diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASDisplayNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASDisplayNode.mm
index f8b5aef2ec..c5beb9347b 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASDisplayNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASDisplayNode.mm
@@ -331,6 +331,40 @@ static ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides GetASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides(Class c)
 
 #pragma mark - Core
 
+- (void)__tearDown:(BOOL)tearDown subnodesOfNode:(ASDisplayNode *)node
+{
+  for (ASDisplayNode *subnode in node.subnodes) {
+    if (tearDown) {
+      [subnode __unloadNode];
+    } else {
+      [subnode __loadNode];
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+- (void)__unloadNode
+{
+  ASDisplayNodeAssertThreadAffinity(self);
+  ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
+  
+  if (_flags.layerBacked)
+    _pendingViewState = [_ASPendingState pendingViewStateFromLayer:_layer];
+  else
+    _pendingViewState = [_ASPendingState pendingViewStateFromView:_view];
+    
+  [_view removeFromSuperview];
+  _view = nil;
+  if (_flags.layerBacked)
+    _layer.delegate = nil;
+  [_layer removeFromSuperlayer];
+  _layer = nil;
+}
+
+- (void)__loadNode
+{
+  [self layer];
+}
+
 - (ASDisplayNode *)__rasterizedContainerNode
 {
   ASDisplayNode *node = self.supernode;
@@ -340,7 +374,7 @@ static ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides GetASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides(Class c)
     }
     node = node.supernode;
   }
-
+  
   return nil;
 }
 
@@ -619,11 +653,22 @@ static ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides GetASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides(Class c)
 {
   ASDisplayNodeAssertThreadAffinity(self);
   ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
-
+  
   if (_flags.shouldRasterizeDescendants == flag)
     return;
-
+  
   _flags.shouldRasterizeDescendants = flag;
+  
+  if (self.isNodeLoaded) {
+    //recursively tear down or build up subnodes
+    [self recursivelyClearContents];
+    [self __tearDown:flag subnodesOfNode:self];
+    if (flag == NO) {
+      [self _addSubnodeViewsAndLayers];
+    }
+    
+    [self recursivelyDisplayImmediately];
+  }
 }
 
 - (CGFloat)contentsScaleForDisplay
@@ -653,6 +698,15 @@ static ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides GetASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides(Class c)
   [[self asyncLayer] displayImmediately];
 }
 
+- (void)recursivelyDisplayImmediately
+{
+  ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
+  for (ASDisplayNode *child in _subnodes) {
+    [child recursivelyDisplayImmediately];
+  }
+  [self displayImmediately];
+}
+
 - (void)__setNeedsLayout
 {
   ASDisplayNodeAssertThreadAffinity(self);
@@ -690,6 +744,29 @@ static ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides GetASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides(Class c)
   }
 }
 
+- (void)__setSafeFrame:(CGRect)rect
+{
+  ASDisplayNodeAssertThreadAffinity(self);
+  ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
+  
+  BOOL useLayer = (_layer && ASDisplayNodeThreadIsMain());
+  
+  CGPoint origin      = (useLayer ? _layer.bounds.origin : self.bounds.origin);
+  CGPoint anchorPoint = (useLayer ? _layer.anchorPoint   : self.anchorPoint);
+  
+  CGRect bounds       = (CGRect){ origin, rect.size };
+  CGPoint position    = CGPointMake(rect.origin.x + rect.size.width * anchorPoint.x,
+                                    rect.origin.y + rect.size.height * anchorPoint.y);
+  
+  if (useLayer) {
+    _layer.bounds = bounds;
+    _layer.position = position;
+  } else {
+    self.bounds = bounds;
+    self.position = position;
+  }
+}
+
 // These private methods ensure that subclasses are not required to call super in order for _renderingSubnodes to be properly managed.
 
 - (void)__layout
@@ -1637,10 +1714,10 @@ void recursivelyEnsureDisplayForLayer(CALayer *layer)
   // Assume that _layout was flattened and is 1-level deep.
   for (ASLayout *subnodeLayout in _layout.sublayouts) {
     ASDisplayNodeAssert([_subnodes containsObject:subnodeLayout.layoutableObject], @"Cached sublayouts must only contain subnodes' layout.");
-    ((ASDisplayNode *)subnodeLayout.layoutableObject).frame = CGRectMake(subnodeLayout.position.x,
-                                                                         subnodeLayout.position.y,
-                                                                         subnodeLayout.size.width,
-                                                                         subnodeLayout.size.height);
+    [((ASDisplayNode *)subnodeLayout.layoutableObject) __setSafeFrame:CGRectMake(subnodeLayout.position.x,
+                                                                                 subnodeLayout.position.y,
+                                                                                 subnodeLayout.size.width,
+                                                                                 subnodeLayout.size.height)];
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASEditableTextNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASEditableTextNode.mm
index e6b5399edf..5b929ccfb3 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASEditableTextNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASEditableTextNode.mm
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@
 
 - (void)setTypingAttributes:(NSDictionary *)typingAttributes
 {
-  if (_typingAttributes == typingAttributes)
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(typingAttributes, _typingAttributes))
     return;
 
   _typingAttributes = [typingAttributes copy];
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASImageNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASImageNode.mm
index 2e8a8b963c..9d40a38e71 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASImageNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASImageNode.mm
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #import "ASImageNode+CGExtras.h"
 
 #import "ASInternalHelpers.h"
+#import "ASEqualityHelpers.h"
 
 @interface _ASImageNodeDrawParameters : NSObject
 
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@
 - (void)setImage:(UIImage *)image
 {
   ASDN::MutexLocker l(_imageLock);
-  if (_image != image) {
+  if (!ASObjectIsEqual(_image, image)) {
     _image = image;
 
