diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index a169db41..b252f6f4 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+25/7/14 started 7.41.0
+- start working on --disable-deprecated
+
+25/7/14 started 7.40.5
+- fix a race in im_maxpos_avg()
+- limit n_thr on tiny images
+
 4/7/14 started 7.40.4
 - fix vips_rawsave_fd(), thanks aferrero2707 
 - fix im_point()
diff --git a/TODO b/TODO
index c100aee6..f888640c 100644
--- a/TODO
+++ b/TODO
@@ -1,34 +1,9 @@
 - vips_object_unref_outputs() needs docs ... bindings will need it
  
+- rewrite im_conv() etc. as vips_conv()
 
+  finally finish --disable-deprecated option
 
-- maxpos_avg seems to give variable results
-
-	irb(main):022:0> im.maxpos_avg
-	=> [141.0, 138.0, 248.0]
-	irb(main):023:0> im.maxpos_avg
-	=> [73.0, 95.0, 248.0]
-
-  [107.0, 116.5, 248.0] is correct, checked by hand
-
-$ vips max --size 10 spec/samples/wagon.v --x-array --y-array --out-array
-72 107 78 73 74 75 99 100 141 73 
-95 141 94 94 94 95 131 131 138 95 
-245 246 246 247 247 247 247 247 248 248 
-248.000000
-
-  so there are two maxes of 248, result should be average of the two
-
-  seems to be a race in maxpos_avg, it's still some Tom code, replace with a
-  wrapper over vips_max()
-
-  hard to do, since vips_max() needs to be told in advance the number of maxes
-  it should search for
-
-
-
-
-- threadpool recyling might be useful for dzsave?
 
 
 - check and fix up docs
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index f408befe..cc26ec91 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 # also update the version number in the m4 macros below
 
-AC_INIT([vips], [7.40.4], [vipsip@jiscmail.ac.uk])
+AC_INIT([vips], [7.41.0], [vipsip@jiscmail.ac.uk])
 # required for gobject-introspection
 AC_PREREQ(2.62)
 
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ AC_CONFIG_MACRO_DIR([m4])
 
 # user-visible library versioning
 m4_define([vips_major_version], [7])
-m4_define([vips_minor_version], [40])
-m4_define([vips_micro_version], [4])
+m4_define([vips_minor_version], [41])
+m4_define([vips_micro_version], [0])
 m4_define([vips_version],
           [vips_major_version.vips_minor_version.vips_micro_version])
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ VIPS_VERSION_STRING=$VIPS_VERSION-`date`
 #   binary interface changes not backwards compatible?: reset age to 0
 
 LIBRARY_CURRENT=38
-LIBRARY_REVISION=2
+LIBRARY_REVISION=3
 LIBRARY_AGE=0
 
 # patched into include/vips/version.h
@@ -124,9 +124,26 @@ else
   fi
 fi
 
+# option to disable deprecated code, shaves a bit off the library size
+AC_ARG_ENABLE(deprecated,
+  AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-deprecated], [build deprecated components (default: yes)]))
+
+VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED=0
+if test x"$enable_deprecated" != x"no"; then
+  VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED=1
+  enable_deprecated=yes
+  AM_CONDITIONAL(ENABLE_DEPRECATED, true)
+else
+  AM_CONDITIONAL(ENABLE_DEPRECATED, false)
+fi
+
+# this gets pasted into version.h as a #define
+AC_SUBST(VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED)
+
 # we are a C library with some optional C++ components inside it
-# on most platforms, we just include -lstdc++ in the link line for programs
-# using vips, but not all
+
+# on most platforms, but not all, we just include -lstdc++ in the link line 
+# for programs
 
 # we ought to write a proper configure test for this :( 
 
@@ -806,6 +823,7 @@ native win32:				$vips_os_win32
 native OS X:				$vips_os_darwin
 open files in binary mode: 		$vips_binary_open
 enable debug:				$enable_debug
+build deprecated components:		$enable_deprecated
 build C++ components:			$enable_cxx
 build docs with gtkdoc:			$enable_gtk_doc
 install docs:				$enable_docs
diff --git a/libvips/Makefile.am b/libvips/Makefile.am
index 7640d325..8ccbf813 100644
--- a/libvips/Makefile.am
+++ b/libvips/Makefile.am
@@ -1,12 +1,21 @@
+OPTIONAL_COMPILE_DIR = 
+OPTIONAL_DIST_DIR =
+OPTIONAL_LIB = 
+
 # only build in the cimg dir if C++ is enabled
 if ENABLE_CXX
-C_COMPILE_DIR = cimg
-C_DIST_DIR =
-C_LIB = cimg/libcimg.la
+OPTIONAL_COMPILE_DIR += cimg
+OPTIONAL_LIB += cimg/libcimg.la
 else
-C_COMPILE_DIR =
-C_DIST_DIR = cimg
-C_LIB = 
+OPTIONAL_DIST_DIR += cimg
+endif
+
+# same for deprecated
+if ENABLE_DEPRECATED
+OPTIONAL_COMPILE_DIR += deprecated
+OPTIONAL_LIB += deprecated/libdeprecated.la
+else
+OPTIONAL_DIST_DIR += deprecated
 endif
 
 SUBDIRS = \
@@ -16,9 +25,8 @@ SUBDIRS = \
 	resample \
 	colour \
 	conversion \
-	deprecated \
 	convolution \
-	$(C_COMPILE_DIR) \
+	$(OPTIONAL_COMPILE_DIR) \
 	freqfilt \
 	histogram \
 	draw \
@@ -49,8 +57,7 @@ libvips_la_LIBADD = \
 	colour/libcolour.la \
 	conversion/libconversion.la \
 	convolution/libconvolution.la \
-	deprecated/libdeprecated.la \
-	$(C_LIB) \
+	$(OPTIONAL_LIB) \
 	foreign/libforeign.la \
 	freqfilt/libfreqfilt.la \
 	histogram/libhistogram.la \
@@ -71,7 +78,7 @@ libvips_la_LDFLAGS = \
 	-version-info @LIBRARY_CURRENT@:@LIBRARY_REVISION@:@LIBRARY_AGE@ 
 
 EXTRA_DIST = \
-	$(C_DIST_DIR)
+	$(OPTIONAL_DIST_DIR)
 
 CLEANFILES = 
 
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/arithmetic.c b/libvips/arithmetic/arithmetic.c
index 550d464b..dec9c77c 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/arithmetic.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/arithmetic.c
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ vips_arithmetic_gen( VipsRegion *or,
 	VipsRegion **ir = (VipsRegion **) seq;
 	VipsArithmetic *arithmetic = VIPS_ARITHMETIC( b ); 
 	VipsArithmeticClass *class = VIPS_ARITHMETIC_GET_CLASS( arithmetic ); 
-	Rect *r = &or->valid;
+	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 
 	VipsPel *p[MAX_INPUT_IMAGES], *q;
 	int i, y;
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/avg.c b/libvips/arithmetic/avg.c
index 70765942..ca49214f 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/avg.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/avg.c
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ vips_avg_build( VipsObject *object )
 		vips_image_get_height( statistic->in ) * 
 		vips_image_get_bands( statistic->in );
 	average = avg->sum / vals;
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( 
+		vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) )
 		average = sqrt( average );
 	g_object_set( object, "out", average, NULL );
 
