diff --git a/source/blender/editors/armature/editarmature.c b/source/blender/editors/armature/editarmature.c
index 36544bcb086..66af2f34f0f 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/armature/editarmature.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/armature/editarmature.c
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ void ED_armature_validate_active(struct bArmature *arm)
 	EditBone *ebone= arm->act_edbone;
 
 	if(ebone) { 
-		if(ebone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_A || (ebone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0)
+		if(ebone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_A)
 			arm->act_edbone= NULL;
 	}
 }
@@ -1875,8 +1875,7 @@ void ARMATURE_OT_delete(wmOperatorType *ot)
 
 /* toggle==0: deselect
  * toggle==1: swap (based on test)
- * toggle==2: only active tag
- * toggle==3: swap (no test)
+ * toggle==2: swap (no test), CURRENTLY UNUSED
  */
 void ED_armature_deselect_all(Object *obedit, int toggle)
 {
@@ -1898,34 +1897,30 @@ void ED_armature_deselect_all(Object *obedit, int toggle)
 	}
 	else sel= toggle;
 	
-	if(sel==2) {
-		arm->act_edbone= NULL;
-	} else {
-		/*	Set the flags */
-		for (eBone=arm->edbo->first;eBone;eBone=eBone->next) {
-			if (sel==3) {
-				/* invert selection of bone */
-				if(EBONE_VISIBLE(arm, eBone)) {
-					eBone->flag ^= (BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
-					if(arm->act_edbone==eBone)
-						arm->act_edbone= NULL;
-				}
-			}
-			else if (sel==1) {
-				/* select bone */
-				if(EBONE_VISIBLE(arm, eBone)) {
-					eBone->flag |= (BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
-					if(eBone->parent)
-						eBone->parent->flag |= (BONE_TIPSEL);
-				}
-			}
-			else {
-				/* deselect bone */
-				eBone->flag &= ~(BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
+	/*	Set the flags */
+	for (eBone=arm->edbo->first;eBone;eBone=eBone->next) {
+		if (sel==2) {
+			/* invert selection of bone */
+			if(EBONE_VISIBLE(arm, eBone)) {
+				eBone->flag ^= (BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
 				if(arm->act_edbone==eBone)
 					arm->act_edbone= NULL;
 			}
 		}
+		else if (sel==1) {
+			/* select bone */
+			if(EBONE_VISIBLE(arm, eBone)) {
+				eBone->flag |= (BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
+				if(eBone->parent)
+					eBone->parent->flag |= (BONE_TIPSEL);
+			}
+		}
+		else {
+			/* deselect bone */
+			eBone->flag &= ~(BONE_SELECTED | BONE_TIPSEL | BONE_ROOTSEL);
+			if(arm->act_edbone==eBone)
+				arm->act_edbone= NULL;
+		}
 	}
 	
 	ED_armature_sync_selection(arm->edbo);
@@ -1946,6 +1941,17 @@ void ED_armature_deselect_all_visible(Object *obedit)
 	ED_armature_sync_selection(arm->edbo);
 }
 
+/* accounts for connected parents */
+static int ebone_select_flag(EditBone *ebone)
+{
+	if(ebone->parent && (ebone->flag & BONE_CONNECTED)) {
+		return ((ebone->parent->flag & BONE_TIPSEL) ? BONE_ROOTSEL : 0) | (ebone->flag & (BONE_SELECTED|BONE_TIPSEL));
+	}
+	else {
+		return ebone->flag & (BONE_SELECTED|BONE_ROOTSEL|BONE_TIPSEL);
+	}
+}
+
 /* context: editmode armature in view3d */
 int mouse_armature(bContext *C, short mval[2], int extend)
 {
@@ -2014,7 +2020,9 @@ int mouse_armature(bContext *C, short mval[2], int extend)
 		
 		if(nearBone) {
 			/* then now check for active status */
-			if(nearBone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) arm->act_edbone= nearBone;
+			if(ebone_select_flag(nearBone)) {
+				arm->act_edbone= nearBone;
+			}
 		}
 		