     ASDN::MutexUnlocker u(_imageLock);
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.h
index c1ddedae02..2178893f35 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.h
@@ -215,6 +215,18 @@ didFinishDownloadingImageWithIdentifier:(ASImageIdentifier)imageIdentifier
  */
 - (nullable NSURL *)multiplexImageNode:(ASMultiplexImageNode *)imageNode URLForImageIdentifier:(ASImageIdentifier)imageIdentifier;
 
+/**
+ * @abstract A PHAsset for the specific asset local identifier
+ * @param imageNode The sender.
+ * @param assetLocalIdentifier The local identifier for a PHAsset that this image node is loading.
+ *
+ * @discussion This optional method can improve image performance if your data source already has the PHAsset available.
+ * If this method is not implemented, or returns nil, the image node will request the asset from the Photos framework.
+ * @note This method may be called from any thread.
+ * @return A PHAsset corresponding to `assetLocalIdentifier`, or nil if none is available.
+ */
+- (PHAsset *)multiplexImageNode:(ASMultiplexImageNode *)imageNode assetForLocalIdentifier:(NSString *)assetLocalIdentifier;
+
 @end
 
 #pragma mark - 
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.mm
index 4ffb8a1275..648c9bb7a0 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASMultiplexImageNode.mm
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   struct {
     unsigned int image:1;
     unsigned int URL:1;
+    unsigned int asset:1;
   } _dataSourceFlags;
 
   // Image flags.
@@ -66,7 +67,8 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   id _loadedImageIdentifier;
   id _loadingImageIdentifier;
   id _displayedImageIdentifier;
-
+  __weak NSOperation *_phImageRequestOperation;
+  
   // Networking.
   id _downloadIdentifier;
 }
@@ -168,12 +170,19 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   return [self initWithCache:nil downloader:nil]; // satisfy compiler
 }
 
+- (void)dealloc
+{
+  [_phImageRequestOperation cancel];
+}
+
 #pragma mark - ASDisplayNode Overrides
 - (void)clearContents
 {
   [super clearContents]; // This actually clears the contents, so we need to do this first for our displayedImageIdentifier to be meaningful.
   [self _setDisplayedImageIdentifier:nil withImage:nil];
 
+  [_phImageRequestOperation cancel];
+  
   if (_downloadIdentifier) {
     [_downloader cancelImageDownloadForIdentifier:_downloadIdentifier];
     _downloadIdentifier = nil;
@@ -185,6 +194,14 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   [super clearFetchedData];
     
   if ([self _shouldClearFetchedImageData]) {
+    
+    [_phImageRequestOperation cancel];
+    
+    if (_downloadIdentifier) {
+      [_downloader cancelImageDownloadForIdentifier:_downloadIdentifier];
+      _downloadIdentifier = nil;
+    }
+    
     // setting this to nil makes the node fetch images the next time its display starts
     _loadedImageIdentifier = nil;
     self.image = nil;
@@ -250,6 +267,7 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   _dataSource = dataSource;
   _dataSourceFlags.image = [_dataSource respondsToSelector:@selector(multiplexImageNode:imageForImageIdentifier:)];
   _dataSourceFlags.URL = [_dataSource respondsToSelector:@selector(multiplexImageNode:URLForImageIdentifier:)];
+  _dataSourceFlags.asset = [_dataSource respondsToSelector:@selector(multiplexImageNode:assetForLocalIdentifier:)];
 }
 
 #pragma mark -
@@ -268,7 +286,7 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
 {
   OSSpinLockLock(&_imageIdentifiersLock);
 
-  if (_imageIdentifiers == imageIdentifiers) {
+  if ([_imageIdentifiers isEqual:imageIdentifiers]) {
     OSSpinLockUnlock(&_imageIdentifiersLock);
     return;
   }
@@ -372,7 +390,7 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   OSSpinLockLock(&_imageIdentifiersLock);
 
   // If we've already loaded the best identifier, we've got nothing else to do.
-  id bestImageIdentifier = ([_imageIdentifiers count] > 0) ? _imageIdentifiers[0] : nil;
+  id bestImageIdentifier = _imageIdentifiers.firstObject;
   if (!bestImageIdentifier || [_loadedImageIdentifier isEqual:bestImageIdentifier]) {
     OSSpinLockUnlock(&_imageIdentifiersLock);
     return nil;
@@ -518,17 +536,52 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
   ASDisplayNodeAssertNotNil(request, @"request is required");
   ASDisplayNodeAssertNotNil(completionBlock, @"completionBlock is required");
   
-  // This is sometimes called on main but there's no reason to stay there
-  dispatch_async(dispatch_get_global_queue(QOS_CLASS_DEFAULT, 0), ^{
-    // Get the PHAsset itself.
-    PHFetchResult *assetFetchResult = [PHAsset fetchAssetsWithLocalIdentifiers:@[request.assetIdentifier] options:nil];
-    if ([assetFetchResult count] == 0) {
+  /*
+   * Locking rationale:
+   * As of iOS 9, Photos.framework will eventually deadlock if you hit it with concurrent fetch requests. rdar://22984886
+   * Concurrent image requests are OK, but metadata requests aren't, so we limit ourselves to one at a time.
+   */
+  static NSLock *phRequestLock;
+  static NSOperationQueue *phImageRequestQueue;
+  static dispatch_once_t onceToken;
+  dispatch_once(&onceToken, ^{
+    phRequestLock = [NSLock new];
+    phImageRequestQueue = [NSOperationQueue new];
+    phImageRequestQueue.maxConcurrentOperationCount = 10;
+    phImageRequestQueue.name = @"org.AsyncDisplayKit.MultiplexImageNode.phImageRequestQueue";
+  });
+  
+  // Each ASMultiplexImageNode can have max 1 inflight Photos image request operation
+  [_phImageRequestOperation cancel];
+  
+  __weak __typeof(self) weakSelf = self;
+  NSOperation *newImageRequestOp = [NSBlockOperation blockOperationWithBlock:^{
+    __strong __typeof(weakSelf) strongSelf = weakSelf;
+    if (strongSelf == nil) { return; }
+    
+    PHAsset *imageAsset = nil;
+    
+    // Try to get the asset immediately from the data source.
+    if (_dataSourceFlags.asset) {
+      imageAsset = [strongSelf.dataSource multiplexImageNode:strongSelf assetForLocalIdentifier:request.assetIdentifier];
+    }
+    
+    // Fall back to locking and getting the PHAsset.
+    if (imageAsset == nil) {
+      [phRequestLock lock];
+      // -[PHFetchResult dealloc] plays a role in the deadlock mentioned above, so we make sure the PHFetchResult is deallocated inside the critical section
+      @autoreleasepool {
+        imageAsset = [PHAsset fetchAssetsWithLocalIdentifiers:@[request.assetIdentifier] options:nil].firstObject;
+      }
+      [phRequestLock unlock];
+    }
+    
+    if (imageAsset == nil) {
       // Error.
       completionBlock(nil, nil);
       return;
     }
     
