diff --git a/src/buddies/src/bd/bdInit.cc b/src/buddies/src/bd/bdInit.cc
index 261ab0c1a..0d3160ccc 100644
--- a/src/buddies/src/bd/bdInit.cc
+++ b/src/buddies/src/bd/bdInit.cc
@@ -71,13 +71,10 @@ public:
   ProgressAdaptor (int verbosity);
   virtual ~ProgressAdaptor ();
 
-  virtual void register_object (tl::Progress *progress);
-  virtual void unregister_object (tl::Progress *progress);
   virtual void trigger (tl::Progress *progress);
   virtual void yield (tl::Progress *progress);
 
 private:
-  std::list<tl::Progress *> mp_objects;
   int m_verbosity;
   std::string m_progress_text, m_progress_value;
 };
@@ -93,36 +90,19 @@ ProgressAdaptor::~ProgressAdaptor ()
   //  .. nothing yet ..
 }
 
-void
-ProgressAdaptor::register_object (tl::Progress *progress)
-{
-  mp_objects.push_back (progress); // this keeps the outmost one visible. push_front would make the latest one visible.
-}
-
-void
-ProgressAdaptor::unregister_object (tl::Progress *progress)
-{
-  for (std::list<tl::Progress *>::iterator k = mp_objects.begin (); k != mp_objects.end (); ++k) {
-    if (*k == progress) {
-      mp_objects.erase (k);
-      return;
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 void
 ProgressAdaptor::trigger (tl::Progress *progress)
 {
-  if (! mp_objects.empty () && mp_objects.front () == progress && tl::verbosity () >= m_verbosity) {
+  if (progress && first () == progress && tl::verbosity () >= m_verbosity) {
 
-    std::string text = mp_objects.front ()->desc ();
+    std::string text = progress->desc ();
 
     if (m_progress_text != text) {
       tl::info << text << " ..";
       m_progress_text = text;
     }
 
-    std::string value = mp_objects.front ()->formatted_value ();
+    std::string value = progress->formatted_value ();
     if (m_progress_value != value) {
       tl::info << ".. " << value;
       m_progress_value = value;
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbAsIfFlatRegion.cc b/src/db/db/dbAsIfFlatRegion.cc
index 8881e454f..9547a71cf 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbAsIfFlatRegion.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbAsIfFlatRegion.cc
@@ -403,6 +403,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Edges &other, bool inverse,
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Edge, db::Polygon> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Edge> > others;
   others.push_back (counting ? other.begin_merged () : other.begin ());
@@ -479,6 +481,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Texts &other, bool inverse,
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Text, db::Polygon> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Text> > others;
   others.push_back (other.begin ());
@@ -564,6 +568,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Region &other, int mode, boo
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Polygon, db::Polygon> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Polygon> > others;
   others.push_back ((mode < 0 || counting) ? other.begin_merged () : other.begin ());
@@ -702,6 +708,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::pull_generic (const Edges &other) const
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Edge, db::Edge> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Edge> > others;
   others.push_back (other.begin_merged ());
@@ -752,6 +760,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::pull_generic (const Texts &other) const
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Text, db::Text> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Text> > others;
   others.push_back (other.begin ());
@@ -807,6 +817,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::pull_generic (const Region &other, int mode, bool touching) cons
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Polygon, db::Polygon> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Polygon> > others;
   others.push_back (other.begin_merged ());
@@ -1170,6 +1182,8 @@ AsIfFlatRegion::run_check (db::edge_relation_type rel, bool different_polygons,
 
   db::local_processor<db::Polygon, db::Polygon, db::EdgePair> proc;
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
 
   std::vector<generic_shape_iterator<db::Polygon> > others;
   std::vector<bool> foreign;
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc b/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
index ee3fb5892..bc49410e9 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbDeepRegion.cc
@@ -601,6 +601,8 @@ DeepRegion::and_or_not_with (const DeepRegion *other, bool and_op) const
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&deep_layer ().layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&deep_layer ().initial_cell ()), &other->deep_layer ().layout (), &other->deep_layer ().initial_cell (), deep_layer ().breakout_cells (), other->deep_layer ().breakout_cells ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_threads (deep_layer ().store ()->threads ());
   proc.set_area_ratio (deep_layer ().store ()->max_area_ratio ());
   proc.set_max_vertex_count (deep_layer ().store ()->max_vertex_count ());
@@ -620,6 +622,8 @@ DeepRegion::and_and_not_with (const DeepRegion *other) const
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&deep_layer ().layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&deep_layer ().initial_cell ()), &other->deep_layer ().layout (), &other->deep_layer ().initial_cell (), deep_layer ().breakout_cells (), other->deep_layer ().breakout_cells ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_threads (deep_layer ().store ()->threads ());
   proc.set_area_ratio (deep_layer ().store ()->max_area_ratio ());
   proc.set_max_vertex_count (deep_layer ().store ()->max_vertex_count ());
@@ -1359,6 +1363,8 @@ Output *region_cop_impl (DeepRegion *region, db::CompoundRegionOperationNode &no
                                                                 const_cast<db::Cell *> (&region->deep_layer ().initial_cell ()),
                                                                 region->deep_layer ().breakout_cells ());
 
+  proc.set_description (region->progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (region->report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (region->base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (region->deep_layer ().store ()->threads ());
 
@@ -1464,6 +1470,8 @@ DeepRegion::run_check (db::edge_relation_type rel, bool different_polygons, cons
                                                                           deep_layer ().breakout_cells (),
                                                                           other_deep ? other_deep->deep_layer ().breakout_cells () : 0);
 
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
 
@@ -1536,6 +1544,8 @@ DeepRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Region &other, int mode, bool to
   db::InteractingLocalOperation op (mode, touching, inverse, min_count, max_count, true);
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_polygons.layout (), &other_polygons.initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_polygons.breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   if (split_after) {
@@ -1575,6 +1585,8 @@ DeepRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Edges &other, bool inverse, size
   db::InteractingWithEdgeLocalOperation op (inverse, min_count, max_count, true);
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::Edge, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_deep->deep_layer ().layout (), &other_deep->deep_layer ().initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_deep->deep_layer ().breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   if (split_after) {
@@ -1614,6 +1626,8 @@ DeepRegion::pull_generic (const Region &other, int mode, bool touching) const
   db::PullLocalOperation op (mode, touching);
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_polygons.layout (), &other_polygons.initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_polygons.breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   if (split_after) {
@@ -1650,6 +1664,8 @@ DeepRegion::pull_generic (const Edges &other) const
   db::PullWithEdgeLocalOperation op;
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::Edge, db::Edge> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_edges.layout (), &other_edges.initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_edges.breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   proc.run (&op, polygons.layer (), other_edges.layer (), dl_out.layer ());
@@ -1679,6 +1695,8 @@ DeepRegion::pull_generic (const Texts &other) const
   db::PullWithTextLocalOperation op;
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::TextRef, db::TextRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_texts.layout (), &other_texts.initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_texts.breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   proc.run (&op, polygons.layer (), other_texts.layer (), dl_out.layer ());
@@ -1709,6 +1727,8 @@ DeepRegion::selected_interacting_generic (const Texts &other, bool inverse, size
   db::InteractingWithTextLocalOperation op (inverse, min_count, max_count);
 
