<Face>(), pointField()),
-    regions_(),
-    patches_()
 {
     transfer(surf());
 }
-#endif
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Destructor  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -489,6 +370,18 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::~UnsortedMeshedSurface()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * Protected Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::onePatch()
+{
+    regions_.setSize(size());
+    regions_ = 0;
+
+    // set single default patch
+    patches_.setSize(1);
+    patches_[0] = PatchRegionType("patch0", 0);
+}
+
+
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::setPatches(const label maxPatch)
 {
@@ -604,17 +497,15 @@ template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::setSize(const label s)
 {
     ParentType::setSize(s);
-    regions_.setSize(s);
+    // if regions extend: set with last patchId
+    regions_.setSize(s, patches_.size() - 1);
 }
 
 
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::clear()
 {
-    ParentType::clearOut();
-
-    storedPoints().clear();
-    storedFaces().clear();
+    ParentType::clear();
     regions_.clear();
     patches_.clear();
 }
@@ -637,37 +528,6 @@ Foam::surfGroupList Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::sortedRegions
 }
 
 
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::movePoints(const pointField& newPoints)
-{
-    // Remove all geometry dependent data
-    ParentType::clearTopology();
-
-    // Adapt for new point position
-    ParentType::movePoints(newPoints);
-
-    // Copy new points
-    storedPoints() = newPoints;
-}
-
-
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::scalePoints(const scalar& scaleFactor)
-{
-    // avoid bad scaling
-    if (scaleFactor > 0 && scaleFactor != 1.0)
-    {
-        // Remove all geometry dependent data
-        ParentType::clearTopology();
-
-        // Adapt for new point position
-        ParentType::movePoints(pointField());
-
-        storedPoints() *= scaleFactor;
-    }
-}
-
-
 template<class Face>
 Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
 (
@@ -676,15 +536,15 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
     labelList& faceMap
 ) const
 {
-    const pointField& locPoints = ParentType::localPoints();
-    const List<Face>& locFaces  = ParentType::localFaces();
+    const pointField&  locPoints = this->localPoints();
+    const List<Face>&  locFaces  = this->localFaces();
 
     // Fill pointMap, faceMap
-    ParentType::subsetMap(include, pointMap, faceMap);
+    this->subsetMap(include, pointMap, faceMap);
 
     // Create compact coordinate list and forward mapping array
     pointField newPoints(pointMap.size());
-    labelList oldToNew(locPoints.size());
+    labelList  oldToNew(locPoints.size());
     forAll(pointMap, pointI)
     {
         newPoints[pointI] = locPoints[pointMap[pointI]];
@@ -692,12 +552,13 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
     }
 
     // Renumber face node labels and compact
-    List<Face> newFaces(faceMap.size());
+    List<Face>  newFaces(faceMap.size());
+    List<label> newRegions(faceMap.size());
 
     forAll(faceMap, faceI)
     {
-        // Get old vertex labels
-        const Face& oldFace = locFaces[faceMap[faceI]];
+        const label origFaceI = faceMap[faceI];
+        const Face& oldFace = locFaces[origFaceI];
 
         newFaces[faceI] = Face(oldFace);
 
@@ -707,17 +568,47 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
         {
             f[fp] = oldToNew[oldFace[fp]];
         }
+
+        newRegions[faceI] = regions_[origFaceI];
     }
+    oldToNew.clear();
 
     // construct a sub-surface
-    UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> subSurf;
+    return UnsortedMeshedSurface
     (
         xferMove(newPoints),
         xferMove(newFaces),
+        xferMove(newRegions),
         xferCopy(patches_)
     );
+}
 
-    return subSurf;
+
+template<class Face>
+Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::subsetMesh
+(
+    const UList<bool>& include
+) const
+{
+    labelList pointMap, faceMap;
+    return subsetMesh(include, pointMap, faceMap);
+}
+
+
+template<class Face>
+void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::reset
+(
+    const xfer<pointField>& pointLst,
+    const xfer<List<Face> >& faceLst,
+    const xfer<List<label> >& regionIds
+)
+{
+    ParentType::reset(pointLst, faceLst);
+
+    if (&regionIds)
+    {
+        regions_.transfer(regionIds());
+    }
 }
 
 
@@ -727,30 +618,28 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
     UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 {
-    clear();
-
-    storedPoints().transfer(surf.storedPoints());
-    storedFaces().transfer(surf.storedFaces());
-    regions_.transfer(surf.regions_);
+    reset
+    (
+        xferMove(surf.storedPoints()),
+        xferMove(surf.storedFaces()),
+        xferMove(surf.regions_)
+    );
     patches_.transfer(surf.patches_);
 
     surf.clear();
 }
 
 
-#if 0
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
 (
     MeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 {
-    surfGroupList& patchLst = surf.patches();
+    surfGroupList& patchLst = surf.patches_;
 
