diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/ifsg_api.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/ifsg_api.cpp
index fc902ec9d4..7e620892ad 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/ifsg_api.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/ifsg_api.cpp
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_normals.h"
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_shape.h"
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_version.h"
+#include "3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h"
 #include "3d_info.h"
 #include "plugins/3dapi/c3dmodel.h"
 
@@ -437,3 +438,24 @@ void S3D::GetLibVersion( unsigned char* Major, unsigned char* Minor,
 
     return;
 }
+
+
+SGVECTOR S3D::CalcTriNorm( const SGPOINT& p1, const SGPOINT& p2, const SGPOINT& p3 )
+{
+    glm::dvec3 tri = glm::dvec3( 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 );
+    glm::dvec3 pts[3];
+
+    pts[0] = glm::dvec3( p1.x, p1.y, p1.z );
+    pts[1] = glm::dvec3( p2.x, p2.y, p2.z );
+    pts[2] = glm::dvec3( p3.x, p3.y, p3.z );
+
+    // degenerate points are given a default 0, 0, 1 normal
+    if( S3D::degenerate( pts ) )
+        return SGVECTOR( 0.0, 0.0, 1.0 );
+
+    // normal
+    tri = cross( pts[1] - pts[0], pts[2] - pts[0] );
+    normalize( tri );
+
+    return SGVECTOR( tri.x, tri.y, tri.z );
+}
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.cpp
index 9e065fcbce..0844280fc1 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.cpp
@@ -316,33 +316,48 @@ bool SGCOORDS::ReadCache( std::ifstream& aFile, SGNODE* parentNode )
 }
 
 
-bool SGCOORDS::CalcNormals( SGNODE** aPtr )
+bool SGCOORDS::CalcNormals( SGFACESET* callingNode, SGNODE** aPtr )
 {
     if( aPtr )
         *aPtr = NULL;
 
-    if( NULL == m_Parent )
+    if( NULL == m_Parent || NULL == callingNode )
         return false;
 
     // the parent and all references must have indices; collect all
     // indices into one std::vector<>
     std::vector< int > ilist;
-    ((SGFACESET*)m_Parent)->GatherCoordIndices( ilist );
+    SGNORMALS* np = NULL;
 
-    std::list< SGNODE* >::iterator sB = m_BackPointers.begin();
-    std::list< SGNODE* >::iterator eB = m_BackPointers.end();
-
-    while( sB != eB )
+    if( callingNode == m_Parent )
     {
-        SGFACESET* fp = (SGFACESET*)(*sB);
-        fp->GatherCoordIndices( ilist );
-        ++sB;
+        ((SGFACESET*)m_Parent)->GatherCoordIndices( ilist );
+
+        std::list< SGNODE* >::iterator sB = m_BackPointers.begin();
+        std::list< SGNODE* >::iterator eB = m_BackPointers.end();
+
+        while( sB != eB )
+        {
+            SGFACESET* fp = (SGFACESET*)(*sB);
+            fp->GatherCoordIndices( ilist );
+            ++sB;
+        }
+
+        np = ((SGFACESET*)m_Parent)->m_Normals;
+
+        if( !np )
+            np = new SGNORMALS( m_Parent );
+
     }
+    else
+    {
+        callingNode->GatherCoordIndices( ilist );
+        np = callingNode->m_Normals;
 
-    SGNORMALS* np = ((SGFACESET*)m_Parent)->m_Normals;
+        if( !np )
+            np = new SGNORMALS( callingNode );
 
-    if( !np )
-        np = new SGNORMALS( m_Parent );
+    }
 
     if( S3D::CalcTriangleNormals( coords, ilist, np->norms )  )
     {
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.h b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.h
index b1ca5de770..5e5a9f6845 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.h
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_coords.h
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_node.h"
 
