diff --git a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
index 00b060b836b..7fa601c749d 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ typedef struct uiLayout uiLayout;
 #define LISTBOX		(43<<9)
 #define LISTROW		(44<<9)
 #define HOTKEYEVT	(45<<9)
+#define BUT_IMAGE	(46<<9)
 
 #define BUTTYPE		(63<<9)
 
@@ -271,6 +272,8 @@ void uiPupBlock(struct bContext *C, uiBlockCreateFunc func, void *arg);
 void uiPupBlockO(struct bContext *C, uiBlockCreateFunc func, void *arg, char *opname, int opcontext);
 void uiPupBlockOperator(struct bContext *C, uiBlockCreateFunc func, struct wmOperator *op, int opcontext);
 
+void uiPupBlockClose(struct bContext *C, uiBlock *block);
+
 /* Blocks
  *
  * Functions for creating, drawing and freeing blocks. A Block is a
@@ -303,10 +306,20 @@ void uiBlockClearButLock(uiBlock *block);
 void uiBlockBeginAlign(uiBlock *block);
 void uiBlockEndAlign(uiBlock *block);
 
+/* block bounds/position calculation */
+enum {
+	UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS=1,
+	UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_TEXT,
+	UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_MOUSE,
+	UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_MENU,
+	UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_CENTER,
+} eBlockBoundsCalc;
+
 void uiBoundsBlock(struct uiBlock *block, int addval);
 void uiTextBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval);
 void uiPopupBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval, int mx, int my);
 void uiMenuPopupBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addvall, int mx, int my);
+void uiCenteredBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval);
 
 int		uiBlocksGetYMin		(struct ListBase *lb);
 
@@ -532,7 +545,8 @@ void uiEndPanel(uiBlock *block, int width, int height);
 
 void UI_add_region_handlers(struct ListBase *handlers);
 void UI_add_area_handlers(struct ListBase *handlers);
-void UI_add_popup_handlers(struct bContext *C, struct ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *menu);
+void UI_add_popup_handlers(struct bContext *C, struct ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *popup);
+void UI_remove_popup_handlers(struct ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *popup);
 
 /* Module
  *
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface.c
index b9f80946345..f8490204968 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface.c
@@ -313,7 +313,30 @@ void ui_bounds_block(uiBlock *block)
 	block->safety.ymax= block->maxy+xof;
 }
 
-static void ui_popup_bounds_block(const bContext *C, uiBlock *block, int menu)
+static void ui_centered_bounds_block(const bContext *C, uiBlock *block)
+{
+	wmWindow *window= CTX_wm_window(C);
+	int xmax, ymax;
+	int startx, starty;
+	int width, height;
+	
+	wm_window_get_size(window, &xmax, &ymax);
+	
+	ui_bounds_block(block);
+	
+	width= block->maxx - block->minx;
+	height= block->maxy - block->miny;
+	
+	startx = (xmax * 0.5f) - (width * 0.5f);
+	starty = (ymax * 0.5f) - (height * 0.5f);
+	
+	ui_block_translate(block, startx - block->minx, starty - block->miny);
+	
+	/* now recompute bounds and safety */
+	ui_bounds_block(block);
+	
+}
+static void ui_popup_bounds_block(const bContext *C, uiBlock *block, int bounds_calc)
 {
 	wmWindow *window= CTX_wm_window(C);
 	int startx, starty, endx, endy, width, height;
@@ -323,13 +346,14 @@ static void ui_popup_bounds_block(const bContext *C, uiBlock *block, int menu)
 
 	/* compute mouse position with user defined offset */
 	ui_bounds_block(block);
-	mx= window->eventstate->x + block->minx + block->mx;
-	my= window->eventstate->y + block->miny + block->my;
-
+	
 	wm_window_get_size(window, &xmax, &ymax);
 