-    clear();
+    reset(xferMove(surf.storedPoints()), xferMove(surf.storedFaces()));
 
-    storedPoints().transfer(surf.storedPoints());
-    storedFaces().transfer(surf.storedFaces());
     regions_.setSize(size());
     patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
 
@@ -769,29 +658,21 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::transfer
     patchLst.clear();
     surf.clear();
 }
-#endif
 
 
-// Read from file in given format
+// Read from file, determine format from extension
 template<class Face>
-bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::read
-(
-    const fileName& fName
-)
+bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::read(const fileName& fName)
 {
-    clear();
-    const word ext = fName.ext();
-
-    // handle 'native' format directly
-    if (isNative(ext))
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
     {
-        return read(IFstream(fName)());
+        fileName unzipName = fName.lessExt();
+        return read(unzipName, unzipName.ext());
     }
     else
     {
-        // use selector mechanism
-        transfer(New(fName, ext)());
-        return true;
+        return read(fName, ext);
     }
 }
 
@@ -804,8 +685,6 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::read
     const word& ext
 )
 {
-    clear();
-
     // handle 'native' format directly
     if (isNative(ext))
     {
@@ -827,16 +706,6 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write(const Time& d) const
 }
 
 
-template<class Face>
-void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::writeStats(Ostream& os) const
-{
-//    os  << "Faces        : " << size() << endl
-//        << "Edges        : " << nEdges() << endl
-//        << "Vertices     : " << nPoints() << endl
-//        << "Bounding Box : " << boundBox(localPoints(), false) << endl;
-}
-
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class Face>
@@ -846,8 +715,9 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::operator=
 )
 {
     clear();
-    storedPoints() = surf.points();
-    storedFaces()  = surf.faces();
+
+    this->storedPoints() = surf.points();
+    this->storedFaces()  = surf.faces();
     regions_ = surf.regions_;
     patches_ = surf.patches_;
 }
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.H b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.H
index 2101ae155c..2eb767e7f7 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurface.H
@@ -47,15 +47,10 @@ SourceFiles
 #ifndef UnsortedMeshedSurface_H
 #define UnsortedMeshedSurface_H
 
-#include "pointField.H"
-#include "PrimitivePatchExtra.H"
-#include "boolList.H"
+#include "PrimitiveMeshedSurface.H"
 #include "surfPatchIdentifierList.H"
 #include "surfGroupList.H"
 #include "surfaceFormatsCore.H"
-#include "xfer.H"
-#include "face.H"
-#include "triFace.H"
 #include "runTimeSelectionTables.H"
 #include "memberFunctionSelectionTables.H"
 
@@ -84,22 +79,15 @@ template<class Face>
 template<class Face>
 class UnsortedMeshedSurface
 :
-    public PrimitivePatchExtra<Face, ::Foam::List, pointField, point>,
+    public PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public fileFormats::surfaceFormatsCore
 {
     friend class MeshedSurface<Face>;
 
 private:
 
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-        typedef PrimitivePatchExtra
-        <
-            Face,
-            ::Foam::List,
-            pointField,
-            point
-        >
-        ParentType;
+    //- Typedefs for convenience
+        typedef PrimitiveMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
 
         //- Typedef for type holding the region (patch) informationm
         typedef surfPatchIdentifier PatchRegionType;
@@ -125,6 +113,9 @@ protected:
 
     // Protected Member functions
 
+        //- Set a single patch
+        void onePatch();
+
         //- Sets default patch names based on the maximum patch number
         void setPatches(const label maxPatch);
 
@@ -141,19 +132,6 @@ protected:
         //- Sets patch names from hashed values (name -> id)
         void setPatches(const HashTable<label>& groupToPatch);
 
-
-        //- Return non-const access to global points
-        pointField& storedPoints()
-        {
-            return const_cast<pointField&>(ParentType::points());
-        }
-
-        //- Return non-const access to the faces
-        List<Face>& storedFaces()
-        {
-            return static_cast<List<Face> &>(*this);
-        }
-
         //- Return non-const access to the faces
         List<label>& storedRegions()
         {
@@ -167,14 +145,14 @@ public:
 
     // Static
 
-        //- Only handles triangulated faces
-        inline static bool isTri();
+        //- Can we read this file format?
+        static bool canReadType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
 
         //- Can we read this file format?
-        static bool canRead(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+        static bool canRead(const fileName&, const bool verbose=false);
 
         //- Can we write this file format?
-        static bool canWrite(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
+        static bool canWriteType(const word& ext, const bool verbose=false);
 
