diff --git a/Jakefile.js b/Jakefile.js
index 8e84f5f0..360c59e9 100644
--- a/Jakefile.js
+++ b/Jakefile.js
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ task('build', {async: true}, function () {
 
       './src/shim.js',
       './src/util.js',
+      './src/SVGutil.js',
       './src/DataSet.js',
       './src/DataView.js',
 
diff --git a/dist/vis.css b/dist/vis.css
index b2d1edc3..efe123cf 100644
--- a/dist/vis.css
+++ b/dist/vis.css
@@ -447,6 +447,11 @@
     stroke: none;
 }
 
+
+.vis.timeline .bar {
+    fill-opacity:0.7;
+}
+
 .vis.timeline .point {
     stroke-width:2px;
     fill-opacity:1.0;
diff --git a/dist/vis.js b/dist/vis.js
index 84e9802a..e00e1929 100644
--- a/dist/vis.js
+++ b/dist/vis.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
  *
  * A dynamic, browser-based visualization library.
  *
- * @version 1.1.0
- * @date    2014-06-20
+ * @version @@version
+ * @date    @@date
  *
  * @license
  * Copyright (C) 2011-2014 Almende B.V, http://almende.com
@@ -1341,6 +1341,138 @@ util.copyObject = function(objectFrom, objectTo) {
   return objectTo;
 };
 
+
+/**
+ * this is used to set the options of subobjects in the options object. A requirement of these subobjects
+ * is that they have an 'enabled' element which is optional for the user but mandatory for the program.
+ *
+ * @param [object] mergeTarget | this is either this.options or the options used for the groups.
+ * @param [object] options     | options
+ * @param [String] option      | this is the option key in the options argument
+ * @private
+ */
+util._mergeOptions = function (mergeTarget, options, option) {
+  if (options[option]) {
+    if (typeof options[option] == 'boolean') {
+      mergeTarget[option].enabled = options[option];
+    }
+    else {
+      mergeTarget[option].enabled = true;
+      for (prop in options[option]) {
+        if (options[option].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
+          mergeTarget[option][prop] = options[option][prop];
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+/**
+ * Created by Alex on 6/20/14.
+ */
+
+var SVGutil = {}
+/**
+ * this prepares the JSON container for allocating SVG elements
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._prepareSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
+  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
+  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
+    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = JSONcontainer[elementType].used;
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].used = [];
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * this cleans up all the unused SVG elements. By asking for the parentNode, we only need to supply the JSON container from
+ * which to remove the redundant elements.
+ *
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
+  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
+  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
+    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
+      for (var i = 0; i < JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length; i++) {
+        JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i].parentNode.removeChild(JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i]);
+      }
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = [];
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Allocate or generate an SVG element if needed. Store a reference to it in the JSON container and draw it in the svgContainer
+ * the JSON container and the SVG container have to be supplied so other svg containers (like the legend) can use this.
+ *
+ * @param elementType
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @param svgContainer
+ * @returns {*}
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._getSVGElement = function (elementType, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
+  var element;
+  // allocate SVG element, if it doesnt yet exist, create one.
+  if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) { // this element has been created before
+    // check if there is an redundant element
+    if (JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length > 0) {
+      element = JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[0];
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.shift()
+    }
+    else {
+      // create a new element and add it to the SVG
+      element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
+      svgContainer.appendChild(element);
+    }
+  }
+  else {
+    // create a new element and add it to the SVG, also create a new object in the svgElements to keep track of it.
+    element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
+    JSONcontainer[elementType] = {used: [], redundant: []};
+    svgContainer.appendChild(element);
+  }
+  JSONcontainer[elementType].used.push(element);
+  return element;
+};
+
+
+
+/**
+ * draw a point object. this is a seperate function because it can also be called by the legend.
+ * The reason the JSONcontainer and the target SVG svgContainer have to be supplied is so the legend can use these functions
+ * as well.
+ *
+ * @param x
+ * @param y
+ * @param group
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @param svgContainer
+ * @returns {*}
+ */
+SVGutil.drawPoint = function(x, y, group, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
+  var point;
+  if (group.options.drawPoints.style == 'circle') {
+    point = SVGutil._getSVGElement('circle',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cx", x);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cy", y);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "r", 0.5 * group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
+  }
+  else {
+    point = SVGutil._getSVGElement('rect',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "width", group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "height", group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
+  }
+  return point;
+}
 /**
  * DataSet
  *
@@ -2568,14 +2700,14 @@ DataView.prototype.unsubscribe = DataView.prototype.off;
  * @param {Object} data
  * @param {ItemSet} itemSet
  */
-function GraphGroup (group, options, linegraph) {
-  var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','barGraph','drawPoints','catmullRom']
+function GraphGroup (group, options, groupsUsingDefaultStyles) {
+  var fields = ['style','yAxisOrientation','barChart','drawPoints','shaded','catmullRom']
   this.options = util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields,{},options);
-  this.linegraph = linegraph;
   this.usingDefaultStyle = group.className === undefined;
+  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = groupsUsingDefaultStyles;
   this.update(group);
   if (this.usingDefaultStyle == true) {
-    this.linegraph.groupsUsingDefaultStyles += 1;
+    this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles[0] += 1;
   }
 }
 
@@ -2585,55 +2717,57 @@ GraphGroup.prototype.setClass = function (className) {
 
 GraphGroup.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
   if (options !== undefined) {
-    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation'];
-    util.selectiveExtend(fields, this.options, options);
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
+    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','style','barChart'];
+    util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields, this.options, options);
+
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
   }
 };
 
 GraphGroup.prototype.update = function(group) {
   this.group = group;
   this.content = group.content || 'graph';
-  this.className = group.className || this.className || "graphGroup" + this.linegraph.groupsUsingDefaultStyles;
+  this.className = group.className || this.className || "graphGroup" + this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles[0];
   this.setOptions(group.options);
 };
 
