diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.cpp
index fb4417e7db..a3feb0332b 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.cpp
@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ CosmeticVertex::CosmeticVertex() : TechDraw::Vertex()
     //TODO: sort out 2x visible variables
     Vertex::visible = true;    //yuck
     cosmetic = true;
-    
 
     createNewTag();
 }
@@ -208,7 +207,8 @@ std::string CosmeticVertex::toString(void) const
           " / " <<
           style << ","  <<
           " / " <<
-          visible;
+          visible << " / " ;
+    ss << getTagAsString();
     return ss.str();
 }
 
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ void CosmeticVertex::Save(Base::Writer &writer) const
     writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<Style value=\"" <<  style << "\"/>" << endl;
     const char v = visible?'1':'0';
     writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<Visible value=\"" <<  v << "\"/>" << endl;
+    writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<Tag value=\"" <<  getTagAsString() << "\"/>" << endl;
 }
 
 void CosmeticVertex::Restore(Base::XMLReader &reader)
@@ -252,6 +253,11 @@ void CosmeticVertex::Restore(Base::XMLReader &reader)
     style = reader.getAttributeAsInteger("value");
     reader.readElement("Visible");
     visible = (int)reader.getAttributeAsInteger("value")==0?false:true;
+    reader.readElement("Tag");
+    temp = reader.getAttribute("value");
+    boost::uuids::string_generator gen;
+    boost::uuids::uuid u1 = gen(temp);
+    tag = u1;
 }
 
 Base::Vector3d CosmeticVertex::scaled(double factor)
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.h
index 0f7074d619..ed1534c642 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Cosmetic.h
@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ public:
     virtual ~CosmeticVertex() = default;
 
     std::string toString(void) const;
-/*    bool fromCSV(std::string& lineSpec);*/
     void dump(char* title);
     Base::Vector3d scaled(double factor);
 
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ public:
     CosmeticVertex* clone(void) const;
 
     Base::Vector3d permaPoint;           //permanent, unscaled value
-    int            linkGeom;             //connection to corresponding "geom" Vertex
+    int            linkGeom;             //connection to corresponding "geom" Vertex (fragile - index based!)
     App::Color     color;
     double         size;
     int            style;
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawDimHelper.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawDimHelper.cpp
index a6830eac55..86fd0f9892 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawDimHelper.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawDimHelper.cpp
@@ -120,6 +120,30 @@ void DrawDimHelper::makeExtentDim(DrawViewPart* dvp,
     DrawViewDimExtent* extDim = dynamic_cast<DrawViewDimExtent*>(distDim);
     extDim->Source.setValue(dvp, edgeNames);
 
+    std::vector<std::string> subElements      = extDim->References2D.getSubValues();
+    std::vector<std::string> cvTags;
+    std::string tag0;
+    std::string tag1;
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v0 = nullptr;
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v1 = nullptr;
+    if (subElements.size() > 1) {
+        int idx0 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[0]);
+        int idx1 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[1]);
+        v0 = dvp->getProjVertexByIndex(idx0);
+        v1 = dvp->getProjVertexByIndex(idx1);
+        if ( (v0 != nullptr) && 
+             (!v0->cosmeticTag.empty()) ) {
+            tag0 = v0->cosmeticTag;
+        }
+        if ( (v1 != nullptr) && 
+             (!v1->cosmeticTag.empty()) ) {
+            tag1 = v1->cosmeticTag;
+        }
+        cvTags.push_back(tag0);
+        cvTags.push_back(tag1);
+        extDim->CosmeticTags.setValues(cvTags);
+    }
+
     //continue recomputes
     dvp->getDocument()->setStatus(App::Document::Status::SkipRecompute, false);
     extDim->recomputeFeature();
@@ -315,8 +339,6 @@ DrawViewDimension* DrawDimHelper::makeDistDim(DrawViewPart* dvp,
     TechDraw::DrawPage* page = dvp->findParentPage();
     std::string pageName = page->getNameInDocument();
 
-    double scale = dvp->getScale();
-
     TechDraw::DrawViewDimension *dim = 0;
     App::Document* doc = dvp->getDocument();
     std::string dimName = doc->getUniqueObjectName("Dimension");
@@ -324,17 +346,15 @@ DrawViewDimension* DrawDimHelper::makeDistDim(DrawViewPart* dvp,
         dimName = doc->getUniqueObjectName("DimExtent");
     }
 
-    Base::Vector3d cleanMin = DrawUtil::invertY(inMin) / scale;
-    int idx1 = dvp->addCosmeticVertex(cleanMin);   //CV index
-    dvp->add1CVToGV(idx1);
-    Base::Vector3d cleanMax = DrawUtil::invertY(inMax) / scale;
-    int idx2 = dvp->addCosmeticVertex(cleanMax);
-    dvp->add1CVToGV(idx2);
+    double scale = dvp->getScale();
 