     // Constructors
 
@@ -219,14 +197,12 @@ public:
             const xfer<List<Face> >&
         );
 
-#if 0
         //- Construct from a boundary mesh with local points/faces
         UnsortedMeshedSurface
         (
             const polyBoundaryMesh&,
             const bool globalPoints=false
         );
-#endif
 
         //- Construct from a meshedSurface
         UnsortedMeshedSurface(const MeshedSurface<Face>&);
@@ -267,12 +243,6 @@ public:
 
     // Selectors
 
-        //- Select constructed from filename (implicit extension)
-        static autoPtr<UnsortedMeshedSurface> New
-        (
-            const fileName&
-        );
-
         //- Select constructed from filename (explicit extension)
         static autoPtr<UnsortedMeshedSurface> New
         (
@@ -280,6 +250,9 @@ public:
             const word& ext
         );
 
+        //- Select constructed from filename (implicit extension)
+        static autoPtr<UnsortedMeshedSurface> New(const fileName&);
+
     // Destructor
 
         virtual ~UnsortedMeshedSurface();
@@ -308,18 +281,6 @@ public:
 
     // Access
 
-        //- Return the number of points
-        label nPoints() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::points().size();
-        }
-
-        //- Return the number of faces
-        label nFaces() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::size();
-        }
-
         //- The surface size is the number of faces
         label size() const
         {
@@ -329,18 +290,6 @@ public:
         //- Reset size of face and region list
         void setSize(const label);
 
-        //- Return const access to global points
-        const pointField& points() const
-        {
-            return ParentType::points();
-        }
-
-        //- Return const access to the faces
-        const List<Face>& faces() const
-        {
-            return static_cast<const List<Face> &>(*this);
-        }
-
         //- Return const access to the regions
         const List<label>& regions() const
         {
@@ -357,17 +306,12 @@ public:
         //  Returns patch list and sets faceMap to index within faces()
         List<surfGroup> sortedRegions(labelList& faceMap) const;
 
+
     // Edit
 
         //- Clear all storage
         virtual void clear();
 
-        //- Move points
-        virtual void movePoints(const pointField&);
-
-        //- Scale points. A non-positive factor is ignored
-        virtual void scalePoints(const scalar&);
-
         //- Remove invalid faces
         void cleanup(const bool verbose);
 
@@ -379,10 +323,10 @@ public:
         bool stitchFaces(const scalar tol=SMALL, const bool verbose=false);
 
         //- Triangulate the surface, return the number of added faces.
-        label triangulate();
+        virtual label triangulate();
 
-        //- Return new surface. Returns pointMap, faceMap from
-        //  subsetMeshMap
+        //- Return new surface.
+        //  Returns return pointMap, faceMap from subsetMeshMap
         UnsortedMeshedSurface subsetMesh
         (
             const UList<bool>& include,
@@ -390,12 +334,27 @@ public:
             labelList& faceMap
         ) const;
 
+        //- Return new surface.
+        UnsortedMeshedSurface subsetMesh
+        (
+            const UList<bool>& include
+        ) const;
+
+        //- Transfer components (points, faces, region ids).
+        virtual void reset
+        (
+            const xfer<pointField>&,
+            const xfer<List<Face> >&,
+            const xfer<List<label> >& regionIds = xfer<List<label> >::null()
+        );
+
         //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
         void transfer(UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>&);
 
         //- Transfer the contents of the argument and annull the argument
         void transfer(MeshedSurface<Face>&);
 
+
     // Read
 
         //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on explicit extension
@@ -404,6 +363,7 @@ public:
         //- Read from file. Chooses reader based on detected extension
         virtual bool read(const fileName&);
 
+
     // Write
 
         //- Write to Ostream in simple FOAM format
@@ -418,9 +378,6 @@ public:
         //- Write to database
         void write(const Time&) const;
 
-        //- Write some statistics
-        void writeStats(Ostream&) const;
-
 
     // Member operators
 
@@ -441,13 +398,6 @@ public:
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-//- Specialization for holding triangulated information
-template<>
-inline bool UnsortedMeshedSurface<triFace>::isTri()
-{
-    return true;
-}
-
 //- Specialization for holding triangulated information
 template<>
 inline label UnsortedMeshedSurface<triFace>::triangulate()
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceCleanup.C b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
index 4ef2f3a065..68c6853c01 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceCleanup.C
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::stitchFaces
     const bool verbose
 )
 {
-    pointField& pointLst = storedPoints();
+    pointField& pointLst = this->storedPoints();
 
     // Merge points
     labelList  pointMap(pointLst.size());
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::stitchFaces
     // Set the coordinates to the merged ones
     pointLst.transfer(newPoints);
 
