diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index cbd32fa..b1f2529 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -38,8 +38,10 @@ add_executable(Attorney_Online
   src/aoevidencedisplay.h
   src/aoimage.cpp
   src/aoimage.h
-  src/aolayer.cpp
-  src/aolayer.h
+  src/animationlayer.cpp
+  src/animationlayer.h
+  src/animationloader.h
+  src/animationloader.cpp
   src/aomusicplayer.cpp
   src/aomusicplayer.h
   src/aopacket.cpp
diff --git a/src/animationlayer.cpp b/src/animationlayer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..310f970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/animationlayer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,662 @@
+#include "animationlayer.h"
+
+#include "aoapplication.h"
+#include "options.h"
+
+#include <QRectF>
+
+static QThreadPool *thread_pool;
+
+namespace kal
+{
+AnimationLayer::AnimationLayer(QWidget *parent)
+    : QLabel(parent)
+{
+  setAlignment(Qt::AlignCenter);
+
+  m_ticker = new QTimer(this);
+  m_ticker->setSingleShot(true);
+  connect(m_ticker, &QTimer::timeout, this, &AnimationLayer::frameTicker);
+
+  if (!thread_pool)
+  {
+    thread_pool = new QThreadPool(qApp);
+    thread_pool->setMaxThreadCount(8);
+  }
+
+  createLoader();
+}
+
+AnimationLayer::~AnimationLayer()
+{
+  deleteLoader();
+}
+
+QString AnimationLayer::fileName()
+{
+  return m_file_name;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setFileName(QString fileName)
+{
+  stopPlayback();
+  m_file_name = fileName;
+  if (m_file_name.trimmed().isEmpty())
+  {
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+    qWarning() << "AnimationLayer::setFileName called with empty string";
+#endif
+    m_file_name = QObject::tr("Invalid File");
+  }
+  resetData();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::startPlayback()
+{
+  if (m_processing)
+  {
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+    qWarning() << "AnimationLayer::startPlayback called while already processing";
+#endif
+    return;
+  }
+  resetData();
+  m_processing = true;
+  Q_EMIT startedPlayback();
+  frameTicker();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::stopPlayback()
+{
+  if (m_ticker->isActive())
+  {
+    m_ticker->stop();
+  }
+  m_processing = false;
+  if (m_reset_cache_when_stopped)
+  {
+    createLoader();
+  }
+  Q_EMIT stoppedPlayback();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::restartPlayback()
+{
+  stopPlayback();
+  startPlayback();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::pausePlayback(bool enabled)
+{
+  if (m_pause == enabled)
+  {
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+    qWarning() << "AnimationLayer::pausePlayback called with identical state";
+#endif
+    return;
+  }
+  m_pause = enabled;
+}
+
+QSize AnimationLayer::frameSize()
+{
+  return m_frame_size;
+}
+
+int AnimationLayer::frameCount()
+{
+  return m_frame_count;
+}
+
+int AnimationLayer::currentFrameNumber()
+{
+  return m_frame_number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * @brief AnimationLayer::jumpToFrame
+ * @param number The frame number to jump to. Must be in valid range. If the number is out of range, the method does nothing.
+ * @details If frame number is valid and playback is processing, the frame will immediately be displayed.
+ */
+void AnimationLayer::jumpToFrame(int number)
+{
+  if (number < 0 || number >= m_frame_count)
+  {
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+    qWarning() << "AnimationLayer::jumpToFrame failed to jump to frame" << number << "(file:" << m_file_name << ", frame count:" << m_frame_count << ")";
+#endif
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (m_ticker->isActive())
+  {
+    m_ticker->stop();
+  }
+  m_frame_number = number;
+  frameTicker();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setPlayOnce(bool enabled)
+{
+  m_play_once = enabled;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setStretchToFit(bool enabled)
+{
+  m_stretch_to_fit = enabled;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setResetCacheWhenStopped(bool enabled)
+{
+  m_reset_cache_when_stopped = enabled;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setFlipped(bool enabled)
+{
+  m_flipped = enabled;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setTransformationMode(Qt::TransformationMode mode)
+{
+  m_transformation_mode = mode;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setMinimumDurationPerFrame(int duration)
+{
+  return;
+  m_minimum_duration = duration;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setMaximumDurationPerFrame(int duration)
+{
+  return;
+  m_maximum_duration = duration;
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::setMaskingRect(QRect rect)
+{
+  return; // TODO re-enable
+
+  m_mask_rect_hint = rect;
+  calculateFrameGeometry();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::resizeEvent(QResizeEvent *event)
+{
+  QLabel::resizeEvent(event);
+  calculateFrameGeometry();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::createLoader()
+{
+  deleteLoader();
+  m_loader = new AnimationLoader(thread_pool);
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::deleteLoader()
+{
+  if (m_loader)
+  {
+    delete m_loader;
+    m_loader = nullptr;
+  }
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::resetData()
+{
+  m_first_frame = true;
+  m_frame_number = 0;
+  if (m_file_name != m_loader->loadedFileName())
+  {
+    m_loader->load(m_file_name);
+  }
+  m_frame_count = m_loader->frameCount();
+  m_frame_size = m_loader->size();
+  m_frame_rect = QRect(QPoint(0, 0), m_frame_size);
+  m_ticker->stop();
+  calculateFrameGeometry();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::calculateFrameGeometry()
+{
+  m_mask_rect = QRect();
+  m_display_rect = QRect();
+  m_scaled_frame_size = QSize();
+
+  QSize widget_size = size();
+  if (!widget_size.isValid() || !m_frame_size.isValid())
+  {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (m_stretch_to_fit)
+  {
+    m_scaled_frame_size = widget_size;
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    QSize target_frame_size = m_frame_size;
+    if (m_frame_rect.contains(m_mask_rect_hint))
+    {
+      m_mask_rect = m_mask_rect_hint;
+      target_frame_size = m_mask_rect_hint.size();
+    }
+
+    double scale = double(widget_size.height()) / double(target_frame_size.height());
+    m_scaled_frame_size = target_frame_size * scale;
+
+    // display the frame in its center
+    int x = (m_scaled_frame_size.width() - widget_size.width()) / 2;
+    m_display_rect = QRect(x, 0, widget_size.width(), m_scaled_frame_size.height());
+  }
+
+  displayCurrentFrame();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::finishPlayback()
+{
+  stopPlayback();
+  Q_EMIT finishedPlayback();
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::prepareNextTick()
+{
+  int duration = m_current_frame.duration;
+
+  duration = (m_minimum_duration > 0) ? qMax(m_minimum_duration, duration) : duration;
+  duration = (m_maximum_duration > 0) ? qMin(m_maximum_duration, duration) : duration;
+
+  m_ticker->start(duration);
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::displayCurrentFrame()
+{
+  QPixmap image = m_current_frame.texture;
+
+  if (m_frame_size.isValid())
+  {
+    if (m_mask_rect.isValid())
+    {
+      image = image.copy(m_mask_rect);
+    }
+
+    if (!image.isNull())
+    {
+      image = image.scaled(m_scaled_frame_size, Qt::IgnoreAspectRatio, m_transformation_mode);
+
+      if (m_display_rect.isValid())
+      {
+        image = image.copy(m_display_rect);
+      }
+
+      if (m_flipped)
+      {
+        image = image.transformed(QTransform().scale(-1.0, 1.0));
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    image = QPixmap(1, 1);
+    image.fill(Qt::transparent);
+  }
+
+  setPixmap(image);
+}
+
+void AnimationLayer::frameTicker()
+{
+  if (!m_processing)
+  {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (m_frame_count < 1)
+  {
+    if (m_play_once)
+    {
+      finishPlayback();
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (m_pause && !m_first_frame)
+  {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (m_frame_number == m_frame_count)
+  {
+    if (m_play_once)
+    {
+      finishPlayback();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (m_frame_count > 1)
+    {
+      m_frame_number = 0;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+
+  m_first_frame = false;
+  m_current_frame = m_loader->frame(m_frame_number);
+  displayCurrentFrame();
+  Q_EMIT frameNumberChanged(m_frame_number);
+  ++m_frame_number;
+
+  if (!m_pause)
+  {
+    m_ticker->start(m_current_frame.duration);
+  }
+}
+
+CharacterAnimationLayer::CharacterAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{
+  m_duration_timer = new QTimer(this);
+  m_duration_timer->setSingleShot(true);
+  connect(m_duration_timer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::onDurationLimitReached);
+
+  connect(this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::stoppedPlayback, this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::onPlaybackStopped);
+  connect(this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::frameNumberChanged, this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::notifyFrameEffect);
+  connect(this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::finishedPlayback, this, &CharacterAnimationLayer::notifyEmotePlaybackFinished);
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::loadCharacterEmote(QString character, QString fileName, EmoteType emoteType, int durationLimit)
+{
+  auto is_dialog_emote = [](EmoteType emoteType) {
+    return emoteType == IdleEmote || emoteType == TalkEmote;
+  };
+
+  bool synchronize_frame = false;
+  const int previous_frame_count = frameCount();
+  const int previous_frame_number = currentFrameNumber();
+  if (m_character == character && m_emote == fileName && is_dialog_emote(m_emote_type) && is_dialog_emote(emoteType))
+  {
+    synchronize_frame = true;
+  }
+
+  m_character = character;
+  m_emote = fileName;
+  m_emote_type = emoteType;
+
+  QStringList prefixes;
+  bool placeholder_fallback = false;
+  bool play_once = false;
+  switch (emoteType)
+  {
+  default:
+    break;
+
+  case PreEmote:
+    play_once = true;
+    break;
+
+  case IdleEmote:
+    prefixes << QStringLiteral("(a)") << QStringLiteral("(a)/");
+    placeholder_fallback = true;
+    break;
+
+  case TalkEmote:
+    prefixes << QStringLiteral("(b)") << QStringLiteral("(b)/");
+    placeholder_fallback = true;
+    break;
+
+  case PostEmote:
+    prefixes << QStringLiteral("(c)") << QStringLiteral("(c)/");
+    break;
+  }
+
+  QVector<VPath> path_list;
+  for (const QString &prefix : qAsConst(prefixes))
+  {
+    path_list << ao_app->get_character_path(character, prefix + m_emote);
+  }
+  path_list << ao_app->get_character_path(character, m_emote);
+
+  if (placeholder_fallback)
+  {
+    path_list << ao_app->get_character_path(character, QStringLiteral("placeholder"));
+    path_list << ao_app->get_theme_path("placeholder", ao_app->default_theme);
+  }
+
+  setFileName(ao_app->get_image_path(path_list));
+  setPlayOnce(play_once);
+  setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->get_emote_property(character, fileName, "scaling")));
+  setStretchToFit(ao_app->get_emote_property(character, fileName, "stretch").startsWith("true"));
+  if (synchronize_frame && previous_frame_count == frameCount())
+  {
+    jumpToFrame(previous_frame_number);
+  }
+  m_duration = durationLimit;
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::setFrameEffects(QStringList data)
+{
+  m_effects.clear();
+
+  static const QList<EffectType> EFFECT_TYPE_LIST{ShakeEffect, FlashEffect, SfxEffect};
+  for (int i = 0; i < data.length(); ++i)
+  {
+    const EffectType effect_type = EFFECT_TYPE_LIST.at(i);
+
+    QStringList emotes = data.at(i).split("^");
+    for (const QString &emote : qAsConst(emotes))
+    {
+      QStringList emote_effects = emote.split("|");
+
+      const QString emote_name = emote_effects.takeFirst();
+
+      for (const QString &raw_effect : qAsConst(emote_effects))
+      {
+        QStringList frame_data = raw_effect.split("=");
+
+        const int frame_number = frame_data.at(0).toInt();
+
+        FrameEffect effect;
+        effect.emote_name = emote_name;
+        effect.type = effect_type;
+        if (effect_type == EffectType::SfxEffect)
+        {
+          effect.file_name = frame_data.at(1);
+        }
+
+        m_effects[frame_number].append(effect);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::startTimeLimit()
+{
+  if (m_duration > 0)
+  {
+    m_duration_timer->start(m_duration);
+  }
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::onPlaybackStopped()
+{
+  if (m_duration_timer->isActive())
+  {
+    m_duration_timer->stop();
+  }
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::notifyEmotePlaybackFinished()
+{
+  if (m_emote_type == PreEmote || m_emote_type == PostEmote)
+  {
+    Q_EMIT finishedPreOrPostEmotePlayback();
+  }
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::onPlaybackFinished()
+{
+  if (m_emote_type == PreEmote || m_emote_type == PostEmote)
+  {
+    if (m_duration_timer->isActive())
+    {
+      m_duration_timer->stop();
+    }
+
+    notifyEmotePlaybackFinished();
+  }
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::onDurationLimitReached()
+{
+  stopPlayback();
+  notifyEmotePlaybackFinished();
+}
+
+void CharacterAnimationLayer::notifyFrameEffect(int frameNumber)
+{
+  auto it = m_effects.constFind(frameNumber);
+  if (it != m_effects.constEnd())
+  {
+    for (const FrameEffect &effect : qAsConst(*it))
+    {
+      if (effect.emote_name == m_emote)
+      {
+        switch (effect.type)
+        {
+        default:
+          break;
+
+        case EffectType::SfxEffect:
+          Q_EMIT soundEffect(effect.file_name);
+          break;
+
+        case EffectType::ShakeEffect:
+          Q_EMIT shakeEffect();
+          break;
+
+        case EffectType::FlashEffect:
+          Q_EMIT flashEffect();
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+BackgroundAnimationLayer::BackgroundAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{}
+
+void BackgroundAnimationLayer::loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName)
+{
+  QString file_path = ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(fileName));
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+  if (file_path.isEmpty())
+  {
+    qWarning() << "[BackgroundLayer] Failed to load background:" << fileName;
+  }
+  else if (file_path == this->fileName())
+  {
+    return;
+  }
+  else
+  {
+    qInfo() << "[BackgroundLayer] Loading background:" << file_path;
+  }
+#endif
+
+  setFileName(file_path);
+  VPath design_path = ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini");
+  setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->read_design_ini("scaling", design_path)));
+  setStretchToFit(ao_app->read_design_ini("stretch", design_path).startsWith("true"));
+  startPlayback();
+}
+
+SplashAnimationLayer::SplashAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{
+  connect(this, &SplashAnimationLayer::startedPlayback, this, &SplashAnimationLayer::show);
+  connect(this, &SplashAnimationLayer::stoppedPlayback, this, &SplashAnimationLayer::hide);
+}
+
+void SplashAnimationLayer::loadAndPlayAnimation(QString p_filename, QString p_charname, QString p_miscname)
+{
+  QString file_path = ao_app->get_image(p_filename, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, p_miscname, p_charname, "placeholder");
+  setFileName(file_path);
+  setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_misc_scaling(p_miscname));
+  startPlayback();
+}
+
+EffectAnimationLayer::EffectAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{
+  connect(this, &EffectAnimationLayer::startedPlayback, this, &EffectAnimationLayer::show);
+  connect(this, &EffectAnimationLayer::stoppedPlayback, this, &EffectAnimationLayer::maybeHide);
+}
+
+void EffectAnimationLayer::loadAndPlayAnimation(QString p_filename, bool repeat)
+{
+  setFileName(p_filename);
+  setPlayOnce(!repeat);
+  startPlayback();
+}
+
+void EffectAnimationLayer::setHideWhenStopped(bool enabled)
+{
+  m_hide_when_stopped = enabled;
+}
+
+void EffectAnimationLayer::maybeHide()
+{
+  if (m_hide_when_stopped)
+  {
+    hide();
+  }
+}
+
+InterfaceAnimationLayer::InterfaceAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{
+  setStretchToFit(true);
+
+  connect(this, &InterfaceAnimationLayer::startedPlayback, this, &InterfaceAnimationLayer::show);
+  connect(this, &InterfaceAnimationLayer::stoppedPlayback, this, &InterfaceAnimationLayer::hide);
+}
+
+void InterfaceAnimationLayer::loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName, QString miscName)
+{
+  QString file_path = ao_app->get_image(fileName, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, miscName);
+  setFileName(file_path);
+  startPlayback();
+}
+
+StickerAnimationLayer::StickerAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
+    : AnimationLayer(parent)
+    , ao_app(ao_app)
+{
+  connect(this, &StickerAnimationLayer::startedPlayback, this, &StickerAnimationLayer::show);
+  connect(this, &StickerAnimationLayer::stoppedPlayback, this, &StickerAnimationLayer::hide);
+}
+
+void StickerAnimationLayer::loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName)
+{
+  QString misc_file; // FIXME this is a bad name
+  if (Options::getInstance().customChatboxEnabled())
+  {
+    misc_file = ao_app->get_chat(fileName);
+  }
+
+  QString file_path = ao_app->get_image("sticker/" + fileName, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, misc_file);
+  setFileName(file_path);
+  setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_misc_scaling(misc_file));
+  startPlayback();
+}
+} // namespace kal
diff --git a/src/animationlayer.h b/src/animationlayer.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da64354
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/animationlayer.h
@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "animationloader.h"
+
+#include <QBitmap>
+#include <QDebug>
+#include <QLabel>
+#include <QPropertyAnimation>
+#include <QTimer>
+
+// #define DEBUG_MOVIE
+
+#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
+#include <QElapsedTimer>
+#endif
+
+class AOApplication;
+class VPath;
+
+// "Brief" explanation of what the hell this is:
+//
+// AOLayer handles all animations both inside and outside
+// the viewport. It was originally devised as a layering
+// system, but turned into a full refactor of the existing
+// animation code.
+//
+// AOLayer has six subclasses, all of which differ mainly in
+// how they handle path resolution.
+//
+//  - BackgroundLayer: self-explanatory, handles files found in base/background
+//  - CharLayer: handles all the "wonderful" quirks of character path resolution
+//  - SplashLayer: handles elements that can either be provided by a misc/ directory
+//    or by the theme - speedlines, shouts, WT/CE, et cetera
+//  - EffectLayer: this is basically a dummy layer since effects do their own wonky
+//    path resolution in a different file
+//  - InterfaceLayer: handles UI elements like the chat arrow and the music display
+//  - StickerLayer: Crystalwarrior really wanted this. Handles "stickers," whatever those are.
+//
+// For questions comments or concerns, bother someone else
+
+namespace kal
+{
+class AnimationLayer : public QLabel
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  explicit AnimationLayer(QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+  virtual ~AnimationLayer();
+
+  QString fileName();
+  void setFileName(QString fileName);
+
+  void startPlayback();
+  void stopPlayback();
+  void restartPlayback();
+  void pausePlayback(bool enabled);
+
+  QSize frameSize();
+
+  int frameCount();
+  int currentFrameNumber();
+  void jumpToFrame(int number);
+
+  void setPlayOnce(bool enabled);
+  void setStretchToFit(bool enabled);
+  void setResetCacheWhenStopped(bool enabled);
+  void setFlipped(bool enabled);
+  void setTransformationMode(Qt::TransformationMode mode);
+  void setMinimumDurationPerFrame(int duration);
+  void setMaximumDurationPerFrame(int duration);
+
+public Q_SLOTS:
+  void setMaskingRect(QRect rect);
+
+Q_SIGNALS:
+  void startedPlayback();
+  void stoppedPlayback();  /* Is emitted whenever playback is stopped, whether by user or by reaching the end */
+  void finishedPlayback(); /* Is emitted only when playback reaches the end */
+  void frameNumberChanged(int frameNumber);
+
+protected:
+  void resizeEvent(QResizeEvent *event) override;
+
+private:
+  QString m_file_name;
+  bool m_play_once = false;
+  bool m_stretch_to_fit = false;
+  bool m_reset_cache_when_stopped = false;
+  bool m_flipped = false;
+  int m_minimum_duration = 0;
+  int m_maximum_duration = 0;
+  Qt::TransformationMode m_transformation_mode = Qt::FastTransformation;
+  AnimationLoader *m_loader = nullptr;
+  QSize m_frame_size;
+  QRect m_frame_rect;
+  QRect m_mask_rect_hint;
+  QRect m_mask_rect;
+  QRect m_display_rect;
+  QSize m_scaled_frame_size;
+  bool m_processing = false;
+  bool m_pause = false;
+  QTimer *m_ticker = nullptr;
+  bool m_first_frame = false;
+  int m_frame_number = 0;
+  int m_frame_count = 0;
+  AnimationFrame m_current_frame;
+
+  void createLoader();
+  void deleteLoader();
+
+  void resetData();
+
+  void calculateFrameGeometry();
+
+  void finishPlayback();
+
+  void prepareNextTick();
+
+  void displayCurrentFrame();
+
+private Q_SLOTS:
+  void frameTicker();
+};
+
+class CharacterAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  enum EmoteType
+  {
+    NoEmoteType,
+    PreEmote,
+    IdleEmote,
+    TalkEmote,
+    PostEmote,
+  };
+
+  enum EffectType
+  {
+    SfxEffect,
+    ShakeEffect,
+    FlashEffect,
+  };
+
+  class FrameEffect
+  {
+  public:
+    QString emote_name;
+    EffectType type = SfxEffect;
+    QString file_name;
+  };
+
+  CharacterAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadCharacterEmote(QString character, QString fileName, EmoteType emoteType, int durationLimit = 0);
+
+  void setFrameEffects(QStringList data);
+
+Q_SIGNALS:
+  void finishedPreOrPostEmotePlayback();
+
+  void soundEffect(QString sfx);
+  void shakeEffect();
+  void flashEffect();
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+
+  QString m_character;
+  QString m_emote;
+  EmoteType m_emote_type = NoEmoteType;
+  QTimer *m_duration_timer = nullptr;
+  int m_duration = 0;
+
+  QMap<int, QList<FrameEffect>> m_effects;
+
+  void startTimeLimit();
+
+private Q_SLOTS:
+  void onPlaybackStopped();
+  void onPlaybackFinished();
+  void onDurationLimitReached();
+
+  void notifyFrameEffect(int frame);
+  void notifyEmotePlaybackFinished();
+};
+
+class BackgroundAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  BackgroundAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName);
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+};
+
+class SplashAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  SplashAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName, QString character, QString miscellaneous);
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+};
+
+class EffectAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  EffectAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName, bool repeat = false);
+
+  void setHideWhenStopped(bool enabled);
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+
+  bool m_hide_when_stopped = false;
+
+private Q_SLOTS:
+  void maybeHide();
+};
+
+class InterfaceAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  InterfaceAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName, QString miscName);
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+};
+
+class StickerAnimationLayer : public AnimationLayer
+{
+  Q_OBJECT
+
+public:
+  StickerAnimationLayer(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+
+  void loadAndPlayAnimation(QString fileName);
+
+private:
+  AOApplication *ao_app;
+};
+} // namespace kal
diff --git a/src/animationloader.cpp b/src/animationloader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d357448
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/animationloader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+#include "animationloader.h"
+
+#include <QMutexLocker>
+#include <QtConcurrent/QtConcurrent>
+
+namespace kal
+{
+AnimationLoader::AnimationLoader(QThreadPool *threadPool)
+    : m_thread_pool(threadPool)
+{}
+
+AnimationLoader::~AnimationLoader()
+{
+  stopLoading();
+}
+
+QString AnimationLoader::loadedFileName() const
+{
+  return m_file_name;
+}
+
+void AnimationLoader::load(const QString &fileName)
+{
+  if (m_file_name == fileName)
+  {
+    return;
+  }
+  stopLoading();
+  m_file_name = fileName;
+  QImageReader *reader = new QImageReader;
+  reader->setFileName(fileName);
+  m_size = reader->size();
+  m_frames.clear();
+  m_frame_count = reader->imageCount();
+  m_loop_count = reader->loopCount();
+  m_exit_task = false;
+  m_task = QtConcurrent::run(m_thread_pool, [this, reader]() { populateVector(reader); });
+}
+
+void AnimationLoader::stopLoading()
+{
+  m_exit_task = true;
+  if (m_task.isRunning())
+  {
+    m_task.waitForFinished();
+  }
+}
+
+QSize AnimationLoader::size()
+{
+  return m_size;
+}
+
+int AnimationLoader::frameCount()
+{
+  return m_frame_count;
+}
+
+AnimationFrame AnimationLoader::frame(int frameNumber)
+{
+  if (m_frame_count <= 0)
+  {
+    return AnimationFrame();
+  }
+
+  m_task_lock.lock();
+  while (m_frames.size() < frameNumber + 1)
+  {
+    qDebug().noquote() << "Waiting for frame" << frameNumber << QString("(file: %1, frame count: %2)").arg(m_file_name).arg(m_frame_count);
+    m_task_signal.wait(&m_task_lock);
+  }
+
+  AnimationFrame frame = qAsConst(m_frames)[frameNumber];
+  m_task_lock.unlock();
+
+  return frame;
+}
+
+int AnimationLoader::loopCount()
+{
+  return m_loop_count;
+}
+
+void AnimationLoader::populateVector(QImageReader *reader)
+{
+  int loaded_frame_count = 0;
+  int frame_count = reader->imageCount();
+  while (!m_exit_task && loaded_frame_count < frame_count)
+  {
+    {
+      QMutexLocker locker(&m_task_lock);
+      AnimationFrame frame;
+      frame.texture = QPixmap::fromImage(reader->read());
+      frame.duration = reader->nextImageDelay();
+      m_frames.append(frame);
+      ++loaded_frame_count;
+    }
+    m_task_signal.wakeAll();
+  }
+
+  delete reader;
+}
+} // namespace kal
diff --git a/src/animationloader.h b/src/animationloader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a3a1036
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/animationloader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <QFuture>
+#include <QImageReader>
+#include <QMutex>
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QPixmap>
+#include <QString>
+#include <QWaitCondition>
+
+#include <atomic>
+
+namespace kal
+{
+class AnimationFrame
+{
+public:
+  QPixmap texture;
+  int duration = 0;
+};
+
+class AnimationLoader
+{
+  Q_DISABLE_COPY_MOVE(AnimationLoader)
+
+public:
+  explicit AnimationLoader(QThreadPool *threadPool);
+  virtual ~AnimationLoader();
+
+  QString loadedFileName() const;
+  void load(const QString &fileName);
+  void stopLoading();
+
+  QSize size();
+
+  int frameCount();
+  AnimationFrame frame(int frameNumber);
+
+  int loopCount();
+
+private:
+  QThreadPool *m_thread_pool;
+  QString m_file_name;
+  QSize m_size;
+  int m_frame_count = 0;
+  int m_loop_count = -1;
+  QList<AnimationFrame> m_frames;
+  QFuture<void> m_task;
+  std::atomic_bool m_exit_task = false;
+  QMutex m_task_lock;
+  QWaitCondition m_task_signal;
+
+  void populateVector(QImageReader *reader);
+};
+} // namespace kal
diff --git a/src/aoapplication.cpp b/src/aoapplication.cpp
index a3ed6b9..f3260ed 100644
--- a/src/aoapplication.cpp
+++ b/src/aoapplication.cpp
@@ -132,6 +132,20 @@ QString AOApplication::get_version_string()
   return QString::number(RELEASE) + "." + QString::number(MAJOR_VERSION) + "." + QString::number(MINOR_VERSION);
 }
 
