diff --git a/examples/frames/Frame.cpp b/examples/frames/Frame.cpp
index 990beec5..a54f4a21 100644
--- a/examples/frames/Frame.cpp
+++ b/examples/frames/Frame.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@
 
 #include "Frame.h"
 
-#include <QskBoxOptions.h>
+#include <QskBoxShapeMetrics.h>
+#include <QskBoxBorderMetrics.h>
+#include <QskBoxBorderColors.h>
+#include <QskGradient.h>
 #include <QskBoxNode.h>
 #include <QskSkinlet.h>
 
@@ -145,18 +148,10 @@ void Frame::updateFrameNode( const QRectF& rect, QskBoxNode* node )
         }
     }
    
-    QskBoxOptions options;
-
-    options.border.setWidths( m_frameWidth );
-    options.borderColors.setColor( Qsk::Left, c1 );
-    options.borderColors.setColor( Qsk::Top, c1 );
-    options.borderColors.setColor( Qsk::Right, c2 );
-    options.borderColors.setColor( Qsk::Bottom, c2 );
-
-    options.fillGradient.setColor( m_color );
-    options.shape.setRadius( effectiveRadius( rect, m_radius ) );
+    const QskBoxBorderColors borderColors( c1, c1, c2, c2 );
+    const qreal radius = effectiveRadius( rect, m_radius );
     
-    node->setBoxData( rect, options );
+    node->setBoxData( rect, radius, m_frameWidth, borderColors, m_color );
 }
 
 #include "moc_Frame.cpp"
diff --git a/src/common/QskTextOptions.cpp b/src/common/QskTextOptions.cpp
index 3f573d29..27626de3 100644
--- a/src/common/QskTextOptions.cpp
+++ b/src/common/QskTextOptions.cpp
@@ -109,15 +109,15 @@ bool QskTextOptions::operator==( const QskTextOptions& other ) const
            && ( m_maximumLineCount == other.m_maximumLineCount );
 }
 
-bool QskTextOptions::isRichText( const QString& text ) const
+bool QskTextOptions::isPlainText( const QString& text ) const
 {
     if ( text.isEmpty() )
-        return false;
+        return true;
 
     if ( m_format == QskTextOptions::AutoText )
-        return Qt::mightBeRichText( text );
+        return !Qt::mightBeRichText( text );
 
-    return m_format == QskTextOptions::RichText;
+    return m_format == QskTextOptions::PlainText;
 }
 
 uint qHash( const QskTextOptions &options, uint seed ) noexcept
diff --git a/src/common/QskTextOptions.h b/src/common/QskTextOptions.h
index 1334fff6..fba8aaa7 100644
--- a/src/common/QskTextOptions.h
+++ b/src/common/QskTextOptions.h
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ public:
     bool operator==( const QskTextOptions& other ) const;
     bool operator!=( const QskTextOptions& other ) const;
 
-    bool isRichText( const QString& text ) const;
+    bool isPlainText( const QString& text ) const;
 
     int textFlags() const;
 
diff --git a/src/controls/QskScrollViewSkinlet.cpp b/src/controls/QskScrollViewSkinlet.cpp
index 4766e05a..b65e486f 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskScrollViewSkinlet.cpp
+++ b/src/controls/QskScrollViewSkinlet.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 #include "QskScrollViewSkinlet.h"
 #include "QskScrollView.h"
 #include "QskAspect.h"
-#include "QskSkinRenderer.h"
 #include "QskFunctions.h"
 
 #include <QTransform>
diff --git a/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.cpp b/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.cpp
index 2a454cf8..0bc233ba 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.cpp
+++ b/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.cpp
@@ -6,52 +6,13 @@
 #include "QskSkinRenderer.h"
 #include "QskSkinnable.h"
 #include "QskControl.h"
-#include "QskRgbValue.h"
 
 #include "QskTextRenderer.h"
 #include "QskPlainTextRenderer.h"
-#include "QskBoxOptions.h"
 #include "QskTextNode.h"
 