+	mx= window->eventstate->x + block->minx + block->mx;
+	my= window->eventstate->y + block->miny + block->my;
+	
 	/* first we ensure wide enough text bounds */
-	if(menu) {
+	if(bounds_calc==UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_MENU) {
 		if(block->flag & UI_BLOCK_LOOP) {
 			block->bounds= 50;
 			ui_text_bounds_block(block, block->minx);
@@ -377,21 +401,21 @@ void uiBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval)
 		return;
 	
 	block->bounds= addval;
-	block->dobounds= 1;
+	block->dobounds= UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS;
 }
 
 /* used for pulldowns */
 void uiTextBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval)
 {
 	block->bounds= addval;
-	block->dobounds= 2;
+	block->dobounds= UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_TEXT;
 }
 
 /* used for block popups */
 void uiPopupBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval, int mx, int my)
 {
 	block->bounds= addval;
-	block->dobounds= 3;
+	block->dobounds= UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_MOUSE;
 	block->mx= mx;
 	block->my= my;
 }
@@ -400,11 +424,18 @@ void uiPopupBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval, int mx, int my)
 void uiMenuPopupBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval, int mx, int my)
 {
 	block->bounds= addval;
-	block->dobounds= 4;
+	block->dobounds= UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_MENU;
 	block->mx= mx;
 	block->my= my;
 }
 
+/* used for centered popups, i.e. splash */
+void uiCenteredBoundsBlock(uiBlock *block, int addval)
+{
+	block->bounds= addval;
+	block->dobounds= UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_CENTER;
+}
+
 /* ************** LINK LINE DRAWING  ************* */
 
 /* link line drawing is not part of buttons or theme.. so we stick with it here */
@@ -627,9 +658,10 @@ void uiEndBlock(const bContext *C, uiBlock *block)
 	if(block->flag & UI_BLOCK_LOOP) ui_menu_block_set_keymaps(C, block);
 	
 	/* after keymaps! */
-	if(block->dobounds == 1) ui_bounds_block(block);
-	else if(block->dobounds == 2) ui_text_bounds_block(block, 0.0f);
-	else if(block->dobounds) ui_popup_bounds_block(C, block, (block->dobounds == 4));
+	if(block->dobounds == UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS) ui_bounds_block(block);
+	else if(block->dobounds == UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_TEXT) ui_text_bounds_block(block, 0.0f);
+	else if(block->dobounds == UI_BLOCK_BOUNDS_POPUP_CENTER) ui_centered_bounds_block(C, block);
+	else if(block->dobounds) ui_popup_bounds_block(C, block, block->dobounds);
 
 	if(block->minx==0.0 && block->maxx==0.0) uiBoundsBlock(block, 0);
 	if(block->flag & UI_BUT_ALIGN) uiBlockEndAlign(block);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_draw.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_draw.c
index a233a84e6c8..92bbd1c6573 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_draw.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_draw.c
@@ -43,6 +43,9 @@
 #include "BKE_texture.h"
 #include "BKE_utildefines.h"
 
+#include "IMB_imbuf.h"
+#include "IMB_imbuf_types.h"
+
 #include "BIF_gl.h"
 #include "BIF_glutil.h"
 
@@ -458,8 +461,47 @@ void uiEmboss(float x1, float y1, float x2, float y2, int sel)
 	
 }
 
-/* ************** TEXT AND ICON DRAWING FUNCTIONS ************* */
+/* ************** SPECIAL BUTTON DRAWING FUNCTIONS ************* */
 
