diff --git a/docs/source/api/graphics/HeatmapGraphic.rst b/docs/source/api/graphics/HeatmapGraphic.rst
index 6da6f6531..3bd2f2baa 100644
--- a/docs/source/api/graphics/HeatmapGraphic.rst
+++ b/docs/source/api/graphics/HeatmapGraphic.rst
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ Properties
     HeatmapGraphic.position_y
     HeatmapGraphic.position_z
     HeatmapGraphic.visible
-    HeatmapGraphic.vmax
-    HeatmapGraphic.vmin
     HeatmapGraphic.world_object
 
 Methods
diff --git a/docs/source/api/layouts/gridplot.rst b/docs/source/api/layouts/gridplot.rst
index 63f1516cf..b5b03bfa4 100644
--- a/docs/source/api/layouts/gridplot.rst
+++ b/docs/source/api/layouts/gridplot.rst
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ Properties
 
     GridPlot.canvas
     GridPlot.renderer
+    GridPlot.toolbar
+    GridPlot.widget
 
 Methods
 ~~~~~~~
@@ -36,4 +38,5 @@ Methods
     GridPlot.remove_animation
     GridPlot.render
     GridPlot.show
+    GridPlot.start_render
 
diff --git a/docs/source/api/layouts/plot.rst b/docs/source/api/layouts/plot.rst
index a0be9287b..bd38720b4 100644
--- a/docs/source/api/layouts/plot.rst
+++ b/docs/source/api/layouts/plot.rst
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@ Properties
     Plot.renderer
     Plot.scene
     Plot.selectors
+    Plot.toolbar
     Plot.viewport
+    Plot.widget
 
 Methods
 ~~~~~~~
@@ -67,4 +69,5 @@ Methods
     Plot.set_title
     Plot.set_viewport_rect
     Plot.show
+    Plot.start_render
 
diff --git a/docs/source/api/selectors/Synchronizer.rst b/docs/source/api/selectors/Synchronizer.rst
index d0fa0c2a8..2b28fe351 100644
--- a/docs/source/api/selectors/Synchronizer.rst
+++ b/docs/source/api/selectors/Synchronizer.rst
@@ -28,5 +28,6 @@ Methods
     :toctree: Synchronizer_api
 
     Synchronizer.add
+    Synchronizer.clear
     Synchronizer.remove
 
diff --git a/docs/source/api/widgets/ImageWidget.rst b/docs/source/api/widgets/ImageWidget.rst
index 4e779f20b..08bce8d7a 100644
--- a/docs/source/api/widgets/ImageWidget.rst
+++ b/docs/source/api/widgets/ImageWidget.rst
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ Properties
     ImageWidget.ndim
     ImageWidget.slider_dims
     ImageWidget.sliders
+    ImageWidget.widget
     ImageWidget.window_funcs
 
 Methods
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ Methods
 
     ImageWidget.close
     ImageWidget.reset_vmin_vmax
+    ImageWidget.reset_vmin_vmax_frame
     ImageWidget.set_data
     ImageWidget.show
 