+class SGFACESET;
+
 class SGCOORDS : public SGNODE
 {
 public:
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ public:
      * calculates normals for this coordinate list and sets the
      * normals list in the parent SGFACESET
      */
-    bool CalcNormals( SGNODE** aPtr );
+    bool CalcNormals( SGFACESET* callingNode, SGNODE** aPtr = NULL );
 
     void ReNameNodes( void );
     bool WriteVRML( std::ofstream& aFile, bool aReuseFlag );
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_faceset.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_faceset.cpp
index 3f5cb88d6b..e7c391828b 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_faceset.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_faceset.cpp
@@ -1043,21 +1043,19 @@ void SGFACESET::GatherCoordIndices( std::vector< int >& aIndexList )
 
 bool SGFACESET::CalcNormals( SGNODE** aPtr )
 {
+    SGCOORDS* coords = m_Coords;
+
     if( m_RCoords )
-    {
-        SGFACESET* fp = (SGFACESET*) m_RCoords->GetParent();
+        coords = m_RCoords;
 
-        if( !fp )
-            return false;
-
-        return fp->CalcNormals( aPtr );
-    }
-
-    if( NULL == m_Coords || m_Coords->coords.empty() )
+    if( NULL == coords || coords->coords.empty() )
         return false;
 
     if( m_Normals && !m_Normals->norms.empty( ) )
         return true;
 
-    return m_Coords->CalcNormals( aPtr );
+    if( m_RNormals && !m_RNormals->norms.empty( ) )
+        return true;
+
+    return coords->CalcNormals( this, aPtr );
 }
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.cpp
index 38828bf73a..f770b3c680 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h"
 #include "3d_cache/sg/sg_node.h"
-#include <glm/glm.hpp>
 
 
 // formats a floating point number for text output to a VRML file
@@ -311,7 +310,7 @@ bool S3D::ReadColor( std::ifstream& aFile, SGCOLOR& aColor )
 }
 
 
-static bool degenerate( glm::dvec3* pts )
+bool S3D::degenerate( glm::dvec3* pts )
 {
     double dx, dy, dz;
 
@@ -342,7 +341,7 @@ static bool degenerate( glm::dvec3* pts )
 
 static void calcTriad( glm::dvec3* pts, glm::dvec3& tri )
 {
-    if( degenerate( pts ) )
+    if( S3D::degenerate( pts ) )
     {
         // degenerate points should contribute nothing to the result
         tri = glm::dvec3( 0.0, 0.0, 0.0 );
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h
index 7cf6ce8f8f..91e0245b35 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_helpers.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include "plugins/3dapi/sg_base.h"
 #include "plugins/3dapi/sg_types.h"
+#include <glm/glm.hpp>
 
 class SGNORMALS;
 class SGCOORDS;
@@ -153,6 +154,8 @@ class SGCOORDINDEX;
 
 namespace S3D
 {
+    bool degenerate( glm::dvec3* pts );
+
     //
     // Normals calculations from triangles
     //
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_shape.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_shape.cpp
index 805a28029f..90fbfeaea1 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_shape.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_cache/sg/sg_shape.cpp
@@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ bool SGSHAPE::Prepare( const glm::dmat4* aTransform,
         return true;
     }
 
-    if( NULL == m_Appearance )
+    if( NULL == pa )
     {
         m.m_MaterialIdx = 0;
     }
diff --git a/3d-viewer/3d_model_viewer/c3d_model_viewer.cpp b/3d-viewer/3d_model_viewer/c3d_model_viewer.cpp
index f0eb4b578e..94065c07b7 100644
--- a/3d-viewer/3d_model_viewer/c3d_model_viewer.cpp
+++ b/3d-viewer/3d_model_viewer/c3d_model_viewer.cpp
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ void C3D_MODEL_VIEWER::OnPaint( wxPaintEvent &event )
 
         m_ogl_3dmodel->Draw_opaque();
         //m_ogl_3dmodel->Draw_transparent();
-        m_ogl_3dmodel->Draw_bboxes();
+        //m_ogl_3dmodel->Draw_bboxes();
 
         glPopMatrix();
     }
diff --git a/include/plugins/3dapi/ifsg_api.h b/include/plugins/3dapi/ifsg_api.h
index 8dea5f4eb5..f06bac3192 100644
--- a/include/plugins/3dapi/ifsg_api.h
+++ b/include/plugins/3dapi/ifsg_api.h
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ struct S3D_POINT;
 