+void ui_draw_but_IMAGE(ARegion *ar, uiBut *but, uiWidgetColors *wcol, rcti *rect)
+{
+	extern char datatoc_splash_png[];
+	extern int datatoc_splash_png_size;
+	ImBuf *ibuf;
+	GLint scissor[4];
+	int w, h;
+	
+	/* hardcoded to splash, loading and freeing every draw, eek! */
+	ibuf= IMB_ibImageFromMemory((int *)datatoc_splash_png, datatoc_splash_png_size, IB_rect);
+
+	if (!ibuf) return;
+	
+	/* scissor doesn't seem to be doing the right thing...?
+	//glColor4f(1.0, 0.f, 0.f, 1.f);
+	//fdrawbox(rect->xmin, rect->ymin, rect->xmax, rect->ymax)
+
+	w = (rect->xmax - rect->xmin);
+	h = (rect->ymax - rect->ymin);
+	// prevent drawing outside widget area
+	glGetIntegerv(GL_SCISSOR_BOX, scissor);
+	glScissor(ar->winrct.xmin + rect->xmin, ar->winrct.ymin + rect->ymin, w, h);
+	*/
+	
+	glEnable(GL_BLEND);
+	glColor4f(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+	
+	glaDrawPixelsSafe((float)rect->xmin, (float)rect->ymin, ibuf->x, ibuf->y, ibuf->x, GL_RGBA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, ibuf->rect);
+	//glaDrawPixelsTex((float)rect->xmin, (float)rect->ymin, ibuf->x, ibuf->y, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, ibuf->rect);
+	
+	glDisable(GL_BLEND);
+	
+	/* 
+	// restore scissortest
+	glScissor(scissor[0], scissor[1], scissor[2], scissor[3]);
+	*/
+	
+	IMB_freeImBuf(ibuf);
+}
 
 #if 0
 #ifdef INTERNATIONAL
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_handlers.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_handlers.c
index 6ae5cab1a18..fafa8047a00 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_handlers.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_handlers.c
@@ -183,8 +183,6 @@ typedef struct uiAfterFunc {
 static int ui_mouse_inside_button(ARegion *ar, uiBut *but, int x, int y);
 static void button_activate_state(bContext *C, uiBut *but, uiHandleButtonState state);
 static int ui_handler_region_menu(bContext *C, wmEvent *event, void *userdata);
-static int ui_handler_popup(bContext *C, wmEvent *event, void *userdata);
-static void ui_handler_remove_popup(bContext *C, void *userdata);
 static void ui_handle_button_activate(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, uiBut *but, uiButtonActivateType type);
 static void button_timers_tooltip_remove(bContext *C, uiBut *but);
 
@@ -754,6 +752,13 @@ static void ui_apply_but_LINK(bContext *C, uiBut *but, uiHandleButtonData *data)
 	data->applied= 1;
 }
 
+static void ui_apply_but_IMAGE(bContext *C, uiBut *but, uiHandleButtonData *data)
+{
+	ui_apply_but_func(C, but);
+
+	data->retval= but->retval;
+	data->applied= 1;
+}
 
 static void ui_apply_button(bContext *C, uiBlock *block, uiBut *but, uiHandleButtonData *data, int interactive)
 {
@@ -874,6 +879,9 @@ static void ui_apply_button(bContext *C, uiBlock *block, uiBut *but, uiHandleBut
 		case INLINK:
 			ui_apply_but_LINK(C, but, data);
 			break;
+		case BUT_IMAGE:	
+			ui_apply_but_IMAGE(C, but, data);
+			break;
 		default:
 			break;
 	}
@@ -3356,7 +3364,7 @@ static uiBlock *menu_change_hotkey(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, void *arg_but)
 	dummy[1]= 0;
 	
 	block= uiBeginBlock(C, ar, "_popup", UI_EMBOSSP);
-	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT|UI_BLOCK_RET_1|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
 	
 	BLI_strncpy(buf, ot->name, OP_MAX_TYPENAME);
 	strcat(buf, " |");
@@ -3647,6 +3655,7 @@ static int ui_do_button(bContext *C, uiBlock *block, uiBut *but, wmEvent *event)
 	case TOG3:	
 	case ROW:
 	case LISTROW:
+	case BUT_IMAGE:
 		retval= ui_do_but_EXIT(C, but, data, event);
 		break;
 	case TEX:
@@ -4982,7 +4991,7 @@ static int ui_handler_popup(bContext *C, wmEvent *event, void *userdata)
 		uiPopupBlockHandle temp= *menu;
 		
 		ui_popup_block_free(C, menu);
-		WM_event_remove_ui_handler(&CTX_wm_window(C)->modalhandlers, ui_handler_popup, ui_handler_remove_popup, menu);
+		UI_remove_popup_handlers(&CTX_wm_window(C)->modalhandlers, menu);
 
 		if(temp.menuretval == UI_RETURN_OK) {
 			if(temp.popup_func)
@@ -5023,8 +5032,14 @@ void UI_add_region_handlers(ListBase *handlers)
 	WM_event_add_ui_handler(NULL, handlers, ui_handler_region, ui_handler_remove_region, NULL);
 }
 