diff --git a/examples/desktop/gridplot/gridplot_non_square.py b/examples/desktop/gridplot/gridplot_non_square.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a41bcd9f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/gridplot/gridplot_non_square.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+"""
+GridPlot Simple
+============
+Example showing simple 2x2 GridPlot with Standard images from imageio.
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+import imageio.v3 as iio
+
+
+plot = fpl.GridPlot(shape=(2, 2), controllers="sync")
+# to force a specific framework such as glfw:
+# plot = fpl.GridPlot(canvas="glfw")
+
+im = iio.imread("imageio:clock.png")
+im2 = iio.imread("imageio:astronaut.png")
+im3 = iio.imread("imageio:coffee.png")
+
+plot[0, 0].add_image(data=im)
+plot[0, 1].add_image(data=im2)
+plot[1, 0].add_image(data=im3)
+
+plot.show()
+
+plot.canvas.set_logical_size(800, 800)
+
+for subplot in plot:
+    subplot.auto_scale()
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.run()
diff --git a/examples/desktop/heatmap/__init__.py b/examples/desktop/heatmap/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap.py b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..45c340cbd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+"""
+Simple Heatmap
+==============
+Example showing how to plot a heatmap
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+import numpy as np
+
+plot = fpl.Plot()
+# to force a specific framework such as glfw:
+# plot = fpl.Plot(canvas="glfw")
+
+xs = np.linspace(0, 1_000, 10_000)
+
+sine = np.sin(xs)
+cosine = np.cos(xs)
+
+# alternating sines and cosines
+data = np.zeros((10_000, 10_000), dtype=np.float32)
+data[::2] = sine
+data[1::2] = cosine
+
+# plot the image data
+heatmap_graphic = plot.add_heatmap(data=data, name="heatmap")
+
+plot.show()
+
+plot.canvas.set_logical_size(1500, 1500)
+
+plot.auto_scale()
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.run()
diff --git a/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_cmap.py b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_cmap.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..afc67f5b8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_cmap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+"""
+Heatmap change cmap
+===================
+Change the cmap of a heatmap
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+import numpy as np
+
+plot = fpl.Plot()
+# to force a specific framework such as glfw:
+# plot = fpl.Plot(canvas="glfw")
+
+xs = np.linspace(0, 1_000, 10_000)
+
+sine = np.sin(xs)
+cosine = np.cos(xs)
+
+# alternating sines and cosines
+data = np.zeros((10_000, 10_000), dtype=np.float32)
+data[::2] = sine
+data[1::2] = cosine
+
+# plot the image data
+heatmap_graphic = plot.add_heatmap(data=data, name="heatmap")
+
+plot.show()
+
+plot.canvas.set_logical_size(1500, 1500)
+
+plot.auto_scale()
+
+heatmap_graphic.cmap = "viridis"
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.run()
diff --git a/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_data.py b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_data.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..78e819ab8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_data.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+"""
+Heatmap change data
+===================
+Change the data of a heatmap
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+import numpy as np
+
+plot = fpl.Plot()
+# to force a specific framework such as glfw:
+# plot = fpl.Plot(canvas="glfw")
+
+xs = np.linspace(0, 1_000, 10_000)
+
+sine = np.sin(xs)
+cosine = np.cos(xs)
+
+# alternating sines and cosines
+data = np.zeros((10_000, 10_000), dtype=np.float32)
+data[::2] = sine
+data[1::2] = cosine
+
+# plot the image data
+heatmap_graphic = plot.add_heatmap(data=data, name="heatmap")
+
+plot.show()
+
+plot.canvas.set_logical_size(1500, 1500)
+
+plot.auto_scale()
+
+heatmap_graphic.data[:5_000] = sine
+heatmap_graphic.data[5_000:] = cosine
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.run()
diff --git a/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_vmin_vmax.py b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_vmin_vmax.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7aae1d6d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/heatmap/heatmap_vmin_vmax.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+"""
+Heatmap change vmin vmax
+========================
+Change the vmin vmax of a heatmap
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+import numpy as np
+
+plot = fpl.Plot()
+# to force a specific framework such as glfw:
+# plot = fpl.Plot(canvas="glfw")
+
+xs = np.linspace(0, 1_000, 10_000)
+
+sine = np.sin(xs)
+cosine = np.cos(xs)
+
+# alternating sines and cosines
+data = np.zeros((10_000, 10_000), dtype=np.float32)
+data[::2] = sine
+data[1::2] = cosine
+
+# plot the image data
+heatmap_graphic = plot.add_heatmap(data=data, name="heatmap")
+
+plot.show()
+
+plot.canvas.set_logical_size(1500, 1500)
+
+plot.auto_scale()
+
+heatmap_graphic.cmap.vmin = -0.5
+heatmap_graphic.cmap.vmax = 0.5
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.run()
diff --git a/examples/desktop/screenshots/gridplot_non_square.png b/examples/desktop/screenshots/gridplot_non_square.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7b534aef9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/screenshots/gridplot_non_square.png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:abf936904d1b5e2018a72311c510108925f2972dfdf59166580ad27876f9e2be
+size 220140
diff --git a/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap.png b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d0df1510a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap.png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:6c19d6454e79d92074bac01175dfbb8506e882ea55b626c0b2357960ed6e294f
+size 163655
diff --git a/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_cmap.png b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_cmap.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..db3038dee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_cmap.png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:0328eec32f13042e3e2f243793317e180bba1353fe961604ecad3f38463b8809
+size 156419
diff --git a/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_data.png b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_data.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..96169ec77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_data.png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:4a376c24fa123088be69f807ec5212cb5ed5680b146ce9d62df584790c632845
+size 20838
diff --git a/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_vmin_vmax.png b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_vmin_vmax.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2a809d545
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/desktop/screenshots/heatmap_vmin_vmax.png
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+version https://git-lfs.github.com/spec/v1
+oid sha256:3eb12ad590aa8260f2cf722abadf5b51bcb7d5a8d8d1cb05b7711b50331da07a
+size 165937
diff --git a/examples/tests/testutils.py b/examples/tests/testutils.py
index 6155f8763..5f6772fb7 100644
--- a/examples/tests/testutils.py
+++ b/examples/tests/testutils.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # examples live in themed sub-folders
 example_globs = [
     "image/*.py",
+    "heatmap/*.py",
     "scatter/*.py",
     "line/*.py",
     "line_collection/*.py",
diff --git a/fastplotlib/VERSION b/fastplotlib/VERSION
index 2952df5a6..a0ad4fd5d 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/VERSION
+++ b/fastplotlib/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0.a14
+0.1.0.a15
diff --git a/fastplotlib/graphics/_features/_colors.py b/fastplotlib/graphics/_features/_colors.py
index 85014155d..b6723b34b 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/graphics/_features/_colors.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/graphics/_features/_colors.py
@@ -401,8 +401,29 @@ class HeatmapCmapFeature(ImageCmapFeature):
     """
 