 #include <QMatrix4x4>
 
-static inline qreal qskRadiusAt( const QskBoxShapeMetrics& shape, Qt::Edge edge )
-{
-    switch( edge )
-    {
-        case Qt::LeftEdge:
-        {
-            return qMax(
-                shape.radius( Qt::TopLeftCorner ).width(),
-                shape.radius( Qt::BottomLeftCorner ).width()
-            );
-        }
-        case Qt::TopEdge:
-        {
-            return qMax(
-                shape.radius( Qt::TopLeftCorner ).height(),
-                shape.radius( Qt::TopRightCorner ).height()
-            );
-        }
-        case Qt::RightEdge:
-        {
-            return qMax(
-                shape.radius( Qt::TopRightCorner ).width(),
-                shape.radius( Qt::BottomRightCorner ).width()
-            );
-        }
-        case Qt::BottomEdge:
-        {
-            return qMax(
-                shape.radius( Qt::BottomLeftCorner ).height(),
-                shape.radius( Qt::BottomRightCorner ).height()
-            );
-        }
-    }
-
-    return 0.0;
-}
-
 QSizeF QskSkinRenderer::textSize( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
     const QString& text, const QskTextOptions& options,
     QskAspect::Subcontrol subControl )
@@ -60,9 +21,9 @@ QSizeF QskSkinRenderer::textSize( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
 
     auto font = skinnable->effectiveFont( subControl );
 
-    if ( options.isRichText( text ) )
+    if ( options.isPlainText( text ) )
     {
-        QskTextRenderer renderer;
+        QskPlainTextRenderer renderer;
         renderer.setFont( font );
         renderer.setOptions( options );
 
@@ -70,7 +31,7 @@ QSizeF QskSkinRenderer::textSize( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
     }
     else
     {
-        QskPlainTextRenderer renderer;
+        QskTextRenderer renderer;
         renderer.setFont( font );
         renderer.setOptions( options );
 
@@ -84,15 +45,7 @@ QSizeF QskSkinRenderer::textSize( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
 {
     const auto font = skinnable->effectiveFont( subControl );
 
-    if ( options.isRichText( text ) )
-    {
-        QskTextRenderer renderer;
-        renderer.setFont( font );
-        renderer.setOptions( options );
-
-        return renderer.textRect( boundingSize, text ).size();
-    }
-    else
+    if ( options.isPlainText( text ) )
     {
         QskPlainTextRenderer renderer;
         renderer.setFont( font );
@@ -100,14 +53,14 @@ QSizeF QskSkinRenderer::textSize( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
 
         return renderer.textRect( boundingSize, text ).size();
     }
-}
+    else
+    {
+        QskTextRenderer renderer;
+        renderer.setFont( font );
+        renderer.setOptions( options );
 
-void QskSkinRenderer::updateTextAt( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
-    const QPointF& pos, const QString& text, const QskTextOptions& options,
-    QskTextNode* textNode, QskAspect::Subcontrol subControl )
-{
-    const QRectF r( pos.x(), pos.y(), 0.0, 0.0 );
-    updateText( skinnable, r, Qt::AlignLeft, text, options, textNode, subControl );
+        return renderer.textRect( boundingSize, text ).size();
+    }
 }
 
 void QskSkinRenderer::updateText( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
@@ -137,13 +90,12 @@ void QskSkinRenderer::updateText( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
             subControl | Style, Qsk::Normal );
     }
 
-    const auto isRichText = options.isRichText( text ) ||
-        options.format() == QskTextOptions::StyledText;
+    const auto isPlainText = options.isPlainText( text );
 
     // doesn't work - we end up with a black rectangle TODO ...
 #if 0
     // Optimization: only update the color if that is all that has changed
-    if ( !isRichText && ( ( skinnable->dirtyAspects() & TypeMask ) == Color ) )
+    if ( isPlainText && color_is_dirty )
     {
         QskPlainTextRenderer::updateNodeColor( parentNode, textRgb,
             fontOptions.textStyle, styleRgb );
@@ -155,35 +107,28 @@ void QskSkinRenderer::updateText( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
     {
         case QskTextOptions::FixedSize:
             break;
+
         case QskTextOptions::HorizontalFit:
             Q_UNIMPLEMENTED();
             break;
+
         case QskTextOptions::VerticalFit:
             font.setPixelSize( bounds.height() * 0.5 );
             break;
+
         case QskTextOptions::Fit:
             Q_UNIMPLEMENTED();
             break;
     }
 