-GraphGroup.prototype.drawIcon = function(x,y,JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer, lineLength, iconHeight) {
+GraphGroup.prototype.drawIcon = function(x,y,JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer, iconWidth, iconHeight) {
   var fillHeight = iconHeight * 0.5;
   var path, fillPath, outline;
-  if (this.options.barGraph.enabled == false) {
-    outline = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("rect", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+  if (this.options.style == 'line') {
+    outline = SVGutil._getSVGElement("rect", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - fillHeight);
-    outline.setAttributeNS(null, "width", lineLength);
+    outline.setAttributeNS(null, "width", iconWidth);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "height", 2*fillHeight);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "class", "outline");
 
-    path = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+    path = SVGutil._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     path.setAttributeNS(null, "class", this.className);
-    path.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M" + x + ","+y+" L" + (x + lineLength) + ","+y+"");
+    path.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M" + x + ","+y+" L" + (x + iconWidth) + ","+y+"");
     if (this.options.shaded.enabled == true) {
-      fillPath = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+      fillPath = SVGutil._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
       if (this.options.shaded.orientation == 'top') {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M"+x+", " + (y - fillHeight) +
-          "L"+x+","+y+" L"+ (x + lineLength) + ","+y+" L"+ (x + lineLength) + "," + (y - fillHeight));
+          "L"+x+","+y+" L"+ (x + iconWidth) + ","+y+" L"+ (x + iconWidth) + "," + (y - fillHeight));
       }
       else {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M"+x+","+y+" " +
           "L"+x+"," + (y + fillHeight) + " " +
-          "L"+ (x + lineLength) + "," + (y + fillHeight) +
-          "L"+ (x + lineLength) + ","+y);
+          "L"+ (x + iconWidth) + "," + (y + fillHeight) +
+          "L"+ (x + iconWidth) + ","+y);
       }
       fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "class", this.className + " iconFill");
     }
 
     if (this.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
-      this.linegraph.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * lineLength,y, this, JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+      SVGutil.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * iconWidth,y, this, JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     }
   }
   else {
+    console.log("bar")
     //TODO: bars
   }
 }
@@ -2780,7 +2914,7 @@ Legend.prototype.drawLegend = function() {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "class", classes[i] + " fill");
       }
 
-      if (this.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
+      if (this.options._drawPoints.enabled == true) {
         this.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * lineLength,y,classes[i], this.svgLegendElements, this.svgLegend);
       }
       y += spacing;
@@ -2922,6 +3056,8 @@ DataAxis.prototype._create = function() {
 };
 
 DataAxis.prototype._redrawGroupIcons = function() {
+  SVGutil._prepareSVGElements(this.svgContainer);
+
   var x;
   var iconWidth = this.options.iconWidth;
   var iconHeight = 15;
@@ -2940,6 +3076,8 @@ DataAxis.prototype._redrawGroupIcons = function() {
       y += iconHeight + iconOffset;
     }
   }
+
+  SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgContainer);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -3185,7 +3323,7 @@ DataAxis.prototype._redrawLabel = function (y, text, orientation, className, cha
 
   text += '';
 
-  var largestWidth = this.props.majorCharWidth > this.props.minorCharWidth ? this.props.majorCharWidth : this.props.minorCharWidth;
+  var largestWidth = Math.max(this.props.majorCharWidth,this.props.minorCharWidth);
   if (this.maxLabelSize < text.length * largestWidth) {
     this.maxLabelSize = text.length * largestWidth;
   }
@@ -3301,8 +3439,6 @@ DataAxis.prototype.snap = function(date) {
   return this.step.snap(date);
 };
 
-
-
 var UNGROUPED = '__ungrouped__'; // reserved group id for ungrouped items
 
 function Linegraph(body, options) {
@@ -3315,9 +3451,9 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
       enabled: true,
       orientation: 'top' // top, bottom
     },
-    barGraph: {
-      enabled: false,
-      binSize: 'auto'
+    style: 'line', // line, bar
+    barChart: {
+      width: 50
     },
     drawPoints: {
       enabled: true,
@@ -3341,9 +3477,18 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
       visible:true
     },
     legend: {
-      orientation: 'left', // left, right
-      position: 'left',     // left, center, right
-      visible: true
+      enabled: true,
+      axisIcons: true,
+      left: {
+        visible: true,
+        position: 'top-left', // top/bottom - left,center,right
+        textAlign: 'left'
+      },
+      right: {
+        visible: true,
+        position: 'top-left', // top/bottom - left,center,right
+        textAlign: 'right'
+      }
     }
   };
 
@@ -3391,8 +3536,7 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
 
   this.svgElements = {};
   this.setOptions(options);
-  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = 0;
-
+  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = [0];
 
   var me = this;
   this.body.emitter.on("rangechange",function() {
@@ -3409,7 +3553,7 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
   this.body.emitter.on("rangechanged", function() {
     me.lastStart = me.body.range.start;
     me.svg.style.left = util.option.asSize(-me.width);
-    me.updateGraph.apply(me);
+    me._updateGraph.apply(me);
   });
 
   // create the HTML DOM
@@ -3458,7 +3602,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype._create = function(){
  */
 Linegraph.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
   if (options) {
-    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','dataAxis','legend'];
+    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','style','barChart','dataAxis','legend'];
     util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields, this.options, options);
 
     if (options.catmullRom) {
@@ -3478,38 +3622,12 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
       }
     }
 
-    console.log("OPTIONS:",this.options , options);
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
   }
 };
 