+QString AOApplication::find_image(QStringList p_list)
+{
+  QString image_path;
+  for (const QString &path : p_list)
+  {
+    if (file_exists(path))
+    {
+      image_path = path;
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+  return image_path;
+}
+
 void AOApplication::server_disconnected()
 {
   if (is_courtroom_constructed())
diff --git a/src/aoapplication.h b/src/aoapplication.h
index ccc509d..6d2b55a 100644
--- a/src/aoapplication.h
+++ b/src/aoapplication.h
@@ -126,10 +126,12 @@ public:
   QString get_asset(QString p_element, QString p_theme = QString(), QString p_subtheme = QString(), QString p_default_theme = QString(), QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString(), QString p_placeholder = QString());
   QString get_image(QString p_element, QString p_theme = QString(), QString p_subtheme = QString(), QString p_default_theme = QString(), QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString(), QString p_placeholder = QString(), bool static_image = false);
   QString get_sfx(QString p_sfx, QString p_misc = QString(), QString p_character = QString());
-  QPair<QString, int> get_pos_path(const QString &pos, bool desk = false);
+  QPair<QString, QRect> get_pos_path(const QString &pos, bool desk = false);
   QString get_case_sensitive_path(QString p_file);
   QString get_real_path(const VPath &vpath, const QStringList &suffixes = {""});
 