-    CosmeticVertex* cv1 = dvp->getCosmeticVertexByIndex(idx1);
-    CosmeticVertex* cv2 = dvp->getCosmeticVertexByIndex(idx2);
-    int iGV1 = cv1->linkGeom;
-    int iGV2 = cv2->linkGeom;
+    //regular dims will have trouble with geom indexes!
+    Base::Vector3d cleanMin = DrawUtil::invertY(inMin) / scale;
+    std::string tag1 = dvp->addCosmeticVertexSS(cleanMin);
+    int iGV1 = dvp->add1CVToGV(tag1);
+    Base::Vector3d cleanMax = DrawUtil::invertY(inMax) / scale;
+    std::string tag2 = dvp->addCosmeticVertexSS(cleanMax);
+    int iGV2 = dvp->add1CVToGV(tag2);
 
     std::vector<App::DocumentObject *> objs;
     std::vector<std::string> subs;
@@ -346,7 +366,6 @@ DrawViewDimension* DrawDimHelper::makeDistDim(DrawViewPart* dvp,
     objs.push_back(dvp);
 
     ss.clear();
-    ss.str("");
     ss << "Vertex" << iGV2;
     vertexName = ss.str();
     subs.push_back(vertexName);
@@ -360,12 +379,13 @@ DrawViewDimension* DrawDimHelper::makeDistDim(DrawViewPart* dvp,
         Base::Interpreter().runStringArg("App.activeDocument().addObject('TechDraw::DrawViewDimension','%s')",
                                          dimName.c_str());
     }
+
     Base::Interpreter().runStringArg("App.activeDocument().%s.Type = '%s'",
                                      dimName.c_str(), dimType.c_str());
+
     Base::Interpreter().runStringArg("App.activeDocument().%s.addView(App.activeDocument().%s)",
                                      pageName.c_str(),dimName.c_str());
 
-
     dim = dynamic_cast<TechDraw::DrawViewDimension *>(doc->getObject(dimName.c_str()));
     if (!dim) {
         throw Base::TypeError("DDH::makeDistDim - dim not found\n");
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.cpp
index 6da6cf1369..afc2c103b7 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.cpp
@@ -74,6 +74,8 @@ DrawViewDimExtent::DrawViewDimExtent(void)
     Source3d.setScope(App::LinkScope::Global);
     ADD_PROPERTY_TYPE(DirExtent ,(0),"",App::Prop_Output,"Horizontal / Vertical");
 
+    ADD_PROPERTY_TYPE(CosmeticTags ,(""),"",App::Prop_Output,"Id of cosmetic endpoints");
+
     //hide the properties the user can't edit in the property editor
     Source3d.setStatus(App::Property::Hidden,true);   //TBI
 
@@ -128,35 +130,34 @@ App::DocumentObjectExecReturn *DrawViewDimExtent::execute(void)
 
     TechDraw::Vertex* v0 = nullptr;
     TechDraw::Vertex* v1 = nullptr;
-    const std::vector<std::string> &subElements = References2D.getSubValues();
-    if (subElements.size() > 1) {
-        int idx0 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[0]);
-        int idx1 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[1]);
-        v0 = getViewPart()->getProjVertexByIndex(idx0);
-        v1 = getViewPart()->getProjVertexByIndex(idx1);
-
-        double length00 = (v0->pnt - refMin).Length();
-        double length11 = (v1->pnt - refMax).Length();
-        double length01 = (v0->pnt - refMax).Length();
-        double length10 = (v1->pnt - refMin).Length();
-        if (  ((length00 < tolerance) &&
-               (length11 < tolerance))  ||
-              ((length01 < tolerance) &&
-               (length10 < tolerance))  ) {
-        } else {
-            //update GV
-            v0->pnt = refMin;
-            v1->pnt = refMax;
-    //        v0->occVertex = ???
-    //        v1->occVertex = ???
-            //update CV
-            double scale = dvp->getScale();
-            int cv0 = v0->cosmeticLink;
-            CosmeticVertex* cvTemp = dvp->getCosmeticVertexByIndex(cv0);
-            cvTemp->permaPoint = refMin / scale;
-            int cv1 = v1->cosmeticLink;
-            cvTemp = dvp->getCosmeticVertexByIndex(cv1);
-            cvTemp->permaPoint = refMax / scale; 
+    std::vector<std::string> cTags = CosmeticTags.getValues();
+    if (cTags.size() > 1) {
+        v0 = dvp->getProjVertexByCosTag(cTags[0]);
+        v1 = dvp->getProjVertexByCosTag(cTags[1]);
+        if ( (v0 != nullptr) &&
+             (v1 != nullptr) ) {
+            double length00 = (v0->pnt - refMin).Length();
+            double length11 = (v1->pnt - refMax).Length();
+            double length01 = (v0->pnt - refMax).Length();
+            double length10 = (v1->pnt - refMin).Length();
+            if (  ((length00 < tolerance) &&
+                   (length11 < tolerance))  ||
+                  ((length01 < tolerance) &&
+                   (length10 < tolerance))  ) {
+                //nothing changed - nop
+            } else {
+                //update GV
+                v0->pnt = refMin;
+                v1->pnt = refMax;
+        //        v0->occVertex = ???
+        //        v1->occVertex = ???
+                //update CV
+                double scale = dvp->getScale();
+                CosmeticVertex* cvTemp = dvp->getCosmeticVertex(cTags[0]);
+                cvTemp->permaPoint = refMin / scale;
+                cvTemp = dvp->getCosmeticVertex(cTags[1]);
+                cvTemp->permaPoint = refMax / scale; 
+            }
         }
     }
 