-/**
- * this is used to set the options of subobjects in the options object. A requirement of these subobjects
- * is that they have an 'enabled' element which is optional for the user but mandatory for the program.
- *
- * @param [object] mergeTarget | this is either this.options or the options used for the groups.
- * @param [object] options     | options
- * @param [String] option      | this is the option key in the options argument
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._mergeOptions = function (mergeTarget, options, option) {
-  if (options[option]) {
-    if (typeof options[option] == 'boolean') {
-      mergeTarget[option].enabled = options[option];
-    }
-    else {
-      mergeTarget[option].enabled = true;
-      for (prop in options[option]) {
-        if (options[option].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
-          mergeTarget[option][prop] = options[option][prop];
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 /**
  * Hide the component from the DOM
  */
@@ -3575,7 +3693,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setItems = function(items) {
     this._onAdd(ids);
   }
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -3622,7 +3740,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setGroups = function(groups) {
     this._onAddGroups(ids);
   }
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -3630,7 +3748,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setGroups = function(groups) {
 
 Linegraph.prototype._onUpdate = function(ids) {
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 Linegraph.prototype._onAdd          = Linegraph.prototype._onUpdate;
@@ -3639,8 +3757,9 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups  = function (groupIds) {
   for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
     var group = this.groupsData.get(groupIds[i]);
     if (!this.groups.hasOwnProperty(groupIds[i])) {
-      this.groups[groupIds[i]] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this);
+      this.groups[groupIds[i]] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles);
       this.legend.addGroup(groupIds[i],this.groups[groupIds[i]]);
+
       if (this.groups[groupIds[i]].options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
         this.yAxisRight.addGroup(groupIds[i], this.groups[groupIds[i]]);
       }
@@ -3659,7 +3778,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups  = function (groupIds) {
       }
     }
   }
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateUngrouped();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 Linegraph.prototype._onAddGroups = Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups;
@@ -3668,7 +3788,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onRemoveGroups = function (groupIds) {
   for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
       this.legend.removeGroup(groupIds[i]);
   }
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateUngrouped();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -3678,10 +3799,11 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onRemoveGroups = function (groupIds) {
  * @protected
  */
 Linegraph.prototype._updateUngrouped = function() {
-  var group = {content: "graph"};
+  var group = {id: UNGROUPED, content: "graph"};
   if (!this.groups.hasOwnProperty(UNGROUPED)) {
-    this.groups[UNGROUPED] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this);
+    this.groups[UNGROUPED] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles);
     this.legend.addGroup(UNGROUPED,this.groups[UNGROUPED]);
+
     if (this.groups[UNGROUPED].options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
       this.yAxisRight.addGroup(UNGROUPED, this.groups[UNGROUPED]);
     }
@@ -3752,7 +3874,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.redraw = function() {
     this.svg.style.left = util.option.asSize(-this.width);
   }
   if (zoomed == true) {
-    this.updateGraph();
+    this._updateGraph();
   }
   return resized;
 };
@@ -3761,9 +3883,9 @@ Linegraph.prototype.redraw = function() {
  * Update and redraw the graph.
  *
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.updateGraph = function () {
+Linegraph.prototype._updateGraph = function () {
   // reset the svg elements
-  this._prepareSVGElements(this.svgElements);
+  SVGutil._prepareSVGElements(this.svgElements);
 
   if (this.width != 0 && this.itemsData != null) {
     // look at different lines
@@ -3771,15 +3893,15 @@ Linegraph.prototype.updateGraph = function () {
     if (groupIds.length > 0) {
       this._updateYAxis(groupIds);
       for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
-        this.drawGraph(groupIds[i], i, groupIds.length);
+        this._drawGraph(groupIds[i], i, groupIds.length);
       }
     }
   }
 
-//  this.legend.redraw();
+  // this.legend.redraw();
 
   // cleanup unused svg elements
-  this._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgElements);
+  SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgElements);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -3891,17 +4013,17 @@ Linegraph.prototype._toggleAxisVisiblity = function(axisUsed, axis) {
  * @param groupIndex
  * @param amountOfGraphs
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
   var datapoints = this.itemsData.get({filter: function (item) {return item.group == groupId;}, type: {x:"Date"}});
 
   // can be optimized, only has to be done once.
   var group = this.groups[groupId];
 
-  if (this.options.barGraph.enabled == 'true') {
-    this.drawBarGraph(datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs);
+  if (group.options.style == 'line') {
+    this._drawLineGraph(datapoints, group);
   }
   else {
-    this.drawLineGraph(datapoints, group);
+    this._drawBarGraph(datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs);
   }
 };
 
@@ -3911,13 +4033,19 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
  * @param options
  * @param amountOfGraphs
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs) {
   if (datapoints != null) {
     if (datapoints.length > 0) {
-      var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints);
-      // draw points
+      var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints, group.options);
+      var bar;
+      console.log(group.options);
       for (var i = 0; i < dataset.length; i++) {
-        this.drawBar(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, className);
+        this._drawBar(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group.options.barChart.width, this.zeroPosition - dataset[i].y, group.className + ' bar');
+      }
+
+      // draw points
+      if (group.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
+        this._drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -3930,15 +4058,14 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs)
  * @param y
  * @param className
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawBar = function (x, y, className) {
-  var width = 10;
-  rect = this._getSVGElement('rect',this.svgElements, this.svg);
+Linegraph.prototype._drawBar = function (x, y, width, height, className) {
+  rect = SVGutil._getSVGElement('rect',this.svgElements, this.svg);
 
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5 * width);
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y);
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "width", width);
-  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "height", this.svg.offsetHeight - y);
-  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "class", className + " point");
+  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "height", height);
+  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "class", className);
 };
 
 
@@ -3948,13 +4075,13 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawBar = function (x, y, className) {
  * @param datapoints
  * @param options
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
   if (datapoints != null) {
     if (datapoints.length > 0) {
       var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints, group.options);
       var path, d;
 