     QColor linkColor;
-    if ( isRichText )
+    if ( !isPlainText )
         linkColor = skinnable->color( subControl | LinkColor );
 
     if ( textNode->setTextData( text, bounds.size(), font,
         options, alignment, textStyle, textColor, styleColor, linkColor ) )
     {
-        if ( isRichText )
-        {
-            QskTextRenderer renderer;
-            renderer.setFont( font );
-            renderer.setOptions( options );
-            renderer.setAlignment( alignment );
-
-            renderer.updateNode( skinnable->owningControl(), bounds.size(),
-                text, textNode, textColor, textStyle, styleColor, linkColor );
-        }
-        else
+        if ( isPlainText )
         {
             QskPlainTextRenderer renderer;
             renderer.setFont( font );
@@ -193,52 +138,15 @@ void QskSkinRenderer::updateText( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
             renderer.updateNode( skinnable->owningControl(), bounds.size(),
                 text, textNode, textColor, textStyle, styleColor );
         }
+        else
+        {
+            QskTextRenderer renderer;
+            renderer.setFont( font );
+            renderer.setOptions( options );
+            renderer.setAlignment( alignment );
+
+            renderer.updateNode( skinnable->owningControl(), bounds.size(),
+                text, textNode, textColor, textStyle, styleColor, linkColor );
+        }
     }
 }
-
-QskBoxOptions QskSkinRenderer::boxOptions( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
-    const QSizeF& size, QskAspect::Subcontrol subControl )
-{
-    using namespace QskAspect;
-
-    QskBoxOptions options; 
-
-    options.shape = skinnable->boxShapeHint( subControl ).toAbsolute( size );
-    options.border = skinnable->boxBorderMetricsHint( subControl ).toAbsolute( size );
-    options.borderColors = skinnable->boxBorderColorsHint( subControl );
-    options.fillGradient = skinnable->gradientHint( subControl );
-
-    return options;
-}
-
-QMarginsF QskSkinRenderer::paddingHint(
-    const QskBoxShapeMetrics& shape, const QskBoxBorderMetrics& border,
-    const QSizeF& size, bool inner )
-{
-    const auto shapeAbsolute = shape.toAbsolute( size );
-    const auto borderAbsolute = border.toAbsolute( size );
-
-    QMarginsF padding(
-        qskRadiusAt( shapeAbsolute, Qt::LeftEdge ),
-        qskRadiusAt( shapeAbsolute, Qt::TopEdge ),
-        qskRadiusAt( shapeAbsolute, Qt::RightEdge ),
-        qskRadiusAt( shapeAbsolute, Qt::BottomEdge )
-    );
-
-    // half of the border goes to the inner side
-    const QMarginsF b = borderAbsolute.widths() * 0.5;
-
-    /*
-        not correct for calculating the outer padding,
-        but to get things started. TODO ...
-     */
-
-    if ( inner )
-        padding -= b;
-    else
-        padding += b;
-
-    // sin 45° ceiled : 0.70710678;
-    constexpr double f = 1.0 - 0.70710678;
-    return f * padding;
-}
diff --git a/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.h b/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.h
index ee546207..d2f09f35 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.h
+++ b/src/controls/QskSkinRenderer.h
@@ -13,15 +13,11 @@
 
 class QskSkinnable;
 class QskTextOptions;
-class QskBoxOptions;
-class QskBoxShapeMetrics;
-class QskBoxBorderMetrics;
 class QskTextNode;
 
 class QPointF;
 class QRectF;
 class QSizeF;
-class QMarginsF;
 class QString;
 
 namespace QskSkinRenderer
@@ -34,22 +30,12 @@ namespace QskSkinRenderer
         const QString&, const QskTextOptions&,
         QskTextNode*, QskAspect::Subcontrol );
 
-    QSK_EXPORT void updateTextAt( const QskSkinnable*,
-        const QPointF&, const QString&, const QskTextOptions&,
-        QskTextNode*, QskAspect::Subcontrol );
-
     QSK_EXPORT QSizeF textSize( const QskSkinnable*,
         const QString&, const QskTextOptions&, QskAspect::Subcontrol );
 