+  QString find_image(QStringList p_list);
+
   ////// Functions for reading and writing files //////
   // Implementations file_functions.cpp
 
diff --git a/src/aoemotepreview.cpp b/src/aoemotepreview.cpp
index e427cb8..a5a6a27 100644
--- a/src/aoemotepreview.cpp
+++ b/src/aoemotepreview.cpp
@@ -8,9 +8,8 @@ AOEmotePreview::AOEmotePreview(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent)
   setWindowFlag(Qt::WindowMinMaxButtonsHint, false);
 
   ui_viewport = new QWidget(this);
-  ui_vp_player_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_player_char = new kal::CharacterAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_player_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_player_char");
-  ui_vp_player_char->masked = false;
   ui_size_label = new QLabel(this);
   ui_size_label->setObjectName("ui_size_label");
 }
@@ -19,21 +18,22 @@ void AOEmotePreview::updateViewportGeometry()
 {
   ui_viewport->resize(size());
 
-  ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_player_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_player_char->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_player_char->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_size_label->setText(QString::number(width()) + "x" + QString::number(height()));
+  ui_size_label->setText(QString::number(ui_viewport->width()) + "x" + QString::number(ui_viewport->height()));
 }
 
-void AOEmotePreview::display(QString character, QString emote, bool flipped, int xOffset, int yOffset)
+void AOEmotePreview::display(QString character, QString emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::EmoteType emoteType, bool flipped, int xOffset, int yOffset)
 {
   m_character = character;
   m_emote = emote;
-  ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_flipped(flipped);
-  ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(ui_viewport->width() * xOffset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * yOffset / 100);
-  ui_vp_player_char->load_image(emote, character, 0, false);
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
+  ui_vp_player_char->stopPlayback();
+  ui_vp_player_char->move(ui_viewport->width() * xOffset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * yOffset / 100);
+  ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(character, emote, emoteType);
+  ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+  ui_vp_player_char->setFlipped(flipped);
+  ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
   setWindowTitle(character + ": " + emote);
 }
 
@@ -41,5 +41,4 @@ void AOEmotePreview::resizeEvent(QResizeEvent *event)
 {
   QWidget::resizeEvent(event);
   updateViewportGeometry();
-  ui_vp_player_char->load_image(m_emote, m_character, 0, false);
 }
diff --git a/src/aoemotepreview.h b/src/aoemotepreview.h
index 0cf88c9..a83a0d9 100644
--- a/src/aoemotepreview.h
+++ b/src/aoemotepreview.h
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
-#include "aolayer.h"
+#include "animationlayer.h"
 #include <QWidget>
 
 class AOEmotePreview : public QWidget
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ class AOEmotePreview : public QWidget
 public:
   AOEmotePreview(AOApplication *ao_app, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
 
-  void display(QString character, QString emote, bool flipped = false, int xOffset = 0, int yOffset = 0);
+  void display(QString character, QString emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::EmoteType emoteType, bool flipped = false, int xOffset = 0, int yOffset = 0);
 
   void updateViewportGeometry();
 
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ private:
   QString m_emote;
 
   QWidget *ui_viewport;
-  BackgroundLayer *ui_vp_background;
-  SplashLayer *ui_vp_speedlines;
-  CharLayer *ui_vp_player_char;
-  BackgroundLayer *ui_vp_desk;
+  kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer *ui_vp_background;
+  kal::SplashAnimationLayer *ui_vp_speedlines;
+  kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *ui_vp_player_char;
+  kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer *ui_vp_desk;
   QLabel *ui_size_label;
 };
diff --git a/src/aoevidencedisplay.cpp b/src/aoevidencedisplay.cpp
index 489699e..27afdb6 100644
--- a/src/aoevidencedisplay.cpp
+++ b/src/aoevidencedisplay.cpp
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ AOEvidenceDisplay::AOEvidenceDisplay(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
 
   m_sfx_player = new AOSfxPlayer(ao_app);
 
-  m_evidence_movie = new InterfaceLayer(ao_app, this);
+  m_evidence_movie = new kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
 
-  connect(m_evidence_movie, &InterfaceLayer::done, this, &AOEvidenceDisplay::show_done);
+  connect(m_evidence_movie, &kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer::finishedPlayback, this, &AOEvidenceDisplay::show_done);
   connect(ui_prompt_details, &QPushButton::clicked, this, &AOEvidenceDisplay::icon_clicked);
 }
 
@@ -52,17 +52,17 @@ void AOEvidenceDisplay::show_evidence(int p_index, QString p_evidence_image, boo
   ui_prompt_details->setIconSize(f_pixmap.rect().size());
   ui_prompt_details->resize(f_pixmap.rect().size());
   ui_prompt_details->move(icon_dimensions.x, icon_dimensions.y);
-  m_evidence_movie->static_duration = 320;
-  m_evidence_movie->max_duration = 1000;
-  m_evidence_movie->set_play_once(true);
-  m_evidence_movie->load_image(gif_name, "");
+  m_evidence_movie->setMinimumDurationPerFrame(320);
+  m_evidence_movie->setMaximumDurationPerFrame(1000);
+  m_evidence_movie->setPlayOnce(true);
+  m_evidence_movie->loadAndPlayAnimation(gif_name, "");
   m_sfx_player->findAndPlaySfx(ao_app->get_court_sfx("evidence_present"));
 }
 
 void AOEvidenceDisplay::reset()
 {
   m_sfx_player->stop();
-  m_evidence_movie->kill();
+  m_evidence_movie->stopPlayback();
   ui_prompt_details->hide();
   this->clear();
 }
@@ -84,5 +84,5 @@ void AOEvidenceDisplay::combo_resize(int w, int h)
 {
   QSize f_size(w, h);
   this->resize(f_size);
-  m_evidence_movie->combo_resize(w, h);
+  m_evidence_movie->resize(w, h);
 }
diff --git a/src/aoevidencedisplay.h b/src/aoevidencedisplay.h
index b23bc0f..a259073 100644
--- a/src/aoevidencedisplay.h
+++ b/src/aoevidencedisplay.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "animationlayer.h"
 #include "aoapplication.h"
-#include "aolayer.h"
 #include "aosfxplayer.h"
 
 #include <QDebug>
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ private:
   int m_last_evidence_index = -1;
   AOSfxPlayer *m_sfx_player;
 
-  InterfaceLayer *m_evidence_movie;
+  kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer *m_evidence_movie;
   QPushButton *ui_prompt_details;
 