-      path = this._getSVGElement('path', this.svgElements, this.svg);
+      path = SVGutil._getSVGElement('path', this.svgElements, this.svg);
       path.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className);
 
 
@@ -3968,7 +4095,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
 
       // append with points for fill and finalize the path
       if (group.options.shaded.enabled == true) {
-        var fillPath = this._getSVGElement('path',this.svgElements, this.svg);
+        var fillPath = SVGutil._getSVGElement('path',this.svgElements, this.svg);
         if (group.options.shaded.orientation == 'top') {
           var dFill = "M" + dataset[0].x + "," + 0 + " " + d + "L" + dataset[dataset.length - 1].x + "," + 0;
         }
@@ -3983,7 +4110,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
 
       // draw points
       if (group.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
-        this.drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
+        this._drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -3997,112 +4124,13 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
  * @param JSONcontainer
  * @param svg
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawPoints = function (dataset, group, JSONcontainer, svg) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawPoints = function (dataset, group, JSONcontainer, svg) {
   for (var i = 0; i < dataset.length; i++) {
-    this.drawPoint(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group, JSONcontainer, svg);
-  }
-};
-
-/**
- * draw a point object. this is a seperate function because it can also be called by the legend.
- * The reason the JSONcontainer and the target SVG svgContainer have to be supplied is so the legend can use these functions
- * as well.
- * 
- * @param x
- * @param y
- * @param group
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @param svgContainer
- * @returns {*}
- */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawPoint = function(x, y, group, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
-  var point;
-  if (group.options.drawPoints.style == 'circle') {
-    point = this._getSVGElement('circle',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cx", x);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cy", y);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "r", 0.5 * group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
-  }
-  else {
-    point = this._getSVGElement('rect',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "width", group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "height", group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
+    SVGutil.drawPoint(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group, JSONcontainer, svg);
   }
-  return point;
-}
-
-/**
- * Allocate or generate an SVG element if needed. Store a reference to it in the JSON container and draw it in the svgContainer
- * the JSON container and the SVG container have to be supplied so other svg containers (like the legend) can use this.
- * 
- * @param elementType
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @param svgContainer
- * @returns {*}
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._getSVGElement = function (elementType, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
-  var element;
-  // allocate SVG element, if it doesnt yet exist, create one.
-  if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) { // this element has been created before
-    // check if there is an redundant element
-    if (JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length > 0) {
-      element = JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[0];
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.shift()
-    }
-    else {
-      // create a new element and add it to the SVG
-      element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
-      svgContainer.appendChild(element);
-    }
-  }
-  else {
-    // create a new element and add it to the SVG, also create a new object in the svgElements to keep track of it.
-    element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
-    JSONcontainer[elementType] = {used: [], redundant: []};
-    svgContainer.appendChild(element);
-  }
-  JSONcontainer[elementType].used.push(element);
-  return element;
 };
 
-/**
- * this cleans up all the unused SVG elements. By asking for the parentNode, we only need to supply the JSON container from
- * which to remove the redundant elements.
- * 
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._cleanupSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
-  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
-  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
-    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
-      for (var i = 0; i < JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length; i++) {
-        JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i].parentNode.removeChild(JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i]);
-      }
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = [];
-    }
-  }
-};
 
-/**
- * this prepares the JSON container for allocating SVG elements
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._prepareSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
-  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
-  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
-    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = JSONcontainer[elementType].used;
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].used = [];
-    }
-  }
-};
 
 /**
  * This uses the DataAxis object to generate the correct Y coordinate on the SVG window. It uses the
@@ -4118,6 +4146,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype._prepareData = function (datapoints, options) {
   var xValue, yValue;
   var axis = this.yAxisLeft;
   var toScreen = this.body.util.toScreen;
+  this.zeroPosition = 0;
 
   if (options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
     axis = this.yAxisRight;
@@ -4128,6 +4157,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._prepareData = function (datapoints, options) {
     extractedData.push({x: xValue, y: yValue});
   }
 
+  this.zeroPosition = Math.min(this.svg.offsetHeight, axis.convertValue(0));
+
   // extractedData.sort(function (a,b) {return a.x - b.x;});
   return extractedData;
 };
diff --git a/examples/graph/02_random_nodes.html b/examples/graph/02_random_nodes.html
index b435fd56..0c052e74 100755
--- a/examples/graph/02_random_nodes.html
+++ b/examples/graph/02_random_nodes.html
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
     var options = {
     edges: {
     },
-    stabilize: false,
+    stabilize: false
     };
       graph = new vis.Graph(container, data, options);
 