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/complex.c b/libvips/arithmetic/complex.c
index e3a4fd67..2cfa6428 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/complex.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/complex.c
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsComplex, vips_complex, VIPS_TYPE_UNARY );
 	double am, ph; \
 	\
 	am = sqrt( re * re + im * im ); \
-	ph = im_col_ab2h( re, im ); \
+	ph = vips_col_ab2h( re, im ); \
 	\
 	Q[0] = am; \
 	Q[1] = ph; \
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/math.c b/libvips/arithmetic/math.c
index aad84c96..d945afe4 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/math.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/math.c
@@ -129,12 +129,12 @@ vips_math_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 /* sin/cos/tan in degrees.
  */
-#define DSIN( X ) (sin( IM_RAD( X ) ))
-#define DCOS( X ) (cos( IM_RAD( X ) ))
-#define DTAN( X ) (tan( IM_RAD( X ) ))
-#define ADSIN( X ) (IM_DEG( asin( X ) ))
-#define ADCOS( X ) (IM_DEG( acos( X ) ))
-#define ADTAN( X ) (IM_DEG( atan( X ) ))
+#define DSIN( X ) (sin( VIPS_RAD( X ) ))
+#define DCOS( X ) (cos( VIPS_RAD( X ) ))
+#define DTAN( X ) (tan( VIPS_RAD( X ) ))
+#define ADSIN( X ) (VIPS_DEG( asin( X ) ))
+#define ADCOS( X ) (VIPS_DEG( acos( X ) ))
+#define ADTAN( X ) (VIPS_DEG( atan( X ) ))
 
 /* exp10() is a gnu extension, use pow().
  */
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/max.c b/libvips/arithmetic/max.c
index cf996302..c53fc3df 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/max.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/max.c
@@ -197,7 +197,8 @@ vips_max_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 	/* For speed we accumulate max ** 2 for complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( 
+		vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) ) {
 		int i;
 
 		for( i = 0; i < values->n; i++ ) 
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/min.c b/libvips/arithmetic/min.c
index 5daad851..8772f3ed 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/min.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/min.c
@@ -199,7 +199,8 @@ vips_min_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 	/* For speed we accumulate min ** 2 for complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( 
+		vips_image_get_format( statistic->in ) ) ) {
 		int i;
 
 		for( i = 0; i < values->n; i++ ) 
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/round.c b/libvips/arithmetic/round.c
index e12a2d69..4e97aaba 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/round.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/round.c
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ vips_round_build( VipsObject *object )
 	 * is.
 	 */
 	if( unary->in &&
-		vips_bandfmt_isint( unary->in->BandFmt ) ) 
+		vips_band_format_isint( unary->in->BandFmt ) ) 
 		return( vips_unary_copy( unary ) ); 
 
 	if( VIPS_OBJECT_CLASS( vips_round_parent_class )->build( object ) )
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ vips_round_buffer( VipsArithmetic *arithmetic,
 	/* Complex just doubles the size.
 	 */
 	const int sz = width * im->Bands * 
-		(vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
+		(vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
 
 	int x;
 
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.c b/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.c
index 8f12faf8..9bc7f0f5 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.c
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ G_DEFINE_ABSTRACT_TYPE( VipsUnaryConst, vips_unary_const, VIPS_TYPE_UNARY );
  */
 static VipsPel *
 make_pixel( VipsObject *obj, 
-	int m, VipsBandFmt fmt, int n, double * restrict p )
+	int m, VipsBandFormat fmt, int n, double * restrict p )
 {
 	VipsPel *q;
 	int i;
diff --git a/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.h b/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.h
index 36094b61..2d204426 100644
--- a/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.h
+++ b/libvips/arithmetic/unaryconst.h
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ typedef struct _VipsUnaryConst {
 	/* The format the constant should be cast to. Subclasses set this
 	 * ready for unaryconst's build method.
 	 */
-	VipsBandFmt const_format;
+	VipsBandFormat const_format;
 
 	/* Our constant expanded to match arith->ready in size and
 	 * const_format in type.
diff --git a/libvips/colour/dE00.c b/libvips/colour/dE00.c
index 52ff3374..d9ac152c 100644
--- a/libvips/colour/dE00.c
+++ b/libvips/colour/dE00.c
@@ -145,12 +145,12 @@ vips_col_dE00( float L1, float a1, float b1,
 
 	/* RT, T.
 	 */
-	double RT = -sin( IM_RAD( 2 * dtheta ) ) * RC;
+	double RT = -sin( VIPS_RAD( 2 * dtheta ) ) * RC;
 	double T = 1 - 
-		0.17 * cos( IM_RAD( hdb - 30 ) ) +
-		0.24 * cos( IM_RAD( 2 * hdb ) ) +
-		0.32 * cos( IM_RAD( 3 * hdb + 6 ) ) -
-		0.20 * cos( IM_RAD( 4 * hdb - 63 ) );
+		0.17 * cos( VIPS_RAD( hdb - 30 ) ) +
+		0.24 * cos( VIPS_RAD( 2 * hdb ) ) +
+		0.32 * cos( VIPS_RAD( 3 * hdb + 6 ) ) -
+		0.20 * cos( VIPS_RAD( 4 * hdb - 63 ) );
 
 	/* SL, SC, SH
 	 */
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ vips_col_dE00( float L1, float a1, float b1,
 	 */
 	double dLd = L1d - L2d;
 	double dCd = C1d - C2d;
-	double dHd = 2 * sqrt( C1d * C2d ) * sin( IM_RAD( dhd / 2 ) );
+	double dHd = 2 * sqrt( C1d * C2d ) * sin( VIPS_RAD( dhd / 2 ) );
 
 	/* Parametric factors for viewing parameters.
 	 */
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/bandary.c b/libvips/conversion/bandary.c
index 33791919..66b9ef5f 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/bandary.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/bandary.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ vips_bandary_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b, gboolean *stop )
 	VipsRegion **ir = (VipsRegion **) seq;
 	VipsBandary *bandary = (VipsBandary *) b;
 	VipsBandaryClass *class = VIPS_BANDARY_GET_CLASS( bandary ); 
-	Rect *r = &or->valid;
+	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 
 	VipsPel *p[MAX_INPUT_IMAGES], *q;
 	int y, i;
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/bandmean.c b/libvips/conversion/bandmean.c
index f1b61f44..4f00f0f5 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/bandmean.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/bandmean.c
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ vips_bandmean_buffer( VipsBandary *bandary,
 {
 	VipsImage *im = bandary->ready[0];
 	const int bands = im->Bands;
-	const int sz = width * (vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
+	const int sz = width * 
+		(vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
 
 	int i, j;
 