 private Q_SLOTS:
diff --git a/src/aolayer.cpp b/src/aolayer.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index a70e7b8..0000000
--- a/src/aolayer.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,749 +0,0 @@
-#include "aolayer.h"
-
-#include "aoapplication.h"
-#include "file_functions.h"
-#include "options.h"
-
-static QThreadPool *thread_pool;
-
-AOLayer::AOLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : QLabel(p_parent)
-{
-  ao_app = p_ao_app;
-
-  // used for culling images when their max_duration is exceeded
-  shfx_timer = new QTimer(this);
-  shfx_timer->setTimerType(Qt::PreciseTimer);
-  shfx_timer->setSingleShot(true);
-  connect(shfx_timer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &AOLayer::shfx_timer_done);
-
-  ticker = new QTimer(this);
-  ticker->setTimerType(Qt::PreciseTimer);
-  ticker->setSingleShot(false);
-  connect(ticker, &QTimer::timeout, this, &AOLayer::movie_ticker);
-
-  preanim_timer = new QTimer(this);
-  preanim_timer->setSingleShot(true);
-  connect(preanim_timer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &AOLayer::preanim_done);
-
-  if (!thread_pool)
-  {
-    thread_pool = new QThreadPool(p_ao_app);
-    thread_pool->setMaxThreadCount(8);
-  }
-}
-
-BackgroundLayer::BackgroundLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-CharLayer::CharLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-EffectLayer::EffectLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-SplashLayer::SplashLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-InterfaceLayer::InterfaceLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-StickerLayer::StickerLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent)
-    : AOLayer(p_ao_app, p_parent)
-{}
-
-QString AOLayer::find_image(QStringList p_list)
-{
-  QString image_path;
-  for (const QString &path : p_list)
-  {
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-    qDebug() << "checking path " << path;
-#endif
-    if (file_exists(path))
-    {
-      image_path = path;
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-      qDebug() << "found    path " << path;
-#endif
-      break;
-    }
-  }
-  return image_path;
-}
-
-QPixmap AOLayer::get_pixmap(QImage image)
-{
-  QPixmap f_pixmap;
-  if (m_flipped)
-  {
-    f_pixmap = QPixmap::fromImage(image.mirrored(true, false));
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    f_pixmap = QPixmap::fromImage(image);
-  }
-  //    auto aspect_ratio = Qt::KeepAspectRatio;
-  if (!f_pixmap.isNull())
-  {
-    scaling_factor = float(f_h) / float(f_pixmap.height());
-    if (f_pixmap.height() > f_h) // We are downscaling, use anti-aliasing.
-    {
-      transform_mode = Qt::SmoothTransformation;
-    }
-    if (stretch)
-    {
-      f_pixmap = f_pixmap.scaled(f_w, f_h);
-    }
-    else
-    {
-      f_pixmap = f_pixmap.scaledToHeight(f_h, transform_mode);
-    }
-    this->resize(f_pixmap.size());
-  }
-  return f_pixmap;
-}
-
-void AOLayer::set_frame(QPixmap f_pixmap)
-{
-  this->setPixmap(f_pixmap);
-  this->center_pixmap(f_pixmap);
-}
-
-void AOLayer::center_pixmap(QPixmap f_pixmap)
-{
-  if (g_center == -1)
-  {
-    QLabel::move(x + (f_w - f_pixmap.width()) / 2,
-                 y + (f_h - f_pixmap.height())); // Always center horizontally, always
-                                                 // put at the bottom vertically
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    QLabel::move(get_pos_from_center(g_center), y + (f_h - f_pixmap.height()));
-  }
-  if (masked)
-  {
-    if (g_center == -1)
-    {
-      this->setMask(QRegion((f_pixmap.width() - f_w) / 2, (f_pixmap.height() - f_h) / 2, f_w,
-                            f_h)); // make sure we don't escape the area we've been given
-    }
-    else
-    {
-      int center_scaled = int(float(g_center) * scaling_factor);
-      this->setMask(QRegion((f_pixmap.width() - center_scaled) / 2, (f_pixmap.height() - f_h) / 2, f_w, f_h));
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-int AOLayer::get_pos_from_center(int f_center)
-{
-  int center_scaled = int(float(f_center) * scaling_factor);
-  int f_pos = x + (center_scaled - (f_w / 2)) * -1;
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "centering image at center" << f_center << "final position" << f_pos;
-#endif
-  return f_pos;
-}
-
-void AOLayer::combo_resize(int w, int h)
-{
-  QSize f_size(w, h);
-  f_w = w;
-  f_h = h;
-  this->resize(f_size);
-}
-
-int AOLayer::get_frame_delay(int delay)
-{
-  return static_cast<int>(double(delay) * double(speed / 100));
-}
-
-void AOLayer::move(int ax, int ay)
-{
-  x = ax;
-  y = ay;
-  QLabel::move(x, y);
-}
-
-void AOLayer::move_and_center(int ax, int ay)
-{
-  x = ax;
-  y = ay;
-  if (movie_frames.isEmpty()) // safeguard
-  {
-    QLabel::move(x, y);
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    center_pixmap(movie_frames[0]); // just use the first frame since dimensions are all that matter
-  }
-}
-
-float AOLayer::get_scaling_factor()
-{
-  return scaling_factor;
-}
-
-void BackgroundLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, int p_center)
-{
-  g_center = p_center;
-  play_once = false;
-  cull_image = false;
-  VPath design_path = ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini");
-  transform_mode = ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->read_design_ini("scaling", design_path));
-  stretch = ao_app->read_design_ini("stretch", design_path).startsWith("true");
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[BackgroundLayer] BG loaded: " << p_filename;
-#endif
-  QString final_path = ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path(p_filename));
-
-  if (final_path == last_path && g_center == last_center)
-  {
-    // Don't restart background if background is unchanged
-    return;
-  }
-
-  start_playback(final_path);
-  play();
-}
-
-void CharLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname, int p_duration, bool p_is_preanim)
-{
-  duration = p_duration;
-  cull_image = false;
-  force_continuous = false;
-  transform_mode = ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->get_emote_property(p_charname, p_filename, "scaling"));
-  stretch = ao_app->get_emote_property(p_charname, p_filename, "stretch").startsWith("true");
-  if ((p_charname == last_char) && ((p_filename == last_emote) || (p_filename.mid(3, -1) == last_emote.mid(3, -1))) && (!is_preanim) && (!was_preanim))
-  {
-    continuous = true;
-    force_continuous = true;
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    continuous = false;
-    force_continuous = true;
-  }
-  prefix = "";
-  current_emote = p_filename;
-  was_preanim = is_preanim;
-  m_char = p_charname;
-  m_emote = current_emote;
-  last_char = p_charname;
-  last_emote = current_emote;
-  last_prefix = prefix;
-  is_preanim = p_is_preanim;
-  if ((p_filename.left(3) == "(a)") || (p_filename.left(3) == "(b)"))
-  {                              // if we are playing an idle or talking animation
-    prefix = p_filename.left(3); // separate the prefix from the emote name
-    current_emote = p_filename.mid(3, -1);
-  }
-  else if ((duration > 0) || (p_filename.left(3) == "(c)"))
-  { // else if we are playing a preanim or postanim
-    if (p_filename.left(3) == "(c)")
-    {                 // if we are playing a postanim
-      prefix = "(c)"; // separate the prefix from the emote name
-      current_emote = p_filename.mid(3, -1);
-    }
-    // pre/postanim specific flags
-    is_preanim = true;
-    play_once = true;
-    preanim_timer->start(duration);
-  }
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[CharLayer] anim loaded: prefix " << prefix << " filename " << current_emote << " from character: " << p_charname << " continuous: " << continuous;
-#endif
-  QVector<VPath> pathlist{                                                                // cursed character path resolution vector
-                          ao_app->get_character_path(p_charname, prefix + current_emote), // Default path
-                          ao_app->get_character_path(p_charname,
-                                                     prefix + "/" + current_emote), // Path check if it's categorized
-                                                                                    // into a folder
-                          ao_app->get_character_path(p_charname,
-                                                     current_emote),                     // Just use the non-prefixed image, animated or not
-                          VPath(current_emote),                                          // The path by itself after the above fail
-                          ao_app->get_theme_path("placeholder"),                         // Theme placeholder path
-                          ao_app->get_theme_path("placeholder", ao_app->default_theme)}; // Default theme placeholder path
-  start_playback(ao_app->get_image_path(pathlist));
-}
-
-void SplashLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname, QString p_miscname)
-{
-  transform_mode = ao_app->get_misc_scaling(p_miscname);
-  QString final_image = ao_app->get_image(p_filename, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, p_miscname, p_charname, "placeholder");
-  start_playback(final_image);
-  play();
-}
-
-void EffectLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, bool p_looping)
-{
-  if (p_looping)
-  {
-    play_once = false;
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    play_once = true;
-  }
-  continuous = false;
-  force_continuous = true;
-  cull_image = false;
-
-  start_playback(p_filename); // path resolution is handled by the caller for EffectLayer objects
-  play();
-}
-
-void InterfaceLayer::load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_miscname)
-{
-  last_path = "";
-  stretch = true;
-  QString final_image = ao_app->get_image(p_filename, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, p_miscname);
-  start_playback(final_image);
-  play();
-}
-
-void StickerLayer::load_image(QString p_charname)
-{
-  QString p_miscname;
-  if (Options::getInstance().customChatboxEnabled())
-  {
-    p_miscname = ao_app->get_chat(p_charname);
-  }
-  transform_mode = ao_app->get_misc_scaling(p_miscname);
-  QString final_image = ao_app->get_image("sticker/" + p_charname, Options::getInstance().theme(), Options::getInstance().subTheme(), ao_app->default_theme, p_miscname);
-  start_playback(final_image);
-  play();
-}
-
-void CharLayer::start_playback(QString p_image)
-{
-  movie_effects.clear();
-  AOLayer::start_playback(p_image);
-  if (m_network_strings.size() > 0) // our FX overwritten by networked ones
-  {
-    load_network_effects();
-  }
-  else // Use default ini FX
-  {
-    load_effects();
-  }
-  play();
-}
-
-void AOLayer::start_playback(QString p_image)
-{
-  if (p_image == "")
-  { // image wasn't found by the path resolution function
-    this->kill();
-    return;
-  }
-
-  if (frame_loader.isRunning())
-  {
-    exit_loop = true; // tell the loader to stop, we have a new image to load
-  }
-
-  QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-  this->show();
-
-  if (!Options::getInstance().continuousPlaybackEnabled())
-  {
-    continuous = false;
-    force_continuous = true;
-  }
-
-  if (((last_path == p_image) && (!force_continuous) && (g_center == last_center)) || p_image == "")
-  {
-    return;
-  }
-
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  actual_time.restart();
-#endif
-  this->clear();
-  this->freeze();
-  movie_frames.clear();
-  movie_delays.clear();
-  QString scaling_override = ao_app->read_design_ini("scaling", p_image + ".ini");
-  if (scaling_override != "")
-  {
-    transform_mode = ao_app->get_scaling(scaling_override);
-  }
-  QString stretch_override = ao_app->read_design_ini("stretch", p_image + ".ini");
-  if (stretch_override != "")
-  {
-    stretch = stretch_override.startsWith("true");
-  }
-
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[AOLayer::start_playback] Stretch:" << stretch << "Filename:" << p_image;
-#endif
-  m_reader.setFileName(p_image);
-  last_max_frames = max_frames;
-  max_frames = m_reader.imageCount();
-  if (m_reader.loopCount() == 0 && max_frames > 1)
-  {
-    play_once = true;
-  }
-  if (!continuous || ((continuous) && (max_frames != last_max_frames)) || max_frames == 0 || frame >= max_frames)
-  {
-    frame = 0;
-    continuous = false;
-  }
-#if QT_VERSION < QT_VERSION_CHECK(6, 0, 0)
-  frame_loader = QtConcurrent::run(thread_pool, this, &AOLayer::populate_vectors);
-#else
-  frame_loader = QtConcurrent::run(thread_pool, &AOLayer::populate_vectors, this);
-#endif
-  last_path = p_image;
-  last_center = g_center;
-  while (movie_frames.size() <= frame) // if we haven't loaded the frame we need yet
-  {
-    frameAdded.wait(&mutex); // wait for the frame loader to add another frame, then check again
-  }
-  this->set_frame(movie_frames[frame]);
-
-  if (max_frames <= 1)
-  {
-    duration = static_duration;
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-    qDebug() << "[AOLayer::start_playback] max_frames is <= 1, using static duration";
-#endif
-  }
-  if (duration > 0 && cull_image == true)
-  {
-    shfx_timer->start(duration);
-  }
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[AOLayer::start_playback] Max frames:" << max_frames << "Setting image to " << p_image << "Time taken to process image:" << actual_time.elapsed();
-
-  actual_time.restart();
-#endif
-}
-
-void CharLayer::play()
-{
-  if (max_frames <= 1)
-  {
-    if (play_once)
-    {
-      preanim_timer->start(qMax(0, duration));
-    }
-    return;
-  }
-  play_frame_effect(frame);
-  AOLayer::play();
-}
-
-void AOLayer::play()
-{
-  if (max_frames <= 1)
-  {
-    if (play_once)
-    {
-      if (duration > 0)
-      {
-        ticker->start(duration);
-      }
-      else
-      {
-        preanim_done();
-      }
-    }
-    else
-    {
-      this->freeze();
-    }
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    while (movie_delays.size() <= frame)
-    {
-      frameAdded.wait(&mutex);
-    }
-    ticker->start(this->get_frame_delay(movie_delays[frame]));
-  }
-}
-
-void AOLayer::set_play_once(bool p_play_once)
-{
-  play_once = p_play_once;
-}
-void AOLayer::set_cull_image(bool p_cull_image)
-{
-  cull_image = p_cull_image;
-}
-void AOLayer::set_static_duration(int p_static_duration)
-{
-  static_duration = p_static_duration;
-}
-void AOLayer::set_max_duration(int p_max_duration)
-{
-  max_duration = p_max_duration;
-}
-
-void CharLayer::load_effects()
-{
-  movie_effects.clear();
-  if (max_frames <= 1)
-  {
-    return;
-  }
-  movie_effects.resize(max_frames);
-  for (int e_frame = 0; e_frame < max_frames; ++e_frame)
-  {
-    QString effect = ao_app->get_screenshake_frame(m_char, m_emote, e_frame);
-    if (effect != "")
-    {
-      movie_effects[e_frame].append("shake");
-    }
-
-    effect = ao_app->get_flash_frame(m_char, m_emote, e_frame);
-    if (effect != "")
-    {
-      movie_effects[e_frame].append("flash");
-    }
-
-    effect = ao_app->get_sfx_frame(m_char, m_emote, e_frame);
-    if (effect != "")
-    {
-      movie_effects[e_frame].append("sfx^" + effect);
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-void CharLayer::load_network_effects()
-{
-  movie_effects.clear();
-  if (max_frames <= 1)
-  {
-    return;
-  }
-  movie_effects.resize(max_frames);
-  // Order is important!!!
-  QStringList effects_list = {"shake", "flash", "sfx^"};
-
-  // Determines which list is smaller - effects_list or m_network_strings - and
-  // uses it as basis for the loop. This way, incomplete m_network_strings would
-  // still be parsed, and excess/unaccounted for networked information is
-  // omitted.
-  int effects_size = qMin(effects_list.size(), m_network_strings.size());
-
-  for (int i = 0; i < effects_size; ++i)
-  {
-    QString netstring = m_network_strings.at(i);
-    QStringList emote_splits = netstring.split("^");
-    for (const QString &emote : emote_splits)
-    {
-      QStringList parsed = emote.split("|");
-      if (parsed.size() <= 0 || parsed.at(0) != m_emote)
-      {
-        continue;
-      }
-      foreach (QString frame_data, parsed)
-      {
-        QStringList frame_split = frame_data.split("=");
-        if (frame_split.size() <= 1) // We might still be hanging at the emote itself (entry 0).
-        {
-          continue;
-        }
-        int f_frame = frame_split.at(0).toInt();
-        if (f_frame >= max_frames || f_frame < 0)
-        {
-          qWarning() << "out of bounds" << effects_list[i] << "frame" << f_frame << "out of" << max_frames << "for" << m_emote;
-          continue;
-        }
-        QString f_data = frame_split.at(1);
-        if (f_data != "")
-        {
-          QString effect = effects_list[i];
-          if (effect == "sfx^") // Currently the only frame result that feeds us
-                                // data, let's yank it in.
-          {
-            effect += f_data;
-          }
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-          qDebug() << "[CharLayer::load_network_effects]" << effect << f_data << "frame" << f_frame << "for" << m_emote;
-#endif
-          movie_effects[f_frame].append(effect);
-        }
-      }
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-void CharLayer::play_frame_effect(int p_frame)
-{
-  if (p_frame >= movie_effects.size())
-  {
-    qWarning() << "Attempted to play a frame effect bigger than the size of movie_effects";
-    return;
-  }
-  if (p_frame < max_frames)
-  {
-    foreach (QString effect, movie_effects[p_frame])
-    {
-      if (effect == "shake")
-      {
-        Q_EMIT shake();
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-        qDebug() << "[CharLayer::play_frame_effect] Attempting to play shake on frame" << frame;
-#endif
-      }
-
-      if (effect == "flash")
-      {
-        Q_EMIT flash();
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-        qDebug() << "[CharLayer::play_frame_effect] Attempting to play flash on frame" << frame;
-#endif
-      }
-
-      if (effect.startsWith("sfx^"))
-      {
-        QString sfx = effect.section("^", 1);
-        Q_EMIT play_sfx(sfx);
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-        qDebug() << "[CharLayer::play_frame_effect] Attempting to play sfx" << sfx << "on frame" << frame;
-#endif
-      }
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-void AOLayer::stop()
-{
-  // for all intents and purposes, stopping is the same as hiding. at no point
-  // do we want a frozen gif to display
-  this->freeze();
-  this->hide();
-  shfx_timer->stop();
-}
-
-void AOLayer::freeze()
-{
-  // aT nO pOiNt Do We WaNt A fRoZeN gIf To DiSpLaY
-  ticker->stop();
-  preanim_timer->stop();
-}
-
-void AOLayer::kill()
-{
-  // used for when we want to ensure a file is loaded anew
-  this->stop();
-  this->clear();
-  movie_frames.clear();
-  movie_delays.clear();
-  last_max_frames = max_frames;
-  max_frames = 0;
-  last_path = "";
-}
-
-void CharLayer::movie_ticker()
-{
-  AOLayer::movie_ticker();
-  play_frame_effect(frame);
-}
-
-void AOLayer::movie_ticker()
-{
-  ++frame;
-  if (frame >= max_frames)
-  {
-    if (play_once)
-    {
-      if (cull_image)
-      {
-        this->stop();
-      }
-      else
-      {
-        this->freeze();
-      }
-      preanim_done();
-      return;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-      frame = 0;
-    }
-  }
-  {
-    QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-    while (frame >= movie_frames.size() && frame < max_frames) // oops! our frame isn't ready yet
-    {
-      frameAdded.wait(&mutex); // wait for a new frame to be added, then check again
-    }
-  }
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[AOLayer::movie_ticker] Frame:" << frame << "Delay:" << movie_delays[frame] << "Actual time taken from last frame:" << actual_time.restart();
-#endif
-  this->set_frame(movie_frames[frame]);
-  ticker->setInterval(this->get_frame_delay(movie_delays[frame]));
-}
-
-void AOLayer::populate_vectors()
-{
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "[AOLayer::populate_vectors] Started thread";
-#endif
-  while (!exit_loop && movie_frames.size() < max_frames)
-  {
-    load_next_frame();
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-    qDebug() << "[AOLayer::populate_vectors] Loaded frame" << movie_frames.size();
-#endif
-  }
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  if (exit_loop)
-  {
-    qDebug() << "[AOLayer::populate_vectors] Exit requested";
-  }
-#endif
-  exit_loop = false;
-}
-
-void AOLayer::load_next_frame()
-{
-  {
-    QMutexLocker locker(&mutex);
-    movie_frames.append(this->get_pixmap(m_reader.read()));
-    movie_delays.append(m_reader.nextImageDelay());
-  }
-  frameAdded.wakeAll();
-}
-
-void CharLayer::preanim_done()
-{
-  if (is_preanim)
-  {
-    AOLayer::preanim_done();
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    return;
-  }
-}
-
-void AOLayer::preanim_done()
-{
-  ticker->stop();
-  preanim_timer->stop();
-  Q_EMIT done();
-}
-
-void AOLayer::shfx_timer_done()
-{
-  this->stop();
-#ifdef DEBUG_MOVIE
-  qDebug() << "shfx timer signaled done";
-#endif
-  // signal connected to courtroom object, let it figure out what to do
-  Q_EMIT done();
-}
diff --git a/src/aolayer.h b/src/aolayer.h
deleted file mode 100644
index b5591e8..0000000
--- a/src/aolayer.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,297 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include <QBitmap>
-#include <QDebug>
-#include <QElapsedTimer>
-#include <QImageReader>
-#include <QLabel>
-#include <QMutex>
-#include <QPropertyAnimation>
-#include <QTimer>
-#include <QWaitCondition>
-#include <QtConcurrent/QtConcurrentRun>
-
-class AOApplication;
-class VPath;
-
-// "Brief" explanation of what the hell this is:
-//
-// AOLayer handles all animations both inside and outside
-// the viewport. It was originally devised as a layering
-// system, but turned into a full refactor of the existing
-// animation code.
-//
-// AOLayer has six subclasses, all of which differ mainly in
-// how they handle path resolution.
-//
-//  - BackgroundLayer: self-explanatory, handles files found in base/background
-//  - CharLayer: handles all the "wonderful" quirks of character path resolution
-//  - SplashLayer: handles elements that can either be provided by a misc/ directory
-//    or by the theme - speedlines, shouts, WT/CE, et cetera
-//  - EffectLayer: this is basically a dummy layer since effects do their own wonky
-//    path resolution in a different file
-//  - InterfaceLayer: handles UI elements like the chat arrow and the music display
-//  - StickerLayer: Crystalwarrior really wanted this. Handles "stickers," whatever those are.
-//
-// For questions comments or concerns, bother someone else
-
-class AOLayer : public QLabel
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  AOLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  QString filename;       // file name without extension, i.e. "witnesstestimony"
-  int static_duration;    // time in ms for static images to be displayed, if
-                          // applicable. set to 0 for infinite
-  int max_duration;       // maximum duration in ms, image will be culled if it is
-                          // exceeded. set this to 0 for infinite duration
-  bool play_once = false; // Whether to loop this animation or not
-  bool cull_image = true; // if we're done playing this animation, should we
-                          // hide it? also controls durational culling
-  // Are we loading this from the same frame we left off on?
-  bool continuous = false;
-  // Whether or not to forcibly bypass the simple check done by start_playback
-  // and use the existent value of continuous instead
-  bool force_continuous = false;
-  Qt::TransformationMode transform_mode = Qt::FastTransformation; // transformation mode to use for this image
-  bool stretch = false;                                           // Should we stretch/squash this image to fill the screen?
-  bool masked = true;                                             // Set a mask to the dimensions of the widget?
-
-  // Set the movie's image to provided paths, preparing for playback.
-  void start_playback(QString p_image);
-
-  void set_play_once(bool p_play_once);
-  void set_cull_image(bool p_cull_image);
-  void set_static_duration(int p_static_duration);
-  void set_max_duration(int p_max_duration);
-
-  // Stop the movie, clearing the image
-  void stop();
-
-  // Stop the movie and clear all vectors
-  void kill();
-
-  // Set the m_flipped variable to true/false
-  void set_flipped(bool p_flipped) { m_flipped = p_flipped; }
-
-  // Move the label itself around
-  void move(int ax, int ay);
-
-  // Move the label and center it
-  void move_and_center(int ax, int ay);
-
-  // Returns the factor by which the image is scaled
-  float get_scaling_factor();
-
-  // This is somewhat pointless now as there's no "QMovie" object to resize, aka
-  // no "combo" to speak of
-  void combo_resize(int w, int h);
-
-  // Return the frame delay adjusted for speed
-  int get_frame_delay(int delay);
-
-  /**
-   * @brief Returns the x offset to use to ensure proper centering in the
-   * viewport. This is used by courtroom transition code to know exactly where
-   * to put the characters at the start and end of the animation.
-   * @return The offset to center the pixmap in the viewport
-   */
-  int get_centered_offset();
-
-  // iterate through a list of paths and return the first entry that exists. if
-  // none exist, return NULL (safe because we check again for existence later)
-  QString find_image(QStringList p_list);
-
-  QPropertyAnimation *slide(int newcenter, int duration);
-
-  // Start playback of the movie (if animated).
-  void play();
-
-  // Freeze the movie at the current frame.
-  void freeze();
-
-protected:
-  AOApplication *ao_app;
-  QVector<QPixmap> movie_frames;
-  QVector<int> movie_delays;
-
-  QTimer *preanim_timer;
-  QTimer *shfx_timer;
-  QTimer *ticker;
-  QString last_path;
-  QImageReader m_reader;
-
-  QElapsedTimer actual_time;
-
-  // These are the X and Y values before they are fixed based on the sprite's
-  // width.
-  int x = 0;
-  int y = 0;
-  // These are the width and height values before they are fixed based on the
-  // sprite's width.
-  int f_w = 0;
-  int f_h = 0;
-
-  float scaling_factor = 0.0;
-
-  int frame = 0;
-  int max_frames = 0;
-  int last_max_frames = 0;
-
-  int speed = 100;
-
-  bool m_flipped = false;
-
-  int duration = 0;
-
-  // Retreive a pixmap adjused for mirroring/aspect ratio shenanigans from a
-  // provided QImage
-  QPixmap get_pixmap(QImage image);
-
-  // Set the movie's frame to provided pixmap
-  void set_frame(QPixmap f_pixmap);
-
-  // If set to anything other than -1, overrides center_pixmap to use it as a
-  // pixel position to center at. Currently only used by background layers
-  int g_center = -1;
-  int last_center = -1; // g_center from the last image.
-  int centered_offset = 0;
-
-  // Center the QLabel in the viewport based on the dimensions of f_pixmap
-  void center_pixmap(QPixmap f_pixmap);
-
-  /*!
-    @brief Get the position to move us to, given the pixel X position of the
-    point in the original image that we'd like to be centered.
-    @return The position to move to.
-   */
-  int get_pos_from_center(int f_center);
-
-private:
-  // Populates the frame and delay vectors.
-  void populate_vectors();
-
-  // used in populate_vectors
-  void load_next_frame();
-  std::atomic_bool exit_loop{false}; // awful solution but i'm not fucking using QThread
-  QFuture<void> frame_loader;
-  QMutex mutex;
-  QWaitCondition frameAdded;
-
-Q_SIGNALS:
-  void done();
-
-protected Q_SLOTS:
-  virtual void preanim_done();
-  void shfx_timer_done();
-  virtual void movie_ticker();
-};
-
-class BackgroundLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-public:
-  BackgroundLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent);
-  void load_image(QString p_filename, int center = -1);
-};
-
-class CharLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  CharLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  QStringList &network_strings2() { return m_network_strings; }
-  void set_network_string(QStringList list) { m_network_strings = list; }
-
-  void load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname, int p_duration, bool p_is_preanim);
-
-  void play(); // overloaded so we can play effects
-
-private:
-  QString current_emote; // name of the emote we're using
-  bool is_preanim;       // equivalent to the old play_once, if true we don't want
-                         // to loop this
-  QString prefix;        // prefix, left blank if it's a preanim
-  QStringList m_network_strings;
-
-  QString last_char;        // name of the last character we used
-  QString last_emote;       // name of the last animation we used
-  QString last_prefix;      // prefix of the last animation we played
-  bool was_preanim = false; // whether is_preanim was true last time
-
-  // Effects such as sfx, screenshakes and realization flashes are stored in
-  // here. QString entry format: "sfx^[sfx_name]", "shake", "flash". The program
-  // uses the QVector index as reference.
-  QVector<QVector<QString>> movie_effects;
-
-  // used for effect loading
-  QString m_char;
-  QString m_emote;
-
-  // overloaded for effects reasons
-  void start_playback(QString p_image);
-
-  // Initialize the frame-specific effects from the char.ini
-  void load_effects();
-
-  // Initialize the frame-specific effects from the provided network_strings,
-  // this is only initialized if network_strings has size more than 0.
-  void load_network_effects();
-
-  // Play a frame-specific effect, if there's any defined for that specific
-  // frame.
-  void play_frame_effect(int p_frame);
-
-private Q_SLOTS:
-  void preanim_done() override; // overridden so we don't accidentally cull characters
-  void movie_ticker() override; // overridden so we can play effects
-
-Q_SIGNALS:
-  void shake();
-  void flash();
-  void play_sfx(QString sfx);
-};
-
-class SplashLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  SplashLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  void load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_charname, QString p_miscname);
-};
-
-class EffectLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  EffectLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  void load_image(QString p_filename, bool p_looping);
-};
-
-class InterfaceLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  InterfaceLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  void load_image(QString p_filename, QString p_miscname);
-};
-
-class StickerLayer : public AOLayer
-{
-  Q_OBJECT
-
-public:
-  StickerLayer(AOApplication *p_ao_app, QWidget *p_parent = nullptr);
-
-  void load_image(QString p_charname);
-};
diff --git a/src/courtroom.cpp b/src/courtroom.cpp
index b5f62f5..bf49fdc 100644
--- a/src/courtroom.cpp
+++ b/src/courtroom.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 #include "courtroom.h"
+
 #include "options.h"
 