 namespace S3D
 {
+    /**
+     * Function CalcTriNorm
+     * returns the normal vector of a triangle described by vertices p1, p2, p3
+     */
+    SGLIB_API SGVECTOR CalcTriNorm( const SGPOINT& p1, const SGPOINT& p2, const SGPOINT& p3 );
+
     /**
      * Function WriteCache
      * writes the SGNODE tree to a binary cache file
diff --git a/plugins/3d/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/3d/CMakeLists.txt
index e34ff17586..3416f08ab8 100644
--- a/plugins/3d/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/3d/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
-#add_subdirectory( demo )
+add_subdirectory( demo )
 add_subdirectory( idf )
 add_subdirectory( vrml )
diff --git a/plugins/3d/demo/s3d_plugin_demo2.cpp b/plugins/3d/demo/s3d_plugin_demo2.cpp
index 199588e3cf..fa22f63431 100644
--- a/plugins/3d/demo/s3d_plugin_demo2.cpp
+++ b/plugins/3d/demo/s3d_plugin_demo2.cpp
@@ -136,33 +136,31 @@ bool CanRender( void )
 
 SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
 {
-    // For this demonstration we create a tetrahedron and
-    // paint its faces Magenta Red Green Blue. Steps:
-    // * Create a top level transform tx0 which represent the VRML file
-    // * Create a child transform tx1, parent tx0, to define the tetrahedron
-    //    + Create 'shape' to define one facet
-    //    ++ Create a 'face' to hold vertices and indices
-    //    +++ Create 'cp' which is the coordinate list
-    //    +++ Create 'np' which is the per-vertex normals list
-    //    +++ Create 'coordIndex' which is the (triangular) vertex index list
-    //        for facet1 of the tetrahedron
-    //    ++ Create a 'material' to define the appearance of 'shape'
-    //    **
-    //    + shape->NewNode() to define next facet
-    //    ++ face->NewNode() for a new facet
-    //    +++ Add Ref to 'cp' for coordinate list
-    //    +++ Add Ref to 'np' for normals list
-    //    +++ coordIndex->NewNode() for vertex index list of new facet
-    //    ++ material->NewNode() for material of new facet
-    //    + repeat twice from ** to produce last 2 facets
-    // * Create a child transform tx2, parent tx0, for a referenced tetrahedron
-    //    + Set a translation and rotation so that this is distinct from tx1
-    //    + Add Reference to tx1
-    // ALL DONE: we now have:
-    // tx0
-    //  - contains tx1 which contains all elements of a tetrahedron
-    //  - contains tx0 which contains a reference to tx1 and offsets it so
-    //    that it renders in a different position
+    // For this demonstration we create a tetrahedron (tx1) consisting of a SCENEGRAPH
+    // (VRML Transform) which in turn contains 4 SGSHAPE (VRML Shape) objects
+    // representing each of the sides of the tetrahedron. Each Shape is associated
+    // with a color (SGAPPEARANCE) and a SGFACESET (VRML Geometry->indexedFaceSet).
+    // Each SGFACESET is associated with a vertex list (SGCOORDS), a per-vertex normals
+    // list (SGNORMALS), and a coordinate index (SGCOORDINDEX). One shape is used to
+    // represent each face so that we may use per-vertex-per-face normals.
+    //
+    // The tetrahedron in turn is a child of a top level SCENEGRAPH (tx0) which has
+    // a second SCENEGRAPH child (tx2) which is a transformation of the tetrahedron tx1
+    // (rotation + translation). This demonstrates the reuse of components within
+    // the model heirarchy.
+
+    // define the vertices of the tetrahedron
+    // face 1: 0, 3, 1
+    // face 2: 0, 2, 3
+    // face 3: 1, 3, 2
+    // face 4: 0, 1, 2
+    double SQ2 = sqrt( 0.5 );
+    SGPOINT vert[4];
+    vert[0] = SGPOINT( 1.0, 0.0, -SQ2 );
+    vert[1] = SGPOINT( -1.0, 0.0, -SQ2 );
+    vert[2] = SGPOINT( 0.0, 1.0, SQ2 );
+    vert[3] = SGPOINT( 0.0, -1.0, SQ2 );
+
 