-    PHAsset *imageAsset = [assetFetchResult firstObject];
     PHImageRequestOptions *options = [request.options copy];
     
     // We don't support opportunistic delivery – one request, one image.
@@ -542,7 +595,7 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
       options.synchronous = YES;
     }
     
-    PHImageManager *imageManager = self.imageManager ?: PHImageManager.defaultManager;
+    PHImageManager *imageManager = strongSelf.imageManager ?: PHImageManager.defaultManager;
     [imageManager requestImageForAsset:imageAsset targetSize:request.targetSize contentMode:request.contentMode options:options resultHandler:^(UIImage *image, NSDictionary *info) {
       if (NSThread.isMainThread) {
         dispatch_async(dispatch_get_global_queue(QOS_CLASS_DEFAULT, 0), ^{
@@ -552,7 +605,9 @@ typedef void(^ASMultiplexImageLoadCompletionBlock)(UIImage *image, id imageIdent
         completionBlock(image, info[PHImageErrorKey]);
       }
     }];
-  });
+  }];
+  _phImageRequestOperation = newImageRequestOp;
+  [phImageRequestQueue addOperation:newImageRequestOp];
 }
 
 - (void)_fetchImageWithIdentifierFromCache:(id)imageIdentifier URL:(NSURL *)imageURL completion:(void (^)(UIImage *image))completionBlock
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASNetworkImageNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASNetworkImageNode.mm
index d41fd60976..3d2fad8906 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASNetworkImageNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASNetworkImageNode.mm
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 #import "ASBasicImageDownloader.h"
 #import "ASDisplayNode+Subclasses.h"
 #import "ASThread.h"
-
+#import "ASEqualityHelpers.h"
 
 @interface ASNetworkImageNode ()
 {
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
 {
   ASDN::MutexLocker l(_lock);
 
-  if (URL == _URL || [URL isEqual:_URL]) {
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(URL, _URL)) {
     return;
   }
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
 {
   ASDN::MutexLocker l(_lock);
 
-  if (defaultImage == _defaultImage || [defaultImage isEqual:_defaultImage]) {
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(defaultImage, _defaultImage)) {
     return;
   }
   _defaultImage = defaultImage;
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASScrollNode.m b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASScrollNode.m
index ade0ee9e5e..afead9ba8a 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASScrollNode.m
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASScrollNode.m
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 {
   return [super initWithViewBlock:^UIView *{
     return [[ASScrollView alloc] init];
-  }];
+  } didLoadBlock:nil];
 }
 
 @end
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASTextNode.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASTextNode.mm
index 5023a06f63..a88920892e 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASTextNode.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASTextNode.mm
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@
 #import <AsyncDisplayKit/ASTextNodeTextKitHelpers.h>
 #import <AsyncDisplayKit/ASDisplayNodeExtras.h>
 
+#import "ASInternalHelpers.h"
 #import "ASTextNodeRenderer.h"
 #import "ASTextNodeShadower.h"
+#import "ASEqualityHelpers.h"
 
 static const NSTimeInterval ASTextNodeHighlightFadeOutDuration = 0.15;
 static const NSTimeInterval ASTextNodeHighlightFadeInDuration = 0.1;
@@ -315,7 +317,7 @@ static NSString *ASTextNodeTruncationTokenAttributeName = @"ASTextNodeTruncation
 #pragma mark - Modifying User Text
 
 - (void)setAttributedString:(NSAttributedString *)attributedString {
-  if (attributedString == _attributedString) {
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(attributedString, _attributedString)) {
     return;
   }
 
@@ -343,20 +345,28 @@ static NSString *ASTextNodeTruncationTokenAttributeName = @"ASTextNodeTruncation
       self.isAccessibilityElement = YES;
     }
   });
+  
+  if (attributedString.length > 0) {
+    CGFloat screenScale = ASScreenScale();
+    self.ascender = round([[attributedString attribute:NSFontAttributeName atIndex:0 effectiveRange:NULL] ascender] * screenScale)/screenScale;
+    self.descender = round([[attributedString attribute:NSFontAttributeName atIndex:attributedString.length - 1 effectiveRange:NULL] descender] * screenScale)/screenScale;
+  }
 }
 