   db::local_processor<db::PolygonRef, db::TextRef, db::PolygonRef> proc (const_cast<db::Layout *> (&polygons.layout ()), const_cast<db::Cell *> (&polygons.initial_cell ()), &other_deep->deep_layer ().layout (), &other_deep->deep_layer ().initial_cell (), polygons.breakout_cells (), other_deep->deep_layer ().breakout_cells ());
+  proc.set_description (progress_desc ());
+  proc.set_report_progress (report_progress ());
   proc.set_base_verbosity (base_verbosity ());
   proc.set_threads (polygons.store ()->threads ());
   if (split_after) {
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.cc b/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.cc
index a1eacf9f7..0d2ed0de1 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.cc
@@ -614,6 +614,34 @@ RectilinearFilter::vars () const
   return 0;
 }
 
+// -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//  HoleCountFilter implementation
+
+HoleCountFilter::HoleCountFilter (size_t min_count, size_t max_count, bool inverse)
+  : m_min_count (min_count), m_max_count (max_count), m_inverse (inverse)
+{
+  //  .. nothing yet ..
+}
+
+bool
+HoleCountFilter::selected (const db::Polygon &poly) const
+{
+  bool ok = poly.holes () < m_max_count && poly.holes () >= m_min_count;
+  return ok != m_inverse;
+}
+
+bool
+HoleCountFilter::selected (const db::PolygonRef &poly) const
+{
+  bool ok = poly.obj ().holes () < m_max_count && poly.obj ().holes () >= m_min_count;
+  return ok != m_inverse;
+}
+
+const TransformationReducer *HoleCountFilter::vars () const
+{
+  return 0;
+}
+
 // -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 //  RectilinearFilter implementation
 
diff --git a/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.h b/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.h
index 28ce19f67..89392bd0d 100644
--- a/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.h
+++ b/src/db/db/dbRegionUtils.h
@@ -286,6 +286,51 @@ private:
   bool m_inverse;
 };
 
+/**
+ *  @brief Filters by number of holes
+ *
+ *  This filter will select all polygons with a hole count between min_holes and max_holes (exclusively)
+ */
+
+struct DB_PUBLIC HoleCountFilter
+  : public AllMustMatchFilter
+{
+  /**
+   *  @brief Constructor
+   *  @param inverse If set to true, only polygons not matching this criterion will be filtered
+   */
+  HoleCountFilter (size_t min_count, size_t max_count, bool inverse);
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Returns true if the polygon is a rectangle
+   */
+  virtual bool selected (const db::Polygon &poly) const;
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Returns true if the polygon is a rectangle
+   */
+  virtual bool selected (const db::PolygonRef &poly) const;
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief This filter does not need variants
+   */
+  virtual const TransformationReducer *vars () const;
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief This filter prefers producing variants
+   */
+  virtual bool wants_variants () const { return true; }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief This filter wants merged input
+   */
+  virtual bool requires_raw_input () const { return false; }
+
+private:
+  size_t m_min_count, m_max_count;
+  bool m_inverse;
+};
+
 /**
  *  @brief A bounding box filter for use with Region::filter or Region::filtered
  *
diff --git a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbCompoundOperation.cc b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbCompoundOperation.cc
index 90ad2447b..05ff115a0 100644
--- a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbCompoundOperation.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbCompoundOperation.cc
@@ -466,6 +466,12 @@ static db::CompoundRegionOperationNode *new_perimeter_sum_filter (db::CompoundRe
   return new db::CompoundRegionFilterOperationNode (new db::RegionPerimeterFilter (pmin, pmax, inverse), input, true, true /*sum of set*/);
 }
 
+static db::CompoundRegionOperationNode *new_hole_count_filter (db::CompoundRegionOperationNode *input, bool inverse, size_t hmin, size_t hmax)
+{
+  check_non_null (input, "input");
+  return new db::CompoundRegionFilterOperationNode (new db::HoleCountFilter (hmin, hmax, inverse), input, true);
+}
+
 static db::CompoundRegionOperationNode *new_area_filter (db::CompoundRegionOperationNode *input, bool inverse, db::coord_traits<db::Coord>::area_type amin, db::coord_traits<db::Coord>::area_type amax)
 {
   check_non_null (input, "input");
@@ -672,6 +678,11 @@ Class<db::CompoundRegionOperationNode> decl_CompoundRegionOperationNode ("db", "
     "@brief Creates a node filtering the input by area sum.\n"
     "Like \\new_area_filter, but applies to the sum of all shapes in the current set.\n"
   ) +
+  gsi::constructor ("new_hole_count_filter", &new_hole_count_filter, gsi::arg ("input"), gsi::arg ("inverse", false), gsi::arg ("hmin", 0), gsi::arg ("hmax", std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max (), "max"),
+    "@brief Creates a node filtering the input by number of holes per polygon.\n"
+    "This node renders the input if the hole count is between hmin and hmax (exclusively). If 'inverse' is set to true, the "
+    "input shape is returned if the hole count is less than hmin (exclusively) or larger than hmax (inclusively)."
+  ) +
   gsi::constructor ("new_bbox_filter", &new_bbox_filter, gsi::arg ("input"), gsi::arg ("parameter"), gsi::arg ("inverse", false), gsi::arg ("pmin", 0), gsi::arg ("pmax", std::numeric_limits<db::coord_traits<db::Coord>::area_type>::max (), "max"),
     "@brief Creates a node filtering the input by bounding box parameters.\n"
     "This node renders the input if the specified bounding box parameter of the input shape is between pmin and pmax (exclusively). If 'inverse' is set to true, the "
diff --git a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRegion.cc b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRegion.cc
index a52ca5717..91ee1dfec 100644
--- a/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRegion.cc
+++ b/src/db/db/gsiDeclDbRegion.cc
@@ -308,6 +308,18 @@ static db::Region with_area2 (const db::Region *r, const tl::Variant &min, const
   return r->filtered (f);
 }
 