     // create the top level transform; this will hold all other
     // scenegraph objects; a transform may hold other transforms and
@@ -172,7 +170,7 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
     // create the transform which will house the shapes
     IFSG_TRANSFORM* tx1 = new IFSG_TRANSFORM( tx0->GetRawPtr() );
 
-    // add a shape which we will use to define a tetrahedron; shapes
+    // add a shape which we will use to define one face of the tetrahedron; shapes
     // hold facesets and appearances
     IFSG_SHAPE* shape = new IFSG_SHAPE( *tx1 );
 
@@ -182,30 +180,19 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
 
     IFSG_FACESET* face = new IFSG_FACESET( *shape );
 
-    // define the vertices of the tetrahedron
-    double SQ2 = sqrt( 0.5 );
-    SGPOINT vert[4];
-    vert[0] = SGPOINT( 1.0, 0.0, -SQ2 );
-    vert[1] = SGPOINT( -1.0, 0.0, -SQ2 );
-    vert[2] = SGPOINT( 0.0, 1.0, SQ2 );
-    vert[3] = SGPOINT( 0.0, -1.0, SQ2 );
     IFSG_COORDS* cp = new IFSG_COORDS( *face );
-    cp->SetCoordsList( 4, vert );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[0] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[3] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[1] );
+
     // coordinate indices - note: enforce triangles;
     // in real plugins where it is not necessarily possible
     // to determine which side a triangle is visible from,
     // 2 point orders must be specified for each triangle
     IFSG_COORDINDEX* coordIdx = new IFSG_COORDINDEX( *face );
-    int cidx[12] = { 0, 3, 1, 0, 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 0, 1, 2 };
-    coordIdx->SetIndices( 3, cidx );
-
-    // note: track the sets of faces since all faces need to be
-    // instantiated before we can calculate the normals list;
-    // this is due to the need for all vertices to be referenced
-    // in the index lists; however we have a single coordinate
-    // list and 4 associated vertex lists so the requirement is
-    // not met until all faces are instantiated.
-    SGNODE* face1 = face->GetRawPtr();
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 0 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 1 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 2 );
 
     // create an appearance; appearances are owned by shapes
     // magenta
@@ -215,64 +202,99 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
     material->SetAmbient( 0.9 );
     material->SetShininess( 0.3 );
 
+    // normals
+    IFSG_NORMALS* np = new IFSG_NORMALS( *face );
+    SGVECTOR nval = S3D::CalcTriNorm( vert[0], vert[3], vert[1] );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+
+    //
     // Shape2
+    // Note: we reuse the IFSG* wrappers to create and manipulate new
+    // data structures.
+    //
     shape->NewNode( *tx1 );
     face->NewNode( *shape );
-    face->AddRefNode( *cp );
     coordIdx->NewNode( *face );
-    coordIdx->SetIndices( 3, &cidx[3] );
-    SGNODE* face2 = face->GetRawPtr();
-    // red
+    cp->NewNode( *face );
+    np->NewNode( *face );
+    // vertices
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[0] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[2] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[3] );
+    // indices
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 0 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 1 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 2 );
+    // normals
+    nval = S3D::CalcTriNorm( vert[0], vert[2], vert[3] );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    // color (red)
     material->NewNode( *shape );
     material->SetSpecular( 1.0, 0.0, 0.0 );
     material->SetDiffuse( 0.9, 0.0, 0.0 );
     material->SetAmbient( 0.9 );
     material->SetShininess( 0.3 );
 
