diff --git a/configure b/configure
index f3b8ed7c9d..de07b10fc5 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #! /bin/sh
-# From configure.in Id: configure.in 62501 2009-10-25 17:48:32Z PC .
+# From configure.in Id.
 # Guess values for system-dependent variables and create Makefiles.
 # Generated by GNU Autoconf 2.61 for wxWidgets 2.9.1.
 #
@@ -957,6 +957,7 @@ COND_TOOLKIT_WINCE_WXUNIV_0
 COND_TOOLKIT_X11
 COND_TOOLKIT_X11_USE_GUI_1
 COND_UNICODE_1
+COND_USE_CAIRO_1
 COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_0
 COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_1
 COND_USE_GUI_0
@@ -1784,10 +1785,10 @@ Optional Features:
   --enable-gstreamer8     force GStreamer 0.8 instead of 0.10 with the wxMediaCtrl class on unix
   --enable-webkit         use wxWebKitCtrl (Mac)
   --enable-richtext       use wxRichTextCtrl
-  --enable-graphics_ctx   use graphics context 2D drawing API
   --enable-postscript     use wxPostscriptDC device context (default for gtk+)
   --enable-printarch      use printing architecture
   --enable-svg            use wxSVGFileDC device context
+  --enable-graphics_ctx   use graphics context 2D drawing API
   --enable-clipboard      use wxClipboard class
   --enable-dnd            use Drag'n'Drop classes
   --enable-metafile       use win32 metafiles
@@ -2934,7 +2935,6 @@ DEFAULT_wxUSE_LIBMSPACK=no
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_LIBSDL=no
 
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_ACCESSIBILITY=no
-DEFAULT_wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=no
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_IPV6=no
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_GSTREAMER8=no
 
@@ -9243,50 +9243,6 @@ fi
 echo "${ECHO_T}$result" >&6; }
 
 
-          enablestring=
-          defaultval=$wxUSE_ALL_FEATURES
-          if test -z "$defaultval"; then
-              if test x"$enablestring" = xdisable; then
-                  defaultval=yes
-              else
-                  defaultval=no
-              fi
-          fi
-
-          { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for --${enablestring:-enable}-graphics_ctx" >&5
-echo $ECHO_N "checking for --${enablestring:-enable}-graphics_ctx... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
-          # Check whether --enable-graphics_ctx was given.
-if test "${enable_graphics_ctx+set}" = set; then
-  enableval=$enable_graphics_ctx;
-                          if test "$enableval" = yes; then
-                            wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=yes'
-                          else
-                            wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=no'
-                          fi
-
-else
-
-                          wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=${'DEFAULT_wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT":-$defaultval}"
-
-fi
-
-
-          eval "$wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx"
-
-          if test x"$enablestring" = xdisable; then
-            if test $wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT = no; then
-              result=yes
-            else
-              result=no
-            fi
-          else
-            result=$wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-          fi
-
-          { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: $result" >&5
-echo "${ECHO_T}$result" >&6; }
-
-
           enablestring=
           defaultval=$wxUSE_ALL_FEATURES
           if test -z "$defaultval"; then
@@ -9419,6 +9375,53 @@ fi
 echo "${ECHO_T}$result" >&6; }
 
 
+if test "$wxUSE_MAC" != 1; then
+
+          enablestring=
+          defaultval=$wxUSE_ALL_FEATURES
+          if test -z "$defaultval"; then
+              if test x"$enablestring" = xdisable; then
+                  defaultval=yes
+              else
+                  defaultval=no
+              fi
+          fi
+
+          { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for --${enablestring:-enable}-graphics_ctx" >&5
+echo $ECHO_N "checking for --${enablestring:-enable}-graphics_ctx... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
+          # Check whether --enable-graphics_ctx was given.
+if test "${enable_graphics_ctx+set}" = set; then
+  enableval=$enable_graphics_ctx;
+                          if test "$enableval" = yes; then
+                            wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=yes'
+                          else
+                            wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=no'
+                          fi
+
+else
+
+                          wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx='wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=${'DEFAULT_wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT":-$defaultval}"
+
+fi
+
+
+          eval "$wx_cv_use_graphics_ctx"
+
+          if test x"$enablestring" = xdisable; then
+            if test $wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT = no; then
+              result=yes
+            else
+              result=no
+            fi
+          else
+            result=$wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
+          fi
+
+          { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: $result" >&5
+echo "${ECHO_T}$result" >&6; }
+
+fi
+
 
 
           enablestring=
@@ -29961,6 +29964,8 @@ done
         TOOLKIT_INCLUDE="$wx_cv_cflags_gtk"
         GUI_TK_LIBRARY="$wx_cv_libs_gtk $GUI_TK_LIBRARY"
 