+static db::Region with_holes1 (const db::Region *r, size_t n, bool inverse)
+{
+  db::HoleCountFilter f (n, n + 1, inverse);
+  return r->filtered (f);
+}
+
+static db::Region with_holes2 (const db::Region *r, const tl::Variant &min, const tl::Variant &max, bool inverse)
+{
+  db::HoleCountFilter f (min.is_nil () ? size_t (0) : min.to<size_t> (), max.is_nil () ? std::numeric_limits <size_t>::max () : max.to<size_t> (), inverse);
+  return r->filtered (f);
+}
+
 static db::Region with_bbox_width1 (const db::Region *r, db::Region::distance_type bbox_width, bool inverse)
 {
   db::RegionBBoxFilter f (bbox_width, bbox_width + 1, inverse, db::RegionBBoxFilter::BoxWidth);
@@ -925,6 +937,30 @@ Class<db::Region> decl_Region (decl_dbShapeCollection, "db", "Region",
     "\n"
     "Merged semantics applies for this method (see \\merged_semantics= of merged semantics)\n"
   ) +
+  method_ext ("with_holes", with_holes1, gsi::arg ("nholes"), gsi::arg ("inverse"),
+    "@brief Filters the polygons by their number of holes\n"
+    "Filters the polygons of the region by number of holes. If \"inverse\" is false, only "
+    "polygons which have the given number of holes are returned. If \"inverse\" is true, "
+    "polygons not having the given of holes are returned.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Merged semantics applies for this method (see \\merged_semantics= of merged semantics)\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
+  method_ext ("with_holes", with_holes2, gsi::arg ("min_bholes"), gsi::arg ("max_nholes"), gsi::arg ("inverse"),
+    "@brief Filter the polygons by their number of holes\n"
+    "Filters the polygons of the region by number of holes. If \"inverse\" is false, only "
+    "polygons which have a hole count larger or equal to \"min_nholes\" and less than \"max_nholes\" are "
+    "returned. If \"inverse\" is true, "
+    "polygons having a hole count less than \"min_nholes\" or larger or equal than \"max_nholes\" are "
+    "returned.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "If you don't want to specify a lower or upper limit, pass nil to that parameter.\n"
+    "\n"
+    "Merged semantics applies for this method (see \\merged_semantics= of merged semantics)\n"
+    "\n"
+    "This method has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+  ) +
   method_ext ("with_bbox_width", with_bbox_width1, gsi::arg ("width"), gsi::arg ("inverse"),
     "@brief Filter the polygons by bounding box width\n"
     "Filters the polygons of the region by the width of their bounding box. If \"inverse\" is false, only "
diff --git a/src/db/unit_tests/dbRegionTests.cc b/src/db/unit_tests/dbRegionTests.cc
index db2d9d296..c8b2334fa 100644
--- a/src/db/unit_tests/dbRegionTests.cc
+++ b/src/db/unit_tests/dbRegionTests.cc
@@ -1973,6 +1973,27 @@ TEST(35c_interact_with_count_text)
   EXPECT_EQ (r.selected_not_interacting (rr, 3, 4).to_string (), "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0)");
 }
 
+TEST(40_with_holes)
+{
+  db::Region r;
+  r.insert (db::Box (db::Point (0, 0), db::Point (100, 200)));
+  db::Region rr;
+  rr.insert (db::Box (db::Point (10, 10), db::Point (20, 20)));
+  rr.insert (db::Box (db::Point (30, 30), db::Point (40, 40)));
+  r.set_merged_semantics (true);
+  r.set_min_coherence (false);
+
+  r -= rr;
+
+  EXPECT_EQ (rr.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (0, 1, false)).to_string (), "(10,10;10,20;20,20;20,10);(30,30;30,40;40,40;40,30)");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (2, 3, false)).to_string (), "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (1, 2, false)).to_string (), "");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (1, 3, false)).to_string (), "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (0, 2, false)).to_string (), "");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (2, 5, false)).to_string (), "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)");
+  EXPECT_EQ (r.filtered (db::HoleCountFilter (3, 5, true)).to_string (), "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)");
+}
+
 TEST(100_Processors)
 {
   db::Region r;
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_complex_ops.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_complex_ops.rb
index 1c8419bbe..db5607c5b 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_complex_ops.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_complex_ops.rb
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ module DRC
 # @li \global#space @/li
 # @li \global#squares @/li
 # @li \global#width @/li
+# @li \global#with_holes @/li
 # @/ul
 # 
 # The following documentation will list the methods available for DRC expression objects.
@@ -434,7 +435,7 @@ CODE
   # result. Without "if_any" three corners are returned for each triangle.
   
   def count
-    DRCOpNodeCountFilter::new(@engine, self)
+    DRCOpNodeCountFilter::new(@engine, self, :new_count_filter, "count")
   end
   
   # %DRC%
@@ -1003,6 +1004,24 @@ CODE
     return DRCOpNodeFilter::new(@engine, self, :new_edges, "edges")
   end
   
+  # %DRC%
+  # @name with_holes
+  # @brief Selects all input polygons with the specified number of holes
+  # @synopsis expression.with_holes (in condition)
+  #
+  # This operation can be used as a plain function in which case it acts on primary
+  # shapes or can be used as method on another DRC expression.
+  # The following example selects all polygons with more than 2 holes:
+  #
+  # @code
+  # out = in.drc(with_holes > 2)
+  # out = in.drc(primary.with_holes > 2)   # equivalent
+  # @/code
+  
+  def with_holes
+    return DRCOpNodeCountFilter::new(@engine, self, :new_hole_count_filter, "with_holes")
+  end
+  
   # %DRC%
   # @name merged
   # @brief Returns the merged input polygons, optionally selecting multi-overlap
@@ -1552,16 +1571,19 @@ class DRCOpNodeCountFilter < DRCOpNodeWithCompare
 
   attr_accessor :input
   attr_accessor :inverse
+  attr_accessor :method
+  attr_accessor :name
   
-  def initialize(engine, input)
+  def initialize(engine, input, method, name)
     super(engine)
     self.input = input
     self.inverse = false
-    self.description = "count"
+    self.description = name
+    self.method = method
   end
 
   def _description_for_dump
-    self.inverse ? "count" : "not_count"
+    self.inverse ? name : "not_" + name
   end
   
   def do_create_node(cache)
@@ -1570,7 +1592,7 @@ class DRCOpNodeCountFilter < DRCOpNodeWithCompare
     if self.lt || self.le
       args << (self.lt ? @engine._make_numeric_value(self.lt) : @engine._make_numeric_value(self.le) + 1)
     end
-    RBA::CompoundRegionOperationNode::new_count_filter(*args)
+    RBA::CompoundRegionOperationNode::send(self.method, *args)
   end
 
   def inverted
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_cop_integration.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_cop_integration.rb
index 0b17df957..2a7566ff9 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_cop_integration.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_cop_integration.rb
@@ -953,6 +953,19 @@ CODE
 CODE
     end
     
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name with_holes
+    # @brief Selects all input polygons according to their number of holes in DRC expressions
+    # @synopsis with_holes (in condition)
+    #
+    # "with_holes" represents a polygon selector for
+    # \DRC# expressions selecting polygons of the primary by their number of holes
+    # (see \Layer#drc and \DRC#with_holes for more details).
+
+    def with_holes
+      primary.with_holes
+    end
+    
     # %DRC%
     # @name enclosing
     # @brief Performs an enclosing check
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
index 2d449e49f..8cb066c0b 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_engine.rb
@@ -498,6 +498,20 @@ module DRC
       end
     end
     
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name warn
+    # @brief Prints a warning
+    # @synopsis warn(message)
+    # Similar to \log, but the message is printed formatted as a warning
+    
+    def warn(arg)
+      if @log_file
+        @log_file.puts("WARNING: " + arg)
+      else
+        RBA::Logger::warn(arg)
+      end
+    end
+    
     # %DRC%
     # @name log_file
     # @brief Specify the log file where to send to log to
@@ -1840,7 +1854,7 @@ CODE
     
     def run_timed(desc, obj)
 
-      info(desc)
+      log(desc)
 
       # enable progress
       if obj.is_a?(RBA::Region) || obj.is_a?(RBA::Edges) || obj.is_a?(RBA::EdgePairs) || obj.is_a?(RBA::Texts)
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_layer.rb b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_layer.rb
index 0f1363f61..b5fa7a3df 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_layer.rb
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/_drc_layer.rb
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@ CODE
     #
     # This method is available for polygon layers only.
     