diff --git a/examples/graph2d/01_basic.html b/examples/graph2d/01_basic.html
index b02bc807..f9ca41b6 100644
--- a/examples/graph2d/01_basic.html
+++ b/examples/graph2d/01_basic.html
@@ -51,8 +51,9 @@
         content: names[1],
         className: "graphGroup1",
         options: {
+            style:'bar',
             yAxisOrientation: 'right',
-            drawPoints: true, // square, circle
+            drawPoints: false, // square, circle
             shaded: {
                 orientation: 'top' // top, bottom
             }
diff --git a/src/svgUtil.js b/src/svgUtil.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..16d77f71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/svgUtil.js
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+/**
+ * Created by Alex on 6/20/14.
+ */
+
+var SVGutil = {}
+/**
+ * this prepares the JSON container for allocating SVG elements
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._prepareSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
+  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
+  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
+    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = JSONcontainer[elementType].used;
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].used = [];
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * this cleans up all the unused SVG elements. By asking for the parentNode, we only need to supply the JSON container from
+ * which to remove the redundant elements.
+ *
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
+  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
+  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
+    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
+      for (var i = 0; i < JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length; i++) {
+        JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i].parentNode.removeChild(JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i]);
+      }
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = [];
+    }
+  }
+};
+
+/**
+ * Allocate or generate an SVG element if needed. Store a reference to it in the JSON container and draw it in the svgContainer
+ * the JSON container and the SVG container have to be supplied so other svg containers (like the legend) can use this.
+ *
+ * @param elementType
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @param svgContainer
+ * @returns {*}
+ * @private
+ */
+SVGutil._getSVGElement = function (elementType, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
+  var element;
+  // allocate SVG element, if it doesnt yet exist, create one.
+  if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) { // this element has been created before
+    // check if there is an redundant element
+    if (JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length > 0) {
+      element = JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[0];
+      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.shift()
+    }
+    else {
+      // create a new element and add it to the SVG
+      element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
+      svgContainer.appendChild(element);
+    }
+  }
+  else {
+    // create a new element and add it to the SVG, also create a new object in the svgElements to keep track of it.
+    element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
+    JSONcontainer[elementType] = {used: [], redundant: []};
+    svgContainer.appendChild(element);
+  }
+  JSONcontainer[elementType].used.push(element);
+  return element;
+};
+
+
+
+/**
+ * draw a point object. this is a seperate function because it can also be called by the legend.
+ * The reason the JSONcontainer and the target SVG svgContainer have to be supplied is so the legend can use these functions
+ * as well.
+ *
+ * @param x
+ * @param y
+ * @param group
+ * @param JSONcontainer
+ * @param svgContainer
+ * @returns {*}
+ */
+SVGutil.drawPoint = function(x, y, group, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
+  var point;
+  if (group.options.drawPoints.style == 'circle') {
+    point = SVGutil._getSVGElement('circle',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cx", x);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cy", y);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "r", 0.5 * group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
+  }
+  else {
+    point = SVGutil._getSVGElement('rect',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "width", group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "height", group.options.drawPoints.size);
+    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
+  }
+  return point;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/timeline/component/DataAxis.js b/src/timeline/component/DataAxis.js
index 41624c93..6c8babc0 100644
--- a/src/timeline/component/DataAxis.js
+++ b/src/timeline/component/DataAxis.js
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ DataAxis.prototype._create = function() {
 };
 
 DataAxis.prototype._redrawGroupIcons = function() {
+  SVGutil._prepareSVGElements(this.svgContainer);
+
   var x;
   var iconWidth = this.options.iconWidth;
   var iconHeight = 15;
@@ -144,6 +146,8 @@ DataAxis.prototype._redrawGroupIcons = function() {
       y += iconHeight + iconOffset;
     }
   }
+
+  SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgContainer);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -389,7 +393,7 @@ DataAxis.prototype._redrawLabel = function (y, text, orientation, className, cha
 
   text += '';
 
-  var largestWidth = this.props.majorCharWidth > this.props.minorCharWidth ? this.props.majorCharWidth : this.props.minorCharWidth;
+  var largestWidth = Math.max(this.props.majorCharWidth,this.props.minorCharWidth);
   if (this.maxLabelSize < text.length * largestWidth) {
     this.maxLabelSize = text.length * largestWidth;
   }
@@ -504,5 +508,3 @@ DataAxis.prototype._calculateCharSize = function () {
 DataAxis.prototype.snap = function(date) {
   return this.step.snap(date);
 };
-
-
diff --git a/src/timeline/component/GraphGroup.js b/src/timeline/component/GraphGroup.js
index 017fa494..9f88f985 100644
--- a/src/timeline/component/GraphGroup.js
+++ b/src/timeline/component/GraphGroup.js
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@
  * @param {Object} data
  * @param {ItemSet} itemSet
  */
-function GraphGroup (group, options, linegraph) {
-  var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','barGraph','drawPoints','catmullRom']
+function GraphGroup (group, options, groupsUsingDefaultStyles) {
+  var fields = ['style','yAxisOrientation','barChart','drawPoints','shaded','catmullRom']
   this.options = util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields,{},options);
-  this.linegraph = linegraph;
   this.usingDefaultStyle = group.className === undefined;
+  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = groupsUsingDefaultStyles;
   this.update(group);
   if (this.usingDefaultStyle == true) {
-    this.linegraph.groupsUsingDefaultStyles += 1;
+    this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles[0] += 1;
   }
 }
 
@@ -21,55 +21,57 @@ GraphGroup.prototype.setClass = function (className) {
 
 GraphGroup.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
   if (options !== undefined) {
-    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation'];
-    util.selectiveExtend(fields, this.options, options);
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
-    this.linegraph._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
+    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','style','barChart'];
+    util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields, this.options, options);
+
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
   }
 };
 
 GraphGroup.prototype.update = function(group) {
   this.group = group;
   this.content = group.content || 'graph';
-  this.className = group.className || this.className || "graphGroup" + this.linegraph.groupsUsingDefaultStyles;
+  this.className = group.className || this.className || "graphGroup" + this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles[0];
   this.setOptions(group.options);
 };
 
-GraphGroup.prototype.drawIcon = function(x,y,JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer, lineLength, iconHeight) {
+GraphGroup.prototype.drawIcon = function(x,y,JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer, iconWidth, iconHeight) {
   var fillHeight = iconHeight * 0.5;
   var path, fillPath, outline;
-  if (this.options.barGraph.enabled == false) {
-    outline = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("rect", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+  if (this.options.style == 'line') {
+    outline = SVGutil._getSVGElement("rect", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - fillHeight);
-    outline.setAttributeNS(null, "width", lineLength);
+    outline.setAttributeNS(null, "width", iconWidth);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "height", 2*fillHeight);
     outline.setAttributeNS(null, "class", "outline");
 
