diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
index a3dfbddfa..3ede82bee 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.cpp
@@ -240,18 +240,9 @@ void OMW::Engine::setNewGame(bool newGame)
     mNewGame = newGame;
 }
 
-// Initialise and enter main loop.
-
-void OMW::Engine::go()
+std::string OMW::Engine::loadSettings (Settings::Manager & settings)
 {
-    assert (!mCellName.empty());
-    assert (!mMaster.empty());
-    assert (!mOgre);
-
-    mOgre = new OEngine::Render::OgreRenderer;
-
     // Create the settings manager and load default settings file
-    Settings::Manager settings;
     const std::string localdefault = mCfgMgr.getLocalPath().string() + "/settings-default.cfg";
     const std::string globaldefault = mCfgMgr.getGlobalPath().string() + "/settings-default.cfg";
 
@@ -272,10 +263,6 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     else if (boost::filesystem::exists(globaldefault))
         settings.loadUser(globaldefault);
 
-    // Get the path for the keybinder xml file
-    std::string keybinderUser = (mCfgMgr.getUserPath() / "input.xml").string();
-    bool keybinderUserExists = boost::filesystem::exists(keybinderUser);
-
     mFpsLevel = settings.getInt("fps", "HUD");
 
     // load nif overrides
@@ -285,6 +272,13 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     else if (boost::filesystem::exists(mCfgMgr.getGlobalPath().string() + "/transparency-overrides.cfg"))
         nifOverrides.loadTransparencyOverrides(mCfgMgr.getGlobalPath().string() + "/transparency-overrides.cfg");
 
+    return settingspath;
+}
+
+void OMW::Engine::prepareEngine (Settings::Manager & settings)
+{
+    Nif::NIFFile::CacheLock cachelock;
+
     std::string renderSystem = settings.getString("render system", "Video");
     if (renderSystem == "")
     {
@@ -294,6 +288,9 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
         renderSystem = "OpenGL Rendering Subsystem";
 #endif
     }
+
+    mOgre = new OEngine::Render::OgreRenderer;
+    
     mOgre->configure(
         mCfgMgr.getLogPath().string(),
         renderSystem,
@@ -328,16 +325,13 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     // cursor replacer (converts the cursor from the bsa so they can be used by mygui)
     MWGui::CursorReplace replacer;
 
-    // Create encoder
-    ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder encoder (mEncoding);
-
     // Create the world
     mEnvironment.setWorld (new MWWorld::World (*mOgre, mFileCollections, mMaster,
-        mResDir, mCfgMgr.getCachePath(), mNewGame, &encoder, mFallbackMap,
+        mResDir, mCfgMgr.getCachePath(), mNewGame, mEncoder, mFallbackMap,
         mActivationDistanceOverride));
 
     //Load translation data
-    mTranslationDataStorage.setEncoder(&encoder);
+    mTranslationDataStorage.setEncoder(mEncoder);
     mTranslationDataStorage.loadTranslationData(mFileCollections, mMaster);
 
     // Create window manager - this manages all the MW-specific GUI windows
@@ -365,6 +359,11 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
     mEnvironment.setDialogueManager (new MWDialogue::DialogueManager (mExtensions, mVerboseScripts, mTranslationDataStorage));
 
     // Sets up the input system
+
+    // Get the path for the keybinder xml file
+    std::string keybinderUser = (mCfgMgr.getUserPath() / "input.xml").string();
+    bool keybinderUserExists = boost::filesystem::exists(keybinderUser);
+
     mEnvironment.setInputManager (new MWInput::InputManager (*mOgre,
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayer(),
          *MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager(), mDebug, *this, keybinderUser, keybinderUserExists));
@@ -390,9 +389,6 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
 
     mOgre->getRoot()->addFrameListener (this);
 