-    %w(bbox_height bbox_max bbox_min bbox_width perimeter).each do |f|
+    %w(bbox_height bbox_max bbox_min bbox_width perimeter holes).each do |f|
       [true, false].each do |inv|
         mn = (inv ? "without" : "with") + "_" + f
         eval <<"CODE"
@@ -517,6 +517,61 @@ CODE
       end
     end
     
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name with_holes
+    # @brief Selects all polygons with the specified number of holes 
+    # @synopsis layer.with_holes(count)
+    # @synopsis layer.with_holes(min_count, max_count)
+    # @synopsis layer.with_holes(min_count .. max_count)
+    #
+    # This method is available for polygon layers. It will select all polygons from the input layer
+    # which have the specified number of holes.
+
+    # %DRC%
+    # @name without_holes
+    # @brief Selects all polygons with the specified number of holes 
+    # @synopsis layer.without_holes(count)
+    # @synopsis layer.without_holes(min_count, max_count)
+    # @synopsis layer.without_holes(min_count .. max_count)
+    #
+    # This method is available for polygon layers. It will select all polygons from the input layer
+    # which do not have the specified number of holes.
+
+    %w(holes).each do |f|
+      [true, false].each do |inv|
+        mn = (inv ? "without" : "with") + "_" + f
+        eval <<"CODE"
+        def #{mn}(*args)
+
+          @engine._context("#{mn}") do
+
+            requires_region
+            if args.size == 1
+              a = args[0]
+              if a.is_a?(Range)
+                min = @engine._make_numeric_value_with_nil(a.begin)
+                max = @engine._make_numeric_value_with_nil(a.end)
+                max && (max += 1)
+                DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._tcmd(self.data, 0, RBA::Region, :with_#{f}, min, max, #{inv.inspect}))
+              else
+                DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._tcmd(self.data, 0, RBA::Region, :with_#{f}, @engine._make_value(a), #{inv.inspect}))
+              end
+            elsif args.size == 2
+              min = @engine._make_numeric_value_with_nil(args[0])
+              max = @engine._make_numeric_value_with_nil(args[1])
+              max && (max += 1)
+              DRCLayer::new(@engine, @engine._tcmd(self.data, 0, RBA::Region, :with_#{f}, min, max, #{inv.inspect}))
+            else
+              raise("Invalid number of arguments (1 or 2 expected)")
+            end
+
+          end
+
+        end
+CODE
+      end
+    end
+    
     # %DRC%
     # @name with_bbox_aspect_ratio
     # @brief Selects polygons by the aspect ratio of their bounding box
diff --git a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/drc_interpreters.lym b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/drc_interpreters.lym
index 6ada00b60..f1affc3d7 100644
--- a/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/drc_interpreters.lym
+++ b/src/drc/drc/built-in-macros/drc_interpreters.lym
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ module DRC
     drc._rdb_index = rdb_index
     drc._generator = generator
 
+    drc_progress = RBA::AbstractProgress::new("DRC: " + macro.path)
+
     begin
 
       # Set a debugger scope so that our errors end up with the debugger set to the DRC's line
@@ -46,6 +48,9 @@ module DRC
       # cleans up and creates layout and report views
       drc._finish
 
+      # unlocks the UI
+      drc_progress._destroy
+
     end
 
     timer.stop
diff --git a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcGenericTests.cc b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcGenericTests.cc
index a175c6b7b..ea4de5476 100644
--- a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcGenericTests.cc
+++ b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcGenericTests.cc
@@ -238,3 +238,13 @@ TEST(17d)
 {
   run_test (_this, "17", true);
 }
+
+TEST(18)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "18", false);
+}
+
+TEST(18d)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "18", true);
+}
diff --git a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
index 9f0d45e6a..b3215743f 100644
--- a/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
+++ b/src/drc/unit_tests/drcSimpleTests.cc
@@ -1152,3 +1152,14 @@ TEST(28_inputFragmentation)
 {
   run_test (_this, "28", true);
 }
+
+TEST(29_holes)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "29", false);
+}
+
+TEST(29d_holes)
+{
+  run_test (_this, "29", true);
+}
+
diff --git a/src/gsi/gsi/gsiDeclTl.cc b/src/gsi/gsi/gsiDeclTl.cc
index ef05a59e3..ccb800826 100644
--- a/src/gsi/gsi/gsiDeclTl.cc
+++ b/src/gsi/gsi/gsiDeclTl.cc
@@ -201,25 +201,6 @@ Class<tl::Timer> decl_Timer ("tl", "Timer",
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------
 //  Progress reporter objects
 
-namespace tl {
-
-  template <> struct type_traits<tl::Progress> : public type_traits<void> {
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
-  };
-
-  template <> struct type_traits<tl::RelativeProgress> : public type_traits<void> {
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
-  };
-
-  template <> struct type_traits<tl::AbsoluteProgress> : public type_traits<void> {
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
-    typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
-  };
-
-}
-
 namespace gsi 
 {
   
@@ -247,6 +228,27 @@ Class<tl::Progress> decl_Progress ("tl", "Progress",
   "This class has been introduced in version 0.23.\n"
 );
 
+static tl::AbstractProgress *abstract_progress (const std::string &desc)
+{
+  return new tl::AbstractProgress (desc);
+}
+
+Class<tl::AbstractProgress> decl_AbstractProgress (decl_Progress, "tl", "AbstractProgress",
+  gsi::constructor ("new", &abstract_progress, gsi::arg ("desc"),
+    "@brief Creates an abstract progress reporter with the given description\n"
+  ),
+  "@brief The abstract progress reporter\n"
+  "\n"
+  "The abstract progress reporter acts as a 'bracket' for a sequence of operations which are connected "
+  "logically. For example, a DRC script consists of multiple operations. An abstract progress reportert "
+  "is instantiated during the run time of the DRC script. This way, the application leaves the UI open while "
+  "the DRC executes and log messages can be collected.\n"
+  "\n"
+  "The abstract progress does not have a value.\n"
+  "\n"
+  "This class has been introduced in version 0.27.\n"
+);
+
 static tl::RelativeProgress *rel_progress_2 (const std::string &desc, size_t max)
 {
   return new tl::RelativeProgress (desc, max);
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.cc b/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.cc
index 5493d7aae..e0ca83912 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.cc
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.cc
@@ -200,11 +200,33 @@ LogFile::timeout ()
   }
 }
 