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // Reset the point labels to the unique points array
     label newFaceI = 0;
@@ -123,9 +123,9 @@ template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::checkFaces(const bool verbose)
 {
     // Simple check on indices ok.
-    const label maxPointI = points().size() - 1;
+    const label maxPointI = this->points().size() - 1;
 
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // Phase 0: detect badly labelled faces
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ template<class Face>
 Foam::label Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::triangulate()
 {
     label nTri = 0;
-    List<Face>& faceLst = storedFaces();
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
 
     // determine how many triangles are needed
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceIO.C b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceIO.C
index 029deff779..2ce4d8da1a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceIO.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceIO.C
@@ -35,53 +35,9 @@ License
 template<class Face>
 bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::read(Istream& is)
 {
-    clear();
-
-    // triangulation required?
-    bool mustTriangulate = false;
-    {
-        Face f;
-        if (f.max_size() == 3)
-        {
-            mustTriangulate = true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    List<surfGroup> patchLst(is);
-    // read points:
-    is >> storedPoints();
-
-
-    // read faces:
-    // TODO - specialization to triangulate on-the-fly
-    if (mustTriangulate)
-    {
-        is >> storedFaces();
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        is >> storedFaces();
-    }
-
-    patches_.setSize(patchLst.size());
-    regions_.setSize(size());
-
-    // copy patch info and set regions:
-    label faceIndex = 0;
-    forAll(patchLst, patchI)
-    {
-        patches_[patchI] = PatchRegionType
-        (
-            patchLst[patchI],
-            patchI
-        );
-
-        forAll(patchLst[patchI], patchFaceI)
-        {
-            regions_[faceIndex++] = patchI;
-        }
-    }
+    MeshedSurface<Face> surf(is);
 
+    transfer(surf);
     return is.good();
 }
 
@@ -90,13 +46,14 @@ bool Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::read(Istream& is)
 template<class Face>
 void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    const List<Face>& faceLst = faces();
+    const List<Face>& faceLst = this->faces();
+
     labelList faceMap;
     List<surfGroup> patchLst = sortedRegions(faceMap);
 
     // just emit some information until we get a nice IOobject
     IOobject::writeBanner(os);
-    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface format" << nl
+    os  << "// OpenFOAM Surface Format" << nl
         << "// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~" << nl
         << "// regions:" << nl
         << patchLst.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << incrIndent << nl;
@@ -110,13 +67,13 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Note: Write with global point numbering
-    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << points() << nl;
+    os  << "\n// points:" << nl << this->points() << nl;
 
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
     os  << "\n// faces:"  << nl;
     os  << faceLst.size() << nl << token::BEGIN_LIST << nl;
 
-    label faceIndex = 0;
+    label faceI = 0;
     forAll(patchLst, patchI)
     {
         // Print all faces belonging to this region
@@ -124,9 +81,7 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
 
         forAll(patch, patchFaceI)
         {
-            const face& f = faceLst[faceMap[faceIndex++]];
-
-            os  << f << nl;
+            os << faceLst[faceMap[faceI++]] << nl;
         }
     }
     os << token::END_LIST << nl;
@@ -134,7 +89,7 @@ void Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::write(Ostream& os) const
     IOobject::writeDivider(os);
 
     // Check state of Ostream
-    os.check("meshedSurface::write(Ostream&)");
+    os.check("UnsortedMeshedSurface::write(Ostream&)");
 }
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IOstream Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceNew.C b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceNew.C
index d06dc8b334..c65a114431 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceNew.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaceNew.C
@@ -75,24 +75,12 @@ Foam::UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::New
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    const word ext = fName.ext();
-
-    if (debug)
+    word ext = fName.ext();
+    if (ext == "gz")
     {
-        Info<< "UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>::New"
-            "(const fileName&) : "
-            "constructing UnsortedMeshedSurface"
-            << endl;
+        ext = fName.lessExt().ext();
     }
 
-    // TODO:
-    // if (ext == "gz")
-    // {
-    //    fileName unzipName = fName.lessExt();
-    //
-    //    return New(unzipName, unzipName.ext(), ext);
-    // }
-
     return New(fName, ext);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaces.C b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaces.C
index 2b12160a0a..c32482a358 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaces.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/UnsortedMeshedSurface/UnsortedMeshedSurfaces.C
@@ -33,17 +33,14 @@ namespace Foam
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-#define makeUnsortedMeshedSurface(faceType)                                   \
-    defineNamedTemplateTypeNameAndDebug                                       \
-        (UnsortedMeshedSurface<faceType>, 0);                                 \
-    defineTemplatedRunTimeSelectionTable                                      \
-        (UnsortedMeshedSurface, fileExtension,faceType);                      \
-    defineTemplatedMemberFunctionSelectionTable                               \
-        (UnsortedMeshedSurface, write,fileExtension,faceType);
+#define makeSurface(surfType, faceType)                                       \
+    defineNamedTemplateTypeNameAndDebug(surfType<faceType>, 0);               \
+    defineTemplatedRunTimeSelectionTable(surfType,fileExtension,faceType);    \
+    defineTemplatedMemberFunctionSelectionTable(surfType,write,fileExtension,faceType);
 