-void UI_add_popup_handlers(bContext *C, ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *menu)
+void UI_add_popup_handlers(bContext *C, ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *popup)
 {
-	WM_event_add_ui_handler(C, handlers, ui_handler_popup, ui_handler_remove_popup, menu);
+	WM_event_add_ui_handler(C, handlers, ui_handler_popup, ui_handler_remove_popup, popup);
 }
 
+void UI_remove_popup_handlers(ListBase *handlers, uiPopupBlockHandle *popup)
+{
+	WM_event_remove_ui_handler(handlers, ui_handler_popup, ui_handler_remove_popup, popup);
+}
+
+
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
index 3c3b289a945..21425bbb261 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
@@ -427,6 +427,7 @@ extern void gl_round_box_vertical_shade(int mode, float minx, float miny, float
 void ui_draw_but_COLORBAND(uiBut *but, struct uiWidgetColors *wcol, rcti *rect);
 void ui_draw_but_NORMAL(uiBut *but, struct uiWidgetColors *wcol, rcti *rect);
 void ui_draw_but_CURVE(ARegion *ar, uiBut *but, struct uiWidgetColors *wcol, rcti *rect);
+void ui_draw_but_IMAGE(ARegion *ar, uiBut *but, struct uiWidgetColors *wcol, rcti *rect);
 
 
 /* interface_handlers.c */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_regions.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_regions.c
index 2c4fb71af75..c3eac3f3893 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_regions.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_regions.c
@@ -1303,7 +1303,7 @@ uiPopupBlockHandle *ui_popup_block_create(bContext *C, ARegion *butregion, uiBut
 		bt->y2 -= ar->winrct.ymin;
 	}
 
-	block->flag |= UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT;
+	block->flag |= UI_BLOCK_LOOP;
 
 	/* adds subwindow */
 	ED_region_init(C, ar);
@@ -1338,6 +1338,8 @@ static void ui_block_func_MENUSTR(bContext *C, uiLayout *layout, void *arg_str)
 	char *instr= arg_str;
 	int columns, rows, a, b;
 
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
+	
 	/* compute menu data */
 	md= decompose_menu_string(instr);
 
@@ -1414,6 +1416,8 @@ void ui_block_func_ICONROW(bContext *C, uiLayout *layout, void *arg_but)
 	uiBut *but= arg_but;
 	int a;
 	
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
+	
 	for(a=(int)but->hardmin; a<=(int)but->hardmax; a++)
 		uiDefIconButF(block, BUTM|FLO, B_NOP, but->icon+(a-but->hardmin), 0, 0, UI_UNIT_X*5, UI_UNIT_Y,
 			&handle->retvalue, (float)a, 0.0, 0, 0, "");
@@ -1427,6 +1431,8 @@ void ui_block_func_ICONTEXTROW(bContext *C, uiLayout *layout, void *arg_but)
 	MenuData *md;
 	MenuEntry *entry;
 	int a;
+	
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
 
 	md= decompose_menu_string(but->str);
 
@@ -1994,6 +2000,8 @@ uiBlock *ui_block_func_COL(bContext *C, uiPopupBlockHandle *handle, void *arg_bu
 	
 	block= uiBeginBlock(C, handle->region, "colorpicker", UI_EMBOSS);
 	
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
+	
 	VECCOPY(handle->retvec, but->editvec);
 	if(win->eventstate->shift) {
 		uiBlockPickerButtons(block, handle->retvec, hsvcol, oldcol, hexcol, 'p', 0);
@@ -2195,6 +2203,8 @@ static uiBlock *ui_block_func_POPUP(bContext *C, uiPopupBlockHandle *handle, voi
 
 	uiBlockLayoutResolve(block, NULL, NULL);
 