 #pragma mark - Text Layout
 
 - (void)setExclusionPaths:(NSArray *)exclusionPaths
 {
-  if ((_exclusionPaths == nil && exclusionPaths != nil) || (![_exclusionPaths  isEqualToArray:exclusionPaths])) {
-    _exclusionPaths = exclusionPaths;
-    [self _invalidateRenderer];
-    [self invalidateCalculatedLayout];
-    ASDisplayNodeRespectThreadAffinityOfNode(self, ^{
-      [self setNeedsDisplay];
-    });
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(exclusionPaths, _exclusionPaths)) {
+    return;
   }
+  
+  _exclusionPaths = [exclusionPaths copy];
+  [self _invalidateRenderer];
+  [self invalidateCalculatedLayout];
+  ASDisplayNodeRespectThreadAffinityOfNode(self, ^{
+    [self setNeedsDisplay];
+  });
 }
 
 - (NSArray *)exclusionPaths
@@ -965,28 +975,22 @@ static NSAttributedString *DefaultTruncationAttributedString()
 
 - (void)setTruncationAttributedString:(NSAttributedString *)truncationAttributedString
 {
-  // No-op if they're exactly equal (avoid redrawing)
-  if (_truncationAttributedString == truncationAttributedString) {
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(_truncationAttributedString, truncationAttributedString)) {
     return;
   }
 
-  if (![_truncationAttributedString isEqual:truncationAttributedString]) {
-    _truncationAttributedString = [truncationAttributedString copy];
-    [self _invalidateTruncationString];
-  }
+  _truncationAttributedString = [truncationAttributedString copy];
+  [self _invalidateTruncationString];
 }
 
 - (void)setAdditionalTruncationMessage:(NSAttributedString *)additionalTruncationMessage
 {
-  // Short circuit if we're setting to nil (prevent redrawing when we don't need to)
-  if (_additionalTruncationMessage == additionalTruncationMessage) {
+  if (ASObjectIsEqual(_additionalTruncationMessage, additionalTruncationMessage)) {
     return;
   }
 
-  if (![_additionalTruncationMessage isEqual:additionalTruncationMessage]) {
-    _additionalTruncationMessage = [additionalTruncationMessage copy];
-    [self _invalidateTruncationString];
-  }
+  _additionalTruncationMessage = [additionalTruncationMessage copy];
+  [self _invalidateTruncationString];
 }
 
 - (void)setTruncationMode:(NSLineBreakMode)truncationMode
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASDataController.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASDataController.mm
index 7b07ff76ef..6a5b361ff0 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASDataController.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASDataController.mm
@@ -96,6 +96,25 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
 
 #pragma mark - Cell Layout
 
+/*
+ * FIXME: Shouldn't this method, as well as `_layoutNodes:atIndexPaths:withAnimationOptions:` use the word "measure" instead?
+ *
+ * Once nodes have loaded their views, we can't layout in the background so this is a chance
+ * to do so immediately on the main thread.
+ */
+- (void)_layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:(NSArray *)nodes atIndexPaths:(NSArray *)indexPaths {
+  NSAssert(NSThread.isMainThread, @"Main thread layout must be on the main thread.");
+  
+  [indexPaths enumerateObjectsUsingBlock:^(NSIndexPath *indexPath, NSUInteger idx, __unused BOOL * stop) {
+    ASCellNode *node = nodes[idx];
+    if (node.isNodeLoaded) {
+      ASSizeRange constrainedSize = [_dataSource dataController:self constrainedSizeForNodeAtIndexPath:indexPath];
+      [node measureWithSizeRange:constrainedSize];
+      node.frame = CGRectMake(0.0f, 0.0f, node.calculatedSize.width, node.calculatedSize.height);
+    }
+  }];
+}
+
 - (void)_layoutNodes:(NSArray *)nodes atIndexPaths:(NSArray *)indexPaths withAnimationOptions:(ASDataControllerAnimationOptions)animationOptions
 {
   ASDisplayNodeAssert([NSOperationQueue currentQueue] == _editingTransactionQueue, @"Cell node layout must be initiated from edit transaction queue");
@@ -110,15 +129,22 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
     NSInteger batchCount = MIN(kASDataControllerSizingCountPerProcessor, indexPaths.count - j);
     
     for (NSUInteger k = j; k < j + batchCount; k++) {
-      nodeBoundSizes[k] = [_dataSource dataController:self constrainedSizeForNodeAtIndexPath:indexPaths[k]];
+      ASCellNode *node = nodes[k];
+      if (!node.isNodeLoaded) {
+        nodeBoundSizes[k] = [_dataSource dataController:self constrainedSizeForNodeAtIndexPath:indexPaths[k]];
+      }
     }
     
     dispatch_group_async(layoutGroup, dispatch_get_global_queue(DISPATCH_QUEUE_PRIORITY_DEFAULT, 0), ^{
       for (NSUInteger k = j; k < j + batchCount; k++) {
         ASCellNode *node = nodes[k];
-        ASSizeRange constrainedSize = nodeBoundSizes[k];
-        [node measureWithSizeRange:constrainedSize];
-        node.frame = CGRectMake(0, 0, node.calculatedSize.width, node.calculatedSize.height);
+        // Only measure nodes whose views aren't loaded, since we're in the background.
+        // We should already have measured loaded nodes before we left the main thread, using _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:
+        if (!node.isNodeLoaded) {
+          ASSizeRange constrainedSize = nodeBoundSizes[k];
+          [node measureWithSizeRange:constrainedSize];
+          node.frame = CGRectMake(0.0f, 0.0f, node.calculatedSize.width, node.calculatedSize.height);
+        }
       }
     });
   }
@@ -245,6 +271,9 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
       NSMutableArray *updatedIndexPaths = [NSMutableArray array];
       [self _populateFromEntireDataSourceWithMutableNodes:updatedNodes mutableIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths];
       
+      // Measure nodes whose views are loaded before we leave the main thread
+      [self _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:updatedNodes atIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths];
+      
       [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
         LOG(@"Edit Transaction - reloadData");
         
@@ -399,6 +428,9 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
       NSMutableArray *updatedIndexPaths = [NSMutableArray array];
       [self _populateFromDataSourceWithSectionIndexSet:indexSet mutableNodes:updatedNodes mutableIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths];
       
+      // Measure nodes whose views are loaded before we leave the main thread
+      [self _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:updatedNodes atIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths];
+      
       [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
         LOG(@"Edit Transaction - insertSections: %@", indexSet);
         NSMutableArray *sectionArray = [NSMutableArray arrayWithCapacity:indexSet.count];
@@ -448,6 +480,9 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
       // For example, if an initial -reloadData call is quickly followed by -reloadSections, sizing the initial set may not be done
       // at this time.  Thus _editingNodes could be empty and crash in ASIndexPathsForMultidimensional[...]
       