-    // Play some good 'ol tunes
-    MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playPlaylist(std::string("Explore"));
-
     // scripts
     if (mCompileAll)
     {
@@ -405,10 +401,35 @@ void OMW::Engine::go()
                 << "%)"
                 << std::endl;
     }
+}
+
+// Initialise and enter main loop.
+
+void OMW::Engine::go()
+{
+    assert (!mCellName.empty());
+    assert (!mMaster.empty());
+    assert (!mOgre);
+
+    Settings::Manager settings;
+	std::string settingspath;
+
+    settingspath = loadSettings (settings);
+
+    // Create encoder
+    ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder encoder (mEncoding);
+    mEncoder = &encoder;
+
+    prepareEngine (settings);
+
+    // Play some good 'ol tunes
+    MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playPlaylist(std::string("Explore"));
 
     if (!mStartupScript.empty())
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->executeInConsole (mStartupScript);
 
+    std::cout << "\nPress Q/ESC or close window to exit.\n";
+
     // Start the main rendering loop
     mOgre->start();
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
index 601cc7765..e320c6991 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/engine.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <components/compiler/extensions.hpp>
 #include <components/files/collections.hpp>
 #include <components/translation/translation.hpp>
+#include <components/settings/settings.hpp>
 
 #include "mwbase/environment.hpp"
 
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ namespace OMW
     {
             MWBase::Environment mEnvironment;
             ToUTF8::FromType mEncoding;
+            ToUTF8::Utf8Encoder* mEncoder;
             Files::PathContainer mDataDirs;
             boost::filesystem::path mResDir;
             OEngine::Render::OgreRenderer *mOgre;
@@ -103,6 +105,12 @@ namespace OMW
 
             virtual bool frameRenderingQueued (const Ogre::FrameEvent& evt);
 
+            /// Load settings from various files, returns the path to the user settings file
+            std::string loadSettings (Settings::Manager & settings);
+
+            /// Prepare engine for game play
+            void prepareEngine (Settings::Manager & settings);
+
         public:
             Engine(Files::ConfigurationManager& configurationManager);
             virtual ~Engine();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
index 1be8d66b3..7ad8f1b47 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/ingredient.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 #include "../mwworld/cellstore.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/physicssystem.hpp"
 #include "../mwworld/actioneat.hpp"
+#include "../mwworld/player.hpp"
+
+#include "../mwmechanics/npcstats.hpp"
 
 #include "../mwgui/tooltips.hpp"
 
@@ -154,6 +157,10 @@ namespace MWClass
             text += MWGui::ToolTips::getMiscString(ref->mBase->mScript, "Script");
         }
 
+        MWWorld::Ptr player = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld ()->getPlayer ().getPlayer();
+        MWMechanics::NpcStats& npcStats = MWWorld::Class::get(player).getNpcStats (player);
+        int alchemySkill = npcStats.getSkill (ESM::Skill::Alchemy).getBase();
+
         MWGui::Widgets::SpellEffectList list;
         for (int i=0; i<4; ++i)
         {
@@ -163,6 +170,12 @@ namespace MWClass
             params.mEffectID = ref->mBase->mData.mEffectID[i];
             params.mAttribute = ref->mBase->mData.mAttributes[i];
             params.mSkill = ref->mBase->mData.mSkills[i];
+
+            params.mKnown = ( (i == 0 && alchemySkill >= 15)
+                 || (i == 1 && alchemySkill >= 30)
+                 || (i == 2 && alchemySkill >= 45)
+                 || (i == 3 && alchemySkill >= 60));
+
             list.push_back(params);
         }
         info.effects = list;
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
index 82e112826..f932c1f03 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.cpp
@@ -390,8 +390,13 @@ void MWSpellEffect::setSpellEffect(const SpellEffectParams& params)
 
 void MWSpellEffect::updateWidgets()
 {
-    if (!mWindowManager)
+    if (!mEffectParams.mKnown)
+    {
+        mTextWidget->setCaption ("?");
+        mRequestedWidth = mTextWidget->getTextSize().width + 24;
+        mImageWidget->setImageTexture ("");
         return;
+    }
 
     const MWWorld::ESMStore &store =
         MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getStore();
@@ -400,7 +405,6 @@ void MWSpellEffect::updateWidgets()
         store.get<ESM::MagicEffect>().search(mEffectParams.mEffectID);
 
     assert(magicEffect);
-    assert(mWindowManager);
 
     std::string pt =  mWindowManager->getGameSettingString("spoint", "");
     std::string pts =  mWindowManager->getGameSettingString("spoints", "");
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.hpp
index 4ac5383f7..7cbb5e53a 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/widgets.hpp
@@ -37,12 +37,15 @@ namespace MWGui
                 , mEffectID(-1)
                 , mNoTarget(false)
                 , mIsConstant(false)
+                , mKnown(true)
             {
             }
 
             bool mNoTarget; // potion effects for example have no target (target is always the player)
             bool mIsConstant; // constant effect means that duration will not be displayed
 