+    //
     // Shape3
+    //
     shape->NewNode( *tx1 );
     face->NewNode( *shape );
-    face->AddRefNode( *cp );
     coordIdx->NewNode( *face );
-    coordIdx->SetIndices( 3, &cidx[6] );
-    SGNODE* face3 = face->GetRawPtr();
-    // green
+    cp->NewNode( *face );
+    np->NewNode( *face );
+    // vertices
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[1] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[3] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[2] );
+    // indices
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 0 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 1 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 2 );
+    // normals
+    nval = S3D::CalcTriNorm( vert[1], vert[3], vert[2] );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    // color (green)
     material->NewNode( *shape );
     material->SetSpecular( 0.0, 1.0, 0.0 );
     material->SetDiffuse( 0.0, 0.9, 0.0 );
     material->SetAmbient( 0.9 );
     material->SetShininess( 0.3 );
 
+    //
     // Shape4
+    //
     shape->NewNode( *tx1 );
     face->NewNode( *shape );
-    face->AddRefNode( *cp );
     coordIdx->NewNode( *face );
-    coordIdx->SetIndices( 3, &cidx[9] );
-    SGNODE* face4 = face->GetRawPtr();
-    // blue
+    cp->NewNode( *face );
+    np->NewNode( *face );
+    // vertices
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[0] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[1] );
+    cp->AddCoord( vert[2] );
+    // indices
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 0 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 1 );
+    coordIdx->AddIndex( 2 );
+    // normals
+    nval = S3D::CalcTriNorm( vert[0], vert[1], vert[2] );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    np->AddNormal( nval );
+    // color (blue)
     material->NewNode( *shape );
     material->SetSpecular( 0.0, 0.0, 1.0 );
     material->SetDiffuse( 0.0, 0.0, 0.9 );
     material->SetAmbient( 0.9 );
     material->SetShininess( 0.3 );
 
-    // note: now that the faces are instantiated we
-    // can calculate the per-vertex normals
-    SGNODE* np;
-    face->Attach( face1 );
-    face->CalcNormals( &np );
-
-    if( np )
-    {
-        face->Attach( face2 );
-        face->AddRefNode( np );
-        face->Attach( face3 );
-        face->AddRefNode( np );
-        face->Attach( face4 );
-        face->AddRefNode( np );
-    }
-
     // create a copy of the entire tetrahedron shifted Z+2 and rotated 2/3PI
     IFSG_TRANSFORM* tx2 = new IFSG_TRANSFORM( tx0->GetRawPtr() );
     tx2->AddRefNode( *tx1 );
@@ -287,6 +309,7 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
     delete coordIdx;
     delete material;
     delete cp;
+    delete np;
     delete tx0;
     delete tx1;
     delete tx2;
diff --git a/plugins/3d/idf/s3d_plugin_idf.cpp b/plugins/3d/idf/s3d_plugin_idf.cpp
index bf097e9b1a..eb2180dcc8 100644
--- a/plugins/3d/idf/s3d_plugin_idf.cpp
+++ b/plugins/3d/idf/s3d_plugin_idf.cpp
@@ -258,10 +258,11 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
 
     vpcb.Tesselate( NULL );
     std::vector< double > vertices;
-    std::vector< int > indices;
+    std::vector< int > idxPlane;
+    std::vector< int > idxSide;
     double thick = outline->GetThickness();
 
-    if( !vpcb.Get3DTriangles( vertices, indices, thick, 0.0 ) )
+    if( !vpcb.Get3DTriangles( vertices, idxPlane, idxSide, thick, 0.0 ) )
     {
         #ifdef DEBUG
             std::cerr << __FILE__ << ": " << __FUNCTION__ << ": " << __LINE__ << "\n";
@@ -271,6 +272,15 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
         return NULL;
     }
 
+    if( ( idxPlane.size() % 3 ) || ( idxSide.size() % 3 ) )
+    {
+        #ifdef DEBUG
+        std::cerr << __FILE__ << ": " << __FUNCTION__ << ": " << __LINE__ << "\n";
+        std::cerr << " * [BUG] index lists are not a multiple of 3 (not a triangle list)\n";
+        #endif
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
     std::vector< SGPOINT > vlist;
     size_t nvert = vertices.size() / 3;
     size_t j = 0;
@@ -279,24 +289,73 @@ SCENEGRAPH* Load( char const* aFileName )
         vlist.push_back( SGPOINT( vertices[j], vertices[j+1], vertices[j+2] ) );
 