+      // Measure nodes whose views are loaded before we leave the main thread
+      [self _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:updatedNodes atIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths];
+      
       [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
         NSArray *indexPaths = ASIndexPathsForMultidimensionalArrayAtIndexSet(_editingNodes, sections);
         
@@ -482,9 +517,9 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
       // update the section of indexpaths
       NSIndexPath *sectionIndexPath = [[NSIndexPath alloc] initWithIndex:newSection];
       NSMutableArray *updatedIndexPaths = [[NSMutableArray alloc] initWithCapacity:indexPaths.count];
-      [indexPaths enumerateObjectsUsingBlock:^(NSIndexPath *indexPath, NSUInteger idx, BOOL *stop) {
+      for (NSIndexPath *indexPath in indexPaths) {
         [updatedIndexPaths addObject:[sectionIndexPath indexPathByAddingIndex:[indexPath indexAtPosition:indexPath.length - 1]]];
-      }];
+      }
 
       // Don't re-calculate size for moving
       [self _insertNodes:nodes atIndexPaths:updatedIndexPaths withAnimationOptions:animationOptions];
@@ -510,6 +545,9 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
         [nodes addObject:[_dataSource dataController:self nodeAtIndexPath:sortedIndexPaths[i]]];
       }
       
+      // Measure nodes whose views are loaded before we leave the main thread
+      [self _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:nodes atIndexPaths:indexPaths];
+      
       [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
         LOG(@"Edit Transaction - insertRows: %@", indexPaths);
         [self _batchLayoutNodes:nodes atIndexPaths:indexPaths withAnimationOptions:animationOptions];
@@ -527,6 +565,7 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
     [_editingTransactionQueue waitUntilAllOperationsAreFinished];
     
     // sort indexPath in order to avoid messing up the index when deleting
+    // FIXME: Shouldn't deletes be sorted in descending order?
     NSArray *sortedIndexPaths = [indexPaths sortedArrayUsingSelector:@selector(compare:)];
 
     [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
@@ -547,11 +586,18 @@ static void *kASSizingQueueContext = &kASSizingQueueContext;
     // Reloading requires re-fetching the data.  Load it on the current calling thread, locking the data source.
     [self accessDataSourceWithBlock:^{
       NSMutableArray *nodes = [[NSMutableArray alloc] initWithCapacity:indexPaths.count];
-      [indexPaths sortedArrayUsingSelector:@selector(compare:)];
-      [indexPaths enumerateObjectsUsingBlock:^(NSIndexPath *indexPath, NSUInteger idx, BOOL *stop) {
-        [nodes addObject:[_dataSource dataController:self nodeAtIndexPath:indexPath]];
-      }];
       
+      // FIXME: This doesn't currently do anything
+      // FIXME: Shouldn't deletes be sorted in descending order?
+      [indexPaths sortedArrayUsingSelector:@selector(compare:)];
+      
+      for (NSIndexPath *indexPath in indexPaths) {
+        [nodes addObject:[_dataSource dataController:self nodeAtIndexPath:indexPath]];
+      }
+      
+      // Measure nodes whose views are loaded before we leave the main thread
+      [self _layoutNodesWithMainThreadAffinity:nodes atIndexPaths:indexPaths];
+
       [_editingTransactionQueue addOperationWithBlock:^{
         LOG(@"Edit Transaction - reloadRows: %@", indexPaths);
         [self _deleteNodesAtIndexPaths:indexPaths withAnimationOptions:animationOptions];
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASTextNodeCoreTextAdditions.m b/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASTextNodeCoreTextAdditions.m
index 55efebdce8..5ba091b3ea 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASTextNodeCoreTextAdditions.m
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Details/ASTextNodeCoreTextAdditions.m
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ NSAttributedString *ASCleanseAttributedStringOfCoreTextAttributes(NSAttributedSt
 
     return cleanAttributedString;
   } else {
-    return dirtyAttributedString;
+    return [dirtyAttributedString copy];
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutDefines.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutDefines.h
index 82d1aa0daf..0ca7bb3c49 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutDefines.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutDefines.h
@@ -45,9 +45,9 @@ typedef NS_ENUM(NSUInteger, ASStackLayoutAlignItems) {
   ASStackLayoutAlignItemsCenter,
   /** Expand children to fill cross axis */
   ASStackLayoutAlignItemsStretch,
-  /** Children align to their first baseline. Only available for horizontal stack nodes */
+  /** Children align to their first baseline. Only available for horizontal stack spec */
   ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineFirst,
-  /** Children align to their last baseline. Only available for horizontal stack nodes */
+  /** Children align to their last baseline. Only available for horizontal stack spec */
   ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineLast,
 };
 