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
+	
 	if(pup->popup) {
 		uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_REDRAW|UI_BLOCK_NUMSELECT|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
 		uiBlockSetDirection(block, direction);
@@ -2548,3 +2558,11 @@ void uiPupBlockOperator(bContext *C, uiBlockCreateFunc func, wmOperator *op, int
 	WM_event_add_mousemove(C);
 }
 
+void uiPupBlockClose(bContext *C, uiBlock *block)
+{
+	if(block->handle) {
+		UI_remove_popup_handlers(&CTX_wm_window(C)->modalhandlers, block->handle);
+		ui_popup_block_free(C, block->handle);
+	}
+}
+
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_widgets.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_widgets.c
index fa577f6be66..e148fd9217f 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_widgets.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_widgets.c
@@ -2553,6 +2553,10 @@ void ui_draw_but(const bContext *C, ARegion *ar, uiStyle *style, uiBut *but, rct
 				ui_draw_but_NORMAL(but, &tui->wcol_regular, rect);
 				break;
 				
+			case BUT_IMAGE:
+				ui_draw_but_IMAGE(ar, but, &tui->wcol_regular, rect);
+				break;
+				
 			case BUT_CURVE:
 				ui_draw_but_CURVE(ar, but, &tui->wcol_regular, rect);
 				break;
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
index d4ba83b2886..a99c90e01a1 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ void		WM_init				(struct bContext *C);
 void		WM_exit				(struct bContext *C);
 void		WM_main				(struct bContext *C);
 
+void		WM_init_splash		(struct bContext *C);
+
 
 void		WM_check			(struct bContext *C);
 
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_init_exit.c b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_init_exit.c
index 06227086006..d5fe9d324c4 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_init_exit.c
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_init_exit.c
@@ -151,6 +151,19 @@ void WM_init(bContext *C)
 	
 	read_Blog();
 	BLI_strncpy(G.lib, G.sce, FILE_MAX);
+
+}
+
+void WM_init_splash(bContext *C)
+{
+	wmWindowManager *wm= CTX_wm_manager(C);
+	wmWindow *prevwin= CTX_wm_window(C);
+	
+	if(wm->windows.first) {
+		CTX_wm_window_set(C, wm->windows.first); 
+		WM_operator_name_call(C, "WM_OT_splash", WM_OP_INVOKE_DEFAULT, NULL);
+		CTX_wm_window_set(C, prevwin);
+	}
 }
 
 /* free strings of open recent files */
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_operators.c b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_operators.c
index 1b334bc778f..8eb980d0112 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_operators.c
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_operators.c
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ static uiBlock *wm_block_create_redo(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, void *arg_op)
 
 	block= uiBeginBlock(C, ar, "redo_popup", UI_EMBOSS);
 	uiBlockClearFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP);
-	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_KEEP_OPEN|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_KEEP_OPEN|UI_BLOCK_RET_1|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
 	uiBlockSetHandleFunc(block, redo_cb, arg_op);
 
 	if(!op->properties) {
@@ -764,7 +764,7 @@ static uiBlock *wm_block_create_menu(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, void *arg_op)
 	
 	block= uiBeginBlock(C, ar, "_popup", UI_EMBOSS);
 	uiBlockClearFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP);
-	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_KEEP_OPEN|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_KEEP_OPEN|UI_BLOCK_RET_1|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
 	
 	layout= uiBlockLayout(block, UI_LAYOUT_VERTICAL, UI_LAYOUT_PANEL, 0, 0, 300, 20, style);
 	uiItemL(layout, op->type->name, 0);
@@ -813,6 +813,71 @@ static void WM_OT_debug_menu(wmOperatorType *ot)
 	RNA_def_int(ot->srna, "debugval", 0, -10000, 10000, "Debug Value", "", INT_MIN, INT_MAX);
 }
 