+            bool mKnown; // is this effect known to the player? (If not, will display as a question mark instead)
+
             // value of -1 here means the effect is unknown to the player
             short mEffectID;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
index 6b9abf508..b917a8916 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/scene.cpp
@@ -172,6 +172,8 @@ namespace MWWorld
 
     void Scene::changeCell (int X, int Y, const ESM::Position& position, bool adjustPlayerPos)
     {
+        Nif::NIFFile::CacheLock cachelock;
+
         mRendering.preCellChange(mCurrentCell);
 
         // remove active
diff --git a/components/files/ogreplugin.cpp b/components/files/ogreplugin.cpp
index ca90fd30e..c319f7758 100644
--- a/components/files/ogreplugin.cpp
+++ b/components/files/ogreplugin.cpp
@@ -6,11 +6,6 @@
 namespace Files {
 
 bool loadOgrePlugin(const std::string &pluginDir, std::string pluginName, Ogre::Root &ogreRoot) {
-    // Append plugin suffix if debugging.
-#if defined(DEBUG)
-	pluginName = pluginName + OGRE_PLUGIN_DEBUG_SUFFIX;
-#endif
-
 #if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_APPLE
 	std::ostringstream verStream;
 	verStream << "." << OGRE_VERSION_MAJOR << "." << OGRE_VERSION_MINOR << "." << OGRE_VERSION_PATCH;
@@ -28,13 +23,28 @@ bool loadOgrePlugin(const std::string &pluginDir, std::string pluginName, Ogre::
     pluginExt = ".so";
 #endif
 
-    std::string pluginPath = pluginDir + "/" + pluginName + pluginExt;
+    // Append plugin suffix if debugging.
+    std::string pluginPath;
+#if defined(DEBUG)
+    pluginPath = pluginDir + "/" + pluginName + OGRE_PLUGIN_DEBUG_SUFFIX + pluginExt;
+    if (boost::filesystem::exists(pluginPath)) {
+        ogreRoot.loadPlugin(pluginPath);
+        return true;
+    }
+    else {
+#if OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_WIN32
+        return false;
+#endif //OGRE_PLATFORM == OGRE_PLATFORM_WIN32
+    }
+#endif //defined(DEBUG)
+    
+    pluginPath = pluginDir + "/" + pluginName + pluginExt;
     if (boost::filesystem::exists(pluginPath)) {
-    	ogreRoot.loadPlugin(pluginPath);
-    	return true;
+        ogreRoot.loadPlugin(pluginPath);
+        return true;
     }
     else {
-    	return false;
+        return false;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/components/nif/nif_file.cpp b/components/nif/nif_file.cpp
index 3313d89ab..07d34b9ea 100644
--- a/components/nif/nif_file.cpp
+++ b/components/nif/nif_file.cpp
@@ -34,10 +34,159 @@
 #include "controller.hpp"
 
 #include <iostream>
+
+//TODO: when threading is needed, enable these
+//#include <boost/mutex.hpp>
+//#include <boost/thread/locks.hpp>
+
 using namespace std;
 using namespace Nif;
 using namespace Misc;
 