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/conversion.c b/libvips/conversion/conversion.c
index 980cfe51..a4623ae7 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/conversion.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/conversion.c
@@ -272,100 +272,3 @@ vips_conversion_operation_init( void )
 	vips_falsecolour_get_type(); 
 	vips_gamma_get_type(); 
 }
-
-/* The common part of most binary conversion
- * operators. We:
- *
- * - check in and out
- * - cast in1 and in2 up to a common format
- * - equalise bands 
- * - make an input array
- * - return the matched images in vec[0] and vec[1]
- *
- * A left-over, remove soon.
- */
-IMAGE **
-im__insert_base( const char *domain, 
-	IMAGE *in1, IMAGE *in2, IMAGE *out ) 
-{
-	IMAGE *t[4];
-	IMAGE **vec;
-
-	if( im_piocheck( in1, out ) || 
-		im_pincheck( in2 ) ||
-		im_check_bands_1orn( domain, in1, in2 ) ||
-		im_check_coding_known( domain, in1 ) ||
-		im_check_coding_same( domain, in1, in2 ) )
-		return( NULL );
-
-	/* Cast our input images up to a common format and bands.
-	 */
-	if( im_open_local_array( out, t, 4, domain, "p" ) ||
-		im__formatalike( in1, in2, t[0], t[1] ) ||
-		im__bandalike( domain, t[0], t[1], t[2], t[3] ) ||
-		!(vec = im_allocate_input_array( out, t[2], t[3], NULL )) )
-		return( NULL );
-
-	/* Generate the output.
-	 */
-	if( im_cp_descv( out, vec[0], vec[1], NULL ) ||
-		im_demand_hint_array( out, IM_SMALLTILE, vec ) )
-		return( NULL );
-
-	return( vec );
-}
-
-/**
- * im_insertset:
- * @main: big image
- * @sub: small image
- * @out: output image
- * @n: number of positions
- * @x: left positions of @sub
- * @y: top positions of @sub
- *
- * Insert @sub repeatedly into @main at the positions listed in the arrays @x,
- * @y of length @n. @out is the same
- * size as @main. @sub is clipped against the edges of @main. 
- *
- * This operation is fast for large @n, but will use a memory buffer the size
- * of @out. It's useful for things like making scatter plots.
- *
- * If the number of bands differs, one of the images 
- * must have one band. In this case, an n-band image is formed from the 
- * one-band image by joining n copies of the one-band image together, and then
- * the two n-band images are operated upon.
- *
- * The two input images are cast up to the smallest common type (see table 
- * Smallest common format in 
- * <link linkend="VIPS-arithmetic">arithmetic</link>).
- *
- * See also: im_insert(), im_lrjoin().
- *
- * Returns: 0 on success, -1 on error
- */
-int
-im_insertset( IMAGE *main, IMAGE *sub, IMAGE *out, int n, int *x, int *y )
-{
-	IMAGE **vec;
-	IMAGE *t;
-	int i;
-
-	if( !(vec = im__insert_base( "im_insert", main, sub, out )) )
-		return( -1 );
-
-	/* Copy to a memory image, zap that, then copy to out.
-	 */
-	if( !(t = im_open_local( out, "im_insertset", "t" )) ||
-		im_copy( vec[0], t ) )
-		return( -1 );
-
-	for( i = 0; i < n; i++ ) 
-		if( im_insertplace( t, vec[1], x[i], y[i] ) )
-			return( -1 );
-
-	if( im_copy( t, out ) )
-		return( -1 );
-
-	return( 0 );
-}
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/embed.c b/libvips/conversion/embed.c
index 8e31040f..8a5e9a8b 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/embed.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/embed.c
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ vips_embed_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b, gboolean *stop )
 	VipsEmbed *embed = (VipsEmbed *) b;
 	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 
-	Rect ovl;
+	VipsRect ovl;
 	int i;
 	VipsPel *p;
 	int plsk;
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/grid.c b/libvips/conversion/grid.c
index be39dfd5..fd0a2c95 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/grid.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/grid.c
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ vips_grid_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *vseq, void *a, void *b,
 	/* If the request fits inside a single tile, we can just pointer-copy.
 	 */
 	if( vips_rect_includesrect( &tile, r ) ) {
-		Rect irect;
+		VipsRect irect;
 
 		/* Translate request to input space.
 		 */
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/insert.c b/libvips/conversion/insert.c
index d9bbb9bb..c63dec5b 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/insert.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/insert.c
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ vips_insert_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b, gboolean *stop )
 	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 	VipsInsert *insert = (VipsInsert *) b; 
 
-	Rect ovl;
+	VipsRect ovl;
 
 	/* Does the rect we have been asked for fall entirely inside the
 	 * sub-image?
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/msb.c b/libvips/conversion/msb.c
index 9a526e6f..33f931c8 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/msb.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/msb.c
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ vips_msb_build( VipsObject *object )
 		msb->band > 0 )
 		msb->sign = TRUE;
 	if( msb->in->Coding == VIPS_CODING_NONE &&
-		!vips_bandfmt_isuint( msb->in->BandFmt ) )
+		!vips_band_format_isuint( msb->in->BandFmt ) )
 		msb->sign = TRUE;
 
 	if( msb->band == -1 &&
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/recomb.c b/libvips/conversion/recomb.c
index 7041de01..58396467 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/recomb.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/recomb.c
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ vips_recomb_build( VipsObject *object )
 		return( -1 );
 
 	conversion->out->Bands = recomb->m->Ysize;
-	if( vips_bandfmt_isint( in->BandFmt ) ) 
+	if( vips_band_format_isint( in->BandFmt ) ) 
 		conversion->out->BandFmt = VIPS_FORMAT_FLOAT;
 
 	if( vips_image_generate( conversion->out,
diff --git a/libvips/conversion/rot.c b/libvips/conversion/rot.c
index 8c9c9e73..49848c50 100644
--- a/libvips/conversion/rot.c
+++ b/libvips/conversion/rot.c
@@ -102,9 +102,9 @@ vips_rot90_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b,
 	 */
 	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 	int le = r->left;
-	int ri = IM_RECT_RIGHT(r);
+	int ri = VIPS_RECT_RIGHT(r);
 	int to = r->top;
-	int bo = IM_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
+	int bo = VIPS_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
 
 	int x, y, i;
 
@@ -164,9 +164,9 @@ vips_rot180_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b,
 	 */
 	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 	int le = r->left;
-	int ri = IM_RECT_RIGHT(r);
+	int ri = VIPS_RECT_RIGHT(r);
 	int to = r->top;
-	int bo = IM_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
+	int bo = VIPS_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
 
 	int x, y;
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ vips_rot180_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b,
 
 	/* Find the area of the input image we need.
 	 */
-	Rect need;
+	VipsRect need;
 
 	need.left = in->Xsize - ri;
 	need.top = in->Ysize - bo;
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ vips_rot270_gen( VipsRegion *or, void *seq, void *a, void *b,
 	 */
 	VipsRect *r = &or->valid;
 	int le = r->left;
-	int ri = IM_RECT_RIGHT(r);
+	int ri = VIPS_RECT_RIGHT(r);
 	int to = r->top;
-	int bo = IM_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
+	int bo = VIPS_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
 
 	int x, y, i;
 
diff --git a/libvips/convolution/im_conv_f.c b/libvips/convolution/im_conv_f.c
index ecee8d03..d23872b6 100644
--- a/libvips/convolution/im_conv_f.c
+++ b/libvips/convolution/im_conv_f.c
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ conv_gen( REGION *or, void *vseq, void *a, void *b )
 	int to = r->top;
 	int bo = IM_RECT_BOTTOM(r);
 	int sz = IM_REGION_N_ELEMENTS( or ) * 
-		(vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
+		(vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ? 2 : 1);
 
 	int x, y, z, i;
 
diff --git a/libvips/deprecated/im_linreg.c b/libvips/deprecated/im_linreg.c
index c2d93679..f773d33f 100644
--- a/libvips/deprecated/im_linreg.c
+++ b/libvips/deprecated/im_linreg.c
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ int im_linreg( IMAGE **ins, IMAGE *out, double *xs ){
       }
     }
     else {
-      if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( ins[ 0 ]->BandFmt ) ){
+      if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( ins[ 0 ]->BandFmt ) ){
         im_error( FUNCTION_NAME, "image has non-scalar band format" );
         return( -1 );
       }
diff --git a/libvips/deprecated/im_maxpos_avg.c b/libvips/deprecated/im_maxpos_avg.c
index f62a0477..36ae6580 100644
--- a/libvips/deprecated/im_maxpos_avg.c
+++ b/libvips/deprecated/im_maxpos_avg.c
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
  * 8/9/08
  * 	- rewrite from im_maxpos()
  * 	- now handles many bands, complex, faster
+ * 27/7/14
+ * 	- fix a race ... did not merge states if max was equal
  */
 