+
+/* ***************** Splash Screen ************************* */
+
+static void wm_block_splash_close(bContext *C, void *arg_block, void *arg_unused)
+{
+	uiPupBlockClose(C, arg_block);
+}
+
+static uiBlock *wm_block_create_splash(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, void *arg_unused)
+{
+	uiBlock *block;
+	uiBut *but;
+	uiLayout *layout, *split, *col;
+	uiStyle *style= U.uistyles.first;
+	
+	block= uiBeginBlock(C, ar, "_popup", UI_EMBOSS);
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_KEEP_OPEN|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
+	
+	but= uiDefBut(block, BUT_IMAGE, 0, "", 0, 10, 501, 282, NULL, 0.0, 0.0, 0, 0, "");
+	uiButSetFunc(but, wm_block_splash_close, block, NULL);
+	
+	uiBlockSetEmboss(block, UI_EMBOSSP);
+	
+	layout= uiBlockLayout(block, UI_LAYOUT_VERTICAL, UI_LAYOUT_MENU, 10, 10, 480, 110, style);
+
+	uiLayoutSetOperatorContext(layout, WM_OP_EXEC_REGION_WIN);
+	
+	split = uiLayoutSplit(layout, 0);
+	col = uiLayoutColumn(split, 0);
+	uiItemL(col, "Links", 0);
+	uiItemO(col, NULL, ICON_URL, "HELP_OT_release_logs");
+	uiItemO(col, NULL, ICON_URL, "HELP_OT_manual");
+	uiItemO(col, NULL, ICON_URL, "HELP_OT_blender_website");
+	uiItemO(col, NULL, ICON_URL, "HELP_OT_user_community");
+	uiItemS(col);
+	
+	col = uiLayoutColumn(split, 0);
+	uiItemL(col, "Recent", 0);
+	uiItemsEnumO(col, "WM_OT_open_recentfile_splash", "file");
+	uiItemS(col);
+
+	uiCenteredBoundsBlock(block, 0.0f);
+	uiEndBlock(C, block);
+	
+	return block;
+}
+
+static int wm_splash_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, wmEvent *event)
+{
+	uiPupBlock(C, wm_block_create_splash, NULL);
+	
+	return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
+}
+
+static void WM_OT_splash(wmOperatorType *ot)
+{
+	ot->name= "Splash Screen";
+	ot->idname= "WM_OT_splash";
+	ot->description= "Opens a blocking popup region with release info";
+	
+	ot->invoke= wm_splash_invoke;
+	ot->poll= WM_operator_winactive;
+}
+
+
 /* ***************** Search menu ************************* */
 static void operator_call_cb(struct bContext *C, void *arg1, void *arg2)
 {
@@ -858,7 +923,7 @@ static uiBlock *wm_block_search_menu(bContext *C, ARegion *ar, void *arg_op)
 	uiBut *but;
 	
 	block= uiBeginBlock(C, ar, "_popup", UI_EMBOSS);
-	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_RET_1);
+	uiBlockSetFlag(block, UI_BLOCK_LOOP|UI_BLOCK_RET_1|UI_BLOCK_MOVEMOUSE_QUIT);
 	
 	but= uiDefSearchBut(block, search, 0, ICON_VIEWZOOM, 256, 10, 10, 180, 19, "");
 	uiButSetSearchFunc(but, operator_search_cb, NULL, operator_call_cb, NULL);
@@ -1018,6 +1083,7 @@ static EnumPropertyItem *open_recentfile_itemf(bContext *C, PointerRNA *ptr, int
 	/* dynamically construct enum */
 	for(recent = G.recent_files.first, i=0; (i<U.recent_files) && (recent); recent = recent->next, i++) {
 		tmp.value= i+1;
+		tmp.icon= ICON_FILE_BLEND;
 		tmp.identifier= recent->filename;
 		tmp.name= BLI_short_filename(recent->filename);
 		RNA_enum_item_add(&item, &totitem, &tmp);
@@ -1047,6 +1113,45 @@ static void WM_OT_open_recentfile(wmOperatorType *ot)
 	RNA_def_enum_funcs(prop, open_recentfile_itemf);
 }
 