+                TOOLKIT_INCLUDE="$TOOLKIT_INCLUDE -DG_DISABLE_CAST_CHECKS"
+
         AFMINSTALL=afminstall
         TOOLKIT=GTK
         GUIDIST=GTK_DIST
@@ -36823,98 +36828,19 @@ _ACEOF
 fi
 
 if test "$wxUSE_STACKWALKER" = "yes" -a "$wxUSE_UNIX" = "yes"; then
-    ac_ext=cpp
+    { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for backtrace() in <execinfo.h>" >&5
+echo $ECHO_N "checking for backtrace() in <execinfo.h>... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
+if test "${wx_cv_func_backtrace+set}" = set; then
+  echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
+else
+
+            ac_ext=cpp
 ac_cpp='$CXXCPP $CPPFLAGS'
 ac_compile='$CXX -c $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
 ac_link='$CXX -o conftest$ac_exeext $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
 ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_cxx_compiler_gnu
 
-    { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for library containing backtrace" >&5
-echo $ECHO_N "checking for library containing backtrace... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
-if test "${ac_cv_search_backtrace+set}" = set; then
-  echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
-else
-  ac_func_search_save_LIBS=$LIBS
-cat >conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
-/* confdefs.h.  */
-_ACEOF
-cat confdefs.h >>conftest.$ac_ext
-cat >>conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
-/* end confdefs.h.  */
-
-/* Override any GCC internal prototype to avoid an error.
-   Use char because int might match the return type of a GCC
-   builtin and then its argument prototype would still apply.  */
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-extern "C"
-#endif
-char backtrace ();
-int
-main ()
-{
-return backtrace ();
-  ;
-  return 0;
-}
-_ACEOF
-for ac_lib in '' execinfo; do
-  if test -z "$ac_lib"; then
-    ac_res="none required"
-  else
-    ac_res=-l$ac_lib
-    LIBS="-l$ac_lib  $ac_func_search_save_LIBS"
-  fi
-  rm -f conftest.$ac_objext conftest$ac_exeext
-if { (ac_try="$ac_link"
-case "(($ac_try" in
-  *\"* | *\`* | *\\*) ac_try_echo=\$ac_try;;
-  *) ac_try_echo=$ac_try;;
-esac
-eval "echo \"\$as_me:$LINENO: $ac_try_echo\"") >&5
-  (eval "$ac_link") 2>conftest.er1
-  ac_status=$?
-  grep -v '^ *+' conftest.er1 >conftest.err
-  rm -f conftest.er1
-  cat conftest.err >&5
-  echo "$as_me:$LINENO: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
-  (exit $ac_status); } && {
-	 test -z "$ac_cxx_werror_flag" ||
-	 test ! -s conftest.err
-       } && test -s conftest$ac_exeext &&
-       $as_test_x conftest$ac_exeext; then
-  ac_cv_search_backtrace=$ac_res
-else
-  echo "$as_me: failed program was:" >&5
-sed 's/^/| /' conftest.$ac_ext >&5
-
-
-fi
-
-rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest_ipa8_conftest.oo \
-      conftest$ac_exeext
-  if test "${ac_cv_search_backtrace+set}" = set; then
-  break
-fi
-done
-if test "${ac_cv_search_backtrace+set}" = set; then
-  :
-else
-  ac_cv_search_backtrace=no
-fi
-rm conftest.$ac_ext
-LIBS=$ac_func_search_save_LIBS
-fi
-{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: $ac_cv_search_backtrace" >&5
-echo "${ECHO_T}$ac_cv_search_backtrace" >&6; }
-ac_res=$ac_cv_search_backtrace
-if test "$ac_res" != no; then
-  test "$ac_res" = "none required" || LIBS="$ac_res $LIBS"
-  { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for backtrace() in <execinfo.h>" >&5
-echo $ECHO_N "checking for backtrace() in <execinfo.h>... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
-if test "${wx_cv_func_backtrace+set}" = set; then
-  echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
-else
-  cat >conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
+            cat >conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
 /* confdefs.h.  */
 _ACEOF
 cat confdefs.h >>conftest.$ac_ext
@@ -36927,6 +36853,7 @@ main ()
 