 
-makeUnsortedMeshedSurface(face)
-makeUnsortedMeshedSurface(triFace)
+makeSurface(UnsortedMeshedSurface, face)
+makeSurface(UnsortedMeshedSurface, triFace)
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.C
index 311c010b26..7e5a8068c7 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -43,8 +43,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::AC3DsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -57,8 +55,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
-    const bool mustTriangulate = ParentType::isTri();
+    const bool mustTriangulate = this->isTri();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -280,12 +278,12 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    this->storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(regionNames);
-    ParentType::stitchFaces(SMALL);
+    this->setPatches(regionNames);
+    this->stitchFaces(SMALL);
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -316,30 +314,26 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::AC3DsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
         forAll(p, patchFaceI)
         {
             const label faceI = faceMap[faceIndex++];
-
             include[faceI] = true;
         }
 
-        labelList pMap;
-        labelList fMap;
+        UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> subm = surf.subsetMesh(include);
 
-        ParentType patch = surf.subsetMesh(include, pMap, fMap);
+        // Now we have isolated surface for this patch alone. Write it.
+        os << "numvert " << subm.nPoints() << endl;
 
-        // Now we have triSurface for this patch alone. Write it.
-        os << "numvert " << patch.nPoints() << endl;
-
-        forAll(patch.localPoints(), ptI)
+        forAll(subm.localPoints(), ptI)
         {
-            const point& pt = patch.localPoints()[ptI];
+            const point& pt = subm.localPoints()[ptI];
 
             os << pt.x() << ' ' << pt.y() << ' ' << pt.z() << endl;
         }
 
-        os << "numsurf " << patch.localFaces().size() << endl;
+        os << "numsurf " << subm.localFaces().size() << endl;
 
-        forAll(patch.localFaces(), faceI)
+        forAll(subm.localFaces(), faceI)
         {
-            const Face& f = patch.localFaces()[faceI];
+            const Face& f = subm.localFaces()[faceI];
 
             os  << "SURF 0x20" << nl          // polygon
                 << "mat " << patchI << nl
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
index 930d784b32..779a85ba7a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ac3d/AC3DsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -67,9 +67,6 @@ class AC3DsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public AC3DsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.C
index a566d839d2..748937ebc7 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>::FTRsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -52,7 +50,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -66,10 +64,9 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     List<ftrPatch> readPatches(is);
-    List<point> pointLst(is);
 
-    // transfer to normal list
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    // read points directly
+    is >> this->storedPoints();
 
     // read faces with keys
     List<Keyed<triFace> > readFaces(is);
@@ -85,8 +82,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         regionLst[faceI] = readFaces[faceI].key();
     }
 
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
+    this->storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
     Map<word> regionNames;
     forAll(readPatches, patchI)
@@ -94,7 +91,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         regionNames.insert(patchI, readPatches[patchI].name());
     }
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(regionNames, readPatches.size() - 1);
+    this->setPatches(regionNames, readPatches.size() - 1);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.H
index 751ba2e6f7..f417a73958 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/ftr/FTRsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -56,8 +56,30 @@ class FTRsurfaceFormat
 :
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
+    // Private classes
+
+        //- read compatibility for ftr patch definitions
+        class ftrPatch
+        {
+            //- Name of patch
+            word name_;
+
+            //- Type of patch (ignored since it is usually "empty")
+            word type_;
+
+        public:
+
+            const word& name() const
+            {
+                return name_;
+            }
+
+            friend Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, ftrPatch& p)
+            {
+                is >> p.name_ >> p.type_;
+                return is;
+            }
+        };
 
     // Private Member Functions
 
@@ -67,30 +89,6 @@ class FTRsurfaceFormat
         //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
         void operator=(const FTRsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
 