     def _set(self, cmap_name: str):
+        # in heatmap we use one material for all ImageTiles
         self._parent._material.map.data[:] = make_colors(256, cmap_name)
         self._parent._material.map.update_range((0, 0, 0), size=(256, 1, 1))
-        self.name = cmap_name
+        self._name = cmap_name
 
         self._feature_changed(key=None, new_data=self.name)
+
+    @property
+    def vmin(self) -> float:
+        """Minimum contrast limit."""
+        return self._parent._material.clim[0]
+
+    @vmin.setter
+    def vmin(self, value: float):
+        """Minimum contrast limit."""
+        self._parent._material.clim = (value, self._parent._material.clim[1])
+
+    @property
+    def vmax(self) -> float:
+        """Maximum contrast limit."""
+        return self._parent._material.clim[1]
+
+    @vmax.setter
+    def vmax(self, value: float):
+        """Maximum contrast limit."""
+        self._parent._material.clim = (self._parent._material.clim[0], value)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fastplotlib/graphics/image.py b/fastplotlib/graphics/image.py
index 12ac9e41d..10f09eefb 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/graphics/image.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/graphics/image.py
@@ -480,26 +480,6 @@ def __init__(
             # set it with the actual data
             self.data = data
 
-    @property
-    def vmin(self) -> float:
-        """Minimum contrast limit."""
-        return self._material.clim[0]
-
-    @vmin.setter
-    def vmin(self, value: float):
-        """Minimum contrast limit."""
-        self._material.clim = (value, self._material.clim[1])
-
-    @property
-    def vmax(self) -> float:
-        """Maximum contrast limit."""
-        return self._material.clim[1]
-
-    @vmax.setter
-    def vmax(self, value: float):
-        """Maximum contrast limit."""
-        self._material.clim = (self._material.clim[0], value)
-
     def set_feature(self, feature: str, new_data: Any, indices: Any):
         pass
 
diff --git a/fastplotlib/graphics/selectors/_base_selector.py b/fastplotlib/graphics/selectors/_base_selector.py
index e892ca32d..e6796f270 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/graphics/selectors/_base_selector.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/graphics/selectors/_base_selector.py
@@ -252,7 +252,8 @@ def _move_end(self, ev):
 