+class NIFFile::LoadedCache
+{
+    //TODO: enable this to make cache thread safe...
+    //typedef boost::mutex mutex;
+    
+    struct mutex
+    {
+        void lock () {};
+        void unlock () {}
+    };
+    
+    typedef boost::lock_guard <mutex> lock_guard;
+    typedef std::map < std::string, boost::weak_ptr <NIFFile> > loaded_map;
+    typedef std::vector < boost::shared_ptr <NIFFile> > locked_files;
+
+    static int sLockLevel;
+    static mutex sProtector;
+    static loaded_map sLoadedMap;
+    static locked_files sLockedFiles;
+
+public:
+
+    static ptr create (const std::string &name)
+    {
+        lock_guard _ (sProtector);
+
+        ptr result;
+
+        // lookup the resource
+        loaded_map::iterator i = sLoadedMap.find (name);
+
+        if (i == sLoadedMap.end ()) // it doesn't existing currently,
+        {                           // or hasn't in the very near past
+
+            // create it now, for smoother threading if needed, the
+            // loading should be performed outside of the sLoaderMap
+            // lock and an alternate mechanism should be used to
+            // synchronize threads competing to load the same resource
+            result = boost::make_shared <NIFFile> (name, psudo_private_modifier());
+
+            // if we are locking the cache add an extra reference
+            // to keep the file in memory
+            if (sLockLevel > 0)
+                sLockedFiles.push_back (result);
+
+            // stash a reference to the resource so that future
+            // calls can benefit
+            sLoadedMap [name] = boost::weak_ptr <NIFFile> (result);
+        }
+        else // it may (probably) still exists
+        {
+            // attempt to get the reference
+            result = i->second.lock ();
+
+            if (!result) // resource is in the process of being destroyed
+            {
+                // create a new instance, to replace the one that has
+                // begun the irreversible process of being destroyed
+                result = boost::make_shared <NIFFile> (name, psudo_private_modifier());
+
+                // respect the cache lock...
+                if (sLockLevel > 0)
+                    sLockedFiles.push_back (result);
+
+                // we potentially overwrite an expired pointer here
+                // but the other thread performing the delete on
+                // the previous copy of this resource will detect it
+                // and make sure not to erase the new reference
+                sLoadedMap [name] = boost::weak_ptr <NIFFile> (result);
+            }
+        }
+
+        // we made it!
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    static void release (NIFFile * file)
+    {
+        lock_guard _ (sProtector);
+
+        loaded_map::iterator i = sLoadedMap.find (file->filename);
+
+        // its got to be in here, it just might not be us...
+        assert (i != sLoadedMap.end ());
+
+        // if weak_ptr is still expired, this resource hasn't been recreated
+        // between the initiation of the final release due to destruction
+        // of the last shared pointer and this thread acquiring the lock on
+        // the loader map
+        if (i->second.expired ())
+            sLoadedMap.erase (i);
+    }
+
+    static void lockCache ()
+    {
+        lock_guard _ (sProtector);
+
+        sLockLevel++;
+    }
+
+    static void unlockCache ()
+    {
+        locked_files resetList;
+
+        {
+            lock_guard _ (sProtector);
+
+            if (--sLockLevel)
+                sLockedFiles.swap(resetList);
+        }
+
+        // this not necessary, but makes it clear that the
+        // deletion of the locked cache entries is being done
+        // outside the protection of sProtector
+        resetList.clear ();
+    }
+};
+
+int NIFFile::LoadedCache::sLockLevel = 0;
+NIFFile::LoadedCache::mutex NIFFile::LoadedCache::sProtector;
+NIFFile::LoadedCache::loaded_map NIFFile::LoadedCache::sLoadedMap;
+NIFFile::LoadedCache::locked_files NIFFile::LoadedCache::sLockedFiles;
+
+// these three calls are forwarded to the cache implementation...
+void NIFFile::lockCache ()     { LoadedCache::lockCache (); }
+void NIFFile::unlockCache ()   { LoadedCache::unlockCache (); }
+NIFFile::ptr NIFFile::create (const std::string &name) { return LoadedCache::create  (name); }
+
+/// Open a NIF stream. The name is used for error messages.
+NIFFile::NIFFile(const std::string &name, psudo_private_modifier)
+    : filename(name)
+{
+    inp = Ogre::ResourceGroupManager::getSingleton().openResource(name);
+    parse();
+}
+
+NIFFile::~NIFFile()
+{
+    LoadedCache::release (this);
+
+    for(std::size_t i=0; i<records.size(); i++)
+        delete records[i];
+}
+
 /* This file implements functions from the NIFFile class. It is also
    where we stash all the functions we couldn't add as inline
    definitions in the record types.
@@ -211,14 +360,14 @@ void NiSkinInstance::post(NIFFile *nif)
     }
 }
 