-    path = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+    path = SVGutil._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     path.setAttributeNS(null, "class", this.className);
-    path.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M" + x + ","+y+" L" + (x + lineLength) + ","+y+"");
+    path.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M" + x + ","+y+" L" + (x + iconWidth) + ","+y+"");
     if (this.options.shaded.enabled == true) {
-      fillPath = this.linegraph._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+      fillPath = SVGutil._getSVGElement("path", JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
       if (this.options.shaded.orientation == 'top') {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M"+x+", " + (y - fillHeight) +
-          "L"+x+","+y+" L"+ (x + lineLength) + ","+y+" L"+ (x + lineLength) + "," + (y - fillHeight));
+          "L"+x+","+y+" L"+ (x + iconWidth) + ","+y+" L"+ (x + iconWidth) + "," + (y - fillHeight));
       }
       else {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "d", "M"+x+","+y+" " +
           "L"+x+"," + (y + fillHeight) + " " +
-          "L"+ (x + lineLength) + "," + (y + fillHeight) +
-          "L"+ (x + lineLength) + ","+y);
+          "L"+ (x + iconWidth) + "," + (y + fillHeight) +
+          "L"+ (x + iconWidth) + ","+y);
       }
       fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "class", this.className + " iconFill");
     }
 
     if (this.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
-      this.linegraph.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * lineLength,y, this, JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
+      SVGutil.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * iconWidth,y, this, JSONcontainer, SVGcontainer);
     }
   }
   else {
+    console.log("bar")
     //TODO: bars
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/timeline/component/Legend.js b/src/timeline/component/Legend.js
index 0ca76307..14c1a818 100644
--- a/src/timeline/component/Legend.js
+++ b/src/timeline/component/Legend.js
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ Legend.prototype.drawLegend = function() {
         fillPath.setAttributeNS(null, "class", classes[i] + " fill");
       }
 
-      if (this.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
+      if (this.options._drawPoints.enabled == true) {
         this.drawPoint(x + 0.5 * lineLength,y,classes[i], this.svgLegendElements, this.svgLegend);
       }
       y += spacing;
diff --git a/src/timeline/component/Linegraph.js b/src/timeline/component/Linegraph.js
index 94a1c581..efa84355 100644
--- a/src/timeline/component/Linegraph.js
+++ b/src/timeline/component/Linegraph.js
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
       enabled: true,
       orientation: 'top' // top, bottom
     },
-    barGraph: {
-      enabled: false,
-      binSize: 'auto'
+    style: 'line', // line, bar
+    barChart: {
+      width: 50
     },
     drawPoints: {
       enabled: true,
@@ -36,9 +36,18 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
       visible:true
     },
     legend: {
-      orientation: 'left', // left, right
-      position: 'left',     // left, center, right
-      visible: true
+      enabled: true,
+      axisIcons: true,
+      left: {
+        visible: true,
+        position: 'top-left', // top/bottom - left,center,right
+        textAlign: 'left'
+      },
+      right: {
+        visible: true,
+        position: 'top-left', // top/bottom - left,center,right
+        textAlign: 'right'
+      }
     }
   };
 
@@ -86,8 +95,7 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
 
   this.svgElements = {};
   this.setOptions(options);
-  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = 0;
-
+  this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles = [0];
 
   var me = this;
   this.body.emitter.on("rangechange",function() {
@@ -104,7 +112,7 @@ function Linegraph(body, options) {
   this.body.emitter.on("rangechanged", function() {
     me.lastStart = me.body.range.start;
     me.svg.style.left = util.option.asSize(-me.width);
-    me.updateGraph.apply(me);
+    me._updateGraph.apply(me);
   });
 
   // create the HTML DOM
@@ -153,7 +161,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype._create = function(){
  */
 Linegraph.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
   if (options) {
-    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','dataAxis','legend'];
+    var fields = ['yAxisOrientation','style','barChart','dataAxis','legend'];
     util.selectiveDeepExtend(fields, this.options, options);
 
     if (options.catmullRom) {
@@ -173,38 +181,12 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setOptions = function(options) {
       }
     }
 
-    console.log("OPTIONS:",this.options , options);
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
-    this._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'catmullRom');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'drawPoints');
+    util._mergeOptions(this.options, options,'shaded');
   }
 };
 
-/**
- * this is used to set the options of subobjects in the options object. A requirement of these subobjects
- * is that they have an 'enabled' element which is optional for the user but mandatory for the program.
- *
- * @param [object] mergeTarget | this is either this.options or the options used for the groups.
- * @param [object] options     | options
- * @param [String] option      | this is the option key in the options argument
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._mergeOptions = function (mergeTarget, options, option) {
-  if (options[option]) {
-    if (typeof options[option] == 'boolean') {
-      mergeTarget[option].enabled = options[option];
-    }
-    else {
-      mergeTarget[option].enabled = true;
-      for (prop in options[option]) {
-        if (options[option].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
-          mergeTarget[option][prop] = options[option][prop];
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-}
-
 /**
  * Hide the component from the DOM
  */
@@ -270,7 +252,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setItems = function(items) {
     this._onAdd(ids);
   }
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -317,7 +299,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setGroups = function(groups) {
     this._onAddGroups(ids);
   }
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -325,7 +307,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.setGroups = function(groups) {
 
 Linegraph.prototype._onUpdate = function(ids) {
   this._updateUngrouped();
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 Linegraph.prototype._onAdd          = Linegraph.prototype._onUpdate;
@@ -334,8 +316,9 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups  = function (groupIds) {
   for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
     var group = this.groupsData.get(groupIds[i]);
     if (!this.groups.hasOwnProperty(groupIds[i])) {
-      this.groups[groupIds[i]] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this);
+      this.groups[groupIds[i]] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles);
       this.legend.addGroup(groupIds[i],this.groups[groupIds[i]]);
+
       if (this.groups[groupIds[i]].options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
         this.yAxisRight.addGroup(groupIds[i], this.groups[groupIds[i]]);
       }
@@ -354,7 +337,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups  = function (groupIds) {
       }
     }
   }
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateUngrouped();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 Linegraph.prototype._onAddGroups = Linegraph.prototype._onUpdateGroups;
@@ -363,7 +347,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onRemoveGroups = function (groupIds) {
   for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
       this.legend.removeGroup(groupIds[i]);
   }
-  this.updateGraph();
+  this._updateUngrouped();
+  this._updateGraph();
   this.redraw();
 };
 