-
-    //- read compatibility for ftr patch definitions
-    class ftrPatch
-    {
-        //- Name of patch
-        word name_;
-
-        //- Type of patch (ignored since it is usually "empty")
-        word type_;
-
-    public:
-
-        const word& name() const
-        {
-            return name_;
-        }
-
-        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, ftrPatch& p)
-        {
-            is >> p.name_ >> p.type_;
-            return is;
-        }
-    };
-
 public:
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
index b1aab280e7..9fb539acda 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::GTSsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -55,7 +53,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -69,7 +67,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // Read header
-    string line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+    string line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
 
     label nPoints, nEdges, nElems;
     {
@@ -82,9 +80,9 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
 
     // write directly into the lists:
-    pointField& pointLst = ParentType::storedPoints();
-    List<Face>& faceLst  = ParentType::storedFaces();
-    List<label>& regionLst = ParentType::storedRegions();
+    pointField& pointLst = this->storedPoints();
+    List<Face>& faceLst  = this->storedFaces();
+    List<label>& regionLst = this->storedRegions();
 
     pointLst.setSize(nPoints);
     faceLst.setSize(nElems);
@@ -94,7 +92,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     forAll(pointLst, pointI)
     {
         scalar x, y, z;
-        line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
         {
             IStringStream lineStream(line);
             lineStream
@@ -109,7 +107,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     forAll(edges, edgei)
     {
         label beg, end;
-        line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
         {
             IStringStream lineStream(line);
             lineStream
@@ -126,7 +124,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         label e0Label, e1Label, e2Label;
         label regionI = 0;
 
-        line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
         {
             IStringStream lineStream(line);
             lineStream
@@ -207,8 +205,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::GTSsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         regionLst[faceI] = regionI;
     }
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(maxPatch);
-    // ParentType::stitchFaces(SMALL);
+    this->setPatches(maxPatch);
+    // this->stitchFaces(SMALL);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
index 5df13e9833..1e22ffec4d 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/gts/GTSsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -57,9 +57,6 @@ class GTSsurfaceFormat
 :
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.C
index 1c9e70b6c7..95d6a1dfa1 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -40,8 +40,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::NASsurfaceFormat<Face>::NASsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -55,8 +53,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::NASsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
-    const bool mustTriangulate = ParentType::isTri();
+    const bool mustTriangulate = this->isTri();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -348,8 +346,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::NASsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
     pointId.shrink();
     faceLst.shrink();
@@ -389,9 +387,9 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::NASsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    this->storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(regionNames);
+    this->setPatches(regionNames);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
index f87ba737d6..b8b82d62bd 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/nas/NASsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -67,9 +67,6 @@ class NASsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public NASsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.C
index 76a947165e..7c7065d664 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -37,8 +37,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>::OBJsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -52,8 +50,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
-    const bool mustTriangulate = ParentType::isTri();
+    const bool mustTriangulate = this->isTri();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -77,13 +75,13 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
     while (is.good())
     {
-        string line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        string line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
 
         // handle continuations
         if (line[line.size()-1] == '\\')
         {
             line.substr(0, line.size()-1);
-            line += ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+            line += this->getLineNoComment(is);
         }
 
         // Read first word
@@ -198,11 +196,11 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    this->storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(groupToPatch);
+    this->setPatches(groupToPatch);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
index 7af44f2380..e5c9d92b60 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/obj/OBJsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -61,17 +61,8 @@ class OBJsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public OBJsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
-        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
-        OBJsurfaceFormat(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
-        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
-        void operator=(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
         static void writeHead
         (
             Ostream&,
@@ -80,6 +71,12 @@ class OBJsurfaceFormat
             const List<surfGroup>&
         );
 
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        OBJsurfaceFormat(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const OBJsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
+
 public:
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.C
index 7d4b6c1496..ddf1e6be53 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -39,8 +39,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::OFFsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -54,8 +52,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
-    const bool mustTriangulate = ParentType::isTri();
+    const bool mustTriangulate = this->isTri();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -69,7 +67,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // Read header
-    string hdr = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+    string hdr = this->getLineNoComment(is);
     if (hdr != "OFF")
     {
         FatalErrorIn
@@ -84,7 +82,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     // get dimensions
     label nPoints, nEdges, nElems;
 
-    string line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+    string line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
     {
         IStringStream lineStream(line);
         lineStream >> nPoints >> nElems >> nEdges;
@@ -95,7 +93,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     forAll(pointLst, pointI)
     {
         scalar x, y, z;
-        line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
         {
             IStringStream lineStream(line);
             lineStream >> x >> y >> z;
@@ -109,7 +107,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
     {
-        line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
         {
             IStringStream lineStream(line);
 
@@ -150,14 +148,14 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::OFFsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    reset
+    (
+        xferMove(pointLst),
+        xferMoveTo<List<Face> >(faceLst)
+    );
 