 /*
@@ -116,6 +118,11 @@ maxposavg_stop( void *seq, void *a, void *b )
 	 */
 	if( maxposavg->max > global_maxposavg->max ) 
 		*global_maxposavg = *maxposavg;
+	else if( maxposavg->max == global_maxposavg->max ) {
+		global_maxposavg->xpos += maxposavg->xpos;
+		global_maxposavg->ypos += maxposavg->ypos;
+		global_maxposavg->occurences += maxposavg->occurences;
+	}
 
 	im_free( seq );
 
@@ -252,7 +259,7 @@ im_maxpos_avg( IMAGE *in, double *xpos, double *ypos, double *out )
 
 	/* We use square mod for scanning, for speed.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) )
 		global_maxposavg->max *= global_maxposavg->max;
 
 	if( vips_sink( in, maxposavg_start, maxposavg_scan, maxposavg_stop, 
@@ -261,7 +268,7 @@ im_maxpos_avg( IMAGE *in, double *xpos, double *ypos, double *out )
 
 	/* Back to modulus.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) )
 		global_maxposavg->max = sqrt( global_maxposavg->max );
 
 	if( xpos )
diff --git a/libvips/deprecated/im_resize_linear.c b/libvips/deprecated/im_resize_linear.c
index bb901bbc..75920bc7 100644
--- a/libvips/deprecated/im_resize_linear.c
+++ b/libvips/deprecated/im_resize_linear.c
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ im_resize_linear( IMAGE *in, IMAGE *out, int X, int Y )
 
 	if( im_iocheck( in, out ) )
 		return( -1 );
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
 		im_error( "im_lowpass", "%s", _( "non-complex input only" ) );
 		return( -1 );
 	}
diff --git a/libvips/deprecated/rename.c b/libvips/deprecated/rename.c
index 5b47cecd..2d39f8a3 100644
--- a/libvips/deprecated/rename.c
+++ b/libvips/deprecated/rename.c
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ im_isfloat( IMAGE *im )
 gboolean
 im_iscomplex( IMAGE *im )
 {	
-	return( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) );
+	return( vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) );
 }
 
 gboolean
diff --git a/libvips/deprecated/vips7compat.c b/libvips/deprecated/vips7compat.c
index 673602a8..5090548c 100644
--- a/libvips/deprecated/vips7compat.c
+++ b/libvips/deprecated/vips7compat.c
@@ -769,8 +769,8 @@ static int bandfmt_largest[6][6] = {
 static VipsBandFmt
 im__format_common( VipsBandFmt in1, VipsBandFmt in2 )
 {
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in1 ) || 
-		vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in2 ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in1 ) || 
+		vips_band_format_iscomplex( in2 ) ) {
 		/* What kind of complex?
 		 */
 		if( in1 == IM_BANDFMT_DPCOMPLEX || in2 == IM_BANDFMT_DPCOMPLEX )
@@ -5255,3 +5255,100 @@ im_tbmerge1( IMAGE *ref, IMAGE *sec, IMAGE *out,
 
 	return( 0 );
 }
+
+/* The common part of most binary conversion
+ * operators. We:
+ *
+ * - check in and out
+ * - cast in1 and in2 up to a common format
+ * - equalise bands 
+ * - make an input array
+ * - return the matched images in vec[0] and vec[1]
+ *
+ * A left-over, remove soon.
+ */
+IMAGE **
+im__insert_base( const char *domain, 
+	IMAGE *in1, IMAGE *in2, IMAGE *out ) 
+{
+	IMAGE *t[4];
+	IMAGE **vec;
+
+	if( im_piocheck( in1, out ) || 
+		im_pincheck( in2 ) ||
+		im_check_bands_1orn( domain, in1, in2 ) ||
+		im_check_coding_known( domain, in1 ) ||
+		im_check_coding_same( domain, in1, in2 ) )
+		return( NULL );
+
+	/* Cast our input images up to a common format and bands.
+	 */
+	if( im_open_local_array( out, t, 4, domain, "p" ) ||
+		im__formatalike( in1, in2, t[0], t[1] ) ||
+		im__bandalike( domain, t[0], t[1], t[2], t[3] ) ||
+		!(vec = im_allocate_input_array( out, t[2], t[3], NULL )) )
+		return( NULL );
+
+	/* Generate the output.
+	 */
+	if( im_cp_descv( out, vec[0], vec[1], NULL ) ||
+		im_demand_hint_array( out, IM_SMALLTILE, vec ) )
+		return( NULL );
+
+	return( vec );
+}
+
+/**
+ * im_insertset:
+ * @main: big image
+ * @sub: small image
+ * @out: output image
+ * @n: number of positions
+ * @x: left positions of @sub
+ * @y: top positions of @sub
+ *
+ * Insert @sub repeatedly into @main at the positions listed in the arrays @x,
+ * @y of length @n. @out is the same
+ * size as @main. @sub is clipped against the edges of @main. 
+ *
+ * This operation is fast for large @n, but will use a memory buffer the size
+ * of @out. It's useful for things like making scatter plots.
+ *
+ * If the number of bands differs, one of the images 
+ * must have one band. In this case, an n-band image is formed from the 
+ * one-band image by joining n copies of the one-band image together, and then
+ * the two n-band images are operated upon.
+ *
+ * The two input images are cast up to the smallest common type (see table 
+ * Smallest common format in 
+ * <link linkend="VIPS-arithmetic">arithmetic</link>).
+ *
+ * See also: im_insert(), im_lrjoin().
+ *
+ * Returns: 0 on success, -1 on error
+ */
+int
+im_insertset( IMAGE *main, IMAGE *sub, IMAGE *out, int n, int *x, int *y )
+{
+	IMAGE **vec;
+	IMAGE *t;
+	int i;
+
+	if( !(vec = im__insert_base( "im_insert", main, sub, out )) )
+		return( -1 );
+
+	/* Copy to a memory image, zap that, then copy to out.
+	 */
+	if( !(t = im_open_local( out, "im_insertset", "t" )) ||
+		im_copy( vec[0], t ) )
+		return( -1 );
+
+	for( i = 0; i < n; i++ ) 
+		if( im_insertplace( t, vec[1], x[i], y[i] ) )
+			return( -1 );
+
+	if( im_copy( t, out ) )
+		return( -1 );
+
+	return( 0 );
+}
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/analyze2vips.c b/libvips/foreign/analyze2vips.c
index 6413f79f..f73f3372 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/analyze2vips.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/analyze2vips.c
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ get_vips_properties( struct dsr *d,
 }
 
 static void
-attach_meta( IMAGE *out, struct dsr *d )
+attach_meta( VipsImage *out, struct dsr *d )
 {
 	int i;
 
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/fits.c b/libvips/foreign/fits.c
index 4a0a56e7..068a27d4 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/fits.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/fits.c
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ fits2vips_generate( VipsRegion *out,
 	void *seq, void *a, void *b, gboolean *stop )
 {
 	VipsFits *fits = (VipsFits *) a;
-	Rect *r = &out->valid;
+	VipsRect *r = &out->valid;
 