+#include <QtConcurrent/QtConcurrent>
+
+// #define DEBUG_TRANSITION
+
 Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
     : QMainWindow()
 {
@@ -45,30 +50,29 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
 
   ui_viewport = new QWidget(this);
   ui_viewport->setObjectName("ui_viewport");
-  ui_vp_background = new BackgroundLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_background = new kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_background->setObjectName("ui_vp_background");
-  ui_vp_background->masked = false;
-  ui_vp_speedlines = new SplashLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_speedlines = new kal::SplashAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_speedlines->setObjectName("ui_vp_speedlines");
-  ui_vp_speedlines->stretch = true;
-  ui_vp_player_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_speedlines->setStretchToFit(true);
+  ui_vp_player_char = new kal::CharacterAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_player_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_player_char");
-  ui_vp_player_char->masked = false;
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_sideplayer_char = new kal::CharacterAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_sideplayer_char");
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->masked = false;
   ui_vp_sideplayer_char->hide();
-  ui_vp_dummy_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->masked = false;
+  ui_vp_dummy_char = new kal::CharacterAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_dummy_char");
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->setResetCacheWhenStopped(true);
   ui_vp_dummy_char->hide();
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char = new CharLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->masked = false;
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char = new kal::CharacterAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->setObjectName("ui_vp_sidedummy_char");
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->setResetCacheWhenStopped(true);
   ui_vp_sidedummy_char->hide();
-  ui_vp_desk = new BackgroundLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
+  ui_vp_char_list = QList{ui_vp_player_char, ui_vp_sideplayer_char, ui_vp_dummy_char, ui_vp_sidedummy_char};
+  ui_vp_desk = new kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer(ao_app, ui_viewport);
   ui_vp_desk->setObjectName("ui_vp_desk");
-  ui_vp_desk->masked = false;
 
-  ui_vp_effect = new EffectLayer(ao_app, this);
+  ui_vp_effect = new kal::EffectAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_effect->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_vp_effect->setObjectName("ui_vp_effect");
 
@@ -78,18 +82,14 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_vp_chatbox = new AOImage(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_chatbox->setObjectName("ui_vp_chatbox");
 
-  ui_vp_sticker = new StickerLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_vp_sticker->set_play_once(false);
-  ui_vp_sticker->set_cull_image(false);
+  ui_vp_sticker = new kal::StickerAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_sticker->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_vp_sticker->setObjectName("ui_vp_sticker");
 
   ui_vp_showname = new AOChatboxLabel(ui_vp_chatbox);
   ui_vp_showname->setObjectName("ui_vp_showname");
   ui_vp_showname->setAlignment(Qt::AlignLeft);
-  ui_vp_chat_arrow = new InterfaceLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_vp_chat_arrow->set_play_once(false);
-  ui_vp_chat_arrow->set_cull_image(false);
+  ui_vp_chat_arrow = new kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_chat_arrow->setObjectName("ui_vp_chat_arrow");
 
   ui_vp_message = new QTextEdit(this);
@@ -99,20 +99,15 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_vp_message->setReadOnly(true);
   ui_vp_message->setObjectName("ui_vp_message");
 
-  ui_vp_testimony = new SplashLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_vp_testimony->set_play_once(false);
+  ui_vp_testimony = new kal::SplashAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_testimony->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_vp_testimony->setObjectName("ui_vp_testimony");
-  ui_vp_wtce = new SplashLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_vp_wtce->set_play_once(true);
-  ui_vp_wtce->continuous = false;
-  ui_vp_wtce->force_continuous = true;
+  ui_vp_wtce = new kal::SplashAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
   ui_vp_wtce->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_vp_wtce->setObjectName("ui_vp_wtce");
-  ui_vp_objection = new SplashLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_vp_objection->set_play_once(true);
-  ui_vp_objection->continuous = false;
-  ui_vp_objection->force_continuous = true;
+  ui_vp_wtce->setPlayOnce(true);
+  ui_vp_objection = new kal::SplashAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
+  ui_vp_objection->setPlayOnce(true);
   ui_vp_objection->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_vp_objection->setObjectName("ui_vp_objection");
 
@@ -159,10 +154,8 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
   ui_music_list->setUniformRowHeights(true);
   ui_music_list->setObjectName("ui_music_list");
 
-  ui_music_display = new InterfaceLayer(ao_app, this);
-  ui_music_display->set_play_once(false);
-  ui_music_display->set_cull_image(false);
-  ui_music_display->transform_mode = Qt::SmoothTransformation;
+  ui_music_display = new kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer(ao_app, this);
+  ui_music_display->setTransformationMode(Qt::SmoothTransformation);
   ui_music_display->setAttribute(Qt::WA_TransparentForMouseEvents);
   ui_music_display->setObjectName("ui_music_display");
 
@@ -419,11 +412,11 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
 
   connect(keepalive_timer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &Courtroom::ping_server);
 
-  connect(ui_vp_objection, &SplashLayer::done, this, &Courtroom::objection_done);
-  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &CharLayer::done, this, &Courtroom::preanim_done);
-  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &CharLayer::shake, this, &Courtroom::do_screenshake);
-  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &CharLayer::flash, this, &Courtroom::do_flash);
-  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &CharLayer::play_sfx, this, &Courtroom::play_char_sfx);
+  connect(ui_vp_objection, &kal::SplashAnimationLayer::finishedPlayback, this, &Courtroom::objection_done);
+  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::finishedPreOrPostEmotePlayback, this, &Courtroom::preanim_done);
+  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::shakeEffect, this, &Courtroom::do_screenshake);
+  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::flashEffect, this, &Courtroom::do_flash);
+  connect(ui_vp_player_char, &kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::soundEffect, this, &Courtroom::play_char_sfx);
 
   connect(text_delay_timer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &Courtroom::start_chat_ticking);
 
@@ -521,7 +514,7 @@ Courtroom::Courtroom(AOApplication *p_ao_app)
 
   connect(ui_vp_evidence_display, &AOEvidenceDisplay::show_evidence_details, this, &Courtroom::show_evidence);
 
-  connect(transition_animation_group, &QParallelAnimationGroup::finished, this, &Courtroom::on_transition_finish);
+  connect(transition_animation_group, &QParallelAnimationGroup::finished, this, &Courtroom::post_transition_cleanup);
 
   set_widgets();
 
@@ -763,29 +756,29 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   ui_settings->show();
 
   // make the BG's reload
-  ui_vp_background->kill();
-  ui_vp_desk->kill();
+  ui_vp_background->restartPlayback();
+  ui_vp_desk->restartPlayback();
 
-  ui_vp_background->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_background->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_background->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_background->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_speedlines->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_speedlines->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_speedlines->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_speedlines->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_player_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_player_char->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_player_char->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
   // the AO2 desk element
-  ui_vp_desk->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_desk->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_desk->move(0, 0);
+  ui_vp_desk->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
   ui_vp_evidence_display->move(0, 0);
   ui_vp_evidence_display->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
@@ -794,17 +787,17 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   // thing, which is to parent these to ui_viewport. instead, AOLayer handles
   // masking so we don't overlap parts of the UI, and they become free floating
   // widgets.
-  ui_vp_testimony->move_and_center(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
-  ui_vp_testimony->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_testimony->move(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
+  ui_vp_testimony->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_effect->move_and_center(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
-  ui_vp_effect->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_effect->move(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
+  ui_vp_effect->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_wtce->move_and_center(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
-  ui_vp_wtce->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_wtce->move(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
+  ui_vp_wtce->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
-  ui_vp_objection->move_and_center(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
-  ui_vp_objection->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_objection->move(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
+  ui_vp_objection->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
   log_maximum_blocks = Options::getInstance().maxLogSize();
 