                     void *trace[1];
                     char **messages;
+
                     backtrace(trace, 1);
                     messages = backtrace_symbols(trace, 1);
 
@@ -36934,14 +36861,14 @@ main ()
   return 0;
 }
 _ACEOF
-rm -f conftest.$ac_objext conftest$ac_exeext
-if { (ac_try="$ac_link"
+rm -f conftest.$ac_objext
+if { (ac_try="$ac_compile"
 case "(($ac_try" in
   *\"* | *\`* | *\\*) ac_try_echo=\$ac_try;;
   *) ac_try_echo=$ac_try;;
 esac
 eval "echo \"\$as_me:$LINENO: $ac_try_echo\"") >&5
-  (eval "$ac_link") 2>conftest.er1
+  (eval "$ac_compile") 2>conftest.er1
   ac_status=$?
   grep -v '^ *+' conftest.er1 >conftest.err
   rm -f conftest.er1
@@ -36950,8 +36877,7 @@ eval "echo \"\$as_me:$LINENO: $ac_try_echo\"") >&5
   (exit $ac_status); } && {
 	 test -z "$ac_cxx_werror_flag" ||
 	 test ! -s conftest.err
-       } && test -s conftest$ac_exeext &&
-       $as_test_x conftest$ac_exeext; then
+       } && test -s conftest.$ac_objext; then
   wx_cv_func_backtrace=yes
 else
   echo "$as_me: failed program was:" >&5
@@ -36961,15 +36887,18 @@ sed 's/^/| /' conftest.$ac_ext >&5
 
 fi
 
-rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest_ipa8_conftest.oo \
-      conftest$ac_exeext conftest.$ac_ext
+rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest.$ac_ext
+            ac_ext=c
+ac_cpp='$CPP $CPPFLAGS'
+ac_compile='$CC -c $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
+ac_link='$CC -o conftest$ac_exeext $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
+ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu
+
+
 
 fi
 { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: $wx_cv_func_backtrace" >&5
 echo "${ECHO_T}$wx_cv_func_backtrace" >&6; }
-else
-  wx_cv_func_backtrace=no
-fi
 
 
     if test "$wx_cv_func_backtrace" = "no"; then
@@ -36983,6 +36912,12 @@ if test "${wx_cv_func_cxa_demangle+set}" = set; then
   echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
 else
 
+                ac_ext=cpp
+ac_cpp='$CXXCPP $CPPFLAGS'
+ac_compile='$CXX -c $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
+ac_link='$CXX -o conftest$ac_exeext $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
+ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_cxx_compiler_gnu
+
                 cat >conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
 /* confdefs.h.  */
 _ACEOF
@@ -37030,6 +36965,12 @@ fi
 
 rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest_ipa8_conftest.oo \
       conftest$ac_exeext conftest.$ac_ext
+                ac_ext=c
+ac_cpp='$CPP $CPPFLAGS'
+ac_compile='$CC -c $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
+ac_link='$CC -o conftest$ac_exeext $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
+ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu
+
 
 
 fi
@@ -37043,12 +36984,6 @@ _ACEOF
 
         fi
     fi
-    ac_ext=c
-ac_cpp='$CPP $CPPFLAGS'
-ac_compile='$CC -c $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
-ac_link='$CC -o conftest$ac_exeext $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
-ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu
-
 fi
 
 if test "$wxUSE_STACKWALKER" = "yes" -a "$USE_WIN32" != 1 -a "$USE_UNIX" != 1; then
@@ -47216,21 +47151,83 @@ fi
 