 	VipsPel *q;
 	int z;
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/ppm.c b/libvips/foreign/ppm.c
index 16ef125a..8b4326b0 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/ppm.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/ppm.c
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ write_ppm_line_binary( VipsImage *in, FILE *fp, VipsPel *p )
 }
 
 static int
-write_ppm_block( REGION *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+write_ppm_block( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	Write *write = (Write *) a;
 	int i;
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/radiance.c b/libvips/foreign/radiance.c
index d52e0ab8..0c0a9a7a 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/radiance.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/radiance.c
@@ -1227,7 +1227,7 @@ vips2rad_put_header( Write *write )
 }
 
 static int
-vips2rad_put_data_block( VipsRegion *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+vips2rad_put_data_block( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	Write *write = (Write *) a;
 	int i;
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/rawsave.c b/libvips/foreign/rawsave.c
index a5250f81..92aeb83f 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/rawsave.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/rawsave.c
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ vips_foreign_save_raw_dispose( GObject *gobject )
 }
 
 static int
-vips_foreign_save_raw_write( VipsRegion *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+vips_foreign_save_raw_write( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	VipsForeignSave *save = (VipsForeignSave *) a;
 	VipsForeignSaveRaw *raw = (VipsForeignSaveRaw *) a;
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsForeignSaveRawFd, vips_foreign_save_raw_fd,
 	VIPS_TYPE_FOREIGN_SAVE );
 
 static int
-vips_foreign_save_raw_fd_write( VipsRegion *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+vips_foreign_save_raw_fd_write( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	VipsForeignSave *save = (VipsForeignSave *) a;
 	VipsForeignSaveRawFd *fd = (VipsForeignSaveRawFd *) a;
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/vips2jpeg.c b/libvips/foreign/vips2jpeg.c
index 06e5a121..5bf14b42 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/vips2jpeg.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/vips2jpeg.c
@@ -825,7 +825,7 @@ write_profile_meta( Write *write )
 }
 
 static int
-write_jpeg_block( REGION *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+write_jpeg_block( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	Write *write = (Write *) a;
 	int i;
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/vips2tiff.c b/libvips/foreign/vips2tiff.c
index 0294f9ba..0fba3dd6 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/vips2tiff.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/vips2tiff.c
@@ -1343,7 +1343,7 @@ make_tiff_write( VipsImage *im, const char *filename,
 	 */
 	if( tw->pyramid ) {
 		if( im->Coding == VIPS_CODING_NONE && 
-			vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ) {
+			vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) ) {
 			vips_error( "vips2tiff", 
 				"%s", _( "can only pyramid LABQ and "
 				"non-complex images" ) );
diff --git a/libvips/foreign/vipspng.c b/libvips/foreign/vipspng.c
index f563b03e..4145131a 100644
--- a/libvips/foreign/vipspng.c
+++ b/libvips/foreign/vipspng.c
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ write_new( VipsImage *in )
 }
 
 static int
-write_png_block( VipsRegion *region, Rect *area, void *a )
+write_png_block( VipsRegion *region, VipsRect *area, void *a )
 {
 	Write *write = (Write *) a;
 
diff --git a/libvips/freqfilt/freqmult.c b/libvips/freqfilt/freqmult.c
index 20b0682f..9e35d882 100644
--- a/libvips/freqfilt/freqmult.c
+++ b/libvips/freqfilt/freqmult.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ vips_freqmult_build( VipsObject *object )
 
 	in = freqfilt->in;
 
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
 		if( vips_multiply( in, freqmult->mask, &t[0], NULL ) ||
 			vips_invfft( t[0], &t[1], "real", TRUE, NULL ) ) 
 			return( -1 );
diff --git a/libvips/freqfilt/fwfft.c b/libvips/freqfilt/fwfft.c
index cddcc3ca..4d346358 100644
--- a/libvips/freqfilt/fwfft.c
+++ b/libvips/freqfilt/fwfft.c
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ vips_fwfft_build( VipsObject *object )
 		return( -1 );
 	in = t[0]; 
 
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->BandFmt ) ) {
 		if( vips__fftproc( VIPS_OBJECT( fwfft ), in, &t[1], 
 			cfwfft1 ) )
 			return( -1 );
diff --git a/libvips/histogram/hist_cum.c b/libvips/histogram/hist_cum.c
index 7a3836bf..a81907ab 100644
--- a/libvips/histogram/hist_cum.c
+++ b/libvips/histogram/hist_cum.c
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ vips_hist_cum_process( VipsHistogram *histogram,
 	VipsPel *out, VipsPel **in, int width )
 {
 	const int bands = vips_image_get_bands( histogram->ready[0] );
-	const int nb = vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( histogram->ready[0]->BandFmt ) ? 
+	const int nb = 
+		vips_band_format_iscomplex( histogram->ready[0]->BandFmt ) ? 
 		bands * 2 : bands;
 	int mx = width * nb;
 
diff --git a/libvips/include/vips/dispatch.h b/libvips/include/vips/dispatch.h
index cb6bd96a..457c2cd4 100644
--- a/libvips/include/vips/dispatch.h
+++ b/libvips/include/vips/dispatch.h
@@ -292,6 +292,8 @@ int im_allocate_vargv( im_function *fn, im_object *vargv );
  */
 int im_run_command( char *name, int argc, char **argv );
 
+int vips__input_interpolate_init( im_object *obj, char *str );
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /*__cplusplus*/
diff --git a/libvips/include/vips/internal.h b/libvips/include/vips/internal.h
index e6139a41..23451125 100644
--- a/libvips/include/vips/internal.h
+++ b/libvips/include/vips/internal.h
@@ -105,7 +105,8 @@ void vips__cache_init( void );
 void vips__type_leak( void );
 
 typedef int (*im__fftproc_fn)( VipsImage *, VipsImage *, VipsImage * );
-int im__fftproc( IMAGE *dummy, IMAGE *in, IMAGE *out, im__fftproc_fn fn );
+int im__fftproc( VipsImage *dummy, 
+	VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, im__fftproc_fn fn );
 
 /* iofuncs
  */
@@ -164,109 +165,6 @@ int vips__sizealike( VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2,
 int vips__bandalike( const char *domain, 
 	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage **out1, VipsImage **out2 );
 