-Ogre::Matrix4 Node::getLocalTransform()
+Ogre::Matrix4 Node::getLocalTransform() const
 {
     Ogre::Matrix4 mat4(Ogre::Matrix4::IDENTITY);
     mat4.makeTransform(trafo.pos, Ogre::Vector3(trafo.scale), Ogre::Quaternion(trafo.rotation));
     return mat4;
 }
 
-Ogre::Matrix4 Node::getWorldTransform()
+Ogre::Matrix4 Node::getWorldTransform() const
 {
     if(parent != NULL)
         return parent->getWorldTransform() * getLocalTransform();
diff --git a/components/nif/nif_file.hpp b/components/nif/nif_file.hpp
index 23bccb0fe..ded3f7362 100644
--- a/components/nif/nif_file.hpp
+++ b/components/nif/nif_file.hpp
@@ -37,6 +37,11 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <cassert>
 
+#include <boost/weak_ptr.hpp>
+#include <boost/shared_ptr.hpp>
+#include <boost/make_shared.hpp>
+#include <boost/detail/endian.hpp>
+
 #include <libs/platform/stdint.h>
 
 #include "record.hpp"
@@ -93,6 +98,14 @@ class NIFFile
         return u.f;
     }
 
+    class LoadedCache;
+    friend class LoadedCache;
+
+    // attempt to protect NIFFile from misuse...
+    struct psudo_private_modifier {}; // this dirty little trick should optimize out
+    NIFFile (NIFFile const &);
+    void operator = (NIFFile const &);
+
 public:
     /// Used for error handling
     void fail(const std::string &msg)
@@ -108,19 +121,21 @@ public:
                  << "File: "<<filename <<std::endl;
     }
 
+    typedef boost::shared_ptr <NIFFile> ptr;
+
     /// Open a NIF stream. The name is used for error messages.
-    NIFFile(const std::string &name)
-      : filename(name)
-    {
-        inp = Ogre::ResourceGroupManager::getSingleton().openResource(name);
-        parse();
-    }
+    NIFFile(const std::string &name, psudo_private_modifier);
+    ~NIFFile();
+
+    static ptr create (const std::string &name);
+    static void lockCache ();
+    static void unlockCache ();
 
-    ~NIFFile()
+    struct CacheLock
     {
-        for(std::size_t i=0; i<records.size(); i++)
-            delete records[i];
-    }
+        CacheLock () { lockCache (); }
+        ~CacheLock () { unlockCache (); }
+    };
 
     /// Get a given record
     Record *getRecord(size_t index)
diff --git a/components/nif/node.hpp b/components/nif/node.hpp
index f7d3c6e96..07e7868cc 100644
--- a/components/nif/node.hpp
+++ b/components/nif/node.hpp
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ public:
         boneIndex = ind;
     }
 
-    Ogre::Matrix4 getLocalTransform();
-    Ogre::Matrix4 getWorldTransform();
+    Ogre::Matrix4 getLocalTransform() const;
+    Ogre::Matrix4 getWorldTransform() const;
 };
 
 struct NiNode : Node
diff --git a/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.cpp b/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.cpp
index 42f6a8e68..9c6dafa34 100644
--- a/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.cpp
+++ b/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ ManualBulletShapeLoader::~ManualBulletShapeLoader()
 }
 
 
-btQuaternion ManualBulletShapeLoader::getbtQuat(Ogre::Matrix3 &m)
+btQuaternion ManualBulletShapeLoader::getbtQuat(Ogre::Matrix3 const &m)
 {
     Ogre::Quaternion oquat(m);
     btQuaternion quat;
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ btQuaternion ManualBulletShapeLoader::getbtQuat(Ogre::Matrix3 &m)
     return quat;
 }
 