 		WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_OBJECT|ND_BONE_SELECT, vc.obedit);
@@ -3098,13 +3106,13 @@ static void bones_merge(Object *obedit, EditBone *start, EditBone *end, EditBone
 	 *	- tail = head/tail of end (default tail)
 	 *	- parent = parent of start
 	 */
-	if ((start->flag & BONE_TIPSEL) && ((start->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || start==arm->act_edbone)==0) {
+	if ((start->flag & BONE_TIPSEL) && (start->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0) {
 		copy_v3_v3(head, start->tail);
 	}
 	else {
 		copy_v3_v3(head, start->head);
 	}
-	if ((end->flag & BONE_ROOTSEL) && ((end->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || end==arm->act_edbone)==0) {
+	if ((end->flag & BONE_ROOTSEL) && (end->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0) {
 		copy_v3_v3(tail, end->head);
 	}
 	else {
@@ -3188,7 +3196,7 @@ static int armature_merge_exec (bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 				/* check if visible + selected */
 				if ( EBONE_VISIBLE(arm, ebo) &&
 					 ((ebo->flag & BONE_CONNECTED) || (ebo->parent==NULL)) &&
-					 ((ebo->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || (ebo==arm->act_edbone)) )
+					 (ebo->flag & BONE_SELECTED) )
 				{
 					/* set either end or start (end gets priority, unless it is already set) */
 					if (bend == NULL)  {
@@ -3518,9 +3526,6 @@ static int armature_extrude_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 	if (totbone==1 && first) arm->act_edbone= first;
 
 	if (totbone==0) return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
-	
-	if(arm->act_edbone && (((EditBone *)arm->act_edbone)->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0)
-		arm->act_edbone= NULL;
 
 	/* Transform the endpoints */
 	ED_armature_sync_selection(arm->edbo);
@@ -4465,9 +4470,6 @@ void ED_pose_deselectall (Object *ob, int test)
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	
-	if(arm->act_bone && (arm->act_bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0)
-		arm->act_bone= NULL;
 }
 
 static int bone_skinnable_cb(Object *ob, Bone *bone, void *datap)
@@ -5174,20 +5176,7 @@ static int pose_de_select_all_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 	int action = RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "action");
 
 	if (action == SEL_TOGGLE) {
-		bPoseChannel *pchan= CTX_data_active_pose_bone(C);
-		int num_sel = CTX_DATA_COUNT(C, selected_pose_bones);
-		
-		/* cases for deselect:
-		 * 	1) there's only one bone selected, and that is the active one
-		 *	2) there's more than one bone selected
-		 */
-		if ( ((num_sel == 1) && (pchan) && (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)) ||
-			 (num_sel > 1) )
-		{
-			action = SEL_DESELECT;
-		}
-		else 
-			action = SEL_SELECT;
+		action= CTX_DATA_COUNT(C, selected_pose_bones) ? SEL_DESELECT : SEL_SELECT;
 	}
 	
 	/*	Set the flags */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/armature/poselib.c b/source/blender/editors/armature/poselib.c
index 5636b67df9a..e143425036e 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/armature/poselib.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/armature/poselib.c
@@ -740,7 +740,7 @@ static void poselib_apply_pose (tPoseLib_PreviewData *pld)
 				}
 				else if (pchan->bone) {
 					/* only ok if bone is visible and selected */
-					if ( (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED || pchan->bone == arm->act_bone) &&
+					if ( (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) &&
 						 (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_P)==0 &&
 						 (pchan->bone->layer & arm->layer) )
 						ok = 1;
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/armature/poseobject.c b/source/blender/editors/armature/poseobject.c
index 55d24550167..f1bace1201f 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/armature/poseobject.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/armature/poseobject.c
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void ED_armature_exit_posemode(bContext *C, Base *base)
 
 /* if a selected or active bone is protected, throw error (oonly if warn==1) and return 1 */
 /* only_selected==1 : the active bone is allowed to be protected */
-static short pose_has_protected_selected(Object *ob, short only_selected, short warn)
+static short pose_has_protected_selected(Object *ob, short warn)
 {
 	/* check protection */
 	if (ob->proxy) {
@@ -174,8 +174,7 @@ static short pose_has_protected_selected(Object *ob, short only_selected, short
 		for (pchan= ob->pose->chanbase.first; pchan; pchan= pchan->next) {
 			if (pchan->bone && (pchan->bone->layer & arm->layer)) {
 				if (pchan->bone->layer & arm->layer_protected) {
-					if (only_selected && (pchan->bone == arm->act_bone));
-					else if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED || pchan->bone == arm->act_bone)
+					if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)
 					   break;
 				}
 			}
@@ -363,13 +362,12 @@ void POSE_OT_paths_clear (wmOperatorType *ot)
 static int pose_select_constraint_target_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *UNUSED(op))
 {
 	Object *ob= ED_object_pose_armature(CTX_data_active_object(C));
-	bArmature *arm= ob->data;
 	bConstraint *con;
 	int found= 0;
 	