     QSK_EXPORT QSizeF textSize( const QskSkinnable*,
         const QSizeF& boundingSize, const QString&,
         const QskTextOptions&, QskAspect::Subcontrol );
-
-    QSK_EXPORT QskBoxOptions boxOptions( const QskSkinnable*,
-        const QSizeF&, QskAspect::Subcontrol );
-
-    QSK_EXPORT QMarginsF paddingHint(
-        const QskBoxShapeMetrics&, const QskBoxBorderMetrics&, const QSizeF&, bool inner );
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/controls/QskSkinlet.cpp b/src/controls/QskSkinlet.cpp
index e88a7938..30c40d46 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskSkinlet.cpp
+++ b/src/controls/QskSkinlet.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@
 #include "QskSetup.h"
 #include "QskSkin.h"
 #include "QskControl.h"
+#include "QskBoxShapeMetrics.h"
+#include "QskBoxBorderMetrics.h"
+#include "QskBoxBorderColors.h"
 #include "QskGradient.h"
 #include "QskSkinRenderer.h"
 #include "QskBoxNode.h"
@@ -16,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "QskTextNode.h"
 #include "QskGraphicNode.h"
 #include "QskGraphicTextureFactory.h"
-#include "QskBoxOptions.h"
 #include "QskFunctions.h"
 
 #include <QSGSimpleRectNode>
@@ -78,6 +80,15 @@ static inline QSGNode* qskUpdateGraphicNode(
     return graphicNode;
 }
 
+static inline bool qskIsBoxVisible( const QskBoxBorderMetrics& borderMetrics,
+    const QskBoxBorderColors& borderColors, const QskGradient& gradient )
+{
+    if ( gradient.isVisible() )
+        return true;
+
+    return !borderMetrics.isNull() && borderColors.isVisible();
+}
+
 class QskSkinlet::PrivateData
 {
 public:
@@ -188,10 +199,7 @@ QSGNode* QskSkinlet::updateBackgroundNode(
     if ( boxNode == nullptr )
         boxNode = new QskBoxNode();
 
-    QskBoxOptions options;
-    options.fillGradient = gradient;
-
-    boxNode->setBoxData( rect, options );
+    boxNode->setBoxData( rect, gradient );
     return boxNode;
 }
 
@@ -342,21 +350,29 @@ QSGNode* QskSkinlet::updateBoxNode( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
 {
     using namespace QskAspect;
 
-    if ( rect.isEmpty() )
+    const QMarginsF margins = skinnable->marginsHint( subControl | Margin );
+
+    const QRectF boxRect = rect.marginsRemoved( margins );
+    if ( boxRect.isEmpty() )
         return nullptr;
 
-    const auto options = QskSkinRenderer::boxOptions( skinnable, rect.size(), subControl );
-    if ( !options.isVisible() )
+    auto borderMetrics = skinnable->boxBorderMetricsHint( subControl );
+    borderMetrics = borderMetrics.toAbsolute( boxRect.size() );
+
+    const auto borderColors = skinnable->boxBorderColorsHint( subControl );
+    const auto fillGradient = skinnable->gradientHint( subControl );
+
+    if ( !qskIsBoxVisible( borderMetrics, borderColors, fillGradient ) )
         return nullptr;
 
+    auto shape = skinnable->boxShapeHint( subControl );
+    shape = shape.toAbsolute( boxRect.size() );
+
     auto boxNode = static_cast< QskBoxNode* >( node );
     if ( boxNode == nullptr )
         boxNode = new QskBoxNode();
 
-    const QMarginsF margins = skinnable->marginsHint( subControl | Margin );
-    const QRectF boxRect = rect.marginsRemoved( margins );
-
-    boxNode->setBoxData( boxRect, options );
+    boxNode->setBoxData( boxRect, shape, borderMetrics, borderColors, fillGradient );
 
     return boxNode;
 }
@@ -373,21 +389,28 @@ QSGNode* QskSkinlet::updateBoxClipNode( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
 {
     using namespace QskAspect;
 
-    if ( rect.isEmpty() )
-        return nullptr;
-
-    const auto options = QskSkinRenderer::boxOptions( skinnable, rect.size(), subControl );
-    if ( !options.isVisible() )
-        return nullptr;
-
     auto clipNode = static_cast< QskBoxClipNode* >( node );
     if ( clipNode == nullptr )
         clipNode = new QskBoxClipNode();
 
-    const QRectF clipRect = rect.marginsRemoved(
-        skinnable->marginsHint( subControl | Margin ) );
+    const QMarginsF margins = skinnable->marginsHint( subControl | Margin );
 