-btVector3 ManualBulletShapeLoader::getbtVector(Ogre::Vector3 &v)
+btVector3 ManualBulletShapeLoader::getbtVector(Ogre::Vector3 const &v)
 {
     return btVector3(v[0], v[1], v[2]);
 }
@@ -82,7 +82,8 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::loadResource(Ogre::Resource *resource)
     // of the early stages of development. Right now we WANT to catch
     // every error as early and intrusively as possible, as it's most
     // likely a sign of incomplete code rather than faulty input.
-    Nif::NIFFile nif(resourceName.substr(0, resourceName.length()-7));
+    Nif::NIFFile::ptr pnif (Nif::NIFFile::create (resourceName.substr(0, resourceName.length()-7)));
+    Nif::NIFFile & nif = *pnif.get ();
     if (nif.numRecords() < 1)
     {
         warn("Found no records in NIF.");
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::loadResource(Ogre::Resource *resource)
     }
 }
 
-bool ManualBulletShapeLoader::hasRootCollisionNode(Nif::Node* node)
+bool ManualBulletShapeLoader::hasRootCollisionNode(Nif::Node const * node)
 {
     if (node->recType == Nif::RC_NiNode)
     {
@@ -164,8 +165,8 @@ bool ManualBulletShapeLoader::hasRootCollisionNode(Nif::Node* node)
     return false;
 }
 
-void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
-   const Nif::Transformation *trafo,bool hasCollisionNode,bool isCollisionNode,bool raycastingOnly)
+void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node const *node, int flags,
+   const Nif::Transformation *parentTrafo,bool hasCollisionNode,bool isCollisionNode,bool raycastingOnly)
 {
 
     // Accumulate the flags from all the child nodes. This works for all
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
     }
 
     // Check for extra data
-    Nif::Extra *e = node;
+    Nif::Extra const *e = node;
     while (!e->extra.empty())
     {
         // Get the next extra data in the list
@@ -208,23 +209,23 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
         }
     }
 
+    Nif::Transformation childTrafo = node->trafo;
 
-    if (trafo)
+    if (parentTrafo)
     {
 
         // Get a non-const reference to the node's data, since we're
         // overwriting it. TODO: Is this necessary?
-        Nif::Transformation &final = node->trafo;
 
         // For both position and rotation we have that:
         // final_vector = old_vector + old_rotation*new_vector*old_scale
-        final.pos = trafo->pos + trafo->rotation*final.pos*trafo->scale;
+        childTrafo.pos = parentTrafo->pos + parentTrafo->rotation*childTrafo.pos*parentTrafo->scale;
 
         // Merge the rotations together
-        final.rotation = trafo->rotation * final.rotation;
+        childTrafo.rotation = parentTrafo->rotation * childTrafo.rotation;
 
         // Scale
-        final.scale *= trafo->scale;
+        childTrafo.scale *= parentTrafo->scale;
 
     }
 
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
     {
 
         
-        btVector3 boxsize = getbtVector((node->boundXYZ));
+        btVector3 boxsize = getbtVector(node->boundXYZ);
         cShape->boxTranslation = node->boundPos;
         cShape->boxRotation = node->boundRot;
 
@@ -243,20 +244,20 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
     // For NiNodes, loop through children
     if (node->recType == Nif::RC_NiNode)
     {
-        Nif::NodeList &list = ((Nif::NiNode*)node)->children;
+        Nif::NodeList const &list = ((Nif::NiNode const *)node)->children;
         int n = list.length();
         for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
         {
             if (!list[i].empty())
             {
-                handleNode(list[i].getPtr(), flags,&node->trafo,hasCollisionNode,isCollisionNode,raycastingOnly);
+                handleNode(list[i].getPtr(), flags,&childTrafo,hasCollisionNode,isCollisionNode,raycastingOnly);
             }
         }
     }
     else if (node->recType == Nif::RC_NiTriShape && (isCollisionNode || !hasCollisionNode))
     {
         cShape->mCollide = !(flags&0x800);
-        handleNiTriShape(dynamic_cast<Nif::NiTriShape*>(node), flags,node->trafo.rotation,node->trafo.pos,node->trafo.scale,raycastingOnly);
+        handleNiTriShape(dynamic_cast<Nif::NiTriShape const *>(node), flags,childTrafo.rotation,childTrafo.pos,childTrafo.scale,raycastingOnly);
     }
     else if(node->recType == Nif::RC_RootCollisionNode)
     {
@@ -265,12 +266,12 @@ void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
         for (int i=0; i<n; i++)
         {
             if (!list[i].empty())
-                handleNode(list[i].getPtr(), flags,&node->trafo, hasCollisionNode,true,raycastingOnly);
+                handleNode(list[i].getPtr(), flags,&childTrafo, hasCollisionNode,true,raycastingOnly);
         }
     }
 }
 