+static EnumPropertyItem *open_recentfile_splash_itemf(bContext *C, PointerRNA *ptr, int *free)
+{
+	EnumPropertyItem tmp = {0, "", 0, "", ""};
+	EnumPropertyItem *item= NULL;
+	struct RecentFile *recent;
+	int totitem= 0, i;
+	
+	/* dynamically construct enum */
+	for(recent = G.recent_files.first, i=0; (i<6) && (recent); recent = recent->next, i++) {
+		tmp.value= i+1;
+		tmp.icon= ICON_FILE_BLEND;
+		tmp.identifier= recent->filename;
+		tmp.name= BLI_last_slash(recent->filename)+1;
+		RNA_enum_item_add(&item, &totitem, &tmp);
+	}
+	
+	RNA_enum_item_end(&item, &totitem);
+	*free= 1;
+	
+	return item;
+}
+
+static void WM_OT_open_recentfile_splash(wmOperatorType *ot)
+{
+	PropertyRNA *prop;
+	static EnumPropertyItem file_items[]= {
+		{0, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL}};
+	
+	ot->name= "Open Recent File";
+	ot->idname= "WM_OT_open_recentfile_splash";
+	ot->description="Open recent files list.";
+	
+	ot->exec= recentfile_exec;
+	ot->poll= WM_operator_winactive;
+	
+	prop= RNA_def_enum(ot->srna, "file", file_items, 1, "File", "");
+	RNA_def_enum_funcs(prop, open_recentfile_splash_itemf);
+}
+
 /* *************** open file **************** */
 
 static void open_set_load_ui(wmOperator *op)
@@ -2464,6 +2569,7 @@ void wm_operatortype_init(void)
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_window_fullscreen_toggle);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_exit_blender);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_open_recentfile);
+	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_open_recentfile_splash);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_open_mainfile);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_link_append);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_recover_last_session);
@@ -2473,6 +2579,7 @@ void wm_operatortype_init(void)
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_redraw_timer);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_memory_statistics);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_debug_menu);
+	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_splash);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_search_menu);
 	WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_call_menu);
 
@@ -2624,6 +2731,7 @@ void wm_window_keymap(wmKeyConfig *keyconf)
 	/* debug/testing */
 	WM_keymap_verify_item(keymap, "WM_OT_redraw_timer", TKEY, KM_PRESS, KM_ALT|KM_CTRL, 0);
 	WM_keymap_verify_item(keymap, "WM_OT_debug_menu", DKEY, KM_PRESS, KM_ALT|KM_CTRL, 0);
+	WM_keymap_verify_item(keymap, "WM_OT_splash", F1KEY, KM_PRESS, KM_ALT|KM_CTRL, 0);
 	WM_keymap_verify_item(keymap, "WM_OT_search_menu", SPACEKEY, KM_PRESS, 0, 0);
 	
 	/* Space switching */
diff --git a/source/creator/creator.c b/source/creator/creator.c
index 10674d830ba..3a9ee9859e8 100644
--- a/source/creator/creator.c
+++ b/source/creator/creator.c
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
 	SYS_SystemHandle syshandle;
 	bContext *C= CTX_create();
-	int a, i, stax, stay, sizx, sizy /*XXX, scr_init = 0*/;
+	int a, i, stax, stay, sizx, sizy /*XXX, scr_init = 0*/, file_loaded= 0;
 
 #ifdef WITH_BINRELOC
 	br_init( NULL );
@@ -880,6 +880,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 				   a file - this should do everything a 'load file' does */
 				WM_read_file(C, filename, NULL);
 			}
+
+			file_loaded = 1;
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -888,9 +890,12 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 		WM_exit(C);
 	}
 
+	if(!G.background && !file_loaded)
+		WM_init_splash(C);
 
 	WM_main(C);
-	
+
+
 	/*XXX if (scr_init==0) {
 		main_init_screen();
 	}