@@ -888,9 +881,9 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   else
   {
     ui_music_display->move(design_ini_result.x, design_ini_result.y);
-    ui_music_display->combo_resize(design_ini_result.width, design_ini_result.height);
+    ui_music_display->resize(design_ini_result.width, design_ini_result.height);
   }
-  ui_music_display->load_image("music_display", "");
+  ui_music_display->loadAndPlayAnimation("music_display", "");
 
   for (int i = 0; i < max_clocks; i++)
   {
@@ -902,7 +895,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_widgets()
   initialize_chatbox();
 
   ui_vp_sticker->move(ui_viewport->x(), ui_viewport->y());
-  ui_vp_sticker->combo_resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
+  ui_vp_sticker->resize(ui_viewport->width(), ui_viewport->height());
 
   ui_muted->resize(ui_ic_chat_message->width(), ui_ic_chat_message->height());
   ui_muted->setImage("muted");
@@ -1390,7 +1383,7 @@ void Courtroom::done_received()
 
 void Courtroom::set_background(QString p_background, bool display)
 {
-  ui_vp_testimony->stop();
+  ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
   current_background = p_background;
 
   // welcome to hardcode central may I take your order of regularly scheduled
@@ -1440,21 +1433,20 @@ void Courtroom::set_background(QString p_background, bool display)
   if (display)
   {
     ui_vp_speedlines->hide();
-    ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
-    ui_vp_effect->stop();
+    ui_vp_player_char->stopPlayback();
+    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stopPlayback();
+    ui_vp_effect->stopPlayback();
     ui_vp_message->hide();
     ui_vp_chatbox->setVisible(chatbox_always_show);
     // Show it if chatbox always shows
     if (Options::getInstance().characterStickerEnabled() && chatbox_always_show)
     {
-      ui_vp_sticker->load_image(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
+      ui_vp_sticker->loadAndPlayAnimation(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
     }
     // Hide the face sticker
     else
     {
-      ui_vp_sticker->stop();
+      ui_vp_sticker->stopPlayback();
     }
     // Stop the chat arrow from animating
     ui_vp_chat_arrow->hide();
@@ -1465,7 +1457,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_background(QString p_background, bool display)
 
     text_state = 2;
     anim_state = 3;
-    ui_vp_objection->stop();
+    ui_vp_objection->stopPlayback();
     chat_tick_timer->stop();
     ui_vp_evidence_display->reset();
     QString f_side = current_side;
@@ -1730,7 +1722,7 @@ void Courtroom::enter_courtroom()
   // Update the audio sliders
   update_audio_volume();
 
-  ui_vp_testimony->stop();
+  ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
   // ui_server_chatlog->setHtml(ui_server_chatlog->toHtml());
 }
 
@@ -1894,6 +1886,9 @@ void Courtroom::list_areas()
 
 void Courtroom::debug_message_handler(QtMsgType type, const QMessageLogContext &context, const QString &msg)
 {
+#ifdef QT_DEBUG
+  return;
+#endif
   Q_UNUSED(context);
   const QMap<QtMsgType, QString> colors = {{QtDebugMsg, "debug"}, {QtInfoMsg, "info"}, {QtWarningMsg, "warn"}, {QtCriticalMsg, "critical"}, {QtFatalMsg, "fatal"}};
   const QString color_id = QString("debug_log_%1_color").arg(colors.value(type, "info"));
@@ -2312,8 +2307,9 @@ void Courtroom::on_chat_return_pressed()
   if (ao_app->m_serverdata.get_feature(server::BASE_FEATURE_SET::CUSTOM_BLIPS))
   {
     packet_contents.append(ao_app->get_blipname(current_char, current_emote));
+
+    packet_contents.append(ui_slide_enable->isChecked() ? "1" : "0"); // just let the server figure out what to do with this
   }
-  packet_contents.append(ui_slide_enable->isChecked() ? "1" : "0"); // just let the server figure out what to do with this
 
   ao_app->send_server_packet(AOPacket("MS", packet_contents));
 }
@@ -2473,6 +2469,8 @@ void Courtroom::unpack_chatmessage(QStringList p_contents)
 {
   for (int n_string = 0; n_string < MS_MAXIMUM; ++n_string)
   {
+    m_previous_chatmessage[n_string] = m_chatmessage[n_string];
+
     // Note that we have added stuff that vanilla clients and servers simply
     // won't send. So now, we have to check if the thing we want even exists
     // amongst the packet's content. We also have to check if the server even
@@ -2502,7 +2500,7 @@ void Courtroom::unpack_chatmessage(QStringList p_contents)
   text_state = 0;
   anim_state = 0;
   evidence_presented = false;
-  ui_vp_objection->stop();
+  ui_vp_objection->stopPlayback();
   chat_tick_timer->stop();
   ui_vp_evidence_display->reset();
   // This chat msg is not objection so we're not waiting on the objection animation to finish to display the character.
@@ -2699,8 +2697,7 @@ bool Courtroom::handle_objection()
     ui_vp_message->setVisible(chatbox_always_show);
     ui_vp_chat_arrow->setVisible(chatbox_always_show);
     ui_vp_showname->setVisible(chatbox_always_show);
-    ui_vp_objection->set_static_duration(shout_static_time);
-    ui_vp_objection->set_max_duration(shout_max_time);
+    ui_vp_objection->setMaximumDurationPerFrame(shout_max_time);
     QString filename;
     switch (objection_mod)
     {
@@ -2731,9 +2728,9 @@ bool Courtroom::handle_objection()
       break;
       m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD] = QChar(PREANIM);
     }
-    ui_vp_objection->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], ao_app->get_chat(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]));
+    ui_vp_objection->loadAndPlayAnimation(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], ao_app->get_chat(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]));
     sfx_player->stopAll(); // Objection played! Cut all sfx.
-    ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(true);
+    ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(true);
     return true;
   }
   if (m_chatmessage[EMOTE] != "")
@@ -2747,8 +2744,8 @@ void Courtroom::display_character()
 {
   // Stop all previously playing animations, effects etc.
   ui_vp_speedlines->hide();
-  ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-  ui_vp_effect->stop();
+  ui_vp_player_char->stopPlayback();
+  ui_vp_effect->stopPlayback();
   // Clear all looping sfx to prevent obnoxiousness
   sfx_player->stopAllLoopingStream();
   // Hide the message and chatbox and handle the emotes
@@ -2757,12 +2754,12 @@ void Courtroom::display_character()
   // Show it if chatbox always shows
   if (Options::getInstance().characterStickerEnabled() && chatbox_always_show)
   {
-    ui_vp_sticker->load_image(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
+    ui_vp_sticker->loadAndPlayAnimation(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
   }
   // Hide the face sticker
   else
   {
-    ui_vp_sticker->stop();
+    ui_vp_sticker->stopPlayback();
   }
 
   // Arrange the netstrings of the frame SFX for the character to know about
@@ -2770,15 +2767,15 @@ void Courtroom::display_character()
   {
     // ORDER IS IMPORTANT!!
     QStringList netstrings = {m_chatmessage[FRAME_SCREENSHAKE], m_chatmessage[FRAME_REALIZATION], m_chatmessage[FRAME_SFX]};
-    ui_vp_player_char->set_network_string(netstrings);
+    ui_vp_player_char->setFrameEffects(netstrings);
   }
   else
   {
-    ui_vp_player_char->set_network_string(QStringList());
+    ui_vp_player_char->setFrameEffects(QStringList());
   }
 
   // Determine if we should flip the character or not
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
+  ui_vp_player_char->setFlipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::display_pair_character(QString other_charid, QString other_offset)
@@ -2833,20 +2830,22 @@ void Courtroom::display_pair_character(QString other_charid, QString other_offse
           break;
         }
       }
+
+      // Play the other pair character's idle animation
+      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], m_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+
       // Flip the pair character
       if (ao_app->m_serverdata.get_feature(server::BASE_FEATURE_SET::FLIPPING) && m_chatmessage[OTHER_FLIP].toInt() == 1)
       {
-        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->set_flipped(true);
+        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setFlipped(true);
       }
       else
       {
-        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->set_flipped(false);
+        ui_vp_sideplayer_char->setFlipped(false);
       }
 
-      // Play the other pair character's idle animation
-      QString filename = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE];
-      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->set_play_once(false);
-      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], 0, false);
+      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->startPlayback();
     }
   }
 }
@@ -2973,33 +2972,35 @@ void Courtroom::do_screenshake()
   screenshake_animation_group->start();
 }
 
-void Courtroom::do_transition(QString p_desk_mod, QString old_pos, QString new_pos)
+void Courtroom::do_transition(QString p_desk_mod, QString oldPosId, QString newPosId)
 {
   if (m_chatmessage[EMOTE] != "")
+  {
     display_character();
+  }
 
   const QStringList legacy_pos = {"def", "wit", "pro"};
-  QString t_old_pos = old_pos;
-  QString t_new_pos = new_pos;
+  QString t_old_pos = oldPosId;
+  QString t_new_pos = newPosId;
   if (file_exists(ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_background_path("court"))))
   {
-    if (legacy_pos.contains(old_pos))
+    if (legacy_pos.contains(oldPosId))
     {
-      t_old_pos = "court:" + old_pos;
+      t_old_pos = "court:" + oldPosId;
     }
-    if (legacy_pos.contains(new_pos))
+    if (legacy_pos.contains(newPosId))
     {
-      t_new_pos = "court:" + new_pos;
+      t_new_pos = "court:" + newPosId;
     }
   }
 
-  QPair<QString, int> old_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_old_pos);
-  QPair<QString, int> new_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_new_pos);
+  QPair<QString, QRect> old_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_old_pos);
+  QPair<QString, QRect> new_pos_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(t_new_pos);
 
   int duration = ao_app->get_pos_transition_duration(t_old_pos, t_new_pos);
 
   // conditions to stop slide
-  if (old_pos == new_pos || old_pos_pair.first != new_pos_pair.first || new_pos_pair.second == -1 || !Options::getInstance().slidesEnabled() || m_chatmessage[SLIDE] != "1" || duration == -1 || m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == ZOOM || m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == PREANIM_ZOOM)
+  if (oldPosId == newPosId || old_pos_pair.first != new_pos_pair.first || !new_pos_pair.second.isValid() || !Options::getInstance().slidesEnabled() || m_chatmessage[SLIDE] != "1" || duration == -1 || m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == ZOOM || m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt() == PREANIM_ZOOM)
   {
 #ifdef DEBUG_TRANSITION
     qDebug() << "skipping transition - not applicable";
@@ -3016,130 +3017,105 @@ void Courtroom::do_transition(QString p_desk_mod, QString old_pos, QString new_p
   qDebug() << "STARTING TRANSITION, CURRENT TIME:" << transition_animation_group->currentTime();
 #endif
 
-  set_scene(p_desk_mod.toInt(), old_pos);
+  set_scene(p_desk_mod.toInt(), oldPosId);
 
-  QList<AOLayer *> affected_list = {ui_vp_background, ui_vp_desk, ui_vp_player_char};
+  int viewport_width = ui_viewport->width();
+  int viewport_height = ui_viewport->height();
+  double scale = double(viewport_height) / double(ui_vp_background->frameSize().height());
+  QPoint scaled_old_pos = QPoint(old_pos_pair.second.x() * scale, 0);
+  QPoint scaled_new_pos = QPoint(new_pos_pair.second.x() * scale, 0);
 
-  bool paired = false;
-  if (!ui_vp_sideplayer_char->isHidden())
-  {
-    affected_list.append(ui_vp_sideplayer_char);
-    paired = true;
-  }
-
-  // Set up the background, desk, and player objects' animations
-
-  float scaling_factor = ui_vp_background->get_scaling_factor();
-  int offset = (float(old_pos_pair.second) * scaling_factor) - (float(new_pos_pair.second) * scaling_factor);
-
-  for (AOLayer *ui_element : affected_list)
+  QList<kal::AnimationLayer *> affected_list = {ui_vp_background, ui_vp_desk};
+  for (kal::AnimationLayer *ui_element : affected_list)
   {
     QPropertyAnimation *transition_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_element, "pos", this);
-    transition_animation->setStartValue(ui_element->pos());
     transition_animation->setDuration(duration);
-    transition_animation->setEndValue(QPoint(ui_element->pos().x() + offset, ui_element->pos().y()));
     transition_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
+    transition_animation->setStartValue(QPoint(-scaled_old_pos.x(), 0));
+    transition_animation->setEndValue(QPoint(-scaled_new_pos.x(), 0));
     transition_animation_group->addAnimation(transition_animation);
   }
 
-  // Setting up the dummy characters to work for us as our stand-in for the next characters
-  // This should be easy. But it isn't
-
-  QString slide_emote;
-  if (m_chatmessage[OBJECTION_MOD].contains("4") || m_chatmessage[OBJECTION_MOD].toInt() == 2)
-  {
-    slide_emote = "(a)" + ao_app->read_char_ini(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], "objection_pose", "Options");
-    if (slide_emote == "(a)")
+  auto calculate_offset_and_setup_layer = [&, this](kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *layer, QPoint newPos, QString rawOffset) {
+    QPoint offset;
+    QStringList offset_data = rawOffset.split(",");
+    offset.setX(viewport_width * offset_data.at(0).toInt() * 0.01);
+    if (offset_data.size() > 1)
     {
-      slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-    }
-  }
-  else
-    slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-
-  QString other_slide_emote = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE];
-
-  // Load the image we're going to use to get scaling information, and move it into the final position for animation data
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt());
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->load_image(slide_emote, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
-  set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET], ui_vp_dummy_char);
-
-  QPoint starting_position = QPoint(ui_vp_player_char->pos().x() - offset, ui_vp_player_char->pos().y());
-  QPropertyAnimation *ui_vp_dummy_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_vp_dummy_char, "pos", this);
-
-  ui_vp_dummy_animation->setDuration(duration);
-  ui_vp_dummy_animation->setStartValue(starting_position);
-  ui_vp_dummy_animation->setEndValue(ui_vp_dummy_char->pos());
-  ui_vp_dummy_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
-  transition_animation_group->addAnimation(ui_vp_dummy_animation);
-
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->move(starting_position.x(), starting_position.y());
-
-  // If the new message is paired, do it all again for the pair character. Yippee!
-  if (m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID].toInt() != -1 && !m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME].isEmpty())
-  {
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->set_flipped(m_chatmessage[OTHER_FLIP].toInt());
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->load_image(other_slide_emote, m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], 0, false);
-    set_self_offset(m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET], ui_vp_sidedummy_char);
-    QStringList args = m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID].split("^");
-    if (args.size() > 1)
-    {
-      // Change the order of appearance based on the pair order variable
-      int order = args.at(1).toInt();
-      switch (order)
-      {
-      case 0: // Our character is in front
-        ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_dummy_char);
-        break;
-      case 1: // Our character is behind
-        ui_vp_dummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_sidedummy_char);
-        break;
-      default:
-        break;
-      }
+      offset.setY(viewport_height * offset_data.at(1).toInt() * 0.01);
     }
 