@@ -177,35 +178,67 @@ std::vector<std::string> DrawViewDimExtent::getSubNames(void)
     return result;
 }
 
+pointPair DrawViewDimExtent::getPointsTwoVerts()
+{
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVDE::getPointsTwoVerts() - %s\n",getNameInDocument());
+    pointPair result;
+    result.first = Base::Vector3d(0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+    result.second = Base::Vector3d(0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v0 = nullptr;
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v1 = nullptr;
+    TechDraw::DrawViewPart* dvp = getViewPart();
+    if (dvp == nullptr) {
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    std::vector<std::string> cTags = CosmeticTags.getValues();
+    if (cTags.size() > 1) {
+        v0 = dvp->getProjVertexByCosTag(cTags[0]);
+        v1 = dvp->getProjVertexByCosTag(cTags[1]);
+        if ( (v0 != nullptr) &&
+             (v1 != nullptr) ) {
+            result.first  = v0->pnt;
+            result.second = v1->pnt;
+        }
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
+//! validate 2D references - only checks if the target exists
+bool DrawViewDimExtent::checkReferences2D() const
+{
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVDE::checkReFerences2d() - %s\n",getNameInDocument());
+    bool result = false;
+    TechDraw::DrawViewPart* dvp = getViewPart();
+    if (dvp == nullptr) {
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    std::vector<std::string> cTags = CosmeticTags.getValues();
+    if (cTags.size() > 1) {
+        CosmeticVertex* cv0 = dvp->getCosmeticVertex(cTags[0]);
+        CosmeticVertex* cv1 = dvp->getCosmeticVertex(cTags[1]);
+        if ( (cv0 != nullptr) &&
+             (cv1 != nullptr) ) {
+            result = true;
+        }
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
 void DrawViewDimExtent::unsetupObject()
 {
-    //CV's need to be deleted, but deleting messes up all the indices to other CV's!
-//    TechDraw::DrawViewPart* dvp = getViewPart();
-//    std::vector<TechDraw::CosmeticVertex*> cVerts = dvp->CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-//    Base::Console().Message("DVDE::unsetupObject() - cVerts: %d\n", cVerts.size());
-//    TechDraw::Vertex* v0 = nullptr;
-//    TechDraw::Vertex* v1 = nullptr;
-//    const std::vector<std::string> &subElements = References2D.getSubValues();
-//    if (subElements.size() > 1) {
-//        Base::Console().Message("DVDE::unsetupObject - more than 1 subElement\n");
-//        int idx1 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[1]);
-//        v1 = dvp->getProjVertexByIndex(idx1);
-//        if (v1 != nullptr) {
-//            int cv1 = v1->cosmeticLink;
-//            dvp->removeCosmeticVertex(cv1);
-//        }
+//    bool isRemoving = testStatus(App::ObjectStatus::Remove);
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVDE::unsetupObject - isRemove: %d status: %X\n",
+//                            isRemoving, getStatus());
+    TechDraw::DrawViewPart* dvp = getViewPart();
 
-//        int idx0 = DrawUtil::getIndexFromName(subElements[0]);
-//        v0 = dvp->getProjVertexByIndex(idx0);
-//        if (v0 != nullptr) {
-//            int cv0 = v0->cosmeticLink;
-//            dvp->removeCosmeticVertex(cv0);
-//        }
-//    }
-//    cVerts = dvp->CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-//    Base::Console().Message("DVDE::unsetupObject - exit - cVerts: %d\n", cVerts.size());
+    std::vector<std::string> cTags = CosmeticTags.getValues();
+    dvp->removeCosmeticVertex(cTags);
     DrawViewDimension::unsetupObject();
-//    App::DocumentObject::unsetUpObject();
+
+    //dvp probably needs recomp/repaint here.
+    dvp->enforceRecompute();
 }
 
 PyObject *DrawViewDimExtent::getPyObject(void)
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.h
index 1fa967a400..15537b0c78 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimExtent.h
@@ -45,18 +45,21 @@ public:
                                                                  //Cosmetic End points are stored in DVD::References2d
     App::PropertyLinkSubList       Source3d;                     //Part::Feature & SubElements  TBI
     App::PropertyInteger           DirExtent;                    //Horizontal, Vertical, TBD
+    App::PropertyStringList        CosmeticTags;                 //id of cosmetic end points.
 