@@ -373,10 +358,11 @@ Linegraph.prototype._onRemoveGroups = function (groupIds) {
  * @protected
  */
 Linegraph.prototype._updateUngrouped = function() {
-  var group = {content: "graph"};
+  var group = {id: UNGROUPED, content: "graph"};
   if (!this.groups.hasOwnProperty(UNGROUPED)) {
-    this.groups[UNGROUPED] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this);
+    this.groups[UNGROUPED] = new GraphGroup(group, this.options, this.groupsUsingDefaultStyles);
     this.legend.addGroup(UNGROUPED,this.groups[UNGROUPED]);
+
     if (this.groups[UNGROUPED].options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
       this.yAxisRight.addGroup(UNGROUPED, this.groups[UNGROUPED]);
     }
@@ -447,7 +433,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.redraw = function() {
     this.svg.style.left = util.option.asSize(-this.width);
   }
   if (zoomed == true) {
-    this.updateGraph();
+    this._updateGraph();
   }
   return resized;
 };
@@ -456,9 +442,9 @@ Linegraph.prototype.redraw = function() {
  * Update and redraw the graph.
  *
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.updateGraph = function () {
+Linegraph.prototype._updateGraph = function () {
   // reset the svg elements
-  this._prepareSVGElements(this.svgElements);
+  SVGutil._prepareSVGElements(this.svgElements);
 
   if (this.width != 0 && this.itemsData != null) {
     // look at different lines
@@ -466,15 +452,15 @@ Linegraph.prototype.updateGraph = function () {
     if (groupIds.length > 0) {
       this._updateYAxis(groupIds);
       for (var i = 0; i < groupIds.length; i++) {
-        this.drawGraph(groupIds[i], i, groupIds.length);
+        this._drawGraph(groupIds[i], i, groupIds.length);
       }
     }
   }
 
-//  this.legend.redraw();
+  // this.legend.redraw();
 
   // cleanup unused svg elements
-  this._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgElements);
+  SVGutil._cleanupSVGElements(this.svgElements);
 };
 
 /**
@@ -586,17 +572,17 @@ Linegraph.prototype._toggleAxisVisiblity = function(axisUsed, axis) {
  * @param groupIndex
  * @param amountOfGraphs
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
   var datapoints = this.itemsData.get({filter: function (item) {return item.group == groupId;}, type: {x:"Date"}});
 
   // can be optimized, only has to be done once.
   var group = this.groups[groupId];
 
-  if (this.options.barGraph.enabled == 'true') {
-    this.drawBarGraph(datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs);
+  if (group.options.style == 'line') {
+    this._drawLineGraph(datapoints, group);
   }
   else {
-    this.drawLineGraph(datapoints, group);
+    this._drawBarGraph(datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs);
   }
 };
 
@@ -606,13 +592,19 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawGraph = function (groupId, groupIndex, amountOfGraphs) {
  * @param options
  * @param amountOfGraphs
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs) {
   if (datapoints != null) {
     if (datapoints.length > 0) {
-      var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints);
-      // draw points
+      var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints, group.options);
+      var bar;
+      console.log(group.options);
       for (var i = 0; i < dataset.length; i++) {
-        this.drawBar(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, className);
+        this._drawBar(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group.options.barChart.width, this.zeroPosition - dataset[i].y, group.className + ' bar');
+      }
+
+      // draw points
+      if (group.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
+        this._drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -625,15 +617,14 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawBarGraph = function (datapoints, group, amountOfGraphs)
  * @param y
  * @param className
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawBar = function (x, y, className) {
-  var width = 10;
-  rect = this._getSVGElement('rect',this.svgElements, this.svg);
+Linegraph.prototype._drawBar = function (x, y, width, height, className) {
+  rect = SVGutil._getSVGElement('rect',this.svgElements, this.svg);
 
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5 * width);
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y);
   rect.setAttributeNS(null, "width", width);
-  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "height", this.svg.offsetHeight - y);
-  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "class", className + " point");
+  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "height", height);
+  rect.setAttributeNS(null, "class", className);
 };
 
 
@@ -643,13 +634,13 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawBar = function (x, y, className) {
  * @param datapoints
  * @param options
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
   if (datapoints != null) {
     if (datapoints.length > 0) {
       var dataset = this._prepareData(datapoints, group.options);
       var path, d;
 
-      path = this._getSVGElement('path', this.svgElements, this.svg);
+      path = SVGutil._getSVGElement('path', this.svgElements, this.svg);
       path.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className);
 
 
@@ -663,7 +654,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
 
       // append with points for fill and finalize the path
       if (group.options.shaded.enabled == true) {
-        var fillPath = this._getSVGElement('path',this.svgElements, this.svg);
+        var fillPath = SVGutil._getSVGElement('path',this.svgElements, this.svg);
         if (group.options.shaded.orientation == 'top') {
           var dFill = "M" + dataset[0].x + "," + 0 + " " + d + "L" + dataset[dataset.length - 1].x + "," + 0;
         }
@@ -678,7 +669,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
 