 	CTX_DATA_BEGIN(C, bPoseChannel *, pchan, visible_pose_bones) 
 	{
-		if ((pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || (pchan->bone == arm->act_bone)) {
+		if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) {
 			for (con= pchan->constraints.first; con; con= con->next) {
 				bConstraintTypeInfo *cti= constraint_get_typeinfo(con);
 				ListBase targets = {NULL, NULL};
@@ -527,7 +525,7 @@ static short pose_select_same_group (bContext *C, Object *ob, short extend)
 	CTX_DATA_BEGIN(C, bPoseChannel *, pchan, visible_pose_bones) 
 	{
 		/* keep track of group as group to use later? */
-		if ((pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || (pchan->bone == arm->act_bone)) {
+		if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) {
 			group_flags[pchan->agrp_index] = 1;
 			tagged= 1;
 		}
@@ -574,7 +572,7 @@ static short pose_select_same_layer (bContext *C, Object *ob, short extend)
 	CTX_DATA_BEGIN(C, bPoseChannel *, pchan, visible_pose_bones) 
 	{
 		/* keep track of layers to use later? */
-		if ((pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) || (pchan->bone == arm->act_bone))
+		if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)
 			layers |= pchan->bone->layer;
 			
 		/* deselect all bones before selecting new ones? */
@@ -681,7 +679,7 @@ void pose_copy_menu(Scene *scene)
 	/* if proxy-protected bones selected, some things (such as locks + displays) shouldn't be changable, 
 	 * but for constraints (just add local constraints)
 	 */
-	if (pose_has_protected_selected(ob, 1, 0)) {
+	if (pose_has_protected_selected(ob, 0)) {
 		i= BLI_countlist(&(pchanact->constraints)); /* if there are 24 or less, allow for the user to select constraints */
 		if (i < 25)
 			nr= pupmenu("Copy Pose Attributes %t|Local Location%x1|Local Rotation%x2|Local Size%x3|%l|Visual Location %x9|Visual Rotation%x10|Visual Size%x11|%l|Constraints (All)%x4|Constraints...%x5");
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/screen/screen_context.c b/source/blender/editors/screen/screen_context.c
index 9803f5716c2..82f5f2597dd 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/screen/screen_context.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/screen/screen_context.c
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ int ed_screen_context(const bContext *C, const char *member, bContextDataResult
 			for (pchan= obpose->pose->chanbase.first; pchan; pchan= pchan->next) {
 				/* ensure that PoseChannel is on visible layer and is not hidden in PoseMode */
 				if (PBONE_VISIBLE(arm, pchan->bone)) {
-					if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED || pchan->bone == arm->act_bone)
+					if (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)
 						CTX_data_list_add(result, &obpose->id, &RNA_PoseBone, pchan);
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_outliner/outliner.c b/source/blender/editors/space_outliner/outliner.c
index 6583d287cf8..7426fca844e 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_outliner/outliner.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_outliner/outliner.c
@@ -2151,8 +2151,6 @@ static int tree_element_active_posechannel(bContext *C, Scene *scene, TreeElemen
 			
 			if(set==2 && (pchan->bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)) {
 				pchan->bone->flag &= ~BONE_SELECTED;
-				if(arm->act_bone==pchan->bone)
-					arm->act_bone= NULL;
 			} else {
 				pchan->bone->flag |= BONE_SELECTED;
 				arm->act_bone= pchan->bone;
@@ -2182,8 +2180,6 @@ static int tree_element_active_bone(bContext *C, Scene *scene, TreeElement *te,
 			
 			if(set==2 && (bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)) {
 				bone->flag &= ~BONE_SELECTED;
-				if(arm->act_bone==bone)
-					arm->act_bone= NULL;
 			} else {
 				bone->flag |= BONE_SELECTED;
 				arm->act_bone= bone;
@@ -2204,27 +2200,49 @@ static int tree_element_active_bone(bContext *C, Scene *scene, TreeElement *te,
 