+void
+LogFile::set_max_entries (size_t n)
+{
+  QMutexLocker locker (&m_lock);
+
+  m_max_entries = n;
+
+  while (m_messages.size () > m_max_entries) {
+    m_messages.pop_front ();
+  }
+}
+
+size_t
+LogFile::max_entries () const
+{
+  return m_max_entries;
+}
+
 void 
 LogFile::add (LogFileEntry::mode_type mode, const std::string &msg, bool continued)
 {
   QMutexLocker locker (&m_lock);
 
+  if (m_max_entries == 0) {
+    return;
+  }
+
   if (m_messages.size () >= m_max_entries) {
     m_messages.pop_front ();
   }
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.h b/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.h
index 69caeb327..c9da714a3 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.h
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layLogViewerDialog.h
@@ -192,6 +192,18 @@ public slots:
     return m_log_receiver;
   }
 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Sets the maximum number of entries to show
+   *
+   *  Setting this value to 0 basically disables the log collection
+   */
+  void set_max_entries (size_t n);
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Gets the maximum number of entries to show
+   */
+  size_t max_entries () const;
+
 private slots:
   void timeout ();
 
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layProgress.cc b/src/lay/lay/layProgress.cc
index 28c13a600..36624f20d 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layProgress.cc
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layProgress.cc
@@ -86,14 +86,13 @@ ProgressReporter::set_progress_bar (lay::ProgressBar *pb)
 void 
 ProgressReporter::register_object (tl::Progress *progress)
 {
-  if (mp_objects.empty ()) {
+  if (begin () == end ()) {
     //  to avoid recursions of any kind, disallow any user interaction except
     //  cancelling the operation
     QApplication::instance ()->installEventFilter (this);
   }
 
-  mp_objects.push_back (*progress); // this keeps the outmost one visible. push_front would make the latest one visible.
-  // mp_objects.push_front (progress);
+  tl::ProgressAdaptor::register_object (progress);
 
   if (m_start_time == tl::Clock () && ! m_pw_visible) {
     m_start_time = tl::Clock::current ();
@@ -104,33 +103,47 @@ ProgressReporter::register_object (tl::Progress *progress)
     set_visible (true);
   }
 
-  update_and_yield ();
+  if (progress->is_abstract ()) {
+    if (mp_pb) {
+      mp_pb->update_progress (progress);
+    }
+    process_events ();
+  } else {
+    update_and_yield ();
+  }
 }
 
 void 
 ProgressReporter::unregister_object (tl::Progress *progress)
 {
-  progress->unlink ();
+  tl::ProgressAdaptor::unregister_object (progress);
 
   //  close or refresh window
-  if (mp_objects.empty ()) {
+  if (begin () == end ()) {
+
     if (m_pw_visible) {
       set_visible (false);
     }
+
     m_start_time = tl::Clock ();
-  }
 
-  update_and_yield ();
+    if (mp_pb) {
+      mp_pb->update_progress (0);
+    }
+
+    process_events ();
 
-  if (mp_objects.empty ()) {
     QApplication::instance ()->removeEventFilter (this);
+
+  } else {
+    update_and_yield ();
   }
 }
 
 void 
 ProgressReporter::trigger (tl::Progress * /*progress*/)
 {
-  if (! mp_objects.empty ()) {
+  if (begin () != end ()) {
     //  make dialog visible after some time has passed
     if (! m_pw_visible && (tl::Clock::current () - m_start_time).seconds () > 1.0) {
       set_visible (true);
@@ -152,27 +165,22 @@ ProgressReporter::yield (tl::Progress * /*progress*/)
   }
 }
 
-void 
-ProgressReporter::signal_break ()
-{
-  for (tl::list<tl::Progress>::iterator k = mp_objects.begin (); k != mp_objects.end (); ++k) {
-    k->signal_break ();
-  }
-}
-
 void
 ProgressReporter::update_and_yield ()
 {
-  if (m_pw_visible && ! mp_objects.empty ()) {
-    if (mp_pb) {
-      mp_pb->update_progress (mp_objects.first ());
-      QWidget *w = mp_pb->progress_get_widget ();
-      if (w) {
-        mp_objects.first ()->render_progress (w);
-      }
-    }
-    process_events (); // Qt4 seems to need this
+  if (! m_pw_visible) {
+    return;
   }
+
+  if (mp_pb && first ()) {
+    mp_pb->update_progress (first ());
+    QWidget *w = mp_pb->progress_get_widget ();
+    if (w) {
+      first ()->render_progress (w);
+    }
+  }
+
+  process_events (); // Qt4 seems to need this
 }
 
 void
@@ -202,8 +210,8 @@ ProgressReporter::set_visible (bool vis)
     if (mp_pb) {
       if (!vis) {
         mp_pb->progress_remove_widget ();
-      } else if (mp_pb->progress_wants_widget () && mp_objects.first ()) {
-        mp_pb->progress_add_widget (mp_objects.first ()->progress_widget ());
+      } else if (mp_pb->progress_wants_widget () && first ()) {
+        mp_pb->progress_add_widget (first ()->progress_widget ());
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layProgress.h b/src/lay/lay/layProgress.h
index 570a0506d..7bb7023c0 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layProgress.h
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layProgress.h
@@ -68,16 +68,9 @@ public:
   virtual void yield (tl::Progress *progress);
   virtual bool eventFilter (QObject *dest, QEvent *event);
 
-  void signal_break ();
   void set_progress_bar (lay::ProgressBar *pb);
 
-  bool is_busy () const
-  {
-    return !mp_objects.empty ();
-  }
-
 private:
-  tl::list<tl::Progress> mp_objects;
   tl::Clock m_start_time;
   lay::ProgressBar *mp_pb;
   bool m_pw_visible;
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.cc b/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.cc
index 703c5ed41..3c4cfe670 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.cc
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.cc
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include <QFrame>
 #include <QGridLayout>
 #include <QLabel>
+#include <QListView>
 
 #include <math.h>
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ private:
 
 ProgressBarWidget::ProgressBarWidget (QWidget *parent, const char *name)
   : QWidget (parent),
-    m_value (0.0), m_width (64), m_length (0), m_fw (1), m_bw (0)
+    m_value (0.0), m_width (200), m_length (0), m_fw (1), m_bw (0)
 {
   setObjectName (QString::fromUtf8 (name));
   setMinimumSize (64, 10);
@@ -134,13 +135,46 @@ ProgressBarWidget::resizeEvent (QResizeEvent *)
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-ProgressWidget::ProgressWidget (ProgressReporter *pr, QWidget *parent, bool full_width)
+ProgressWidget::ProgressWidget (ProgressReporter *pr, QWidget *parent, bool fw)
   : QFrame (parent),
-    mp_widget (0), mp_pr (pr)
+    mp_widget (0), mp_pr (pr), m_log_file (0, true), m_log_visible (false)
 {
   QVBoxLayout *top_layout = new QVBoxLayout (this);
   top_layout->addStretch (1);
 