@@ -66,8 +66,4 @@ typedef NS_ENUM(NSUInteger, ASStackLayoutAlignSelf) {
   ASStackLayoutAlignSelfCenter,
   /** Expand to fill cross axis */
   ASStackLayoutAlignSelfStretch,
-  /** Children align to their first baseline. Only available for horizontal stack nodes */
-  ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineFirst,
-  /** Children align to their last baseline. Only available for horizontal stack nodes */
-  ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineLast,
 };
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutSpec.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutSpec.mm
index 3f0abf42fa..a1d27b3c5e 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutSpec.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Layout/ASStackLayoutSpec.mm
@@ -101,7 +101,6 @@
   std::vector<id<ASLayoutable>> stackChildren = std::vector<id<ASLayoutable>>();
   for (id<ASLayoutable> child in self.children) {
     stackChildren.push_back(child);
-    needsBaselinePass |= child.alignSelf == ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineFirst || child.alignSelf == ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineLast;
   }
   
   const auto unpositionedLayout = ASStackUnpositionedLayout::compute(stackChildren, style, constrainedSize);
@@ -109,12 +108,21 @@
   
   CGSize finalSize = CGSizeZero;
   NSArray *sublayouts = nil;
-  if (needsBaselinePass) {
-    const auto baselinePositionedLayout = ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout::compute(positionedLayout, style, constrainedSize);
+  
+  // regardless of whether or not this stack aligns to baseline, we should let ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout::compute find the max ascender
+  // and min descender in case this spec is a child in another spec that wants to align to a baseline.
+  const auto baselinePositionedLayout = ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout::compute(positionedLayout, style, constrainedSize);
+  if (self.direction == ASStackLayoutDirectionVertical) {
+    ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
+    self.ascender = [[self.children firstObject] ascender];
+    self.descender = [[self.children lastObject] descender];
+  } else {
     ASDN::MutexLocker l(_propertyLock);
     self.ascender = baselinePositionedLayout.ascender;
     self.descender = baselinePositionedLayout.descender;
-    
+  }
+  
+  if (needsBaselinePass) {
     finalSize = directionSize(style.direction, unpositionedLayout.stackDimensionSum, baselinePositionedLayout.crossSize);
     sublayouts = [NSArray arrayWithObjects:&baselinePositionedLayout.sublayouts[0] count:baselinePositionedLayout.sublayouts.size()];
   } else {
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+AsyncDisplay.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+AsyncDisplay.mm
index 98b1c2b6e6..e74cd00e35 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+AsyncDisplay.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+AsyncDisplay.mm
@@ -117,8 +117,8 @@ static void __ASDisplayLayerDecrementConcurrentDisplayCount(BOOL displayIsAsync,
   // Get the display block for this node.
   asyncdisplaykit_async_transaction_operation_block_t displayBlock = [self _displayBlockWithAsynchronous:NO isCancelledBlock:isCancelledBlock rasterizing:YES];
 
-  // We'll display something if there is a display block and/or a background color.
-  BOOL shouldDisplay = displayBlock || backgroundColor;
+  // We'll display something if there is a display block, clipping, translation and/or a background color.
+  BOOL shouldDisplay = displayBlock || backgroundColor || CGPointEqualToPoint(CGPointZero, frame.origin) == NO || clipsToBounds;
 
   // If we should display, then push a transform, draw the background color, and draw the contents.
   // The transform is popped in a block added after the recursion into subnodes.
@@ -131,8 +131,12 @@ static void __ASDisplayLayerDecrementConcurrentDisplayCount(BOOL displayIsAsync,
       CGContextTranslateCTM(context, frame.origin.x, frame.origin.y);
 
       //support cornerRadius
-      if (rasterizingFromAscendent && cornerRadius && clipsToBounds) {
-        [[UIBezierPath bezierPathWithRoundedRect:bounds cornerRadius:self.cornerRadius] addClip];
+      if (rasterizingFromAscendent && clipsToBounds) {
+        if (cornerRadius) {
+          [[UIBezierPath bezierPathWithRoundedRect:bounds cornerRadius:cornerRadius] addClip];
+        } else {
+          [[UIBezierPath bezierPathWithRect:bounds] addClip];
+        }
       }
 
       // Fill background if any.
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+UIViewBridge.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+UIViewBridge.mm
index 977c98ec40..4909abdd46 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+UIViewBridge.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNode+UIViewBridge.mm
@@ -143,22 +143,7 @@
   ASDisplayNodeAssert(CATransform3DIsIdentity(self.transform), @"-[ASDisplayNode setFrame:] - self.transform must be identity in order to set the frame property.  (From Apple's UIView documentation: If the transform property is not the identity transform, the value of this property is undefined and therefore should be ignored.)");
 #endif
 
-  BOOL useLayer = (_layer && ASDisplayNodeThreadIsMain());
-  
-  CGPoint origin      = (useLayer ? _layer.bounds.origin : self.bounds.origin);
-  CGPoint anchorPoint = (useLayer ? _layer.anchorPoint   : self.anchorPoint);
-  
-  CGRect bounds       = (CGRect){ origin, rect.size };
-  CGPoint position    = CGPointMake(rect.origin.x + rect.size.width * anchorPoint.x,
-                                    rect.origin.y + rect.size.height * anchorPoint.y);
-  
-  if (useLayer) {
-    _layer.bounds = bounds;
-    _layer.position = position;
-  } else {
-    self.bounds = bounds;
-    self.position = position;
-  }
+  [self __setSafeFrame:rect];
 }
 
 - (void)setNeedsDisplay
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNodeInternal.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNodeInternal.h
index 8283438272..c2daf155be 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNodeInternal.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASDisplayNodeInternal.h
@@ -126,6 +126,11 @@ typedef NS_OPTIONS(NSUInteger, ASDisplayNodeMethodOverrides) {
 - (ASLayout *)__measureWithSizeRange:(ASSizeRange)constrainedSize;
 
 - (void)__setNeedsLayout;
+/**
+ * Sets a new frame to this node by changing its bounds and position. This method can be safely called even if the transform property 
+ * contains a non-identity transform, because bounds and position can be changed in such case.
+ */
+- (void)__setSafeFrame:(CGRect)rect;
 - (void)__layout;
 - (void)__setSupernode:(ASDisplayNode *)supernode;
 