     virtual App::DocumentObjectExecReturn *execute(void);
     virtual short mustExecute() const;
     virtual void unsetupObject();
 
+    virtual bool checkReferences2D(void) const;
+
     //return PyObject as DrawViewDimExtentPy
     virtual PyObject *getPyObject(void);
 
-
 protected:
-    void onChanged(const App::Property* prop);
+    virtual void onChanged(const App::Property* prop);
     std::vector<std::string> getSubNames(void);
+    virtual pointPair getPointsTwoVerts();
 
 private:
 };
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.cpp
index 4dd1e0ac97..cddb9950f5 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.cpp
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ double DrawViewDimension::getDimValue()
     } else {
         // Projected Values
         if (!checkReferences2D()) {
-            Base::Console().Warning("DVD::getDimValue - %s - 2D references are corrupt\n",getNameInDocument());
+            Base::Console().Warning("DVD::getDimValue - %s - 2D references are corrupt (5)\n",getNameInDocument());
             return result;
         }
         if ( Type.isValue("Distance")  ||
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@ pointPair DrawViewDimension::getPointsOneEdge()
     if (geom && geom->geomType == TechDraw::GeomType::GENERIC) {
         gen = static_cast<TechDraw::Generic*>(geom);
     } else {
-        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt\n",getNameInDocument());
+        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt (1)\n",getNameInDocument());
         return result;
     }
     result.first = gen->points[0];
@@ -795,7 +795,7 @@ pointPair DrawViewDimension::getPointsTwoEdges()
     TechDraw::BaseGeom* geom1 = getViewPart()->getGeomByIndex(idx1);
     if ((geom0 == nullptr) ||
         (geom1 == nullptr) ) {
-        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt\n",getNameInDocument());
+        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt (2)\n",getNameInDocument());
         return result;
     }
     result = closestPoints(geom0->occEdge,geom1->occEdge);
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ pointPair DrawViewDimension::getPointsTwoVerts()
     TechDraw::Vertex* v1 = getViewPart()->getProjVertexByIndex(idx1);
     if ((v0 == nullptr) ||
         (v1 == nullptr) ) {
-        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt\n",getNameInDocument());
+        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt (3)\n",getNameInDocument());
         return result;
     }
     result.first  = v0->pnt;
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@ pointPair DrawViewDimension::getPointsEdgeVert()
     }
     if ((v == nullptr) ||
         (e == nullptr) ) {
-        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt\n",getNameInDocument());
+        Base::Console().Error("Error: DVD - %s - 2D references are corrupt (4)\n",getNameInDocument());
         return result;
     }
     result = closestPoints(e->occEdge,v->occVertex);
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.h
index 93716322b9..44e877d01c 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewDimension.h
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ public:
     int getRefType() const;                                                     //Vertex-Vertex, Edge, Edge-Edge
     void setAll3DMeasurement();
     void clear3DMeasurements(void);
-    bool checkReferences2D(void) const;
+    virtual bool checkReferences2D(void) const;
     pointPair getLinearPoints(void) {return m_linearPoints; }
     arcPoints getArcPoints(void) {return m_arcPoints; }
     anglePoints getAnglePoints(void) {return m_anglePoints; }
@@ -143,16 +143,16 @@ public:
     bool references(std::string geomName) const;
 
 protected:
-    void onChanged(const App::Property* prop);
+    virtual void onChanged(const App::Property* prop);
     virtual void onDocumentRestored();
     bool showUnits() const;
     bool useDecimals() const;
     std::string getPrefix() const;
     std::string getDefaultFormatSpec() const;
-    pointPair getPointsOneEdge();
-    pointPair getPointsTwoEdges();
-    pointPair getPointsTwoVerts();
-    pointPair getPointsEdgeVert();
+    virtual pointPair getPointsOneEdge();
+    virtual pointPair getPointsTwoEdges();
+    virtual pointPair getPointsTwoVerts();
+    virtual pointPair getPointsEdgeVert();
 
 protected:
     Measure::Measurement *measurement;
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.cpp
index e2699ffc43..67a7c2b763 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.cpp
@@ -283,7 +283,6 @@ App::DocumentObjectExecReturn *DrawViewPart::execute(void)
                         getNameInDocument(),diffOut);
 
 #endif //#if MOD_TECHDRAW_HANDLE_FACES
-
     return DrawView::execute();
 }
 
@@ -612,6 +611,25 @@ TechDraw::Vertex* DrawViewPart::getProjVertexByIndex(int idx) const
     return geoms.at(idx);
 }
 