 
 /* ebones only draw in editmode armature */
-static int tree_element_active_ebone(bContext *C, Scene *scene, TreeElement *te, TreeStoreElem *UNUSED(tselem), int set)
+static void tree_element_active_ebone__sel(bContext *C, Scene *scene, bArmature *arm, EditBone *ebone, short sel)
 {
-	EditBone *ebone= te->directdata;
-	
-	if(set) {
-		if(!(ebone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_A)) {
-			bArmature *arm= scene->obedit->data;
-			if(set==2) ED_armature_deselect_all(scene->obedit, 2);	// only clear active tag
-			else ED_armature_deselect_all(scene->obedit, 0);	// deselect
-
-			ebone->flag |= BONE_SELECTED|BONE_ROOTSEL|BONE_TIPSEL;
-			arm->act_edbone= ebone;
-
-			// flush to parent?
-			if(ebone->parent && (ebone->flag & BONE_CONNECTED)) ebone->parent->flag |= BONE_TIPSEL;
-			
-			WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_OBJECT|ND_BONE_ACTIVE, scene->obedit);
-		}
+	if(sel) {
+		ebone->flag |= BONE_SELECTED|BONE_ROOTSEL|BONE_TIPSEL;
+		arm->act_edbone= ebone;
+		// flush to parent?
+		if(ebone->parent && (ebone->flag & BONE_CONNECTED)) ebone->parent->flag |= BONE_TIPSEL;
 	}
 	else {
-		if (ebone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) return 1;
+		ebone->flag &= ~(BONE_SELECTED|BONE_ROOTSEL|BONE_TIPSEL);
+		// flush to parent?
+		if(ebone->parent && (ebone->flag & BONE_CONNECTED)) ebone->parent->flag &= ~BONE_TIPSEL;
+	}
+
+	WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_OBJECT|ND_BONE_ACTIVE, scene->obedit);
+}
+static int tree_element_active_ebone(bContext *C, Scene *scene, TreeElement *te, TreeStoreElem *UNUSED(tselem), int set)
+{
+	bArmature *arm= scene->obedit->data;
+	EditBone *ebone= te->directdata;
+
+	if(set==1) {
+		if(!(ebone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_A)) {
+			ED_armature_deselect_all(scene->obedit, 0);	// deselect
+			tree_element_active_ebone__sel(C, scene, arm, ebone, TRUE);
+			return 1;
+		}
+	}
+	else if (set==2) {
+		if(!(ebone->flag & BONE_HIDDEN_A)) {
+			if(!(ebone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)) {
+				tree_element_active_ebone__sel(C, scene, arm, ebone, TRUE);
+				return 1;
+			}
+			else {
+				/* entirely selected, so de-select */
+				tree_element_active_ebone__sel(C, scene, arm, ebone, FALSE);
+				return 0;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	else if (ebone->flag & BONE_SELECTED) {
+		return 1;
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/drawarmature.c b/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/drawarmature.c
index 52a2cd24254..c0db86b46f9 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/drawarmature.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/drawarmature.c
@@ -150,6 +150,9 @@ static short set_pchan_glColor (short colCode, int boneflag, int constflag)
 			
 			if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) {
 				VECCOPY(cp, bcolor->active);
+				if(!(boneflag & BONE_SELECTED)) {
+					cp_shade_color3ub(cp, -80);
+				}
 			}
 			else if (boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) {
 				VECCOPY(cp, bcolor->select);
@@ -163,7 +166,8 @@ static short set_pchan_glColor (short colCode, int boneflag, int constflag)
 			glColor3ub(cp[0], cp[1], cp[2]);
 		}
 		else {
-			if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) UI_ThemeColorShade(TH_BONE_POSE, 40);
+			if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE && boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColorShade(TH_BONE_POSE, 40);
+			else if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) UI_ThemeColorBlend(TH_WIRE, TH_BONE_POSE, 0.15f); /* unselected active */
 			else if (boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColor(TH_BONE_POSE);
 			else UI_ThemeColor(TH_WIRE);
 		}
@@ -284,6 +288,13 @@ static short set_pchan_glColor (short colCode, int boneflag, int constflag)
 	return 0;
 }
 
+static void set_ebone_glColor(const unsigned int boneflag)
+{
+	if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE && boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColor(TH_EDGE_SELECT);
+	else if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) UI_ThemeColorBlend(TH_WIRE, TH_EDGE_SELECT, 0.15f); /* unselected active */
+	else if (boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColorShade(TH_EDGE_SELECT, -20);
+	else UI_ThemeColor(TH_WIRE);
+}
 
 /* *************** Armature drawing, helper calls for parts ******************* */
 