 
 if test "$wxUSE_MAC" = 1; then
-	wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT="yes"
+    wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT="yes"
 fi
 
 if test "$wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" = "yes"; then
-   if test "$wxUSE_MAC" = 1 -o "$wxUSE_COCOA" = 1; then
-      cat >>confdefs.h <<\_ACEOF
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
-_ACEOF
+    wx_has_graphics=0
+    if test "$wxUSE_MSW" = 1; then
+        { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking if GDI+ is available" >&5
+echo $ECHO_N "checking if GDI+ is available... $ECHO_C" >&6; }
+if test "${wx_cv_lib_gdiplus+set}" = set; then
+  echo $ECHO_N "(cached) $ECHO_C" >&6
+else
 
-   elif test "$wxUSE_GTK" != 1; then
-            cat >>confdefs.h <<\_ACEOF
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
-_ACEOF
+                                                ac_ext=cpp
+ac_cpp='$CXXCPP $CPPFLAGS'
+ac_compile='$CXX -c $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
+ac_link='$CXX -o conftest$ac_exeext $CXXFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
+ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_cxx_compiler_gnu
 
-   else
+                cat >conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
+/* confdefs.h.  */
+_ACEOF
+cat confdefs.h >>conftest.$ac_ext
+cat >>conftest.$ac_ext <<_ACEOF
+/* end confdefs.h.  */
+#include <gdiplus.h>
+int
+main ()
+{
+
+                        using namespace Gdiplus;
+
+  ;
+  return 0;
+}
+_ACEOF
+rm -f conftest.$ac_objext
+if { (ac_try="$ac_compile"
+case "(($ac_try" in
+  *\"* | *\`* | *\\*) ac_try_echo=\$ac_try;;
+  *) ac_try_echo=$ac_try;;
+esac
+eval "echo \"\$as_me:$LINENO: $ac_try_echo\"") >&5
+  (eval "$ac_compile") 2>conftest.er1
+  ac_status=$?
+  grep -v '^ *+' conftest.er1 >conftest.err
+  rm -f conftest.er1
+  cat conftest.err >&5
+  echo "$as_me:$LINENO: \$? = $ac_status" >&5
+  (exit $ac_status); } && {
+	 test -z "$ac_cxx_werror_flag" ||
+	 test ! -s conftest.err
+       } && test -s conftest.$ac_objext; then
+  wx_cv_lib_gdiplus=yes
+else
+  echo "$as_me: failed program was:" >&5
+sed 's/^/| /' conftest.$ac_ext >&5
+
+	wx_cv_lib_gdiplus=no
+
+fi
+
+rm -f core conftest.err conftest.$ac_objext conftest.$ac_ext
+                ac_ext=c
+ac_cpp='$CPP $CPPFLAGS'
+ac_compile='$CC -c $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext >&5'
+ac_link='$CC -o conftest$ac_exeext $CFLAGS $CPPFLAGS $LDFLAGS conftest.$ac_ext $LIBS >&5'
+ac_compiler_gnu=$ac_cv_c_compiler_gnu
+
+
+
+fi
+{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: $wx_cv_lib_gdiplus" >&5
+echo "${ECHO_T}$wx_cv_lib_gdiplus" >&6; }
+        if test "$wx_cv_lib_gdiplus" = "yes"; then
+            wx_has_graphics=1
+        fi
+    elif test "$wxUSE_GTK" = 1; then
 
 pkg_failed=no
 { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: checking for CAIRO" >&5
@@ -47290,24 +47287,33 @@ fi
 	# Put the nasty error message in config.log where it belongs
 	echo "$CAIRO_PKG_ERRORS" >&5
 