-    clipNode->setBox( clipRect, options.shape, options.border );
+    const QRectF clipRect = rect.marginsRemoved( margins );
+    if ( clipRect.isEmpty() )
+    {
+        clipNode->setIsRectangular( true );
+        clipNode->setClipRect( clipRect );
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        auto borderMetrics = skinnable->boxBorderMetricsHint( subControl );
+        borderMetrics = borderMetrics.toAbsolute( clipRect.size() );
+
+        auto shape = skinnable->boxShapeHint( subControl );
+        shape = shape.toAbsolute( clipRect.size() );
+
+        clipNode->setBox( clipRect, shape, borderMetrics );
+    }
 
     return clipNode;
 }
diff --git a/src/controls/QskSkinnable.cpp b/src/controls/QskSkinnable.cpp
index 44afecc8..24fc2829 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskSkinnable.cpp
+++ b/src/controls/QskSkinnable.cpp
@@ -604,30 +604,60 @@ const char* QskSkinnable::skinStateAsPrintable( QskAspect::State state ) const
     return bytes[counter].constData();
 }
 
-static inline QMarginsF qskMargins( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
+static inline QMarginsF qskEffectivePadding( const QskSkinnable* skinnable,
     QskAspect::Aspect aspect, const QSizeF& size, bool inner )
 {
     using namespace QskAspect;
+    using namespace Qt;
 
-    const QMarginsF padding1 = QskSkinRenderer::paddingHint(
-        skinnable->boxShapeHint( aspect | Shape),
-        skinnable->boxBorderMetricsHint( aspect | Border ),
-        size, inner );
+    const auto shape = skinnable->boxShapeHint( aspect | Shape ).toAbsolute( size );
+    const auto borderMetrics = skinnable->boxBorderMetricsHint( aspect | Border );
 
-    const QMarginsF padding2 = skinnable->marginsHint( aspect | Padding );
+
+    const qreal left = qMax( shape.radius( TopLeftCorner ).width(),
+        shape.radius( BottomLeftCorner ).width() );
+
+    const qreal top = qMax( shape.radius( TopLeftCorner ).height(),
+        shape.radius( TopRightCorner ).height() );
+
+    const qreal right = qMax( shape.radius( TopRightCorner ).width(),
+        shape.radius( BottomRightCorner ).width() );
+
+    const qreal bottom = qMax( shape.radius( Qt::BottomLeftCorner ).height(),
+        shape.radius( Qt::BottomRightCorner ).height() );
+
+    QMarginsF padding( left, top, right, bottom );
+
+    // half of the border goes to the inner side
+    const auto borderMargins = borderMetrics.toAbsolute( size ).widths() * 0.5;
+
+    if ( inner )
+    {
+        padding -= borderMargins;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        // not correct, but to get things started. TODO ...
+        padding += borderMargins;
+    }
+
+    // sin 45° ceiled : 0.70710678;
+    padding *= 1.0 - 0.70710678;
+
+    const QMarginsF paddingHint = skinnable->marginsHint( aspect | Padding );
 
     return QMarginsF(
-        qMax( padding1.left(), padding2.left() ),
-        qMax( padding1.top(), padding2.top() ),
-        qMax( padding1.right(), padding2.right() ),
-        qMax( padding1.bottom(), padding2.bottom() )
+        qMax( padding.left(), paddingHint.left() ),
+        qMax( padding.top(), paddingHint.top() ),
+        qMax( padding.right(), paddingHint.right() ),
+        qMax( padding.bottom(), paddingHint.bottom() )
     );
 }
 
 QSizeF QskSkinnable::innerBoxSize(
     QskAspect::Aspect aspect, const QSizeF& outerBoxSize ) const
 {
-    const QMarginsF m = qskMargins( this, aspect, outerBoxSize, true );
+    const QMarginsF m = qskEffectivePadding( this, aspect, outerBoxSize, true );
 
     return QSizeF( outerBoxSize.width() - m.left() - m.right(),
         outerBoxSize.height() - m.top() - m.bottom() );
@@ -636,14 +666,14 @@ QSizeF QskSkinnable::innerBoxSize(
 QRectF QskSkinnable::innerBox(
     QskAspect::Aspect aspect, const QRectF& outerBox ) const
 {
-    const QMarginsF m = qskMargins( this, aspect, outerBox.size(), true );
+    const QMarginsF m = qskEffectivePadding( this, aspect, outerBox.size(), true );
     return outerBox.marginsRemoved( m );
 }
 