-
-void im__format_init( void );
-
-void im__tiff_register( void );
-void im__jpeg_register( void );
-void im__png_register( void );
-void im__csv_register( void );
-void im__ppm_register( void );
-void im__analyze_register( void );
-void im__exr_register( void );
-void im__magick_register( void );
-
-int im__bandup( const char *domain, VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, int n );
-int im__bandalike_vec( const char *domain, VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
-int im__bandalike( const char *domain, 
-	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
-int im__formatalike_vec( VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
-int im__formatalike( VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
-int im__sizealike_vec( VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
-int im__sizealike( VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, 
-	VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
-
-int im__arith_binary( const char *domain, 
-	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out, 
-	int format_table[10], 
-	im_wrapmany_fn fn, void *b );
-int im__arith_binary_const( const char *domain,
-	VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, 
-	int n, double *c, VipsBandFormat vfmt,
-	int format_table[10], 
-	im_wrapone_fn fn1, im_wrapone_fn fnn );
-int im__value( VipsImage *im, double *value );
-typedef int (*im__wrapscan_fn)( void *p, int n, void *seq, void *a, void *b );
-int im__wrapscan( VipsImage *in, 
-	VipsStartFn start, im__wrapscan_fn scan, VipsStopFn stop,
-	void *a, void *b );
-int im__colour_difference( const char *domain,
-	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out, 
-	im_wrapmany_fn buffer_fn, void *a, void *b );
-int im__colour_unary( const char *domain,
-	VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, VipsInterpretation interpretation,
-	im_wrapone_fn buffer_fn, void *a, void *b );
-VipsImage **im__insert_base( const char *domain, 
-	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out );
-
-int im__find_lroverlap( VipsImage *ref_in, VipsImage *sec_in, VipsImage *out,
-        int bandno_in,
-        int xref, int yref, int xsec, int ysec,
-        int halfcorrelation, int halfarea,
-        int *dx0, int *dy0,
-        double *scale1, double *angle1, double *dx1, double *dy1 );
-int im__find_tboverlap( VipsImage *ref_in, VipsImage *sec_in, VipsImage *out,
-        int bandno_in,
-        int xref, int yref, int xsec, int ysec,
-        int halfcorrelation, int halfarea,
-        int *dx0, int *dy0,
-        double *scale1, double *angle1, double *dx1, double *dy1 );
-int im__find_best_contrast( VipsImage *image,
-	int xpos, int ypos, int xsize, int ysize,
-	int xarray[], int yarray[], int cont[],
-	int nbest, int hcorsize );
-int im__balance( VipsImage *ref, VipsImage *sec, VipsImage *out,
-	VipsImage **ref_out, VipsImage **sec_out, int dx, int dy, int balancetype );
-
-void imb_LCh2Lab( float *, float *, int );
-
-/* A colour temperature.
- */
-typedef struct {
-	double X0, Y0, Z0;
-} im_colour_temperature;
-
-void imb_XYZ2Lab( float *, float *, int, im_colour_temperature * );
-void imb_LabS2Lab( signed short *, float *, int );
-void imb_Lab2LabS( float *, signed short *, int n );
-
-void vips__Lab2LabQ_vec( VipsPel *out, float *in, int width );
-void vips__LabQ2Lab_vec( float *out, VipsPel *in, int width );
-
-void im_copy_dmask_matrix( DOUBLEMASK *mask, double **matrix );
-void im_copy_matrix_dmask( double **matrix, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
-
-int *im_ivector();
-float *im_fvector();
-double *im_dvector();
-void im_free_ivector();
-void im_free_fvector();
-void im_free_dvector();
-
-int **im_imat_alloc();
-float **im_fmat_alloc();
-double **im_dmat_alloc();
-void im_free_imat();
-void im_free_fmat();
-void im_free_dmat();
-
-int im_invmat( double **, int );
-
-int *im_offsets45( int size );
-
-int im_conv_f_raw( VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
-int im_convsep_f_raw( VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
-
 /* draw
  */
 VipsPel *vips__vector_to_ink( const char *domain, 
@@ -318,10 +216,9 @@ void vips_mosaicing_operation_init( void );
 guint64 vips__parse_size( const char *size_string );
 int vips__substitute( const char *domain, char *buf, size_t len, char *sub );
 
-IMAGE *vips__deprecated_open_read( const char *filename, gboolean sequential );
-IMAGE *vips__deprecated_open_write( const char *filename );
-
-int vips__input_interpolate_init( im_object *obj, char *str );
+int vips_check_coding_labq( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
+int vips_check_coding_rad( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
+int vips_check_bands_3ormore( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/libvips/include/vips/version.h.in b/libvips/include/vips/version.h.in
index 13e3c13a..85a2a5ae 100644
--- a/libvips/include/vips/version.h.in
+++ b/libvips/include/vips/version.h.in
@@ -14,5 +14,6 @@
  * it.
  */
 #define VIPS_EXEEXT "@VIPS_EXEEXT@"
+#define VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED @VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED@
 
 #endif /*VIPS_VERSION_H*/
diff --git a/libvips/include/vips/vips.h b/libvips/include/vips/vips.h
index 1eaf4237..79a51f74 100644
--- a/libvips/include/vips/vips.h
+++ b/libvips/include/vips/vips.h
@@ -147,16 +147,19 @@ extern "C" {
 #include <vips/video.h>
 #include <vips/cimg_funcs.h>
 
-#ifndef VIPS_DISABLE_VIPS7COMPAT
-#include <vips/vips7compat.h>
-#endif /*VIPS_DISABLE_VIPS7COMPAT*/
-
-#ifdef VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED
+/* This stuff is very, very old and should not be used by anyone now.
+ */
+#ifdef VIPS_ENABLE_ANCIENT
 #include <vips/deprecated.h>
-#endif /*VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED*/
+#endif /*VIPS_ENABLE_ANCIENT*/
 
-#include <vips/almostdeprecated.h>
+/* Still in use, but can be turned off.
+ */
+#if VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED
+#include <vips/vips7compat.h>
 #include <vips/dispatch.h>
+#include <vips/almostdeprecated.h>
+#endif /*VIPS_ENABLE_DEPRECATED*/
 
 /* We can't use _ here since this will be compiled by our clients and they may
  * not have _().
diff --git a/libvips/include/vips/vips7compat.h b/libvips/include/vips/vips7compat.h
index 2bfab013..cc275eb4 100644
--- a/libvips/include/vips/vips7compat.h
+++ b/libvips/include/vips/vips7compat.h
@@ -442,10 +442,6 @@ G_STMT_START { \
 
 #define im__change_suffix vips__change_suffix
 
-int vips_check_coding_labq( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
-int vips_check_coding_rad( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
-int vips_check_bands_3ormore( const char *domain, VipsImage *im );
-
 /* Buffer processing.
  */
 typedef void (*im_wrapone_fn)( void *in, void *out, int width,
@@ -1106,6 +1102,111 @@ int vips_foreign_load( const char *filename, VipsImage **out, ... )
 int vips_foreign_save( VipsImage *in, const char *filename, ... )
 	__attribute__((sentinel));
 
+VipsImage *vips__deprecated_open_read( const char *filename, gboolean sequential );
+VipsImage *vips__deprecated_open_write( const char *filename );
+
+void im__format_init( void );
+
+void im__tiff_register( void );
+void im__jpeg_register( void );
+void im__png_register( void );
+void im__csv_register( void );
+void im__ppm_register( void );
+void im__analyze_register( void );
+void im__exr_register( void );
+void im__magick_register( void );
+
+int im__bandup( const char *domain, VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, int n );
+int im__bandalike_vec( const char *domain, VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
+int im__bandalike( const char *domain, 
+	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
+int im__formatalike_vec( VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
+int im__formatalike( VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
+int im__sizealike_vec( VipsImage **in, VipsImage **out, int n );
+int im__sizealike( VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, 
+	VipsImage *out1, VipsImage *out2 );
+
+int im__arith_binary( const char *domain, 
+	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out, 
+	int format_table[10], 
+	im_wrapmany_fn fn, void *b );
+int im__arith_binary_const( const char *domain,
+	VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, 
+	int n, double *c, VipsBandFormat vfmt,
+	int format_table[10], 
+	im_wrapone_fn fn1, im_wrapone_fn fnn );
+int im__value( VipsImage *im, double *value );
+typedef int (*im__wrapscan_fn)( void *p, int n, void *seq, void *a, void *b );
+int im__wrapscan( VipsImage *in, 
+	VipsStartFn start, im__wrapscan_fn scan, VipsStopFn stop,
+	void *a, void *b );
+int im__colour_difference( const char *domain,
+	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out, 
+	im_wrapmany_fn buffer_fn, void *a, void *b );
+int im__colour_unary( const char *domain,
+	VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, VipsInterpretation interpretation,
+	im_wrapone_fn buffer_fn, void *a, void *b );
+VipsImage **im__insert_base( const char *domain, 
+	VipsImage *in1, VipsImage *in2, VipsImage *out );
+
+int im__find_lroverlap( VipsImage *ref_in, VipsImage *sec_in, VipsImage *out,
+        int bandno_in,
+        int xref, int yref, int xsec, int ysec,
+        int halfcorrelation, int halfarea,
+        int *dx0, int *dy0,
+        double *scale1, double *angle1, double *dx1, double *dy1 );
+int im__find_tboverlap( VipsImage *ref_in, VipsImage *sec_in, VipsImage *out,
+        int bandno_in,
+        int xref, int yref, int xsec, int ysec,
+        int halfcorrelation, int halfarea,
+        int *dx0, int *dy0,
+        double *scale1, double *angle1, double *dx1, double *dy1 );
+int im__find_best_contrast( VipsImage *image,
+	int xpos, int ypos, int xsize, int ysize,
+	int xarray[], int yarray[], int cont[],
+	int nbest, int hcorsize );
+int im__balance( VipsImage *ref, VipsImage *sec, VipsImage *out,
+	VipsImage **ref_out, VipsImage **sec_out, int dx, int dy, int balancetype );
+
+void imb_LCh2Lab( float *, float *, int );
+
+/* A colour temperature.
+ */
+typedef struct {
+	double X0, Y0, Z0;
+} im_colour_temperature;
+
+void imb_XYZ2Lab( float *, float *, int, im_colour_temperature * );
+void imb_LabS2Lab( signed short *, float *, int );
+void imb_Lab2LabS( float *, signed short *, int n );
+
+void vips__Lab2LabQ_vec( VipsPel *out, float *in, int width );
+void vips__LabQ2Lab_vec( float *out, VipsPel *in, int width );
+
+void im_copy_dmask_matrix( DOUBLEMASK *mask, double **matrix );
+void im_copy_matrix_dmask( double **matrix, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
+
+int *im_ivector();
+float *im_fvector();
+double *im_dvector();
+void im_free_ivector();
+void im_free_fvector();
+void im_free_dvector();
+
+int **im_imat_alloc();
+float **im_fmat_alloc();
+double **im_dmat_alloc();
+void im_free_imat();
+void im_free_fmat();
+void im_free_dmat();
+
+int im_invmat( double **, int );
+
+int *im_offsets45( int size );
+
+int im_conv_f_raw( VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
+int im_convsep_f_raw( VipsImage *in, VipsImage *out, DOUBLEMASK *mask );
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /*__cplusplus*/
diff --git a/libvips/iofuncs/threadpool.c b/libvips/iofuncs/threadpool.c
index 212868b4..84b5ebe3 100644
--- a/libvips/iofuncs/threadpool.c
+++ b/libvips/iofuncs/threadpool.c
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
  * 17/7/10
  * 	- set pool->error whenever we set thr->error, lets us catch allocate
  * 	  errors (thanks Tim)
+ * 25/7/14
+ * 	- limit nthr on tiny images
  */
 