     // create the intermediate scenegraph
-    IFSG_TRANSFORM* tx0 = new IFSG_TRANSFORM( true );
-    IFSG_SHAPE* shape = new IFSG_SHAPE( *tx0 );
-    IFSG_FACESET* face = new IFSG_FACESET( *shape );
-    IFSG_COORDS* cp = new IFSG_COORDS( *face );
+    IFSG_TRANSFORM* tx0 = new IFSG_TRANSFORM( true );               // tx0 = top level Transform
+    IFSG_SHAPE* shape = new IFSG_SHAPE( *tx0 );                     // shape will hold (a) all vertices and (b) a local list of normals
+    IFSG_FACESET* face = new IFSG_FACESET( *shape );                // this face shall represent the top and bottom planes
+    IFSG_COORDS* cp = new IFSG_COORDS( *face );                     // coordinates for all faces
     cp->SetCoordsList( nvert, &vlist[0] );
-    IFSG_COORDINDEX* coordIdx = new IFSG_COORDINDEX( *face );
-    coordIdx->SetIndices( indices.size(), &indices[0] );
+    IFSG_COORDINDEX* coordIdx = new IFSG_COORDINDEX( *face );       // coordinate indices for top and bottom planes only
+    coordIdx->SetIndices( idxPlane.size(), &idxPlane[0] );
+    IFSG_NORMALS* norms = new IFSG_NORMALS( *face );                // normals for the top and bottom planes
 
-    if( !face->CalcNormals( NULL ) )
+    // number of TOP (and bottom) vertices
+    j = nvert / 2;
+
+    // set the TOP normals
+    for( size_t i = 0; i < j; ++i )
+        norms->AddNormal( 0.0, 0.0, 1.0 );
+
+    // set the BOTTOM normals
+    for( size_t i = 0; i < j; ++i )
+        norms->AddNormal( 0.0, 0.0, -1.0 );
+
+    // assign a color from the rotating palette
+    SGNODE* modelColor = getColor( *shape );
+
+    // create a second shape describing the vertical walls of the IDF extrusion
+    // using per-vertex-per-face-normals
+    shape->NewNode( *tx0 );
+    shape->AddRefNode( modelColor );    // set the color to be the same as the top/bottom
+    face->NewNode( *shape );
+    cp->NewNode( *face );               // new vertex list
+    norms->NewNode( *face );            // new normals list
+    coordIdx->NewNode( *face );         // new index list
+
+    // populate the new per-face vertex list and its indices and normals
+    std::vector< int >::iterator sI = idxSide.begin();
+    std::vector< int >::iterator eI = idxSide.end();
+
+    size_t sidx = 0;    // index to the new coord set
+    SGPOINT p1, p2, p3;
+    SGVECTOR vnorm;
+
+    while( sI != eI )
     {
-        #ifdef DEBUG
-        std::cerr << __FILE__ << ": " << __FUNCTION__ << ": " << __LINE__ << "\n";
-        std::cerr << " * [INFO] cannot calculate normals\n";
-        #endif
+        p1 = vlist[*sI];
+        cp->AddCoord( p1 );
+        ++sI;
+
+        p2 = vlist[*sI];
+        cp->AddCoord( p2 );
+        ++sI;
+
+        p3 = vlist[*sI];
+        cp->AddCoord( p3 );
+        ++sI;
+
+        vnorm.SetVector( S3D::CalcTriNorm( p1, p2, p3 ) );
+        norms->AddNormal( vnorm );
+        norms->AddNormal( vnorm );
+        norms->AddNormal( vnorm );
+
+        coordIdx->AddIndex( (int)sidx );
+        ++sidx;
+        coordIdx->AddIndex( (int)sidx );
+        ++sidx;
+        coordIdx->AddIndex( (int)sidx );
+        ++sidx;
     }
 