-	{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: WARNING: Cairo library not found, unable to set wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" >&5
-echo "$as_me: WARNING: Cairo library not found, unable to set wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" >&2;}
+	{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: WARNING: Cairo library not found" >&5
+echo "$as_me: WARNING: Cairo library not found" >&2;}
 
 elif test $pkg_failed = untried; then
-	{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: WARNING: Cairo library not found, unable to set wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" >&5
-echo "$as_me: WARNING: Cairo library not found, unable to set wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" >&2;}
+	{ echo "$as_me:$LINENO: WARNING: Cairo library not found" >&5
+echo "$as_me: WARNING: Cairo library not found" >&2;}
 
 else
 	CAIRO_CFLAGS=$pkg_cv_CAIRO_CFLAGS
 	CAIRO_LIBS=$pkg_cv_CAIRO_LIBS
         { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: result: yes" >&5
 echo "${ECHO_T}yes" >&6; }
-	cat >>confdefs.h <<\_ACEOF
+	wx_has_graphics=1
+fi
+    else
+                wx_has_graphics=1
+    fi
+
+    if test "$wx_has_graphics" = 1; then
+        cat >>confdefs.h <<\_ACEOF
 #define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 _ACEOF
 
-fi
-   fi
+    else
+        { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: WARNING: wxGraphicsContext won't be available" >&5
+echo "$as_me: WARNING: wxGraphicsContext won't be available" >&2;}
+    fi
 fi
 
 
@@ -50948,6 +50954,11 @@ EOF
         COND_UNICODE_1=""
     fi
 
+    COND_USE_CAIRO_1="#"
+    if test "x$USE_CAIRO" = "x1" ; then
+        COND_USE_CAIRO_1=""
+    fi
+
     COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_0="#"
     if test "x$USE_EXCEPTIONS" = "x0" ; then
         COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_0=""
@@ -52760,6 +52771,7 @@ COND_TOOLKIT_WINCE_WXUNIV_0!$COND_TOOLKIT_WINCE_WXUNIV_0$ac_delim
 COND_TOOLKIT_X11!$COND_TOOLKIT_X11$ac_delim
 COND_TOOLKIT_X11_USE_GUI_1!$COND_TOOLKIT_X11_USE_GUI_1$ac_delim
 COND_UNICODE_1!$COND_UNICODE_1$ac_delim
+COND_USE_CAIRO_1!$COND_USE_CAIRO_1$ac_delim
 COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_0!$COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_0$ac_delim
 COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_1!$COND_USE_EXCEPTIONS_1$ac_delim
 COND_USE_GUI_0!$COND_USE_GUI_0$ac_delim
@@ -52806,7 +52818,6 @@ COND_wxUSE_REGEX_builtin!$COND_wxUSE_REGEX_builtin$ac_delim
 COND_wxUSE_ZLIB_builtin!$COND_wxUSE_ZLIB_builtin$ac_delim
 DEREZ!$DEREZ$ac_delim
 SHARED!$SHARED$ac_delim
-WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_NOGUI!$WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_NOGUI$ac_delim
 _ACEOF
 
   if test `sed -n "s/.*$ac_delim\$/X/p" conf$$subs.sed | grep -c X` = 97; then
@@ -52848,6 +52859,7 @@ _ACEOF
 ac_delim='%!_!# '
 for ac_last_try in false false false false false :; do
   cat >conf$$subs.sed <<_ACEOF
+WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_NOGUI!$WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_NOGUI$ac_delim
 WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_GUI!$WX_LIBRARY_BASENAME_GUI$ac_delim
 USE_GUI!$USE_GUI$ac_delim
 AFMINSTALL!$AFMINSTALL$ac_delim
@@ -52892,7 +52904,7 @@ LIBOBJS!$LIBOBJS$ac_delim
 LTLIBOBJS!$LTLIBOBJS$ac_delim
 _ACEOF
 
-  if test `sed -n "s/.*$ac_delim\$/X/p" conf$$subs.sed | grep -c X` = 42; then
+  if test `sed -n "s/.*$ac_delim\$/X/p" conf$$subs.sed | grep -c X` = 43; then
     break
   elif $ac_last_try; then
     { { echo "$as_me:$LINENO: error: could not make $CONFIG_STATUS" >&5
diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index bd4ea494d0..c0f7210500 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -369,7 +369,6 @@ DEFAULT_wxUSE_LIBSDL=no
 
 dnl features disabled by default
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_ACCESSIBILITY=no
-DEFAULT_wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT=no
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_IPV6=no
 DEFAULT_wxUSE_GSTREAMER8=no
 