+TechDraw::Vertex* DrawViewPart::getProjVertexByCosTag(std::string cosTag)
+{
+    TechDraw::Vertex* result = nullptr;
+    std::vector<TechDraw::Vertex*> gVerts = getVertexGeometry();
+    if (gVerts.empty()) {
+        Base::Console().Log("INFO - getProjVertexByCosTag(%s) - no Vertex Geometry.\n");
+        return result;
+    }
+    
+    for (auto& gv: gVerts) {
+        if (gv->cosmeticTag == cosTag) {
+            result = gv;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
+
 //! returns existing geometry of 2D Face(idx)
 std::vector<TechDraw::BaseGeom*> DrawViewPart::getFaceEdgesByIndex(int idx) const
 {
@@ -890,6 +908,8 @@ void DrawViewPart::clearCosmeticVertexes(void)
 //returns CosmeticVertex index! not geomVertexNumber!
 int DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos)
 {
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::addCosmeticVertex(%s)\n",
+//                            DrawUtil::formatVector(pos).c_str());
     std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
     Base::Vector3d tempPos = DrawUtil::invertY(pos);
     TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv = new TechDraw::CosmeticVertex(tempPos);
@@ -899,6 +919,19 @@ int DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos)
     return newIdx;
 }
 
+std::string DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertexSS(Base::Vector3d pos)
+{
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::addCosmeticVertexSS(%s)\n",
+ //                           DrawUtil::formatVector(pos).c_str());
+    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+    Base::Vector3d tempPos = DrawUtil::invertY(pos);
+    TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv = new TechDraw::CosmeticVertex(tempPos);
+    verts.push_back(cv);
+    CosmeticVertexes.setValues(verts);
+    std::string result = cv->getTagAsString();
+    return result;
+}
+
 int DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertex(CosmeticVertex* cv)
 {
     std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
@@ -910,7 +943,7 @@ int DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertex(CosmeticVertex* cv)
 
 void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv)
 {
-//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::removeCosmeticVertex(cv)\n");
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::removeCosmeticVertex(%X)\n", cv);
     bool found = false;
     int i = 0;
     std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
@@ -931,6 +964,7 @@ void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv)
 //this is by CV index, not the index returned by selection
 void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(int idx)
 {
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::removeCV(%d)\n", idx);
     std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
     if (idx < (int) verts.size()) {
         verts.erase(verts.begin() + idx);
@@ -939,32 +973,70 @@ void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(int idx)
     }
 }
 
-void DrawViewPart::replaceCosmeticVertex(int idx, TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv)
+void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(std::string delTag)
 {
-    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-    if (idx < (int) verts.size())  {
-        verts.at(idx) = cv;
-        recomputeFeature();
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::removeCV(%s)\n", delTag.c_str());
+    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> cVerts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> newVerts;
+    for (auto& cv: cVerts) {
+        if (cv->getTagAsString() != delTag)  {
+            newVerts.push_back(cv);
+        }
     }
+    CosmeticVertexes.setValues(newVerts);
+//    recomputeFeature();
 }
 
-void DrawViewPart::replaceCosmeticVertexByGeom(int geomIndex, TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cl)
+void DrawViewPart::removeCosmeticVertex(std::vector<std::string> delTags)
 {
-    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-    int stop = (int) verts.size();
-    int i = 0;
-    bool found = false;
-    if (geomIndex > -1) {
-        for ( ; i < stop; i++ ) {
-            if (verts.at(i)->linkGeom == geomIndex) {
-                found = true;
-                break;
+    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> cVerts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::removeCosmeticVertex(list) - cVerts: %d\n", cVerts.size());
+    std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> newVerts;
+    for (auto& cv: cVerts) {
+        bool found = false;
+        for (auto& dt: delTags) {
+            if (cv->getTagAsString() == dt)  {
+                found = true;          //this cv is in delete list
+                break; 
             }
         }
-        if (found) {
-            replaceCosmeticVertex(i, cl);
+        if (!found) {
+            newVerts.push_back(cv);
         }
     }
+    CosmeticVertexes.setValues(newVerts);
+}
+
+//transition code. temporary.  not used??
+int DrawViewPart::getCosmeticVertexIndex(std::string tagString)
+{
+    Base::Console().Message("DVP::getCosmeticVertexIndex(%s) - deprec?\n", tagString.c_str());
+    int result = -1;
+    int iCV = 0;
+    const std::vector<TechDraw::CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+    for (auto& cv: verts) {
+        std::string cvTag = cv->getTagAsString();
+        if (cvTag == tagString) {
+            result = iCV;
+            break;
+        }
+        iCV++;
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
+TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* DrawViewPart::getCosmeticVertex(std::string tagString) const
+{
+    CosmeticVertex* result = nullptr;
+    const std::vector<TechDraw::CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+    for (auto& cv: verts) {
+        std::string cvTag = cv->getTagAsString();
+        if (cvTag == tagString) {
+            result = cv;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    return result;
 }
 
 TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* DrawViewPart::getCosmeticVertexByIndex(int idx) const
@@ -983,19 +1055,12 @@ TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* DrawViewPart::getCosmeticVertexByGeom(int idx) const
 {
     CosmeticVertex* result = nullptr;
     std::vector<CosmeticVertex*> verts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-    int stop = (int) verts.size();
-    int i = 0;
-    bool found = false;
-    if (idx > -1) {
-        for ( ; i < stop; i++ ) {
-            if (verts.at(i)->linkGeom == idx) {
-                found = true;
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-        if (found) {
-            result = verts.at(i);
-        }
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v = getProjVertexByIndex(idx);
+    if (v == nullptr) {
+        return result;
+    }
+    if (!v->cosmeticTag.empty()) {
+        result = getCosmeticVertex(v->cosmeticTag);
     }
     return result;
 }
@@ -1009,33 +1074,38 @@ void DrawViewPart::addCosmeticVertexesToGeom(void)
     const std::vector<TechDraw::Vertex *> gVerts = getVertexGeometry();
     int stop = (int) cVerts.size();
     for ( ; iCV < stop; iCV++) {
-        int iGV = geometryObject->addCosmeticVertex(cVerts.at(iCV)->scaled(getScale()), iCV);
+        int iGV = geometryObject->addCosmeticVertex(cVerts.at(iCV)->scaled(getScale()),
+                                                    cVerts.at(iCV)->getTagAsString(),
+                                                    iCV);   //last param can be removed now? 
         cVerts.at(iCV)->linkGeom = iGV;
     }
 }
 
 int DrawViewPart::add1CVToGV(int iCV)
 {
-//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::add1CVToGV(%d)\n", iCV);
+    Base::Console().Message("DVP::add1CVToGV(%d) 1 - deprec?\n", iCV);
     TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv = getCosmeticVertexByIndex(iCV);
-    int iGV = geometryObject->addCosmeticVertex(cv->scaled(getScale()), iCV);
+    int iGV = geometryObject->addCosmeticVertex(cv->scaled(getScale()),
+                                                cv->getTagAsString(),
+                                                iCV);
     cv->linkGeom = iGV;
     return iGV;
 }
 
-//given a CosmeticVertex's index, return the corresponding geometry vertex's index
-int DrawViewPart::convertCosmeticVertexIndex(int iCV)
+int DrawViewPart::add1CVToGV(std::string tag)
 {
-//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::convertCosmeticVertexIndex(%d)\n",iCV);
-    int result = -1;
-    if (geometryObject != nullptr) {
-        std::vector<TechDraw::CosmeticVertex*> cVerts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
-        TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv = cVerts.at(iCV);
-        int temp = cv->linkGeom;
-        result = temp;
-        //could double check with tag comparison
+//    Base::Console().Message("DVP::add1CVToGV(%s) 2\n", tag.c_str());
+    TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv = getCosmeticVertex(tag);
+    if (cv == nullptr) {
+        Base::Console().Message("DVP::add1CVToGV 2 - cv %s not found\n", tag.c_str());
     }
-    return result;
+//    int iCV = getCosmeticVertexIndex(tag);       //transition
+    int iCV = -1;
+    int iGV = geometryObject->addCosmeticVertex(cv->scaled(getScale()),
+                                                cv->getTagAsString(),
+                                                iCV);
+    cv->linkGeom = iGV;
+    return iGV;
 }
 
 //CosmeticEdges -------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1368,6 +1438,17 @@ void DrawViewPart::dumpVerts(std::string text)
     }
 }
 
+void DrawViewPart::dumpCosVerts(std::string text)
+{
+    std::vector<TechDraw::CosmeticVertex*> cVerts = CosmeticVertexes.getValues();
+    Base::Console().Message("%s - dumping %d CosmeticVertexes\n",
+                            text.c_str(), cVerts.size());
+    for (auto& cv: cVerts) {
+        cv->dump("a CV");
+    }
+}
+
+
 void DrawViewPart::onDocumentRestored()
 {
 //    requestPaint();
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.h
index 389f420bfc..debca7063d 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/DrawViewPart.h
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ public:
 
     TechDraw::BaseGeom* getGeomByIndex(int idx) const;               //get existing geom for edge idx in projection
     TechDraw::Vertex* getProjVertexByIndex(int idx) const;           //get existing geom for vertex idx in projection
+    TechDraw::Vertex* getProjVertexByCosTag(std::string cosTag);
     std::vector<TechDraw::BaseGeom*> getFaceEdgesByIndex(int idx) const;  //get edges for face idx in projection
 
     virtual Base::BoundBox3d getBoundingBox() const;
@@ -171,17 +172,21 @@ public:
 
     virtual int addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos);
     virtual int addCosmeticVertex(CosmeticVertex* cv);
+    std::string addCosmeticVertexSS(Base::Vector3d pos);
     virtual void removeCosmeticVertex(TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv);
     virtual void removeCosmeticVertex(int idx);
-    void replaceCosmeticVertex(int idx, TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv);
-    void replaceCosmeticVertexByGeom(int geomIndex, TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cl);
+    virtual void removeCosmeticVertex(std::string tagString);
+    virtual void removeCosmeticVertex(std::vector<std::string> delTags);
+
+    int getCosmeticVertexIndex(std::string tagString);
+    TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* getCosmeticVertex(std::string tagString) const;
     TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* getCosmeticVertexByIndex(int idx) const;
     TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* getCosmeticVertexByGeom(int idx) const;
     void clearCosmeticVertexes(void); 
     void addCosmeticVertexesToGeom(void);
     void add1CosmeticVertexToGeom(int iCV);
-    int convertCosmeticVertexIndex(int idx);
     int add1CVToGV(int iCV);
+    int add1CVToGV(std::string tag);
 