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout.mm b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout.mm
index 4e81dd60b5..57fd1b4c6d 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout.mm
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout.mm
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout::compute(const A
   const auto ascenderIt = std::max_element(positionedLayout.sublayouts.begin(), positionedLayout.sublayouts.end(), [&](const ASLayout *a, const ASLayout *b){
     return a.layoutableObject.ascender < b.layoutableObject.ascender;
   });
-  const CGFloat maxAscender = baselineIt == positionedLayout.sublayouts.end() ? 0 : (*ascenderIt).layoutableObject.ascender;
+  const CGFloat maxAscender = ascenderIt == positionedLayout.sublayouts.end() ? 0 : (*ascenderIt).layoutableObject.ascender;
   
   /*
     Step 3: Take each child and update its layout position based on the baseline offset.
@@ -103,33 +103,40 @@ ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout ASStackBaselinePositionedLayout::compute(const A
     spacing between the two nodes is from the baseline, not the bounding box.
    
   */
-  CGPoint p = CGPointZero;
-  BOOL first = YES;
-  auto stackedChildren = AS::map(positionedLayout.sublayouts, [&](ASLayout *l) -> ASLayout *{
-    __weak id<ASLayoutable> child = l.layoutableObject;
-    p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, child.spacingBefore, 0);
-    if (first) {
-      // if this is the first item use the previously computed start point
-      p = l.position;
-    } else {
-      // otherwise add the stack spacing
-      p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, style.spacing, 0);
-    }
-    first = NO;
-    
-    // Find the difference between this node's baseline and the max baseline of all the children. Add this difference to the child's y position.
-    l.position = p + CGPointMake(0, baselineOffset(style, l, maxAscender, maxBaseline));
-    
-    // If we are a vertical stack, add the item's descender (it is negative) to the offset for the next node. This will ensure we are spacing
-    // node from baselines and not bounding boxes.
-    CGFloat spacingAfterBaseline = 0;
-    if (style.direction == ASStackLayoutDirectionVertical) {
-      spacingAfterBaseline = child.descender;
-    }
-    p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, stackDimension(style.direction, l.size) + child.spacingAfter + spacingAfterBaseline, 0);
-    
-    return l;
-  });
+  std::vector<ASLayout *> stackedChildren;
+  // Only change positions of layouts this stackSpec is aligning to a baseline. Otherwise we are only here to
+  // compute the min/max descender/ascender for this stack spec.
+  if (style.baselineRelativeArrangement || style.alignItems == ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineFirst || style.alignItems == ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineLast) {
+    CGPoint p = CGPointZero;
+    BOOL first = YES;
+    stackedChildren = AS::map(positionedLayout.sublayouts, [&](ASLayout *l) -> ASLayout *{
+      __weak id<ASLayoutable> child = l.layoutableObject;
+      p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, child.spacingBefore, 0);
+      if (first) {
+        // if this is the first item use the previously computed start point
+        p = l.position;
+      } else {
+        // otherwise add the stack spacing
+        p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, style.spacing, 0);
+      }
+      first = NO;
+      
+      // Find the difference between this node's baseline and the max baseline of all the children. Add this difference to the child's y position.
+      l.position = p + CGPointMake(0, baselineOffset(style, l, maxAscender, maxBaseline));
+      
+      // If we are a vertical stack, add the item's descender (it is negative) to the offset for the next node. This will ensure we are spacing
+      // node from baselines and not bounding boxes.
+      CGFloat spacingAfterBaseline = 0;
+      if (style.direction == ASStackLayoutDirectionVertical) {
+        spacingAfterBaseline = child.descender;
+      }
+      p = p + directionPoint(style.direction, stackDimension(style.direction, l.size) + child.spacingAfter + spacingAfterBaseline, 0);
+      
+      return l;
+    });
+  } else {
+    stackedChildren = positionedLayout.sublayouts;
+  }
   
   /*
     Step 4: Since we have been mucking with positions, there is a chance that our cross size has changed. Imagine a node with a font size of 40
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackLayoutSpecUtilities.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackLayoutSpecUtilities.h
index 2b073c106a..a61218cfe4 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackLayoutSpecUtilities.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/ASStackLayoutSpecUtilities.h
@@ -63,10 +63,6 @@ inline ASStackLayoutAlignItems alignment(ASStackLayoutAlignSelf childAlignment,
       return ASStackLayoutAlignItemsStart;
     case ASStackLayoutAlignSelfStretch:
       return ASStackLayoutAlignItemsStretch;
-    case ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineFirst:
-      return ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineFirst;
-    case ASStackLayoutAlignSelfBaselineLast:
-      return ASStackLayoutAlignItemsBaselineLast;
     case ASStackLayoutAlignSelfAuto:
     default:
       return stackAlignment;
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.h
index 904730b93d..4dd1146d24 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.h
@@ -27,4 +27,7 @@
 - (void)applyToView:(UIView *)view;
 - (void)applyToLayer:(CALayer *)layer;
 
++ (_ASPendingState *)pendingViewStateFromLayer:(CALayer *)layer;
++ (_ASPendingState *)pendingViewStateFromView:(UIView *)view;
+
 @end
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.m b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.m
index b92f97d802..f8c2426971 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.m
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/Private/_ASPendingState.m
@@ -796,4 +796,212 @@
     view.accessibilityIdentifier = accessibilityIdentifier;
 }
 