-    QPoint other_starting_position = QPoint(ui_vp_sideplayer_char->pos().x() - offset, ui_vp_sideplayer_char->pos().y());
-    QPropertyAnimation *ui_vp_sidedummy_animation = new QPropertyAnimation(ui_vp_sidedummy_char, "pos", this);
+    layer->setParent(ui_vp_background);
+    layer->setPlayOnce(false);
+    layer->pausePlayback(true);
+    layer->startPlayback();
+    layer->move(newPos);
+    layer->show();
+  };
 
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setDuration(duration);
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setStartValue(starting_position);
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setEndValue(ui_vp_sidedummy_char->pos());
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_animation->setEasingCurve(QEasingCurve::InOutCubic);
-    transition_animation_group->addAnimation(ui_vp_sidedummy_animation);
+  ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+  ui_vp_player_char->setFlipped(m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
+  calculate_offset_and_setup_layer(ui_vp_player_char, scaled_new_pos, m_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET]);
 
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move(starting_position.x(), starting_position.y());
-  }
-  else
+  auto is_pairing = [](QString *data) {
+    return (data[OTHER_CHARID].toInt() != -1 && !data[OTHER_NAME].isEmpty());
+  };
+  auto is_pair_under = [](QString data) -> bool {
+    QStringList pair_data = data.split("^");
+    return (pair_data.size() > 1) ? (pair_data.at(1).toInt() == 1) : false;
+  };
+  if (is_pairing(m_chatmessage))
   {
-    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stop();
+    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], m_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+    calculate_offset_and_setup_layer(ui_vp_sideplayer_char, scaled_new_pos, m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET]);
+    if (is_pair_under(m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID]))
+    {
+      ui_vp_player_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_sideplayer_char);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_player_char);
+    }
   }
 
-  ui_vp_player_char->freeze();
-  ui_vp_player_char->show();
-  if (paired)
-  {
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->freeze();
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->show();
-  }
-  else
-  {
-    ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
-  }
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->freeze();
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->freeze();
-  QTimer::singleShot(TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY, transition_animation_group, SLOT(start()));
-}
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_previous_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_previous_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->setFlipped(m_previous_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
+  calculate_offset_and_setup_layer(ui_vp_dummy_char, scaled_old_pos, m_previous_chatmessage[SELF_OFFSET]);
 
-void Courtroom::on_transition_finish()
-{
-  transition_animation_group->clear();
-  transition_animation_group->setCurrentTime(0);
-  QTimer::singleShot(TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY, this, SLOT(post_transition_cleanup()));
+  if (is_pairing(m_previous_chatmessage))
+  {
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_previous_chatmessage[OTHER_NAME], m_previous_chatmessage[OTHER_EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+    ui_vp_sidedummy_char->setFlipped(m_previous_chatmessage[OTHER_FLIP].toInt() == 1);
+    calculate_offset_and_setup_layer(ui_vp_sidedummy_char, scaled_old_pos, m_previous_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET]);
+    if (is_pair_under(m_previous_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID]))
+    {
+      ui_vp_dummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_sidedummy_char);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stackUnder(ui_vp_dummy_char);
+    }
+  }
+
+  transition_animation_group->start();
 }
 
 void Courtroom::post_transition_cleanup()
 {
+  transition_animation_group->clear();
+
+  for (kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *layer : qAsConst(ui_vp_char_list))
+  {
+    bool is_visible = layer->isVisible();
+    layer->stopPlayback();
+    layer->pausePlayback(false);
+    layer->setParent(ui_viewport);
+    layer->setVisible(is_visible);
+  }
+
+  ui_vp_dummy_char->hide();
+  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->hide();
+
   set_scene(m_chatmessage[DESK_MOD].toInt(), m_chatmessage[SIDE]);
 
   // Move the character on the viewport according to the offsets
@@ -3148,10 +3124,6 @@ void Courtroom::post_transition_cleanup()
   int emote_mod = m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD].toInt();
   bool immediate = m_chatmessage[IMMEDIATE].toInt() == 1;
 
-  // Reset the pair character
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->stop();
-  ui_vp_sideplayer_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-
   // If the emote_mod is not zooming
   if (emote_mod != ZOOM && emote_rows != PREANIM_ZOOM)
   {
@@ -3159,12 +3131,6 @@ void Courtroom::post_transition_cleanup()
     display_pair_character(m_chatmessage[OTHER_CHARID], m_chatmessage[OTHER_OFFSET]);
   }
 
-  // Reset tweedle dee and tweedle dummy
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->stop();
-  ui_vp_dummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->stop();
-  ui_vp_sidedummy_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-
   // Parse the emote_mod part of the chat message
   handle_emote_mod(emote_mod, immediate);
 }
@@ -3203,11 +3169,11 @@ void Courtroom::do_effect(QString fx_path, QString fx_sound, QString p_char, QSt
   {
     return;
   }
-  ui_vp_effect->transform_mode = ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "scaling"));
-  ui_vp_effect->stretch = ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "stretch").startsWith("true");
-  ui_vp_effect->set_flipped(ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "respect_flip").startsWith("true") && m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
-  ui_vp_effect->set_play_once(false); // The effects themselves dictate whether or not they're looping.
-                                      // Static effects will linger.
+  ui_vp_effect->setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_scaling(ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "scaling")));
+  ui_vp_effect->setStretchToFit(ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "stretch").startsWith("true"));
+  ui_vp_effect->setFlipped(ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "respect_flip").startsWith("true") && m_chatmessage[FLIP].toInt() == 1);
+  ui_vp_effect->setPlayOnce(false); // The effects themselves dictate whether or not they're looping.
+                                    // Static effects will linger.
 
   bool looping = ao_app->get_effect_property(fx_path, p_char, p_folder, "loop").startsWith("true");
 
@@ -3269,10 +3235,9 @@ void Courtroom::do_effect(QString fx_path, QString fx_sound, QString p_char, QSt
   }
   ui_vp_effect->move(effect_x, effect_y);
 
-  ui_vp_effect->set_static_duration(max_duration);
-  ui_vp_effect->set_max_duration(max_duration);
-  ui_vp_effect->load_image(effect, looping);
-  ui_vp_effect->set_cull_image(cull);
+  ui_vp_effect->setMaximumDurationPerFrame(max_duration);
+  ui_vp_effect->loadAndPlayAnimation(effect, looping);
+  ui_vp_effect->setHideWhenStopped(cull);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::play_char_sfx(QString sfx_name)
@@ -3384,7 +3349,7 @@ void Courtroom::initialize_chatbox()
   else
   {
     ui_vp_chat_arrow->move(design_ini_result.x + ui_vp_chatbox->x(), design_ini_result.y + ui_vp_chatbox->y());
-    ui_vp_chat_arrow->combo_resize(design_ini_result.width, design_ini_result.height);
+    ui_vp_chat_arrow->resize(design_ini_result.width, design_ini_result.height);
   }
 
   QString font_name;
@@ -3464,8 +3429,8 @@ void Courtroom::handle_ic_speaking()
 
     // We're zooming, so hide the pair character and ignore pair offsets. This ain't about them.
     ui_vp_sideplayer_char->hide();
-    ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
-    ui_vp_speedlines->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], ao_app->get_chat(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]));
+    ui_vp_player_char->move(0, 0);
+    ui_vp_speedlines->loadAndPlayAnimation(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], ao_app->get_chat(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]));
   }
 
   // Check if this is a talking color (white text, etc.)
@@ -3474,23 +3439,22 @@ void Courtroom::handle_ic_speaking()
   // If color is talking, and our state isn't already talking
   if (color_is_talking && text_state == 1 && anim_state < 2)
   {
-    // Stop the previous animation and play the talking animation
-    ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-    ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
-    filename = "(b)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-    ui_vp_player_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
-    // Set the anim state accordingly
+    // Play the talking animation
     anim_state = 2;
+    filename = m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
+    ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::TalkEmote);
+    ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+    ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
+    // Set the anim state accordingly
   }
   else if (anim_state < 3 && anim_state != 3) // Set it to idle as we're not on that already
   {
-    // Stop the previous animation and play the idle animation
-    ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-    ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
-    filename = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-    ui_vp_player_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
-    // Set the anim state accordingly
+    // Play the idle animation
     anim_state = 3;
+    filename = m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
+    ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+    ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+    ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
   }
 
   // Begin parsing through the chatbox message
@@ -4025,15 +3989,16 @@ void Courtroom::play_preanim(bool immediate)
     qWarning() << "could not find preanim" << f_preanim << "for character" << f_char;
     return;
   }
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_static_duration(preanim_duration);
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(true);
-  ui_vp_player_char->load_image(f_preanim, f_char, preanim_duration, true);
+
+  ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(f_char, f_preanim, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::PreEmote, preanim_duration);
+  ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(true);
+  ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
 
   switch (m_chatmessage[DESK_MOD].toInt())
   {
   case DESK_EMOTE_ONLY_EX:
     ui_vp_sideplayer_char->hide();
-    ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
+    ui_vp_player_char->move(0, 0);
     [[fallthrough]];
   case DESK_EMOTE_ONLY:
   case DESK_HIDE:
@@ -4100,7 +4065,7 @@ void Courtroom::start_chat_ticking()
 
   case DESK_PRE_ONLY_EX:
     ui_vp_sideplayer_char->hide();
-    ui_vp_player_char->move_and_center(0, 0);
+    ui_vp_player_char->move(0, 0);
     [[fallthrough]];
   case DESK_PRE_ONLY:
   case DESK_HIDE:
@@ -4154,12 +4119,12 @@ void Courtroom::start_chat_ticking()
       // Show it if chatbox always shows
       if (Options::getInstance().characterStickerEnabled() && chatbox_always_show)
       {
-        ui_vp_sticker->load_image(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
+        ui_vp_sticker->loadAndPlayAnimation(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
       }
       // Hide the face sticker
       else
       {
-        ui_vp_sticker->stop();
+        ui_vp_sticker->stopPlayback();
       }
     }
     // If we're not already waiting on the next message, start the timer. We could be overriden if there's an objection planned.
@@ -4176,7 +4141,7 @@ void Courtroom::start_chat_ticking()
 
   if (Options::getInstance().characterStickerEnabled())
   {
-    ui_vp_sticker->load_image(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
+    ui_vp_sticker->loadAndPlayAnimation(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME]);
   }
 
   if (m_chatmessage[ADDITIVE] != "1")
@@ -4226,8 +4191,6 @@ void Courtroom::chat_tick()
 
   // Due to our new text speed system, we always need to stop the timer now.
   chat_tick_timer->stop();
-  ui_vp_player_char->set_static_duration(0);
-  QString filename;
 
   if (tick_pos >= f_message.size())
   {
@@ -4239,20 +4202,21 @@ void Courtroom::chat_tick()
       {
         QStringList c_paths = {ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_character_path(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], "(c)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE])), ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_character_path(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], "(c)/" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE]))};
         // if there is a (c) animation for this emote and we haven't played it already
-        if (file_exists(ui_vp_player_char->find_image(c_paths)) && (!c_played))
+        if (file_exists(ao_app->find_image(c_paths)) && (!c_played))
         {
           anim_state = 5;
-          ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(true);
-          filename = "(c)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
           c_played = true;
+          ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::PostEmote);
+          ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(true);
+          ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
         }
         else
         {
           anim_state = 3;
-          ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
-          filename = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
+          ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+          ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+          ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
         }
-        ui_vp_player_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
       }
     }
     else // We're a narrator msg
@@ -4266,8 +4230,8 @@ void Courtroom::chat_tick()
       f_char = m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME];
       f_custom_theme = ao_app->get_chat(f_char);
     }
-    ui_vp_chat_arrow->transform_mode = ao_app->get_misc_scaling(f_custom_theme);
-    ui_vp_chat_arrow->load_image("chat_arrow", f_custom_theme); // Chat stopped being processed, indicate that.
+    ui_vp_chat_arrow->setTransformationMode(ao_app->get_misc_scaling(f_custom_theme));
+    ui_vp_chat_arrow->loadAndPlayAnimation("chat_arrow", f_custom_theme); // Chat stopped being processed, indicate that.
     QString f_message_filtered = filter_ic_text(f_message, true, -1, m_chatmessage[TEXT_COLOR].toInt());
     for (int c = 0; c < max_colors; ++c)
     {
@@ -4503,19 +4467,17 @@ void Courtroom::chat_tick()
       if (color_is_talking && anim_state != 2 && anim_state < 4) // Set it to talking as we're not on that already (though we have
       // to avoid interrupting a non-interrupted preanim)
       {
-        ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-        ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
-        filename = "(b)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-        ui_vp_player_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
         anim_state = 2;
+        ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::TalkEmote);
+        ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+        ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
       }
       else if (!color_is_talking && anim_state < 3 && anim_state != 3) // Set it to idle as we're not on that already
       {
-        ui_vp_player_char->stop();
-        ui_vp_player_char->set_play_once(false);
-        filename = "(a)" + m_chatmessage[EMOTE];
-        ui_vp_player_char->load_image(filename, m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], 0, false);
         anim_state = 3;
+        ui_vp_player_char->loadCharacterEmote(m_chatmessage[CHAR_NAME], m_chatmessage[EMOTE], kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
+        ui_vp_player_char->setPlayOnce(false);
+        ui_vp_player_char->startPlayback();
       }
     }
     // Continue ticking
@@ -4544,12 +4506,21 @@ void Courtroom::play_sfx()
 
 void Courtroom::set_scene(bool show_desk, const QString f_side)
 {
-  QPair<QString, int> bg_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side);
-  QPair<QString, int> desk_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side, true);
-  ui_vp_background->load_image(bg_pair.first, bg_pair.second);
-  ui_vp_desk->load_image(desk_pair.first, desk_pair.second);
-  last_side = f_side;
+  QPair<QString, QRect> bg_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side);
+  QPair<QString, QRect> desk_pair = ao_app->get_pos_path(f_side, true);
 