-void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNiTriShape(Nif::NiTriShape *shape, int flags,Ogre::Matrix3 parentRot,Ogre::Vector3 parentPos,float parentScale,
+void ManualBulletShapeLoader::handleNiTriShape(Nif::NiTriShape const *shape, int flags,Ogre::Matrix3 parentRot,Ogre::Vector3 parentPos,float parentScale,
     bool raycastingOnly)
 {
     assert(shape != NULL);
diff --git a/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.hpp b/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.hpp
index 2190fda1b..520878ce1 100644
--- a/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.hpp
+++ b/components/nifbullet/bullet_nif_loader.hpp
@@ -79,25 +79,25 @@ public:
     void load(const std::string &name,const std::string &group);
 
 private:
-    btQuaternion getbtQuat(Ogre::Matrix3 &m);
+    btQuaternion getbtQuat(Ogre::Matrix3 const &m);
 
-    btVector3 getbtVector(Ogre::Vector3 &v);
+    btVector3 getbtVector(Ogre::Vector3 const &v);
 
     /**
     *Parse a node.
     */
-    void handleNode(Nif::Node *node, int flags,
+    void handleNode(Nif::Node const *node, int flags,
         const Nif::Transformation *trafo, bool hasCollisionNode,bool isCollisionNode,bool raycastingOnly);
 
     /**
     *Helper function
     */
-    bool hasRootCollisionNode(Nif::Node* node);
+    bool hasRootCollisionNode(Nif::Node const * node);
 
     /**
     *convert a NiTriShape to a bullet trishape.
     */
-    void handleNiTriShape(Nif::NiTriShape *shape, int flags,Ogre::Matrix3 parentRot,Ogre::Vector3 parentPos,float parentScales,bool raycastingOnly);
+    void handleNiTriShape(Nif::NiTriShape const *shape, int flags,Ogre::Matrix3 parentRot,Ogre::Vector3 parentPos,float parentScales,bool raycastingOnly);
 
     std::string resourceName;
     std::string resourceGroup;
diff --git a/components/nifogre/ogre_nif_loader.cpp b/components/nifogre/ogre_nif_loader.cpp
index 0789123c3..d12580e9f 100644
--- a/components/nifogre/ogre_nif_loader.cpp
+++ b/components/nifogre/ogre_nif_loader.cpp
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ static TextKeyMap extractTextKeys(const Nif::NiTextKeyExtraData *tk)
 }
 
 
-void buildBones(Ogre::Skeleton *skel, const Nif::Node *node, std::vector<Nif::NiKeyframeController*> &ctrls, Ogre::Bone *parent=NULL)
+void buildBones(Ogre::Skeleton *skel, const Nif::Node *node, std::vector<Nif::NiKeyframeController const*> &ctrls, Ogre::Bone *parent=NULL)
 {
     Ogre::Bone *bone;
     if(!skel->hasBone(node->name))
@@ -252,10 +252,11 @@ void loadResource(Ogre::Resource *resource)
     Ogre::Skeleton *skel = dynamic_cast<Ogre::Skeleton*>(resource);
     OgreAssert(skel, "Attempting to load a skeleton into a non-skeleton resource!");
 
-    Nif::NIFFile nif(skel->getName());
+    Nif::NIFFile::ptr pnif(Nif::NIFFile::create (skel->getName()));
+    Nif::NIFFile & nif = *pnif.get ();
     const Nif::Node *node = dynamic_cast<const Nif::Node*>(nif.getRecord(0));
 