 
     virtual int addCosmeticEdge(Base::Vector3d start, Base::Vector3d end);
@@ -214,6 +219,7 @@ public:
     void clearGeomFormats(void);
 
     void dumpVerts(std::string text);
+    void dumpCosVerts(std::string text);
 
 protected:
     TechDraw::GeometryObject *geometryObject;
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.cpp
index 236cc8ff7f..08e3fcda6a 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.cpp
@@ -1310,6 +1310,7 @@ Vertex::Vertex()
     occVertex = mkVert.Vertex();
     cosmetic = false;
     cosmeticLink = -1;
+    cosmeticTag = std::string();
 }
 
 Vertex::Vertex(const Vertex* v)
@@ -1322,6 +1323,7 @@ Vertex::Vertex(const Vertex* v)
     occVertex = v->occVertex;
     cosmetic = v->cosmetic;
     cosmeticLink = v->cosmeticLink;
+    cosmeticTag = v->cosmeticTag;
 }
 
 Vertex::Vertex(double x, double y)
@@ -1335,6 +1337,7 @@ Vertex::Vertex(double x, double y)
     occVertex = mkVert.Vertex();
     cosmetic = false;
     cosmeticLink = -1;
+    cosmeticTag = std::string();
 }
 
 Vertex::Vertex(Base::Vector3d v) : Vertex(v.x,v.y)
@@ -1371,6 +1374,8 @@ void Vertex::Save(Base::Writer &writer) const
     const char c2 = cosmetic?'1':'0';
     writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<Cosmetic value=\"" <<  c2 << "\"/>" << endl;
     writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<CosmeticLink value=\"" <<  cosmeticLink << "\"/>" << endl;
+    writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<CosmeticTag value=\"" <<  cosmeticTag << "\"/>" << endl;
+    writer.Stream() << writer.ind() << "<Tag value=\"" <<  getTagAsString() << "\"/>" << endl;
 }
 
 void Vertex::Restore(Base::XMLReader &reader)
@@ -1392,15 +1397,34 @@ void Vertex::Restore(Base::XMLReader &reader)
     cosmetic = (bool)reader.getAttributeAsInteger("value")==0?false:true;
     reader.readElement("CosmeticLink");
     cosmeticLink = reader.getAttributeAsInteger("value");
+    reader.readElement("CosmeticTag");
+    cosmeticTag = reader.getAttribute("value");
+    reader.readElement("Tag");
+    std::string temp = reader.getAttribute("value");
+    boost::uuids::string_generator gen;
+    boost::uuids::uuid u1 = gen(temp);
+    tag = u1;
 
     BRepBuilderAPI_MakeVertex mkVert(gp_Pnt(pnt.x, pnt.y, pnt.z));
     occVertex = mkVert.Vertex();
 }
 
+boost::uuids::uuid Vertex::getTag() const
+{
+    return tag;
+}
+
+std::string Vertex::getTagAsString(void) const
+{
+    std::string tmp = boost::uuids::to_string(getTag());
+    return tmp;
+}
+
 void Vertex::dump()
 {
-    Base::Console().Message("TD::Vertex point: %s vis: %d cosmetic: %d  cosLink: %d\n",
-                            DrawUtil::formatVector(pnt).c_str(), visible, cosmetic, cosmeticLink);
+    Base::Console().Message("TD::Vertex point: %s vis: %d cosmetic: %d  cosLink: %d cosTag: %s\n",
+                            DrawUtil::formatVector(pnt).c_str(), visible, cosmetic, cosmeticLink,
+                            cosmeticTag.c_str());
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.h
index db7ea02590..df5ca43273 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/Geometry.h
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 #define TECHDRAW_GEOMETRY_H
 
 #include <boost/uuid/uuid.hpp>
+#include <boost/uuid/uuid_io.hpp>
+#include <boost/uuid/uuid_generators.hpp>
 
 #include <Base/Tools2D.h>
 #include <Base/Vector3D.h>
@@ -288,7 +290,6 @@ class TechDrawExport Vertex
 
         virtual void Save(Base::Writer &/*writer*/) const;
         virtual void Restore(Base::XMLReader &/*reader*/);
-        virtual std::string getTagAsString() const { return std::string(); }
         virtual void dump();
 