@@ -807,11 +806,16 @@ WX_ARG_FEATURE(mediactrl,   [  --enable-mediactrl      use wxMediaCtrl class], w
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(gstreamer8,  [  --enable-gstreamer8     force GStreamer 0.8 instead of 0.10 with the wxMediaCtrl class on unix], wxUSE_GSTREAMER8)
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(webkit,      [  --enable-webkit         use wxWebKitCtrl (Mac)], wxUSE_WEBKIT)
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(richtext,    [  --enable-richtext       use wxRichTextCtrl], wxUSE_RICHTEXT)
-WX_ARG_FEATURE(graphics_ctx,[  --enable-graphics_ctx   use graphics context 2D drawing API], wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(postscript,  [  --enable-postscript     use wxPostscriptDC device context (default for gtk+)], wxUSE_POSTSCRIPT)
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(printarch,   [  --enable-printarch      use printing architecture], wxUSE_PRINTING_ARCHITECTURE)
 WX_ARG_FEATURE(svg,         [  --enable-svg            use wxSVGFileDC device context], wxUSE_SVG)
 
+dnl wxDC is implemented in terms of wxGraphicsContext in wxOSX so the latter
+dnl can't be disabled, don't even provide an option to do it
+if test "$wxUSE_MAC" != 1; then
+WX_ARG_FEATURE(graphics_ctx,[  --enable-graphics_ctx   use graphics context 2D drawing API], wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)
+fi
+
 dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 dnl IPC &c
 dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -7305,23 +7309,50 @@ dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 dnl wxGraphicsContext
 dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+dnl Under Mac we don't even provide --enable-graphics_ctx switch as we always
+dnl need it -- but because we don't have the option, wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT is
+dnl not defined automatically and we need to do it ourselves
 if test "$wxUSE_MAC" = 1; then
-	wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT="yes"
+    wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT="yes"
 fi
 
 if test "$wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT" = "yes"; then
-   if test "$wxUSE_MAC" = 1 -o "$wxUSE_COCOA" = 1; then
-      AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)
-   elif test "$wxUSE_GTK" != 1; then
-      dnl for other builds we'll just wing it for now...
-      AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)
-   else
-      dnl ...but let's check for cairo availability for wxGTK builds
-      PKG_CHECK_MODULES(CAIRO, cairo,
-          [AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)],
-          [AC_MSG_WARN([Cairo library not found, unable to set wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT])]
-      )
-   fi
+    wx_has_graphics=0
+    if test "$wxUSE_MSW" = 1; then
+        AC_CACHE_CHECK([if GDI+ is available], wx_cv_lib_gdiplus,
+            [
+                dnl we need just the header, not the library, as we load the
+                dnl GDI+ DLL dynamically anyhow during run-time
+                AC_LANG_PUSH(C++)
+                AC_TRY_COMPILE(
+                    [#include <gdiplus.h>],
+                    [
+                        using namespace Gdiplus;
+                    ],
+                    wx_cv_lib_gdiplus=yes,
+                    wx_cv_lib_gdiplus=no
+                )
+                AC_LANG_POP()
+            ]
+        )
+        if test "$wx_cv_lib_gdiplus" = "yes"; then
+            wx_has_graphics=1
+        fi
+    elif test "$wxUSE_GTK" = 1; then
+        PKG_CHECK_MODULES(CAIRO, cairo,
+            [wx_has_graphics=1],
+            [AC_MSG_WARN([Cairo library not found])]
+        )
+    else
+        dnl assume it's ok, add more checks here if needed
+        wx_has_graphics=1
+    fi
+
+    if test "$wx_has_graphics" = 1; then
+        AC_DEFINE(wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT)
+    else
+        AC_MSG_WARN([wxGraphicsContext won't be available])
+    fi
 fi
 
 dnl ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/docs/changes.txt b/docs/changes.txt
index 6ba84595a4..2c586993cb 100644
--- a/docs/changes.txt
+++ b/docs/changes.txt
@@ -480,6 +480,7 @@ All (GUI):
   where possible.
 - wxRTC: corrected centring and right-justification spacing.
 - Added wxBORDER_THEME to XRC.
+- wxGraphicsContext is now enabled by default if supported by the platform.
 