+  ui_vp_background->loadAndPlayAnimation(bg_pair.first);
+  ui_vp_desk->loadAndPlayAnimation(desk_pair.first);
+
+  double scale = double(ui_viewport->height()) / double(ui_vp_background->frameSize().height());
+  QSize scaled_size = ui_vp_background->frameSize() * scale;
+  QPoint scaled_offset = QPoint(-(bg_pair.second.x() * scale), 0);
+  ui_vp_background->resize(scaled_size);
+  ui_vp_background->move(scaled_offset);
+  ui_vp_desk->resize(scaled_size);
+  ui_vp_desk->move(scaled_offset);
+
+  last_side = f_side;
   if (show_desk)
   {
     ui_vp_desk->show();
@@ -4560,7 +4531,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_scene(bool show_desk, const QString f_side)
   }
 }
 
-void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, AOLayer *p_layer)
+void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, kal::AnimationLayer *p_layer)
 {
   QStringList self_offsets = p_list.split("&");
   int self_offset = self_offsets[0].toInt();
@@ -4573,7 +4544,7 @@ void Courtroom::set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, AOLayer *p_layer)
   {
     self_offset_v = self_offsets[1].toInt();
   }
-  p_layer->move_and_center(ui_viewport->width() * self_offset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * self_offset_v / 100);
+  p_layer->move(ui_viewport->width() * self_offset / 100, ui_viewport->height() * self_offset_v / 100);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::set_ip_list(QString p_list)
@@ -4729,15 +4700,14 @@ void Courtroom::handle_wtce(QString p_wtce, int variant)
   QString bg_misc = ao_app->read_design_ini("misc", ao_app->get_background_path("design.ini"));
   QString sfx_name;
   QString filename;
-  ui_vp_wtce->set_static_duration(wtce_static_time);
-  ui_vp_wtce->set_max_duration(wtce_max_time);
+  ui_vp_wtce->setMaximumDurationPerFrame(wtce_max_time);
   // witness testimony
   if (p_wtce == "testimony1")
   {
     // End testimony indicator
     if (variant == 1)
     {
-      ui_vp_testimony->kill();
+      ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
       return;
     }
     sfx_name = ao_app->get_court_sfx("witness_testimony", bg_misc);
@@ -4746,7 +4716,7 @@ void Courtroom::handle_wtce(QString p_wtce, int variant)
       sfx_name = ao_app->get_court_sfx("witnesstestimony", bg_misc);
     }
     filename = "witnesstestimony_bubble";
-    ui_vp_testimony->load_image("testimony", "", bg_misc);
+    ui_vp_testimony->loadAndPlayAnimation("testimony", "", bg_misc);
   }
   // cross examination
   else if (p_wtce == "testimony2")
@@ -4757,12 +4727,11 @@ void Courtroom::handle_wtce(QString p_wtce, int variant)
       sfx_name = ao_app->get_court_sfx("crossexamination", bg_misc);
     }
     filename = "crossexamination_bubble";
-    ui_vp_testimony->kill();
+    ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
   }
   else
   {
-    ui_vp_wtce->set_static_duration(verdict_static_time);
-    ui_vp_wtce->set_max_duration(verdict_max_time);
+    ui_vp_wtce->setMaximumDurationPerFrame(verdict_max_time);
     // Verdict?
     if (p_wtce == "judgeruling")
     {
@@ -4774,13 +4743,13 @@ void Courtroom::handle_wtce(QString p_wtce, int variant)
           sfx_name = ao_app->get_court_sfx("notguilty", bg_misc);
         }
         filename = "notguilty_bubble";
-        ui_vp_testimony->kill();
+        ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
       }
       else if (variant == 1)
       {
         sfx_name = ao_app->get_court_sfx("guilty", bg_misc);
         filename = "guilty_bubble";
-        ui_vp_testimony->kill();
+        ui_vp_testimony->stopPlayback();
       }
     }
     // Completely custom WTCE
@@ -4791,8 +4760,8 @@ void Courtroom::handle_wtce(QString p_wtce, int variant)
     }
   }
   sfx_player->findAndPlaySfx(sfx_name);
-  ui_vp_wtce->load_image(filename, "", bg_misc);
-  ui_vp_wtce->set_play_once(true);
+  ui_vp_wtce->loadAndPlayAnimation(filename, "", bg_misc);
+  ui_vp_wtce->setPlayOnce(true);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::set_hp_bar(int p_bar, int p_state)
diff --git a/src/courtroom.h b/src/courtroom.h
index 0370892..a7ca235 100644
--- a/src/courtroom.h
+++ b/src/courtroom.h
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "animationlayer.h"
 #include "aoapplication.h"
 #include "aoblipplayer.h"
 #include "aobutton.h"
@@ -10,7 +11,6 @@
 #include "aoevidencebutton.h"
 #include "aoevidencedisplay.h"
 #include "aoimage.h"
-#include "aolayer.h"
 #include "aomusicplayer.h"
 #include "aopacket.h"
 #include "aosfxplayer.h"
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ public:
 
   // sets p_layer according to SELF_OFFSET, only a function bc it's used with
   // desk_mod 4 and 5
-  void set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, AOLayer *p_layer);
+  void set_self_offset(const QString &p_list, kal::AnimationLayer *p_layer);
 
   // takes in serverD-formatted IP list as prints a converted version to server
   // OOC admittedly poorly named
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ public:
   void handle_ic_message();
 
   // Start the logic for doing a courtroom pan slide
-  void do_transition(QString desk_mod, QString old_pos, QString new_pos);
+  void do_transition(QString desk_mod, QString oldPosId, QString new_pos);
 
   // Display the character.
   void display_character();
@@ -444,6 +444,7 @@ private:
   static const int MS_MINIMUM = 15;
   static const int MS_MAXIMUM = 32;
   QString m_chatmessage[MS_MAXIMUM];
+  QString m_previous_chatmessage[MS_MAXIMUM];
 
   /**
    * @brief The amount of time to wait at the start and end of slide
@@ -451,7 +452,6 @@ private:
    */
   static const int TRANSITION_BOOKEND_DELAY = 300;
 
-  QString previous_ic_message;
   QString additive_previous;
 
   // char id, muted or not
@@ -608,22 +608,23 @@ private:
   AOImage *ui_background;
 
   QWidget *ui_viewport;
-  BackgroundLayer *ui_vp_background;
-  SplashLayer *ui_vp_speedlines;
-  CharLayer *ui_vp_player_char;
-  CharLayer *ui_vp_sideplayer_char;
-  CharLayer *ui_vp_dummy_char;
-  CharLayer *ui_vp_sidedummy_char;
-  BackgroundLayer *ui_vp_desk;
+  kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer *ui_vp_background;
+  kal::SplashAnimationLayer *ui_vp_speedlines;
+  kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *ui_vp_player_char;
+  kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *ui_vp_sideplayer_char;
+  kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *ui_vp_dummy_char;
+  kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *ui_vp_sidedummy_char;
+  QList<kal::CharacterAnimationLayer *> ui_vp_char_list;
+  kal::BackgroundAnimationLayer *ui_vp_desk;
   AOEvidenceDisplay *ui_vp_evidence_display;
   AOImage *ui_vp_chatbox;
   AOChatboxLabel *ui_vp_showname;
-  InterfaceLayer *ui_vp_chat_arrow;
+  kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer *ui_vp_chat_arrow;
   QTextEdit *ui_vp_message;
-  SplashLayer *ui_vp_testimony;
-  SplashLayer *ui_vp_wtce;
-  EffectLayer *ui_vp_effect;
-  SplashLayer *ui_vp_objection;
+  kal::SplashAnimationLayer *ui_vp_testimony;
+  kal::SplashAnimationLayer *ui_vp_wtce;
+  kal::EffectAnimationLayer *ui_vp_effect;
+  kal::SplashAnimationLayer *ui_vp_objection;
 
   QTextEdit *ui_ic_chatlog;
 
@@ -635,9 +636,9 @@ private:
   QTreeWidget *ui_music_list;
 
   ScrollText *ui_music_name;
-  InterfaceLayer *ui_music_display;
+  kal::InterfaceAnimationLayer *ui_music_display;
 
-  StickerLayer *ui_vp_sticker;
+  kal::StickerAnimationLayer *ui_vp_sticker;
 
   static const int max_clocks = 5;
   AOClockLabel *ui_clock[max_clocks];
@@ -805,7 +806,6 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
   void objection_done();
   void preanim_done();
   void do_screenshake();
-  void on_transition_finish();
   void do_flash();
   void do_effect(QString fx_path, QString fx_sound, QString p_char, QString p_folder);
   void play_char_sfx(QString sfx_name);
@@ -978,7 +978,7 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
   // Proceed to parse the oldest chatmessage and remove it from the stack
   void chatmessage_dequeue();
 
-  void preview_emote(QString emote);
+  void preview_emote(QString emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::EmoteType emoteType);
   void update_emote_preview();
 
   // After attempting to play a transition animation, clean up the viewport
diff --git a/src/emotes.cpp b/src/emotes.cpp
index 4023b52..c120d59 100644
--- a/src/emotes.cpp
+++ b/src/emotes.cpp
@@ -231,17 +231,16 @@ void Courtroom::update_emote_preview()
   {
     return;
   }
-  QString emote;
+
   QString pre = ao_app->get_pre_emote(current_char, current_emote);
   if (ui_pre->isChecked() && !pre.isEmpty() && pre != "-")
   {
-    emote = pre;
+    preview_emote(pre, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::PreEmote);
   }
   else
   {
-    emote = "(b)" + ao_app->get_emote(current_char, current_emote);
+    preview_emote(ao_app->get_emote(current_char, current_emote), kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote);
   }
-  preview_emote(emote);
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_emote_clicked(int p_id)
@@ -270,30 +269,30 @@ void Courtroom::show_emote_menu(const QPoint &pos)
   QString f_pre = ao_app->get_pre_emote(current_char, emote_num);
   if (!f_pre.isEmpty() && f_pre != "-")
   {
-    emote_menu->addAction("Preview pre: " + f_pre, this, [this, f_pre] { preview_emote(f_pre); });
+    emote_menu->addAction("Preview pre: " + f_pre, this, [this, f_pre] { preview_emote(f_pre, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::PreEmote); });
   }
 
   QString f_emote = ao_app->get_emote(current_char, emote_num);
   if (!f_emote.isEmpty())
   {
-    emote_menu->addAction("Preview idle: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote("(a)" + f_emote); });
-    emote_menu->addAction("Preview talk: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote("(b)" + f_emote); });
+    emote_menu->addAction("Preview idle: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote(f_emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::IdleEmote); });
+    emote_menu->addAction("Preview talk: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote(f_emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::TalkEmote); });
     QStringList c_paths = {ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_character_path(current_char, "(c)" + f_emote)), ao_app->get_image_suffix(ao_app->get_character_path(current_char, "(c)/" + f_emote))};
     // if there is a (c) animation
-    if (file_exists(ui_vp_player_char->find_image(c_paths)))
+    if (file_exists(ao_app->find_image(c_paths)))
     {
-      emote_menu->addAction("Preview segway: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote("(c)" + f_emote); });
+      emote_menu->addAction("Preview segway: " + f_emote, this, [this, f_emote] { preview_emote(f_emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::PostEmote); });
     }
   }
   emote_menu->popup(button->mapToGlobal(pos));
 }
 
-void Courtroom::preview_emote(QString f_emote)
+void Courtroom::preview_emote(QString f_emote, kal::CharacterAnimationLayer::EmoteType emoteType)
 {
   emote_preview->show();
   emote_preview->raise();
   emote_preview->updateViewportGeometry();
-  emote_preview->display(current_char, f_emote, ui_flip->isChecked(), ui_pair_offset_spinbox->value(), ui_pair_vert_offset_spinbox->value());
+  emote_preview->display(current_char, f_emote, emoteType, ui_flip->isChecked(), ui_pair_offset_spinbox->value(), ui_pair_vert_offset_spinbox->value());
 }
 
 void Courtroom::on_emote_left_clicked()
diff --git a/src/path_functions.cpp b/src/path_functions.cpp
index 1860245..4ab5c66 100644
--- a/src/path_functions.cpp
+++ b/src/path_functions.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ VPath AOApplication::get_default_background_path(QString p_file)
   return VPath("background/default/" + p_file);
 }
 
-QPair<QString, int> AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
+QPair<QString, QRect> AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool desk)
 {
   // witness is default if pos is invalid
   QString f_pos = pos;
@@ -96,14 +96,18 @@ QPair<QString, int> AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool d
     f_pos = "court:wit";
   }
   QStringList f_pos_split = f_pos.split(":");
-  int f_center = -1;
+
+  QRect f_rect;
   if (f_pos_split.size() > 1)
   { // Subposition, get center info
-    bool bOk;
-    int subpos_center = read_design_ini(f_pos + "/pos_center", get_background_path("design.ini")).toInt(&bOk);
-    if (bOk)
+    QStringList arglist = read_design_ini(f_pos + "/pos_center", get_background_path("design.ini")).split(",");
+    if (arglist.size() == 4)
     {
-      f_center = subpos_center;
+      f_rect = QRect(arglist[0].toInt(), arglist[1].toInt(), arglist[2].toInt(), arglist[3].toInt());
+      if (!f_rect.isValid())
+      {
+        f_rect = QRect();
+      }
     }
   }
   QString f_background;
@@ -166,11 +170,12 @@ QPair<QString, int> AOApplication::get_pos_path(const QString &pos, const bool d
   {
     f_desk_image = desk_override;
   }
+
   if (desk)
   {
-    return {f_desk_image, f_center};
+    return {f_desk_image, f_rect};
   }
-  return {f_background, f_center};
+  return {f_background, f_rect};
 }
 
 VPath AOApplication::get_evidence_path(QString p_file)
diff --git a/src/text_file_functions.cpp b/src/text_file_functions.cpp
index b123da3..418de47 100644
--- a/src/text_file_functions.cpp
+++ b/src/text_file_functions.cpp
@@ -929,5 +929,7 @@ int AOApplication::get_pos_transition_duration(const QString &old_pos, const QSt
     return duration;
   }
   else
+  {
     return -1; // invalid
+  }
 }