 /*
@@ -344,24 +346,6 @@ vips_concurrency_get( void )
 	return( nthr );
 }
 
-/**
- * VipsThreadState:
- * @im: the #VipsImage being operated upon
- * @reg: a #REGION
- * @pos: a #Rect
- * @x: an int
- * @y: an int
- * @a: client data
- *
- * These per-thread values are carried around for your use by
- * vips_threadpool_run(). They are private to each thread, so they are a
- * useful place
- * for #VipsThreadpoolAllocate and #VipsThreadpoolWork to communicate.
- *
- * @reg is created for you at the start of processing and freed at the end,
- * but you can do what you like with it.
- */
-
 G_DEFINE_TYPE( VipsThreadState, vips_thread_state, VIPS_TYPE_OBJECT );
 
 static void
@@ -706,6 +690,10 @@ static VipsThreadpool *
 vips_threadpool_new( VipsImage *im )
 {
 	VipsThreadpool *pool;
+	int tile_width;
+	int tile_height;
+	int n_tiles;
+	int n_lines;
 
 	/* Allocate and init new thread block.
 	 */
@@ -723,6 +711,14 @@ vips_threadpool_new( VipsImage *im )
 	pool->stop = FALSE;
 	pool->done_first = FALSE;
 
+	/* If this is a tiny image, we won't need all nthr threads. Guess how
+	 * many tiles we might need to cover the image and use that to limit
+	 * the number of threads we create.
+	 */
+	vips_get_tile_size( im, &tile_width, &tile_height, &n_lines );
+	n_tiles = (1 + im->Xsize / tile_width) * (1 + im->Ysize / tile_height);
+	pool->nthr = VIPS_MIN( pool->nthr, n_tiles ); 
+
 	/* Attach tidy-up callback.
 	 */
 	g_signal_connect( im, "close", 
@@ -937,7 +933,7 @@ vips_threadpool_run( VipsImage *im,
  * @im: image to guess for
  * @tile_width: return selected tile width 
  * @tile_height: return selected tile height 
- * @nlines: return buffer height in scanlines
+ * @n_lines: return buffer height in scanlines
  *
  * Pick a tile size and a buffer height for this image and the current
  * value of vips_concurrency_get(). The buffer height 
@@ -945,7 +941,7 @@ vips_threadpool_run( VipsImage *im,
  */
 void
 vips_get_tile_size( VipsImage *im, 
-	int *tile_width, int *tile_height, int *nlines )
+	int *tile_width, int *tile_height, int *n_lines )
 {
 	const int nthr = vips_concurrency_get();
 
@@ -972,25 +968,25 @@ vips_get_tile_size( VipsImage *im,
 		g_assert( 0 );
 	}
 
-	/* We can't set nlines for the current demand style: a later bit of
+	/* We can't set n_lines for the current demand style: a later bit of
 	 * the pipeline might see a different hint and we need to synchronise
 	 * buffer sizes everywhere.
 	 *
 	 * Pick the maximum buffer size we might possibly need, then round up
 	 * to a multiple of tileheight.
 	 */
-	*nlines = vips__tile_height * 
+	*n_lines = vips__tile_height * 
 		(1 + nthr / VIPS_MAX( 1, im->Xsize / vips__tile_width )) * 2;
-	*nlines = VIPS_MAX( *nlines, vips__fatstrip_height * nthr * 2 );
-	*nlines = VIPS_MAX( *nlines, vips__thinstrip_height * nthr * 2 );
-	*nlines = ROUND_UP( *nlines, *tile_height );
+	*n_lines = VIPS_MAX( *n_lines, vips__fatstrip_height * nthr * 2 );
+	*n_lines = VIPS_MAX( *n_lines, vips__thinstrip_height * nthr * 2 );
+	*n_lines = ROUND_UP( *n_lines, *tile_height );
 
 	/* We make this assumption in several places.
 	 */
-	g_assert( *nlines % *tile_height == 0 );
+	g_assert( *n_lines % *tile_height == 0 );
 
 	VIPS_DEBUG_MSG( "vips_get_tile_size: %d by %d patches, "
 		"groups of %d scanlines\n", 
-		*tile_width, *tile_height, *nlines );
+		*tile_width, *tile_height, *n_lines );
 }
 
diff --git a/libvips/mosaicing/im_lrmerge.c b/libvips/mosaicing/im_lrmerge.c
index 73c6ed5e..dd7e1078 100644
--- a/libvips/mosaicing/im_lrmerge.c
+++ b/libvips/mosaicing/im_lrmerge.c
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ find_first( REGION *ir, int *pos, int x, int y, int w )
 
 	/* Double the number of bands in a complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
 		ne *= 2;
 
 /* Search for the first non-zero band element from the left edge of the image.
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ find_last( REGION *ir, int *pos, int x, int y, int w )
 
 	/* Double the number of bands in a complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
 		ne *= 2;
 
 /* Search for the first non-zero band element from the right.
diff --git a/libvips/mosaicing/im_tbmerge.c b/libvips/mosaicing/im_tbmerge.c
index eab53e18..0ed89926 100644
--- a/libvips/mosaicing/im_tbmerge.c
+++ b/libvips/mosaicing/im_tbmerge.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ find_top( REGION *ir, int *pos, int x, int y, int h )
 
 	/* Double the number of bands in a complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
 		b *= 2;
 