+  mp_log_frame = new QFrame (this);
+  mp_log_frame->setFrameShape (QFrame::NoFrame);
+  mp_log_frame->hide ();
+  top_layout->addWidget (mp_log_frame);
+
+  QVBoxLayout *log_layout = new QVBoxLayout (mp_log_frame);
+
+  QListView *log_view = new QListView (this);
+  log_view->setModel (&m_log_file);
+  log_view->setUniformItemSizes (true);
+  log_layout->addWidget (log_view);
+
+  QFrame *attn_frame = new QFrame (this);
+  attn_frame->setFrameShape (QFrame::NoFrame);
+  attn_frame->hide ();
+  log_layout->addWidget (attn_frame);
+
+  QHBoxLayout *attn_layout = new QHBoxLayout (attn_frame);
+  attn_layout->setContentsMargins (0, 0, 0, 0);
+
+  QLabel *attn_label1 = new QLabel (attn_frame);
+  attn_label1->setPixmap (QPixmap (QString::fromUtf8 (":/warn_16.png")));
+  attn_layout->addWidget (attn_label1);
+
+  QLabel *attn_label2 = new QLabel (attn_frame);
+  attn_label2->setText (tr ("There are errors or warnings"));
+  attn_layout->addWidget (attn_label2);
+
+  attn_layout->addStretch (1);
+
+  connect (&m_log_file, SIGNAL (layoutChanged ()), log_view, SLOT (scrollToBottom ()));
+  connect (&m_log_file, SIGNAL (attention_changed (bool)), attn_frame, SLOT (setVisible (bool)));
+
   QFrame *bar_frame = new QFrame (this);
   top_layout->addWidget (bar_frame);
 
@@ -157,12 +191,11 @@ ProgressWidget::ProgressWidget (ProgressReporter *pr, QWidget *parent, bool full
 
   int col = 0;
 
-  if (! full_width) {
-    layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (8, 8, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding), 0, col, 1, 1);
-    layout->setColumnStretch (col++, 1);
-  }
+  layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (8, 8, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding), 0, col, 1, 1);
+  m_left_col = col++;
 
   mp_label = new QLabel (bar_frame);
+  layout->setColumnStretch(col, 2);
   layout->addWidget (mp_label, 0, col++, 1, 1);
 
   layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (8, 8, QSizePolicy::Fixed, QSizePolicy::Fixed), 0, col++, 1, 1);
@@ -171,7 +204,6 @@ ProgressWidget::ProgressWidget (ProgressReporter *pr, QWidget *parent, bool full
   progress_bar_frame->setFrameStyle (QFrame::Box | QFrame::Plain);
   progress_bar_frame->setSizePolicy (QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding);
   layout->addWidget (progress_bar_frame, 0, col, 1, 1);
-  layout->setColumnStretch(col++, 2);
 
   QGridLayout *pbf_layout = new QGridLayout (progress_bar_frame);
   progress_bar_frame->setLayout (pbf_layout);
@@ -191,16 +223,41 @@ ProgressWidget::ProgressWidget (ProgressReporter *pr, QWidget *parent, bool full
   mp_cancel_button->setText (QObject::tr ("Cancel"));
   layout->addWidget (mp_cancel_button, 0, col++, 1, 1);
 
-  if (! full_width) {
-    layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (8, 8, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding), 0, col, 1, 1);
-    layout->setColumnStretch (col++, 1);
-  }
+  layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (8, 8, QSizePolicy::Expanding, QSizePolicy::Expanding), 0, col, 1, 1);
+  m_right_col = col++;
 
   layout->addItem (new QSpacerItem (10, 10, QSizePolicy::Fixed, QSizePolicy::Fixed), 1, 0, 1, col);
 
   m_widget_col = col;
 
   connect (mp_cancel_button, SIGNAL (clicked ()), this, SLOT (signal_break ()));
+
+  set_full_width (fw);
+}
+
+void
+ProgressWidget::set_log_visible (bool f)
+{
+  if (f != m_log_visible) {
+    m_log_visible = f;
+    mp_log_frame->setVisible (f);
+    set_full_width (m_full_width);
+  }
+}
+void
+ProgressWidget::set_full_width (bool fw)
+{
+  m_full_width = fw;
+
+  bool f = (fw || m_log_visible);
+  mp_layout->setColumnStretch (m_left_col, f ? 0 : 1);
+  mp_layout->setColumnStretch (m_right_col, f ? 0 : 1);
+}
+
+bool
+ProgressWidget::full_width () const
+{
+  return m_full_width;
 }
 
 QWidget *
@@ -233,6 +290,13 @@ ProgressWidget::remove_widget ()
 void
 ProgressWidget::set_progress (tl::Progress *progress)
 {
+  if (! progress || progress->is_abstract ()) {
+    m_log_file.clear ();
+    m_log_file.set_max_entries (progress ? 1000 : 0);
+    set_log_visible (progress != 0);
+    return;
+  }
+
   bool can_cancel = false;
   std::string text;
 
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.h b/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.h
index 4e712be4f..0600f7e5d 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.h
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layProgressWidget.h
@@ -31,11 +31,14 @@
 #include <QHBoxLayout>
 
 #include "layProgress.h"
+#include "layLogViewerDialog.h"
 
 class QToolButton;
 class QLabel;
 class QToolButton;
 class QGridLayout;
+class QListView;
+class QFrame;
 
 namespace tl
 {
@@ -59,6 +62,8 @@ public:
   void add_widget (QWidget *widget);
   void remove_widget ();
   QWidget *get_widget () const;
+  void set_full_width (bool fw);
+  bool full_width () const;
 
   QSize sizeHint () const;
 
@@ -73,6 +78,13 @@ private:
   QGridLayout *mp_layout;
   QToolButton *mp_cancel_button;
   ProgressReporter *mp_pr;
+  lay::LogFile m_log_file;
+  QFrame *mp_log_frame;
+  bool m_full_width;
+  int m_left_col, m_right_col;
+  bool m_log_visible;
+
+  void set_log_visible (bool f);
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/laySaltDownloadManager.cc b/src/lay/lay/laySaltDownloadManager.cc
index e2f5d07a9..bc3ed4f4e 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/laySaltDownloadManager.cc
+++ b/src/lay/lay/laySaltDownloadManager.cc
@@ -409,8 +409,6 @@ namespace
       mp_dialog->mark_fetching (m_name);
     }
 
-    virtual void register_object (tl::Progress * /*progress*/) { }
-    virtual void unregister_object (tl::Progress * /*progress*/) { }
     virtual void yield (tl::Progress * /*progress*/) { }
 
     virtual void trigger (tl::Progress *progress)
diff --git a/src/lay/lay/layTextProgress.cc b/src/lay/lay/layTextProgress.cc
index 829b84896..6d67fc2b8 100644
--- a/src/lay/lay/layTextProgress.cc
+++ b/src/lay/lay/layTextProgress.cc
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ TextProgress::TextProgress (int verbosity)
 
 void TextProgress::update_progress (tl::Progress *progress)
 {
+  if (! progress || progress->is_abstract ()) {
+    return;
+  }
+
   std::string text = progress->desc ();
   if (m_progress_text != text && tl::verbosity () >= m_verbosity) {
     tl::info << text << " ..";
diff --git a/src/lym/lym/lymMacro.cc b/src/lym/lym/lymMacro.cc
index 17026ae56..c8d20fee9 100644
--- a/src/lym/lym/lymMacro.cc
+++ b/src/lym/lym/lymMacro.cc
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include "tlXMLParser.h"
 #include "tlGlobPattern.h"
 #include "tlInclude.h"
+#include "tlProgress.h"
 