 GTK:
 
diff --git a/include/wx/motif/setup0.h b/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
index 7477eb865d..04353f0718 100644
--- a/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/motif/setup0.h
@@ -655,16 +655,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/msw/chkconf.h b/include/wx/msw/chkconf.h
index b62f30c5c1..6487865fb1 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/chkconf.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/chkconf.h
@@ -239,6 +239,15 @@
    Compiler-specific checks.
  */
 
+// Only MSVC 7+ has gdiplus.h, add exceptions for other compilers here if they
+// can support it too (but notice that Borland currently dies in
+// src/msw/gdiplus.cpp with "macro expansion too long" error even if the header
+// is available)
+#if !wxCHECK_VISUALC_VERSION(7)
+    #undef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
+    #define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
+#endif
+
 // Borland
 #ifdef __BORLANDC__
 
@@ -254,10 +263,6 @@
 #   define wxUSE_DEBUG_NEW_ALWAYS 0
 #endif
 
-/* compiling src/msw/gdiplus.cpp results in "macro expansion too long" error */
-#undef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-
 #endif /* __BORLANDC__ */
 
 /* DMC++ doesn't have definitions for date picker control, so use generic control
diff --git a/include/wx/msw/setup0.h b/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
index a85d303489..97783379d8 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/setup0.h
@@ -655,28 +655,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
-
-// Enable the new wxCairoContext classes for an advanced
-// 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
-//
-// Please note that you will need to link with Cairo for this to work.
-//
-// Default is 0
-//
-// Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_CAIRO
-#define wxUSE_CAIRO 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/msw/wince/setup.h b/include/wx/msw/wince/setup.h
index 13f4acc825..79c6855a1c 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/wince/setup.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/wince/setup.h
@@ -655,16 +655,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/os2/setup0.h b/include/wx/os2/setup0.h
index 549887c7d3..77c87b7770 100644
--- a/include/wx/os2/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/os2/setup0.h
@@ -655,16 +655,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/osx/setup0.h b/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
index 425053ff3b..87a34d35f9 100644
--- a/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/osx/setup0.h
@@ -656,16 +656,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/palmos/setup0.h b/include/wx/palmos/setup0.h
index f5adf2d061..3d2bcaccb2 100644
--- a/include/wx/palmos/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/palmos/setup0.h
@@ -655,16 +655,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/setup_inc.h b/include/wx/setup_inc.h
index ba5db68ad6..0cac75e3be 100644
--- a/include/wx/setup_inc.h
+++ b/include/wx/setup_inc.h
@@ -651,16 +651,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/include/wx/univ/setup0.h b/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
index 7e154da1b1..2e7d33f3fa 100644
--- a/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
+++ b/include/wx/univ/setup0.h
@@ -654,16 +654,17 @@
 // Enable the new wxGraphicsPath and wxGraphicsContext classes for an advanced
 // 2D drawing API.  (Still somewhat experimental)
 //
-// Please note that on Windows you will need to link with gdiplus.lib (use
-// USE_GDIPLUS=1 for makefile builds) and distribute gdiplus.dll with your
-// application if you want it to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
+// Please note that on Windows gdiplus.dll is loaded dynamically which means
+// that nothing special needs to be done as long as you don't use
+// wxGraphicsContext at all or only use it on XP and later systems but you
+// still do need to distribute it yourself for an application using
+// wxGraphicsContext to be runnable on pre-XP systems.
 //
-// Default is 0
+// Default is 1 if the compiler has gdiplus.h (currently only MSVC 7+ under
+// Windows is known to).
 //
 // Recommended setting: 1
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
-#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
+#define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 1
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Individual GUI controls
diff --git a/setup.h.in b/setup.h.in
index f3bfe479ae..40a2cb30e2 100644
--- a/setup.h.in
+++ b/setup.h.in
@@ -322,9 +322,7 @@
 #define wxUSE_STC 0
 
 
-#ifndef wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT
 #define wxUSE_GRAPHICS_CONTEXT 0
-#endif
 
 
 #define wxUSE_CONTROLS     0