 /* Search for the first non-zero band element from the top edge of the image.
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ find_bot( REGION *ir, int *pos, int x, int y, int h )
 
 	/* Double the number of bands in a complex.
 	 */
-	if( vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
+	if( vips_band_format_iscomplex( im->BandFmt ) )
 		b *= 2;
 
 /* Search for the first non-zero band element from the top edge of the image.
diff --git a/libvips/resample/lbb.cpp b/libvips/resample/lbb.cpp
index c664460a..a678174b 100644
--- a/libvips/resample/lbb.cpp
+++ b/libvips/resample/lbb.cpp
@@ -797,7 +797,8 @@ vips_interpolate_lbb_interpolate( VipsInterpolate* restrict interpolate,
    */
   const int actual_bands = in->im->Bands;
   const int bands =
-    vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
+    vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 
+      2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
 
   /* Confirm that absolute_x and absolute_y are >= 1, see above. 
    */
diff --git a/libvips/resample/nohalo.cpp b/libvips/resample/nohalo.cpp
index 374ab2bd..332b1786 100644
--- a/libvips/resample/nohalo.cpp
+++ b/libvips/resample/nohalo.cpp
@@ -1518,7 +1518,8 @@ vips_interpolate_nohalo_interpolate( VipsInterpolate* restrict interpolate,
    */
   const int actual_bands = in->im->Bands;
   const int bands =
-    vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
+    vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 
+      2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
 
   /* Confirm that absolute_x and absolute_y are >= 2, see above. 
    */
diff --git a/libvips/resample/shrink.c b/libvips/resample/shrink.c
index 0604f4d5..c76c5076 100644
--- a/libvips/resample/shrink.c
+++ b/libvips/resample/shrink.c
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ vips_shrink_start( VipsImage *out, void *a, void *b )
 	VipsShrink *shrink = (VipsShrink *) b;
 	VipsShrinkSequence *seq;
 
-	if( !(seq = IM_NEW( out, VipsShrinkSequence )) )
+	if( !(seq = VIPS_NEW( out, VipsShrinkSequence )) )
 		return( NULL );
 
 	seq->ir = vips_region_new( in );
diff --git a/libvips/resample/transform.c b/libvips/resample/transform.c
index ccece97f..b620b70e 100644
--- a/libvips/resample/transform.c
+++ b/libvips/resample/transform.c
@@ -187,8 +187,8 @@ typedef void (*transform_fn)( const VipsTransformation *,
  */
 static void
 transform_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn, transform_fn transform,
-	const Rect *in,		/* In input space */
-	Rect *out )		/* In output space */
+	const VipsRect *in,		/* In input space */
+	VipsRect *out )		/* In output space */
 {
 	double x1, y1;		/* Map corners */
 	double x2, y2;
@@ -196,25 +196,26 @@ transform_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn, transform_fn transform,
 	double x4, y4;
 	double left, right, top, bottom;
 
-	/* Map input Rect.
+	/* Map input VipsRect.
 	 */
 	transform( trn, in->left, in->top, &x1, &y1 );
-	transform( trn, in->left, IM_RECT_BOTTOM( in ), &x3, &y3 );
-	transform( trn, IM_RECT_RIGHT( in ), in->top, &x2, &y2 );
-	transform( trn, IM_RECT_RIGHT( in ), IM_RECT_BOTTOM( in ), &x4, &y4 );
+	transform( trn, in->left, VIPS_RECT_BOTTOM( in ), &x3, &y3 );
+	transform( trn, VIPS_RECT_RIGHT( in ), in->top, &x2, &y2 );
+	transform( trn, VIPS_RECT_RIGHT( in ), VIPS_RECT_BOTTOM( in ), 
+		&x4, &y4 );
 
 	/* Find bounding box for these four corners. Round-to-nearest to try
 	 * to stop rounding errors growing images.
 	 */
-	left = IM_MIN( x1, IM_MIN( x2, IM_MIN( x3, x4 ) ) );
-	right = IM_MAX( x1, IM_MAX( x2, IM_MAX( x3, x4 ) ) );
-	top = IM_MIN( y1, IM_MIN( y2, IM_MIN( y3, y4 ) ) );
-	bottom = IM_MAX( y1, IM_MAX( y2, IM_MAX( y3, y4 ) ) );
+	left = VIPS_MIN( x1, VIPS_MIN( x2, VIPS_MIN( x3, x4 ) ) );
+	right = VIPS_MAX( x1, VIPS_MAX( x2, VIPS_MAX( x3, x4 ) ) );
+	top = VIPS_MIN( y1, VIPS_MIN( y2, VIPS_MIN( y3, y4 ) ) );
+	bottom = VIPS_MAX( y1, VIPS_MAX( y2, VIPS_MAX( y3, y4 ) ) );
 
-	out->left = IM_RINT( left );
-	out->top = IM_RINT( top );
-	out->width = IM_RINT( right - left );
-	out->height = IM_RINT( bottom - top );
+	out->left = VIPS_RINT( left );
+	out->top = VIPS_RINT( top );
+	out->width = VIPS_RINT( right - left );
+	out->height = VIPS_RINT( bottom - top );
 }
 
 /* Given an area in the input image, calculate the bounding box for those
@@ -222,8 +223,8 @@ transform_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn, transform_fn transform,
  */
 void
 vips__transform_forward_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn,
-	const Rect *in, 	/* In input space */
-	Rect *out )		/* In output space */
+	const VipsRect *in, 	/* In input space */
+	VipsRect *out )		/* In output space */
 {
 	transform_rect( trn, vips__transform_forward_point, in, out );
 }
@@ -233,8 +234,8 @@ vips__transform_forward_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn,
  */
 void
 vips__transform_invert_rect( const VipsTransformation *trn, 
-	const Rect *in,		/* In output space */
-	Rect *out )		/* In input space */
+	const VipsRect *in,		/* In output space */
+	VipsRect *out )		/* In input space */
 {
 	transform_rect( trn, vips__transform_invert_point, in, out );
 }
diff --git a/libvips/resample/vsqbs.cpp b/libvips/resample/vsqbs.cpp
index a028094a..528b2b30 100644
--- a/libvips/resample/vsqbs.cpp
+++ b/libvips/resample/vsqbs.cpp
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ extern "C" {
 static void
 vips_interpolate_vsqbs_interpolate( VipsInterpolate* restrict interpolate,
                                     void*            restrict out,
-                                    REGION*          restrict in,
+                                    VipsRegion*      restrict in,
                                     double                    absolute_x,
                                     double                    absolute_y )
 {
@@ -338,7 +338,8 @@ vips_interpolate_vsqbs_interpolate( VipsInterpolate* restrict interpolate,
    */
   const int actual_bands = in->im->Bands;
   const int bands =
-    vips_bandfmt_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
+    vips_band_format_iscomplex( in->im->BandFmt ) ? 
+      2 * actual_bands : actual_bands;
 
   /* Confirm that absolute_x and absolute_y are >= 1, see above. 
    */
diff --git a/tools/Makefile.am b/tools/Makefile.am
index d5566305..c9e5b112 100644
--- a/tools/Makefile.am
+++ b/tools/Makefile.am
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ bin_SCRIPTS = \
 	batch_rubber_sheet \
 	batch_crop \
 	vipsprofile \
-	vips-7.40
+	vips-7.41
 
 EXTRA_DIST = \
 	vipsprofile \
-	vips-7.40 \
+	vips-7.41 \
 	light_correct.in \
 	shrink_width.in \
 	batch_image_convert.in \
diff --git a/tools/vips-7.40 b/tools/vips-7.41
similarity index 100%
rename from tools/vips-7.40
rename to tools/vips-7.41