 #include "rba.h"
 #include "pya.h"
@@ -1022,6 +1023,8 @@ int Macro::run () const
 
   try {
 
+    tl::ProgressGarbageCollector progress_gc;
+
     gsi::Interpreter *ip = script_interpreter (interpreter ());
     if (ip) {
 
diff --git a/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.cc b/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.cc
index 4015e0107..88d7e4ee0 100644
--- a/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.cc
+++ b/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.cc
@@ -46,6 +46,18 @@ ProgressAdaptor::~ProgressAdaptor ()
   tl::Progress::register_adaptor (0);
 }
 
+void
+ProgressAdaptor::register_object (Progress *progress)
+{
+  mp_objects.push_back (progress); // this keeps the outmost one visible. push_front would make the latest one visible.
+}
+
+void
+ProgressAdaptor::unregister_object (Progress *progress)
+{
+  progress->unlink ();
+}
+
 void
 ProgressAdaptor::prev (ProgressAdaptor *pa)
 {
@@ -58,6 +70,59 @@ ProgressAdaptor::prev ()
   return mp_prev;
 }
 
+void
+ProgressAdaptor::signal_break ()
+{
+  for (tl::list<tl::Progress>::iterator k = mp_objects.begin (); k != mp_objects.end (); ++k) {
+    k->signal_break ();
+  }
+}
+
+tl::Progress *
+ProgressAdaptor::first ()
+{
+  for (tl::list<tl::Progress>::iterator k = mp_objects.begin (); k != mp_objects.end (); ++k) {
+    if (! k->is_abstract ()) {
+      return k.operator-> ();
+    }
+  }
+  return 0;
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//  ProgressGarbageCollector implementation
+
+ProgressGarbageCollector::ProgressGarbageCollector ()
+{
+  tl::ProgressAdaptor *a = tl::Progress::adaptor ();
+  if (a) {
+    for (tl::ProgressAdaptor::iterator p = a->begin (); p != a->end (); ++p) {
+      mp_valid_objects.insert (p.operator-> ());
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+ProgressGarbageCollector::~ProgressGarbageCollector ()
+{
+  tl::ProgressAdaptor *a = tl::Progress::adaptor ();
+  if (a) {
+
+    for (tl::ProgressAdaptor::iterator p = a->begin (); p != a->end (); ) {
+
+      tl::ProgressAdaptor::iterator pn = p;
+      ++pn;
+
+      if (mp_valid_objects.find (p.operator-> ()) == mp_valid_objects.end ()) {
+        a->unregister_object (p.operator-> ());
+      }
+
+      p = pn;
+
+    }
+
+  }
+}
+
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 //  Progress implementation
 
@@ -187,7 +252,21 @@ bool Progress::test(bool force_yield)
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-//  Progress implementation
+//  AbstractProgress implementation
+
+AbstractProgress::AbstractProgress (const std::string &desc)
+  : tl::Progress (desc)
+{
+  initialize ();
+}
+
+AbstractProgress::~AbstractProgress ()
+{
+  shutdown ();
+}
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//  RelativeProgress implementation
 
 RelativeProgress::RelativeProgress (const std::string &desc, size_t max_count, size_t yield_interval)
   : Progress (desc, yield_interval)
diff --git a/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.h b/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.h
index d8bf73917..e0001cd28 100644
--- a/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.h
+++ b/src/tl/tl/tlProgress.h
@@ -31,12 +31,57 @@
 #include "tlTimer.h"
 #include "tlList.h"
 
+#include <set>
+
 class QWidget;
 
 namespace tl
 {
 
 class Progress;
+class RelativeProgress;
+class AbstractProgress;
+class AbsoluteProgress;
+
+template <> struct type_traits<tl::Progress> : public type_traits<void> {
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
+};
+
+template <> struct type_traits<tl::RelativeProgress> : public type_traits<void> {
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
+};
+
+template <> struct type_traits<tl::AbstractProgress> : public type_traits<void> {
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
+};
+
+template <> struct type_traits<tl::AbsoluteProgress> : public type_traits<void> {
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_copy_constructor;
+  typedef tl::false_tag has_default_constructor;
+};
+
+/**
+ *  @brief A helper class to clean up pending progress objects
+ *
+ *  Pending progress objects may be created in scripts. If scripts are aborted
+ *  (e.g. in the debugger), progress objects may stay behing a block the application.
+ *  To prevent this, this object keeps track of progress objects created between
+ *  it's constructor and destructor and cleans up the objects created but not
+ *  destroyed.
+ */
+
+class TL_PUBLIC ProgressGarbageCollector
+{
+public:
+  ProgressGarbageCollector ();
+  ~ProgressGarbageCollector ();
+
+private:
+  std::set<tl::Progress *> mp_valid_objects;
+};
 
 /**
  *  @brief The receivers for progress reports
@@ -48,20 +93,45 @@ class Progress;
 
 class TL_PUBLIC ProgressAdaptor
 {
-public:  
+public:
+  typedef tl::list<tl::Progress>::iterator iterator;
+
   ProgressAdaptor ();
   virtual ~ProgressAdaptor ();
 
-  virtual void register_object (Progress *progress) = 0;
-  virtual void unregister_object (Progress *progress) = 0;
+  virtual void register_object (Progress *progress);
+  virtual void unregister_object (Progress *progress);
   virtual void trigger (Progress *progress) = 0;
   virtual void yield (Progress *progress) = 0;
 
   void prev (ProgressAdaptor *pa);
   ProgressAdaptor *prev ();
 
+  bool is_busy () const
+  {
+    return !mp_objects.empty ();
+  }
+
+  tl::Progress *first ();
+
+  void signal_break ();
+
+protected:
+  iterator begin ()
+  {
+    return mp_objects.begin ();
+  }
+
+  iterator end ()
+  {
+    return mp_objects.end ();
+  }
+
 private:
+  friend class ProgressGarbageCollector;
+
   ProgressAdaptor *mp_prev;
+  tl::list<tl::Progress> mp_objects;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -77,8 +147,6 @@ public:
   BreakException () : tl::Exception ("Operation cancelled") { }
 };
 