 QSizeF QskSkinnable::outerBoxSize(
     QskAspect::Aspect aspect, const QSizeF& innerBoxSize ) const
 {
-    const QMarginsF m = qskMargins( this, aspect, innerBoxSize, false );
+    const QMarginsF m = qskEffectivePadding( this, aspect, innerBoxSize, false );
 
     return QSizeF( innerBoxSize.width() + m.left() + m.right(),
         innerBoxSize.height() + m.top() + m.bottom() );
@@ -652,7 +682,7 @@ QSizeF QskSkinnable::outerBoxSize(
 QRectF QskSkinnable::outerBox(
     QskAspect::Aspect aspect, const QRectF& innerBox ) const
 {
-    const QMarginsF m = qskMargins( this, aspect, innerBox.size(), false );
+    const QMarginsF m = qskEffectivePadding( this, aspect, innerBox.size(), false );
     return innerBox.marginsAdded( m );
 }
 
diff --git a/src/controls/QskTextLabel.cpp b/src/controls/QskTextLabel.cpp
index 67369ff4..a3554bfe 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskTextLabel.cpp
+++ b/src/controls/QskTextLabel.cpp
@@ -17,15 +17,32 @@ class QskTextLabel::PrivateData
 {
 public:
     PrivateData( const QString& txt ):
-        effectiveTextFormat( QskTextOptions::AutoText ),
         text( txt )
     {
+        effectiveTextFormat = textOptions.format();
     }
 
-    QskTextOptions textOptions;
+    QskTextOptions effectiveOptions() const
+    {
+        if ( textOptions.format() != QskTextOptions::AutoText )
+            return textOptions;
+
+        if ( effectiveTextFormat == QskTextOptions::AutoText )
+        {
+            effectiveTextFormat = textOptions.isPlainText( text )
+                 ? QskTextOptions::PlainText : QskTextOptions::RichText;
+        }
+
+        QskTextOptions options = textOptions;
+        options.setFormat( effectiveTextFormat );
+
+        return options;
+    }
 
-    QskTextOptions::TextFormat effectiveTextFormat;
     QString text;
+
+    QskTextOptions textOptions;
+    mutable QskTextOptions::TextFormat effectiveTextFormat;
 };
 
 QskTextLabel::QskTextLabel( QQuickItem* parent ):
@@ -50,7 +67,7 @@ void QskTextLabel::setText( const QString& text )
         return;
 
     m_data->text = text;
-    m_data->effectiveTextFormat = QskTextOptions::AutoText;
+    m_data->effectiveTextFormat = m_data->textOptions.format();
 
     resetImplicitSize();
     update();
@@ -68,9 +85,6 @@ void QskTextLabel::setTextOptions( const QskTextOptions& options )
     if ( options == m_data->textOptions )
         return;
 
-    if ( options.format() != m_data->textOptions.format() )
-        m_data->effectiveTextFormat = QskTextOptions::AutoText;
-
 #if 0
     // we are killing user settings of the policy this way ??
 
@@ -80,6 +94,7 @@ void QskTextLabel::setTextOptions( const QskTextOptions& options )
     setSizePolicy( policy, sizePolicy().verticalPolicy() );
 #endif
 
+    m_data->effectiveTextFormat = options.format();
     m_data->textOptions = options;
 
     resetImplicitSize();
@@ -156,27 +171,12 @@ QFont QskTextLabel::font() const
     return effectiveFont( QskTextLabel::Text );
 }
 
-bool QskTextLabel::isRichText() const
-{
-    if ( m_data->effectiveTextFormat == QskTextOptions::AutoText )
-    {
-        // caching the rich text evaluation
-        const bool isRichRext = m_data->textOptions.isRichText( m_data->text );
-        m_data->effectiveTextFormat = isRichRext ? QskTextOptions::RichText : QskTextOptions::PlainText;
-    }
-
-    return m_data->effectiveTextFormat;
-}
-
 QSizeF QskTextLabel::contentsSizeHint() const
 {
     if ( !m_data->text.isEmpty() )
     {
-        QskTextOptions options = textOptions();
-        options.setFormat( isRichText() ? QskTextOptions::RichText : QskTextOptions::PlainText );
-
-        return QskSkinRenderer::textSize(
-            this, m_data->text, options, QskTextLabel::Text );
+        return QskSkinRenderer::textSize( this, m_data->text,
+            m_data->effectiveOptions(), QskTextLabel::Text );
     }
 
     return QSizeF( 0, 0 );
@@ -199,11 +199,9 @@ qreal QskTextLabel::heightForWidth( qreal width ) const
         maxHeight = m_data->textOptions.maximumLineCount() * lineHeight;
     }
 