     // no region information
-    ParentType::storedRegions().setSize(ParentType::size());
-    ParentType::storedRegions() = 0;
-
-    ParentType::setPatches(0);
+    this->onePatch();
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
index 11cf878089..9e9ce00a4d 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/off/OFFsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -69,17 +69,8 @@ class OFFsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public OFFsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
-        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
-        OFFsurfaceFormat(const OFFsurfaceFormat&);
-
-        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
-        void operator=(const OFFsurfaceFormat&);
-
         static void writeHead
         (
             Ostream&,
@@ -88,6 +79,12 @@ class OFFsurfaceFormat
             const List<surfGroup>&
         );
 
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        OFFsurfaceFormat(const OFFsurfaceFormat&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const OFFsurfaceFormat&);
+
 public:
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.C
index 4681037b1c..8195719296 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ License
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::fileFormats::SMESHsurfaceFormat<Face>::SMESHsurfaceFormat()
-:
-    ParentType()
 {}
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
index bbdbc2c696..6b8e8ac695 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/smesh/SMESHsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -66,9 +66,6 @@ class SMESHsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public SMESHsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.C
index aa92983ac9..3f523865de 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -71,8 +71,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::STARCDsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -85,8 +83,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
-    const bool mustTriangulate = ParentType::isTri();
+    const bool mustTriangulate = this->isTri();
+    this->clear();
 
     fileName baseName = fName.lessExt();
     autoPtr<IFstream> isPtr;
@@ -126,7 +124,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
 
     // Build inverse mapping (index to point)
     pointId.shrink();
@@ -218,9 +216,9 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
                     SubList<label>(starLabels, nLabels)
                 );
 
-                faceList triFaces(f.nTriangles(ParentType::points()));
+                faceList triFaces(f.nTriangles(this->points()));
                 label nTri = 0;
-                f.triangles(ParentType::points(), nTri, triFaces);
+                f.triangles(this->points(), nTri, triFaces);
 
                 forAll(triFaces, faceI)
                 {
@@ -260,10 +258,10 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     }
 
     // transfer to normal lists
-    ParentType::storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
+    this->storedFaces().transfer(faceLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(regionNames);
+    this->setPatches(regionNames);
 
     return true;
 }
@@ -303,7 +301,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
     (
         OFstream(baseName + ".inp")(),
         surf.points(),
-        surf.nFaces(),
+        surf.size(),
         patchLst
     );
 }
@@ -342,7 +340,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STARCDsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
     (
         OFstream(baseName + ".inp")(),
         surf.points(),
-        surf.nFaces(),
+        surf.size(),
         patchLst
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
index d7d9d31a5d..1afb83496b 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/starcd/STARCDsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -65,15 +65,12 @@ class STARCDsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public STARCDsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Data
-    //- STAR-CD identifier for shell shapes (2d elements)
-    static const int starcdShellShape_ = 3;
+        //- STAR-CD identifier for shell shapes (2d elements)
+        static const int starcdShellShape_ = 3;
 
-    //- STAR-CD identifier for shell type (shells vs. baffles)
-    static const int starcdShellType_  = 4;
+        //- STAR-CD identifier for shell type (shells vs. baffles)
+        static const int starcdShellType_  = 4;
 
     // Private Member Functions
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLpoint.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLpoint.H
index 28798d9a22..892d30b095 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLpoint.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLpoint.H
@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@ public:
 
     // Member Operators
 
+        //- Return point
         inline operator point() const
         {
             return point(x(), y(), z());
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.C
index ad035da248..cce059b27a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -271,8 +271,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::STLsurfaceFormat<Face>::STLsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -286,18 +284,18 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STLsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
+    this->clear();
 
     // read in the values
     STLsurfaceFormatCore reader(fName);
 
-    // transfer
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(reader.points());
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(reader.regions());
-
     // generate the faces:
-    List<Face>&  faceLst = ParentType::storedFaces();
-    faceLst.setSize(ParentType::regions().size());
+    List<Face>&  faceLst = this->storedFaces();
+    faceLst.setSize(reader.regions().size());
+
+    // transfer
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(reader.points());
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(reader.regions());
 
     label ptI = 0;
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
@@ -313,14 +311,14 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::STLsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
     if (reader.binary())
     {
-        ParentType::setPatches(reader.maxRegionId());
+        this->setPatches(reader.maxRegionId());
     }
     else
     {
-        ParentType::setPatches(reader.groupToPatch());
+        this->setPatches(reader.groupToPatch());
     }
 
-    ParentType::stitchFaces(SMALL);
+    this->stitchFaces(SMALL);
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -354,7 +352,7 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::STLsurfaceFormat<Face>::write
     const UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>& surf
 )
 {
-    const word ext = fName.ext();
+    word ext = fName.ext();
 