-class Progress;
-
 /**
  *  @brief A "progress" reporter class 
  *
@@ -138,6 +206,15 @@ public:
    */
   virtual double value () const = 0;
 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Returns true if the progress is an abstract one
+   *
+   *  Abstract progress objcts don't have a value but mark a section begin executed as a top level progress.
+   *  Technically they will open a channel for the UI - e.g. leaving a progress dialog open while the
+   *  operation is running.
+   */
+  virtual bool is_abstract () const = 0;
+
   /**
    *  @brief Creates a widget that renders the progress graphically
    *
@@ -217,6 +294,7 @@ protected:
 
 private:
   friend class ProgressAdaptor;
+  friend class ProgressGarbageCollector;
 
   std::string m_desc;
   std::string m_title;
@@ -231,6 +309,43 @@ private:
   static void register_adaptor (tl::ProgressAdaptor *pa);
 };
 
+/**
+ *  @brief The abstract progress
+ *
+ *  An abstract progress object can be used as a top-level progress object to mark a section
+ *  in an operation flow. This will provide a hint for the UI to leave the progress dialog open
+ *  for example.
+ */
+class TL_PUBLIC AbstractProgress
+  : public Progress
+{
+public:
+  /**
+   *  @brief Constructor
+   */
+  AbstractProgress (const std::string &desc);
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Destructor
+   */
+  ~AbstractProgress ();
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Delivers the current progress as a string (empty for the abstract progress)
+   */
+  std::string formatted_value () const { return std::string (); }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Delivers the relative progress (0 for the abstract progress)
+   */
+  double value () const { return 0.0; }
+
+  /**
+   *  @brief Indicates this progress reporter is abstract
+   */
+  bool is_abstract() const { return true; }
+};
+
 /**
  *  @brief A relative progress value
  *
@@ -253,9 +368,6 @@ public:
    */
   RelativeProgress (const std::string &desc, size_t max_count = 0, size_t yield_interval = 1000);
 
-  /**
-   *  @brief Destructor
-   */
   ~RelativeProgress ();
 
   /**
@@ -271,6 +383,11 @@ public:
    */
   double value () const;
 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Indicates this progress reporter isn't abstract
+   */
+  bool is_abstract() const { return false; }
+
   /** 
    *  @brief Set the format of the output.
    *
@@ -345,7 +462,12 @@ public:
    */
   double value () const;
 
-  /** 
+  /**
+   *  @brief Indicates this progress reporter isn't abstract
+   */
+  bool is_abstract() const { return false; }
+
+  /**
    *  @brief Set the format of the output.
    *
    *  This is a sprintf format string with the value being
diff --git a/src/tl/tl/tlThreadedWorkers.cc b/src/tl/tl/tlThreadedWorkers.cc
index 7cd63cf76..48ddbabd0 100644
--- a/src/tl/tl/tlThreadedWorkers.cc
+++ b/src/tl/tl/tlThreadedWorkers.cc
@@ -512,8 +512,6 @@ class TL_PUBLIC WorkerProgressAdaptor : public tl::ProgressAdaptor
 public:
   WorkerProgressAdaptor (Worker *worker);
   
-  virtual void register_object (Progress *progress);
-  virtual void unregister_object (Progress *progress);
   virtual void trigger (Progress *progress);
   virtual void yield (Progress *progress);
 
@@ -527,16 +525,6 @@ WorkerProgressAdaptor::WorkerProgressAdaptor (Worker *worker)
   // .. nothing yet .. 
 }
   
-void WorkerProgressAdaptor::register_object (Progress * /*progress*/)
-{
-  // .. nothing yet .. 
-}
-
-void WorkerProgressAdaptor::unregister_object (Progress * /*progress*/)
-{
-  // .. nothing yet .. 
-}
-
 void WorkerProgressAdaptor::trigger (Progress * /*progress*/)
 {
   // .. nothing yet .. 
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.drc b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.drc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f03aaab29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.drc
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+
+source $drc_test_source
+target $drc_test_target
+
+if $drc_test_deep
+  deep
+end
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+l3 = input(3, 0)
+
+l1.output(1, 0)
+l2.output(2, 0)
+l3.output(3, 0)
+
+h = l1 - l2
+h.drc(with_holes == 0).output(100, 0)
+h.drc(with_holes != 0).output(101, 0)
+h.drc(with_holes == 3).output(102, 0)
+h.drc(1 <= with_holes < 3).output(103, 0)
+h.drc(1 <= primary.with_holes <= 1).output(104, 0)
+h.drc(with_holes >= 2).output(105, 0)
+h.drc(with_holes >= 0).output(106, 0)
+
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.gds b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..25e1867e1
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_18.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18.gds b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f656a7608
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18d.gds b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18d.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f656a7608
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcGenericTests_au18d.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.drc b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.drc
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f46052830
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.drc
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+
+source $drc_test_source
+target $drc_test_target
+
+if $drc_test_deep
+  deep
+end
+
+l1 = input(1, 0)
+l2 = input(2, 0)
+l3 = input(3, 0)
+
+l1.output(1, 0)
+l2.output(2, 0)
+l3.output(3, 0)
+
+h = l1 - l2
+h.with_holes(0).output(100, 0)
+h.without_holes(0).output(101, 0)
+h.with_holes(3).output(102, 0)
+h.with_holes(1..3).output(103, 0)
+h.with_holes(1..1).output(104, 0)
+h.with_holes(2, nil).output(105, 0)
+h.with_holes(0, nil).output(106, 0)
+
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..25e1867e1
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_29.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3c2e167c2
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29d.gds b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29d.gds
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3c2e167c2
Binary files /dev/null and b/testdata/drc/drcSimpleTests_au29d.gds differ
diff --git a/testdata/ruby/dbRegionTest.rb b/testdata/ruby/dbRegionTest.rb
index b5d273646..27cd9b257 100644
--- a/testdata/ruby/dbRegionTest.rb
+++ b/testdata/ruby/dbRegionTest.rb
@@ -1049,6 +1049,27 @@ class DBRegion_TestClass < TestBase
 
   end
 
+  # Some filters
+  def test_holesfilter
+
+    r = RBA::Region::new
+    r.insert(RBA::Box::new(RBA::Point::new(0, 0), RBA::Point::new(100, 200)))
+    rr = RBA::Region::new
+    rr.insert(RBA::Box::new(RBA::Point::new(10, 10), RBA::Point::new(20, 20)))
+    rr.insert(RBA::Box::new(RBA::Point::new(30, 30), RBA::Point::new(40, 40)))
+    r -= rr
+
+    assert_equal(r.with_holes(0, false).to_s, "")
+    assert_equal(r.with_holes(0, true).to_s, "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)")
+    assert_equal(rr.with_holes(0, false).to_s, "(10,10;10,20;20,20;20,10);(30,30;30,40;40,40;40,30)")
+    assert_equal(rr.with_holes(0, true).to_s, "")
+    assert_equal(rr.with_holes(2, false).to_s, "")
+    assert_equal(r.with_holes(1, 3, false).to_s, "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)")
+    assert_equal(r.with_holes(2, 3, false).to_s, "(0,0;0,200;100,200;100,0/10,10;20,10;20,20;10,20/30,30;40,30;40,40;30,40)")
+    assert_equal(r.with_holes(1, 2, false).to_s, "")
+
+  end
+
 end
 
 load("test_epilogue.rb")