-    QskTextOptions options = textOptions();
-    options.setFormat( isRichText() ? QskTextOptions::RichText : QskTextOptions::PlainText );
-
     const QSizeF size = QskSkinRenderer::textSize( this,
-        QSizeF( width, maxHeight ), m_data->text, options, QskTextLabel::Text );
+        QSizeF( width, maxHeight ), m_data->text,
+        m_data->effectiveOptions(), QskTextLabel::Text );
 
     return qCeil( size.height() );
 }
@@ -218,11 +216,9 @@ qreal QskTextLabel::widthForHeight( qreal height ) const
 
     const qreal maxWidth = std::numeric_limits< qreal >::max();
 
-    QskTextOptions options = textOptions();
-    options.setFormat( isRichText() ? QskTextOptions::RichText : QskTextOptions::PlainText );
-
     const QSizeF size = QskSkinRenderer::textSize( this, 
-        QSizeF( maxWidth, height ), m_data->text, options, QskTextLabel::Text );
+        QSizeF( maxWidth, height ), m_data->text,
+        m_data->effectiveOptions(), QskTextLabel::Text );
 
     return qCeil( size.width() );
 }
diff --git a/src/controls/QskTextLabel.h b/src/controls/QskTextLabel.h
index e3f9d24a..7b2ffae5 100644
--- a/src/controls/QskTextLabel.h
+++ b/src/controls/QskTextLabel.h
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ public:
     virtual qreal heightForWidth( qreal width ) const override;
     virtual qreal widthForHeight( qreal height ) const override;
 
-    bool isRichText() const;
-
     QFont font() const;
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
diff --git a/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.cpp b/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.cpp
index f1e7d002..f4d2459a 100644
--- a/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.cpp
+++ b/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.cpp
@@ -4,8 +4,12 @@
  *****************************************************************************/
 
 #include "QskBoxNode.h"
-#include "QskBoxOptions.h"
 #include "QskBoxRenderer.h"
+#include "QskBoxShapeMetrics.h"
+#include "QskBoxBorderMetrics.h"
+#include "QskBoxBorderColors.h"
+#include "QskGradient.h"
+
 
 #include <QSGVertexColorMaterial>
 #include <QSGFlatColorMaterial>
@@ -25,19 +29,21 @@ static inline bool qskIsMonochrome( const QRgb* rgbValues )
         && ( rgbValues[2] == rgbValues[3] );
 }
 
-static inline uint qskMetricsHash( const QskBoxOptions& options )
+static inline uint qskMetricsHash( const QskBoxShapeMetrics& shape,
+    const QskBoxBorderMetrics& borderMetrics )
 {
     uint hash = 13000;
 
-    hash = options.shape.hash( hash );
-    return options.border.hash( hash );
+    hash = shape.hash( hash );
+    return borderMetrics.hash( hash );
 }
 
-static inline uint qskColorsHash( const QskBoxOptions& options )
+static inline uint qskColorsHash( const QskBoxBorderColors& borderColors,
+    const QskGradient& fillGradient )
 {
     uint hash = 13000;
-    hash = options.borderColors.hash( hash );
-    return options.fillGradient.hash( hash );
+    hash = borderColors.hash( hash );
+    return fillGradient.hash( hash );
 }
 
 QskBoxNode::QskBoxNode():
@@ -55,11 +61,19 @@ QskBoxNode::~QskBoxNode()
         delete material();
 }
 