@@ -1153,9 +1164,7 @@ static void draw_b_bone(int dt, int armflag, int boneflag, int constflag, unsign
 	}
 	else if (armflag & ARM_EDITMODE) {
 		if (dt==OB_WIRE) {
-			if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) UI_ThemeColor(TH_EDGE_SELECT);
-			else if (boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColorShade(TH_EDGE_SELECT, -20);
-			else UI_ThemeColor(TH_WIRE);
+			set_ebone_glColor(boneflag);
 		}
 		else 
 			UI_ThemeColor(TH_BONE_SOLID);
@@ -1238,9 +1247,7 @@ static void draw_bone(int dt, int armflag, int boneflag, int constflag, unsigned
 	if (dt <= OB_WIRE) {
 		/* colors */
 		if (armflag & ARM_EDITMODE) {
-			if (boneflag & BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE) UI_ThemeColor(TH_EDGE_SELECT);
-			else if (boneflag & BONE_SELECTED) UI_ThemeColorShade(TH_EDGE_SELECT, -20);
-			else UI_ThemeColor(TH_WIRE);
+			set_ebone_glColor(boneflag);
 		}
 		else if (armflag & ARM_POSEMODE) {
 			if (constflag) {
@@ -1642,7 +1649,7 @@ static void draw_pose_bones(Scene *scene, View3D *v3d, ARegion *ar, Base *base,
 						flag &= ~BONE_CONNECTED;
 					
 					/* set temporary flag for drawing bone as active, but only if selected */
-					if ((bone == arm->act_bone) && (bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED))
+					if (bone == arm->act_bone)
 						flag |= BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE;
 					
 					/* set color-set to use */
@@ -1728,7 +1735,7 @@ static void draw_pose_bones(Scene *scene, View3D *v3d, ARegion *ar, Base *base,
 								flag &= ~BONE_CONNECTED;
 								
 							/* set temporary flag for drawing bone as active, but only if selected */
-							if ((bone == arm->act_bone) && (bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED))
+							if (bone == arm->act_bone)
 								flag |= BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE;
 							
 							draw_custom_bone(scene, v3d, rv3d, pchan->custom, OB_WIRE, arm->flag, flag, index, bone->length);
@@ -1823,7 +1830,7 @@ static void draw_pose_bones(Scene *scene, View3D *v3d, ARegion *ar, Base *base,
 						flag &= ~BONE_CONNECTED;
 					
 					/* set temporary flag for drawing bone as active, but only if selected */
-					if ((bone == arm->act_bone) && (bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED))
+					if (bone == arm->act_bone)
 						flag |= BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE;
 					
 					/* extra draw service for pose mode */
@@ -1983,7 +1990,7 @@ static void draw_ebones(View3D *v3d, ARegion *ar, Object *ob, int dt)
 						flag &= ~BONE_CONNECTED;
 						
 					/* set temporary flag for drawing bone as active, but only if selected */
-					if ((eBone == arm->act_edbone) && (eBone->flag & BONE_SELECTED))
+					if (eBone == arm->act_edbone)
 						flag |= BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE;
 					
 					if (arm->drawtype==ARM_ENVELOPE)
@@ -2022,7 +2029,7 @@ static void draw_ebones(View3D *v3d, ARegion *ar, Object *ob, int dt)
 					flag &= ~BONE_CONNECTED;
 					
 				/* set temporary flag for drawing bone as active, but only if selected */
-				if ((eBone == arm->act_edbone) && (eBone->flag & BONE_SELECTED))
+				if (eBone == arm->act_edbone)
 					flag |= BONE_DRAW_ACTIVE;
 				
 				if (arm->drawtype == ARM_ENVELOPE) {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/view3d_select.c b/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/view3d_select.c
index a3289c4cdc0..69096843aa1 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/view3d_select.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_view3d/view3d_select.c
@@ -364,10 +364,6 @@ static void do_lasso_select_pose(ViewContext *vc, Object *ob, short mcords[][2],
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	
-	if(arm->act_bone && (arm->act_bone->flag & BONE_SELECTED)==0) {
-		arm->act_bone= NULL;
-	}
 }
 
 static void object_deselect_all_visible(Scene *scene, View3D *v3d)
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_armature_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_armature_types.h
index effa5e34a91..f6b61d5f2ba 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_armature_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_armature_types.h
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@ typedef struct bArmature {
 	ListBase	chainbase;
 	ListBase	*edbo;					/* editbone listbase, we use pointer so we can check state */
 	
+	/* active bones should work like active object where possible
+	 * - active and selection are unrelated
+	 * - active & hidden is not allowed 
+	 * - from the user perspective active == last selected
+	 * - active should be ignored when not visible (hidden layer) */
+
 	Bone		*act_bone;				/* active bone (when not in editmode) */
 	void		*act_edbone;			/* active editbone (in editmode) */