       // draw points
       if (group.options.drawPoints.enabled == true) {
-        this.drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
+        this._drawPoints(dataset, group, this.svgElements, this.svg);
       }
     }
   }
@@ -692,112 +683,13 @@ Linegraph.prototype.drawLineGraph = function (datapoints, group) {
  * @param JSONcontainer
  * @param svg
  */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawPoints = function (dataset, group, JSONcontainer, svg) {
+Linegraph.prototype._drawPoints = function (dataset, group, JSONcontainer, svg) {
   for (var i = 0; i < dataset.length; i++) {
-    this.drawPoint(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group, JSONcontainer, svg);
+    SVGutil.drawPoint(dataset[i].x, dataset[i].y, group, JSONcontainer, svg);
   }
 };
 
-/**
- * draw a point object. this is a seperate function because it can also be called by the legend.
- * The reason the JSONcontainer and the target SVG svgContainer have to be supplied is so the legend can use these functions
- * as well.
- * 
- * @param x
- * @param y
- * @param group
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @param svgContainer
- * @returns {*}
- */
-Linegraph.prototype.drawPoint = function(x, y, group, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
-  var point;
-  if (group.options.drawPoints.style == 'circle') {
-    point = this._getSVGElement('circle',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cx", x);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "cy", y);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "r", 0.5 * group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
-  }
-  else {
-    point = this._getSVGElement('rect',JSONcontainer,svgContainer);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "x", x - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "y", y - 0.5*group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "width", group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "height", group.options.drawPoints.size);
-    point.setAttributeNS(null, "class", group.className + " point");
-  }
-  return point;
-}
-
-/**
- * Allocate or generate an SVG element if needed. Store a reference to it in the JSON container and draw it in the svgContainer
- * the JSON container and the SVG container have to be supplied so other svg containers (like the legend) can use this.
- * 
- * @param elementType
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @param svgContainer
- * @returns {*}
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._getSVGElement = function (elementType, JSONcontainer, svgContainer) {
-  var element;
-  // allocate SVG element, if it doesnt yet exist, create one.
-  if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) { // this element has been created before
-    // check if there is an redundant element
-    if (JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length > 0) {
-      element = JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[0];
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.shift()
-    }
-    else {
-      // create a new element and add it to the SVG
-      element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
-      svgContainer.appendChild(element);
-    }
-  }
-  else {
-    // create a new element and add it to the SVG, also create a new object in the svgElements to keep track of it.
-    element = document.createElementNS('http://www.w3.org/2000/svg', elementType);
-    JSONcontainer[elementType] = {used: [], redundant: []};
-    svgContainer.appendChild(element);
-  }
-  JSONcontainer[elementType].used.push(element);
-  return element;
-};
-
-/**
- * this cleans up all the unused SVG elements. By asking for the parentNode, we only need to supply the JSON container from
- * which to remove the redundant elements.
- * 
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._cleanupSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
-  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
-  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
-    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
-      for (var i = 0; i < JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant.length; i++) {
-        JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i].parentNode.removeChild(JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant[i]);
-      }
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = [];
-    }
-  }
-};
 
-/**
- * this prepares the JSON container for allocating SVG elements
- * @param JSONcontainer
- * @private
- */
-Linegraph.prototype._prepareSVGElements = function(JSONcontainer) {
-  // cleanup the redundant svgElements;
-  for (var elementType in JSONcontainer) {
-    if (JSONcontainer.hasOwnProperty(elementType)) {
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].redundant = JSONcontainer[elementType].used;
-      JSONcontainer[elementType].used = [];
-    }
-  }
-};
 
 /**
  * This uses the DataAxis object to generate the correct Y coordinate on the SVG window. It uses the
@@ -813,6 +705,7 @@ Linegraph.prototype._prepareData = function (datapoints, options) {
   var xValue, yValue;
   var axis = this.yAxisLeft;
   var toScreen = this.body.util.toScreen;
+  this.zeroPosition = 0;
 
   if (options.yAxisOrientation == 'right') {
     axis = this.yAxisRight;
@@ -823,6 +716,8 @@ Linegraph.prototype._prepareData = function (datapoints, options) {
     extractedData.push({x: xValue, y: yValue});
   }
 
+  this.zeroPosition = Math.min(this.svg.offsetHeight, axis.convertValue(0));
+
   // extractedData.sort(function (a,b) {return a.x - b.x;});
   return extractedData;
 };
diff --git a/src/timeline/component/css/pathStyles.css b/src/timeline/component/css/pathStyles.css
index 95665ef1..77c6d609 100644
--- a/src/timeline/component/css/pathStyles.css
+++ b/src/timeline/component/css/pathStyles.css
@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@
     stroke: none;
 }
 
+
+.vis.timeline .bar {
+    fill-opacity:0.7;
+}
+
 .vis.timeline .point {
     stroke-width:2px;
     fill-opacity:1.0;
diff --git a/src/util.js b/src/util.js
index 0334939d..e1d7c324 100644
--- a/src/util.js
+++ b/src/util.js
@@ -1030,3 +1030,29 @@ util.copyObject = function(objectFrom, objectTo) {
   }
   return objectTo;
 };
+
+
+/**
+ * this is used to set the options of subobjects in the options object. A requirement of these subobjects
+ * is that they have an 'enabled' element which is optional for the user but mandatory for the program.
+ *
+ * @param [object] mergeTarget | this is either this.options or the options used for the groups.
+ * @param [object] options     | options
+ * @param [String] option      | this is the option key in the options argument
+ * @private
+ */
+util._mergeOptions = function (mergeTarget, options, option) {
+  if (options[option]) {
+    if (typeof options[option] == 'boolean') {
+      mergeTarget[option].enabled = options[option];
+    }
+    else {
+      mergeTarget[option].enabled = true;
+      for (prop in options[option]) {
+        if (options[option].hasOwnProperty(prop)) {
+          mergeTarget[option][prop] = options[option][prop];
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
\ No newline at end of file