++ (_ASPendingState *)pendingViewStateFromLayer:(CALayer *)layer
+{
+  _ASPendingState *pendingState = [[_ASPendingState alloc] init];
+  
+  pendingState.anchorPoint = layer.anchorPoint;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAnchorPoint = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.position = layer.position;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setPosition = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.zPosition = layer.zPosition;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setZPosition = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.bounds = layer.bounds;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBounds = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contentsScale = layer.contentsScale;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContentsScale = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.transform = layer.transform;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setTransform = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.sublayerTransform = layer.sublayerTransform;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setSublayerTransform = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contents = layer.contents;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContents = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.clipsToBounds = layer.masksToBounds;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setClipsToBounds = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.backgroundColor = layer.backgroundColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBackgroundColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.opaque = layer.opaque;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setOpaque = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.hidden = layer.hidden;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setHidden = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.alpha = layer.opacity;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAlpha = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.cornerRadius = layer.cornerRadius;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setCornerRadius = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contentMode = ASDisplayNodeUIContentModeFromCAContentsGravity(layer.contentsGravity);
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContentMode = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowColor = layer.shadowColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowOpacity = layer.shadowOpacity;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowOpacity = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowOffset = layer.shadowOffset;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowOffset = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowRadius = layer.shadowRadius;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowRadius = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.borderWidth = layer.borderWidth;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBorderWidth = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.borderColor = layer.borderColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBorderColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.needsDisplayOnBoundsChange = layer.needsDisplayOnBoundsChange;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setNeedsDisplayOnBoundsChange = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.allowsEdgeAntialiasing = layer.allowsEdgeAntialiasing;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAllowsEdgeAntialiasing = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.edgeAntialiasingMask = layer.edgeAntialiasingMask;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setEdgeAntialiasingMask = YES;
+  
+  return pendingState;
+}
+
++ (_ASPendingState *)pendingViewStateFromView:(UIView *)view
+{
+  _ASPendingState *pendingState = [[_ASPendingState alloc] init];
+  
+  CALayer *layer = view.layer;
+  
+  pendingState.anchorPoint = layer.anchorPoint;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAnchorPoint = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.position = layer.position;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setPosition = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.zPosition = layer.zPosition;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setZPosition = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.bounds = view.bounds;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBounds = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contentsScale = layer.contentsScale;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContentsScale = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.transform = layer.transform;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setTransform = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.sublayerTransform = layer.sublayerTransform;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setSublayerTransform = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contents = layer.contents;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContents = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.clipsToBounds = view.clipsToBounds;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setClipsToBounds = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.backgroundColor = layer.backgroundColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBackgroundColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.tintColor = view.tintColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setTintColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.opaque = layer.opaque;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setOpaque = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.hidden = view.hidden;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setHidden = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.alpha = view.alpha;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAlpha = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.cornerRadius = layer.cornerRadius;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setCornerRadius = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.contentMode = view.contentMode;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setContentMode = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.userInteractionEnabled = view.userInteractionEnabled;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setUserInteractionEnabled = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.exclusiveTouch = view.exclusiveTouch;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setExclusiveTouch = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowColor = layer.shadowColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowOpacity = layer.shadowOpacity;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowOpacity = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowOffset = layer.shadowOffset;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowOffset = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shadowRadius = layer.shadowRadius;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShadowRadius = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.borderWidth = layer.borderWidth;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBorderWidth = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.borderColor = layer.borderColor;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setBorderColor = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.autoresizingMask = view.autoresizingMask;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAutoresizingMask = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.autoresizesSubviews = view.autoresizesSubviews;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAutoresizesSubviews = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.needsDisplayOnBoundsChange = layer.needsDisplayOnBoundsChange;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setNeedsDisplayOnBoundsChange = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.allowsEdgeAntialiasing = layer.allowsEdgeAntialiasing;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAllowsEdgeAntialiasing = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.edgeAntialiasingMask = layer.edgeAntialiasingMask;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setEdgeAntialiasingMask = YES;
+
+  pendingState.isAccessibilityElement = view.isAccessibilityElement;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setIsAccessibilityElement = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityLabel = view.accessibilityLabel;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityLabel = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityHint = view.accessibilityHint;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityHint = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityValue = view.accessibilityValue;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityValue = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityTraits = view.accessibilityTraits;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityTraits = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityFrame = view.accessibilityFrame;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityFrame = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityLanguage = view.accessibilityLanguage;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityLanguage = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityElementsHidden = view.accessibilityElementsHidden;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityElementsHidden = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityViewIsModal = view.accessibilityViewIsModal;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityViewIsModal = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.shouldGroupAccessibilityChildren = view.shouldGroupAccessibilityChildren;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setShouldGroupAccessibilityChildren = YES;
+  
+  pendingState.accessibilityIdentifier = view.accessibilityIdentifier;
+  (pendingState->_flags).setAccessibilityIdentifier = YES;
+  
+  return pendingState;
+}
+
 @end
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKitTests/ASSnapshotTestCase.h b/AsyncDisplayKitTests/ASSnapshotTestCase.h
index 054560152c..dae712c29b 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKitTests/ASSnapshotTestCase.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKitTests/ASSnapshotTestCase.h
@@ -14,6 +14,12 @@
 { \
   [ASSnapshotTestCase hackilySynchronouslyRecursivelyRenderNode:node__]; \
   FBSnapshotVerifyLayer(node__.layer, identifier__); \
+  [node__ setShouldRasterizeDescendants:YES]; \
+  [ASSnapshotTestCase hackilySynchronouslyRecursivelyRenderNode:node__]; \
+  FBSnapshotVerifyLayer(node__.layer, identifier__); \
+  [node__ setShouldRasterizeDescendants:NO]; \
+  [ASSnapshotTestCase hackilySynchronouslyRecursivelyRenderNode:node__]; \
+  FBSnapshotVerifyLayer(node__.layer, identifier__); \
 }
 
 @interface ASSnapshotTestCase : FBSnapshotTestCase