-    std::vector<Nif::NiKeyframeController*> ctrls;
+    std::vector<Nif::NiKeyframeController const*> ctrls;
     buildBones(skel, node, ctrls);
 
     std::vector<std::string> targets;
@@ -266,7 +267,7 @@ void loadResource(Ogre::Resource *resource)
     float maxtime = 0.0f;
     for(size_t i = 0;i < ctrls.size();i++)
     {
-        Nif::NiKeyframeController *ctrl = ctrls[i];
+        Nif::NiKeyframeController const *ctrl = ctrls[i];
         maxtime = std::max(maxtime, ctrl->timeStop);
         Nif::Named *target = dynamic_cast<Nif::Named*>(ctrl->target.getPtr());
         if(target != NULL)
@@ -289,8 +290,8 @@ void loadResource(Ogre::Resource *resource)
 
     for(size_t i = 0;i < ctrls.size();i++)
     {
-        Nif::NiKeyframeController *kfc = ctrls[i];
-        Nif::NiKeyframeData *kf = kfc->data.getPtr();
+        Nif::NiKeyframeController const *kfc = ctrls[i];
+        Nif::NiKeyframeData const *kf = kfc->data.getPtr();
 
         /* Get the keyframes and make sure they're sorted first to last */
         Nif::QuaternionKeyList quatkeys = kf->mRotations;
@@ -713,7 +714,7 @@ class NIFMeshLoader : Ogre::ManualResourceLoader
 
 
     // Convert NiTriShape to Ogre::SubMesh
-    void handleNiTriShape(Ogre::Mesh *mesh, Nif::NiTriShape *shape)
+    void handleNiTriShape(Ogre::Mesh *mesh, Nif::NiTriShape const *shape)
     {
         Ogre::SkeletonPtr skel;
         const Nif::NiTriShapeData *data = shape->data.getPtr();
@@ -911,18 +912,18 @@ class NIFMeshLoader : Ogre::ManualResourceLoader
             sub->setMaterialName(mMaterialName);
     }
 
-    bool findTriShape(Ogre::Mesh *mesh, Nif::Node *node)
+    bool findTriShape(Ogre::Mesh *mesh, Nif::Node const *node)
     {
         if(node->recType == Nif::RC_NiTriShape && mShapeName == node->name)
         {
-            handleNiTriShape(mesh, dynamic_cast<Nif::NiTriShape*>(node));
+            handleNiTriShape(mesh, dynamic_cast<Nif::NiTriShape const *>(node));
             return true;
         }
 
-        Nif::NiNode *ninode = dynamic_cast<Nif::NiNode*>(node);
+        Nif::NiNode const *ninode = dynamic_cast<Nif::NiNode const *>(node);
         if(ninode)
         {
-            Nif::NodeList &children = ninode->children;
+            Nif::NodeList const &children = ninode->children;
             for(size_t i = 0;i < children.length();i++)
             {
                 if(!children[i].empty())
@@ -958,8 +959,8 @@ public:
             return;
         }
 
-        Nif::NIFFile nif(mName);
-        Nif::Node *node = dynamic_cast<Nif::Node*>(nif.getRecord(0));
+        Nif::NIFFile::ptr nif = Nif::NIFFile::create (mName);
+        Nif::Node const *node = dynamic_cast<Nif::Node const *>(nif->getRecord(0));
         findTriShape(mesh, node);
     }
 
@@ -1056,7 +1057,8 @@ MeshPairList NIFLoader::load(std::string name, std::string skelName, const std::
         return meshiter->second;
 
     MeshPairList &meshes = sMeshPairMap[name+"@skel="+skelName];
-    Nif::NIFFile nif(name);
+    Nif::NIFFile::ptr pnif = Nif::NIFFile::create (name);
+    Nif::NIFFile &nif = *pnif.get ();
     if (nif.numRecords() < 1)
     {
         nif.warn("Found no records in NIF.");
@@ -1064,10 +1066,10 @@ MeshPairList NIFLoader::load(std::string name, std::string skelName, const std::
     }
 
     // The first record is assumed to be the root node
-    Nif::Record *r = nif.getRecord(0);
+    Nif::Record const *r = nif.getRecord(0);
     assert(r != NULL);
 
-    Nif::Node *node = dynamic_cast<Nif::Node*>(r);
+    Nif::Node const *node = dynamic_cast<Nif::Node const *>(r);
     if(node == NULL)
     {
         nif.warn("First record in file was not a node, but a "+