-void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& options )
+void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskGradient& fillGradient )
+{
+    setBoxData( rect, QskBoxShapeMetrics(), QskBoxBorderMetrics(),
+        QskBoxBorderColors(), fillGradient );
+}
+
+void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, 
+    const QskBoxShapeMetrics& shape, const QskBoxBorderMetrics& borderMetrics,
+    const QskBoxBorderColors& borderColors, const QskGradient& fillGradient )
 {
 #if 1
-    const uint metricsHash = qskMetricsHash( options );
-    const uint colorsHash = qskColorsHash( options );
+    const uint metricsHash = qskMetricsHash( shape, borderMetrics );
+    const uint colorsHash = qskColorsHash( borderColors, fillGradient );
 
     if ( ( metricsHash == m_metricsHash ) &&
         ( colorsHash == m_colorsHash ) && ( rect == m_rect ) )
@@ -81,11 +95,7 @@ void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& options )
         return;
     }
 
-    const auto& gradient = options.fillGradient;
-    const auto& borderMetrics = options.border;
-    const auto& borderColors = options.borderColors;
-
-    bool hasFill = options.fillGradient.isValid();
+    bool hasFill = fillGradient.isValid();
 
     bool hasBorder = !borderMetrics.isNull();
     if ( hasBorder )
@@ -104,14 +114,14 @@ void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& options )
         return;
     }
 
-    const bool isFillMonochrome = hasFill ? gradient.isMonochrome() : true;
+    const bool isFillMonochrome = hasFill ? fillGradient.isMonochrome() : true;
     const bool isBorderMonochrome = hasBorder ? borderColors.isMonochrome() : true;
 
     if ( hasFill && hasBorder )
     {
         if ( isFillMonochrome && isBorderMonochrome )
         {
-            if ( borderColors.color( Qsk::Left ) == gradient.startColor() )
+            if ( borderColors.color( Qsk::Left ) == fillGradient.startColor() )
             {
                 // we can draw border and background in one
                 hasBorder = false;
@@ -143,8 +153,8 @@ void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& options )
     {
         setMonochrome( false );
 
-        renderer.renderBox( m_rect, options.shape, options.border,
-            options.borderColors, options.fillGradient, *geometry() );
+        renderer.renderBox( m_rect, shape, borderMetrics,
+            borderColors, fillGradient, *geometry() );
     }
     else
     {
@@ -155,15 +165,13 @@ void QskBoxNode::setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& options )
 
         if ( hasFill )
         {
-            flatMaterial->setColor( gradient.startColor() );
-            renderer.renderFill( m_rect, options.shape,
-                QskBoxBorderMetrics(), *geometry() );
+            flatMaterial->setColor( fillGradient.startColor() );
+            renderer.renderFill( m_rect, shape, QskBoxBorderMetrics(), *geometry() );
         }
         else
         {
             flatMaterial->setColor( borderColors.color( Qsk::Left ).rgba() );
-            renderer.renderBorder( m_rect, options.shape,
-                options.border, *geometry() );
+            renderer.renderBorder( m_rect, shape, borderMetrics, *geometry() );
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.h b/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.h
index dc55f9d3..db437987 100644
--- a/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.h
+++ b/src/nodes/QskBoxNode.h
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@
 
 #include "QskGlobal.h"
 
-class QskBoxOptions;
+class QskBoxShapeMetrics;
+class QskBoxBorderMetrics;
+class QskBoxBorderColors;
+class QskGradient;
 class QRectF;
 
 #include <QSGNode>
@@ -19,7 +22,11 @@ public:
     QskBoxNode();
     virtual ~QskBoxNode();
 
-    void setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskBoxOptions& );
+    void setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, 
+        const QskBoxShapeMetrics&, const QskBoxBorderMetrics&,
+        const QskBoxBorderColors&, const QskGradient& );
+
+    void setBoxData( const QRectF& rect, const QskGradient& );
 
 private:
     void setMonochrome( bool on );
diff --git a/src/src.pro b/src/src.pro
index 019f6ab7..5fe4801a 100644
--- a/src/src.pro
+++ b/src/src.pro
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ DEPENDPATH *= $${QSK_SUBDIRS}
 
 HEADERS += \
     common/QskAspect.h \
-    common/QskBoxOptions.h \
     common/QskBoxBorderColors.h \
     common/QskBoxBorderMetrics.h \
     common/QskBoxShapeMetrics.h \
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ HEADERS += \
 
 SOURCES += \
     common/QskAspect.cpp \
-    common/QskBoxOptions.cpp \
     common/QskBoxBorderColors.cpp \
     common/QskBoxBorderMetrics.cpp \
     common/QskBoxShapeMetrics.cpp \