         Base::Vector3d pnt;
@@ -301,12 +302,21 @@ class TechDrawExport Vertex
         Base::Vector3d point(void) const { return Base::Vector3d(pnt.x,pnt.y,0.0); }
         void point(Base::Vector3d v){ pnt = Base::Vector3d(v.x, v.y); }
         bool cosmetic;
-        int cosmeticLink;
-        boost::uuids::uuid cosmeticTag;
-
+        int cosmeticLink;                 //deprec. use cosmeticTag
+        std::string cosmeticTag;
 
         double x() {return pnt.x;}
         double y() {return pnt.y;}
+
+        boost::uuids::uuid getTag() const;
+        virtual std::string getTagAsString(void) const;
+
+    protected:
+        //Uniqueness
+        void createNewTag();
+        void assignTag(const TechDraw::Vertex* v);
+
+        boost::uuids::uuid tag;
 };
 
 /// Encapsulates some useful static methods
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.cpp
index 2d3ca40375..7a219621d0 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.cpp
@@ -477,9 +477,24 @@ void GeometryObject::addGeomFromCompound(TopoDS_Shape edgeCompound, edgeClass ca
 //adds a new GeomVert to list for cv[link]
 int GeometryObject::addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos, int link)
 {
+    Base::Console().Message("GO::addCosmeticVertex() 1 - deprec?\n");
     TechDraw::Vertex* v = new TechDraw::Vertex(pos.x, pos.y);
     v->cosmetic = true;
     v->cosmeticLink = link;
+    v->cosmeticTag = "tbi";
+    v->visible = true;
+    int idx = vertexGeom.size();
+    vertexGeom.push_back(v);
+    return idx;
+}
+
+int GeometryObject::addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos, std::string tagString, int link)
+{
+//    Base::Console().Message("GO::addCosmeticVertex() 2\n");
+    TechDraw::Vertex* v = new TechDraw::Vertex(pos.x, pos.y);
+    v->cosmetic = true;
+    v->cosmeticLink = link;
+    v->cosmeticTag = tagString;
     v->visible = true;
     int idx = vertexGeom.size();
     vertexGeom.push_back(v);
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.h b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.h
index 34fbe9ff4a..1dc52e6785 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.h
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/App/GeometryObject.h
@@ -135,12 +135,9 @@ public:
 
     //Are removeXXXXX functions really needed for GO?
     int addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos, int link = -1);
-/*    void removeCosmeticVertex(TechDraw::CosmeticVertex* cv);*/
-/*    void removeCosmeticVertex(int idx);*/
+    int addCosmeticVertex(Base::Vector3d pos, std::string tagString, int link = -1);
     int addCosmeticEdge(TechDraw::BaseGeom* bg, int s = 0, int si = -1);
     int addCenterLine(TechDraw::BaseGeom* bg, int s = 0, int si = -1);
-/*    void removeCosmeticEdge(TechDraw::CosmeticEdge* ce);*/
-/*    void removeCosmeticEdge(int idx);*/
 
 protected:
     //HLR output
diff --git a/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/CommandAnnotate.cpp b/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/CommandAnnotate.cpp
index 15cd655d78..5215a5dc92 100644
--- a/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/CommandAnnotate.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/TechDraw/Gui/CommandAnnotate.cpp
@@ -1076,7 +1076,7 @@ void CmdTechDrawCosmeticEraser::activated(int iMsg)
             objFeat = static_cast<TechDraw::DrawViewPart*> ((*itSel).getObject());
             SubNames = (*itSel).getSubNames();
         }
-        std::vector<int> cv2Delete;
+        std::vector<std::string> cv2Delete;
         std::vector<int> ce2Delete;
         std::vector<int> cl2Delete;
         for (auto& s: SubNames) {
@@ -1098,11 +1098,13 @@ void CmdTechDrawCosmeticEraser::activated(int iMsg)
                     }
                 }
             } else if (geomType == "Vertex") {
+                //TODO: delete by tag
                 TechDraw::Vertex* tdv = objFeat->getProjVertexByIndex(idx);
                 if (tdv != nullptr) {
-                    int delIndex = tdv->cosmeticLink;
-                    if (!(delIndex < 0)) {
-                        cv2Delete.push_back(delIndex);
+//                    int delIndex = tdv->cosmeticLink;
+                    std::string delTag = tdv->cosmeticTag;
+                    if (!delTag.empty()) {
+                        cv2Delete.push_back(delTag);
                     } else {
                         Base::Console().Message("CMD::eraser - geom: %d has no cv\n", idx);
                     }
@@ -1116,14 +1118,13 @@ void CmdTechDrawCosmeticEraser::activated(int iMsg)
             }
 
         }
-        // delete items in reverse order so as not to invalidate indices
         if (!cv2Delete.empty()) {
-            std::sort(cv2Delete.begin(), cv2Delete.end());
-            auto it = cv2Delete.rbegin();
-            for ( ; it != cv2Delete.rend(); it++) {
-                objFeat->removeCosmeticVertex((*it));
+            for (auto& cvTag: cv2Delete) {
+                objFeat->removeCosmeticVertex(cvTag);
             }
+            objFeat->enforceRecompute();
         }
+        
         if (!ce2Delete.empty()) {
             std::sort(ce2Delete.begin(), ce2Delete.end());
             auto itce = ce2Delete.rbegin();