-    // magenta
-    getColor( *shape );
     SCENEGRAPH* data = (SCENEGRAPH*)tx0->GetRawPtr();
 
     // DEBUG: WRITE OUT IDF FILE TO CONFIRM NORMALS
diff --git a/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.cpp b/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.cpp
index b3d28b8b5a..72172649c3 100644
--- a/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.cpp
+++ b/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.cpp
@@ -1793,10 +1793,12 @@ void VRML_LAYER::SetVertexOffsets( double aXoffset, double aYoffset )
 
 
 bool VRML_LAYER::Get3DTriangles( std::vector< double >& aVertexList,
-    std::vector< int > &aIndexList, double aTopZ, double aBotZ )
+    std::vector< int > &aIndexPlane, std::vector< int > &aIndexSide,
+    double aTopZ, double aBotZ )
 {
     aVertexList.clear();
-    aIndexList.clear();
+    aIndexPlane.clear();
+    aIndexSide.clear();
 
     if( ordmap.size() < 3 || outline.empty() )
         return false;
@@ -1853,20 +1855,24 @@ bool VRML_LAYER::Get3DTriangles( std::vector< double >& aVertexList,
         std::list< TRIPLET_3D >::const_iterator tbeg = triplets.begin();
         std::list< TRIPLET_3D >::const_iterator tend = triplets.end();
 
+        std::vector< int > aIndexBot;
+
         while( tbeg != tend )
         {
             // top vertices
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) tbeg->i1 );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) tbeg->i2 );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) tbeg->i3 );
+            aIndexPlane.push_back( (int) tbeg->i1 );
+            aIndexPlane.push_back( (int) tbeg->i2 );
+            aIndexPlane.push_back( (int) tbeg->i3 );
 
             // bottom vertices
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i2 + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i1 + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i3 + vsize ) );
+            aIndexBot.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i2 + vsize ) );
+            aIndexBot.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i1 + vsize ) );
+            aIndexBot.push_back( (int) ( tbeg->i3 + vsize ) );
 
             ++tbeg;
         }
+
+        aIndexPlane.insert( aIndexPlane.end(), aIndexBot.begin(), aIndexBot.end() );
     }
 
     // compile indices for the walls joining top to bottom
@@ -1902,23 +1908,23 @@ bool VRML_LAYER::Get3DTriangles( std::vector< double >& aVertexList,
 
             if( !holes_only )
             {
-                aIndexList.push_back( curPoint );
-                aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( curPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
 
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-                aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
             }
             else
             {
-                aIndexList.push_back( curPoint );
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-                aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( curPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
 
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-                aIndexList.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
-                aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
+                aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
             }
 
             lastPoint = curPoint;
@@ -1933,23 +1939,23 @@ bool VRML_LAYER::Get3DTriangles( std::vector< double >& aVertexList,
 
         if( !holes_only )
         {
-            aIndexList.push_back( curPoint );
-            aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( curPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
 
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
         }
         else
         {
-            aIndexList.push_back( curPoint );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( curPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
 
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
-            aIndexList.push_back( lastPoint );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( curPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( (int)( lastPoint + vsize ) );
+            aIndexSide.push_back( lastPoint );
         }
 
         ++obeg;
diff --git a/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.h b/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.h
index 17a7d7d9fe..2b03fe35fa 100644
--- a/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.h
+++ b/utils/idftools/vrml_layer.h
@@ -463,12 +463,14 @@ public:
      * triangular vertices which may be used for rendering.
      *
      * @param aVertexList will store the vertices
-     * @param aIndexList will store the indices
+     * @param aIndexPlane will store the indices for the top + bottom planes
+     * @param aIndexSide will store the indices for the vertical wall
      * @param aTopZ is the top plane of the model
      * @param aBotZ is the bottom plane of the model
      */
     bool Get3DTriangles( std::vector< double >& aVertexList,
-        std::vector< int > &aIndexList, double aTopZ, double aBotZ );
+        std::vector< int > &aIndexPlane, std::vector< int > &aIndexSide,
+        double aTopZ, double aBotZ );
 
 };