     // handle 'stlb' as binary directly
     if (ext == "stlb")
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
index 5fc99aff83..da5f9e9047 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -57,19 +57,8 @@ class STLsurfaceFormat
 :
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
-    // Private data
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
-        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
-        STLsurfaceFormat(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
-        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
-        void operator=(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
         //- Write Face in ASCII
         static inline void writeShell
         (
@@ -102,6 +91,12 @@ class STLsurfaceFormat
         //- Write MeshedSurface
         static void writeBINARY(ostream&, const MeshedSurface<Face>&);
 
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        STLsurfaceFormat(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const STLsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
 public:
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormatCore.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormatCore.H
index 7e7c8166c6..6fcc494553 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormatCore.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/stl/STLsurfaceFormatCore.H
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ SourceFiles
 
 #include "STLtriangle.H"
 #include "triFace.H"
+#include "gzstream.h"
 #include "IFstream.H"
 #include "Ostream.H"
 #include "OFstream.H"
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/surfaceFormatsCore.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/surfaceFormatsCore.C
index c5af959f8e..d76a9b71ec 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/surfaceFormatsCore.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/surfaceFormatsCore.C
@@ -242,7 +242,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::surfaceFormatsCore::sortedPatchRegions
     forAll(regionLst, faceI)
     {
         label patchI = regionLookup[regionLst[faceI]];
-
         faceMap[faceI] = patchLst[patchI].start() + patchLst[patchI].size()++;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.C
index db402e4d2a..1cdd8ca1b0 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@ Foam::fileFormats::TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>::TRIsurfaceFormat
 (
     const fileName& fName
 )
-:
-    ParentType()
 {
     read(fName);
 }
@@ -83,7 +81,7 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
     const fileName& fName
 )
 {
-    ParentType::clear();
+    this->clear();
 
     IFstream is(fName);
     if (!is.good())
@@ -108,13 +106,13 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
 
     while (is.good())
     {
-        string line = ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        string line = this->getLineNoComment(is);
 
         // handle continuations ?
         //          if (line[line.size()-1] == '\\')
         //          {
         //              line.substr(0, line.size()-1);
-        //              line += ParentType::getLineNoComment(is);
+        //              line += this->getLineNoComment(is);
         //          }
 
         IStringStream lineStream(line);
@@ -181,13 +179,13 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         regionLst.append(groupID);
     }
 
-    // transfer to normal list
-    ParentType::storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
-    ParentType::storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
-
     // make our triangles directly
-    List<Face>& faceLst = ParentType::storedFaces();
-    faceLst.setSize(ParentType::regions().size());
+    List<Face>& faceLst = this->storedFaces();
+    faceLst.setSize(regionLst.size());
+
+    // transfer to normal list
+    this->storedPoints().transfer(pointLst);
+    this->storedRegions().transfer(regionLst);
 
     label ptI = 0;
     forAll(faceLst, faceI)
@@ -201,8 +199,8 @@ bool Foam::fileFormats::TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>::read
         faceLst[faceI] = fTri;
     }
 
-    ParentType::setPatches(groupToPatch);
-    ParentType::stitchFaces(SMALL);
+    this->setPatches(groupToPatch);
+    this->stitchFaces(SMALL);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
index 995718fbf4..03f098e403 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/tri/TRIsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -57,17 +57,8 @@ class TRIsurfaceFormat
 :
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
-        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
-        TRIsurfaceFormat(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
-        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
-        void operator=(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
-
         static inline void writeShell
         (
             Ostream&,
@@ -76,6 +67,12 @@ class TRIsurfaceFormat
             const label patchI
         );
 
+        //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
+        TRIsurfaceFormat(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
+
+        //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
+        void operator=(const TRIsurfaceFormat<Face>&);
+
 public:
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
index 71c7ccae5f..df65cc799a 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.C
@@ -53,8 +53,6 @@ void Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>::writeHeaderPolygons
 
 template<class Face>
 Foam::fileFormats::VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>::VTKsurfaceFormat()
-:
-    ParentType()
 {}
 
 
diff --git a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
index f90de84464..a594235964 100644
--- a/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
+++ b/src/surfMesh/surfaceFormats/vtk/VTKsurfaceFormat.H
@@ -59,15 +59,11 @@ class VTKsurfaceFormat
     public UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face>,
     public VTKsurfaceFormatCore
 {
-    //- Private typedefs for convenience
-    typedef UnsortedMeshedSurface<Face> ParentType;
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Write header information about number of polygon points
         static void writeHeaderPolygons(Ostream&, const List<Face>&);
 
-
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct
         VTKsurfaceFormat(const VTKsurfaceFormat<Face>&);