         # restore the initial controller state
         # if it was disabled, keep it disabled
-        self._plot_area.controller.enabled = self._initial_controller_state
+        if self._initial_controller_state is not None:
+            self._plot_area.controller.enabled = self._initial_controller_state
 
     def _move_to_pointer(self, ev):
         """
diff --git a/fastplotlib/layouts/_plot_area.py b/fastplotlib/layouts/_plot_area.py
index 2060850c2..7590bad10 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/layouts/_plot_area.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/layouts/_plot_area.py
@@ -495,7 +495,9 @@ def auto_scale(self, maintain_aspect: bool = False, zoom: float = 0.8):
             zoom value for the camera after auto-scaling, if zoom = 1.0 then the graphics
             in the scene will fill the entire canvas.
         """
-        # hacky workaround for now until we decided if we want to put selectors in their own scene
+        if not len(self.scene.children) > 0:
+            return
+        # hacky workaround for now until we decide if we want to put selectors in their own scene
         # remove all selectors from a scene to calculate scene bbox
         for selector in self.selectors:
             self.scene.remove(selector.world_object)
diff --git a/fastplotlib/utils/functions.py b/fastplotlib/utils/functions.py
index 3013559d5..8d1e8694f 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/utils/functions.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/utils/functions.py
@@ -26,6 +26,23 @@
 
 
 def get_cmap(name: str, alpha: float = 1.0) -> np.ndarray:
+    """
+    Get a colormap as numpy array
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    name: str
+        name of colormap
+    alpha: float
+        alpha, 0.0 - 1.0
+
+    Returns
+    -------
+    np.ndarray
+        [n_colors, 4], i.e. [n_colors, RGBA]
+
+    """
+
     cmap_path = Path(__file__).absolute().parent.joinpath("colormaps", name)
     if cmap_path.is_file():
         cmap = np.loadtxt(cmap_path)
@@ -214,6 +231,9 @@ def calculate_gridshape(n_subplots: int) -> Tuple[int, int]:
 
 def normalize_min_max(a):
     """normalize an array between 0 - 1"""
+    if np.unique(a).size == 1:
+        return np.zeros(a.size)
+
     return (a - np.min(a)) / (np.max(a - np.min(a)))
 
 
diff --git a/fastplotlib/widgets/image.py b/fastplotlib/widgets/image.py
index a9ebfafb4..da256207f 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/widgets/image.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/widgets/image.py
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ def __init__(
         grid_shape: Tuple[int, int] = None,
         names: List[str] = None,
         grid_plot_kwargs: dict = None,
+        histogram_widget: bool = True,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         """
@@ -288,6 +289,9 @@ def __init__(
         names: Optional[str]
             gives names to the subplots
 
+        histogram_widget: bool, default False
+            make histogram LUT widget for each subplot
+
         kwargs: Any
             passed to fastplotlib.graphics.Image
 
@@ -556,16 +560,17 @@ def __init__(
             subplot.name = name
             subplot.set_title(name)
 
-            hlut = HistogramLUT(
-                data=d,
-                image_graphic=ig,
-                name="histogram_lut"
-            )
+            if histogram_widget:
+                hlut = HistogramLUT(
+                    data=d,
+                    image_graphic=ig,
+                    name="histogram_lut"
+                )
 
-            subplot.docks["right"].add_graphic(hlut)
-            subplot.docks["right"].size = 80
-            subplot.docks["right"].auto_scale(maintain_aspect=False)
-            subplot.docks["right"].controller.enabled = False
+                subplot.docks["right"].add_graphic(hlut)
+                subplot.docks["right"].size = 80
+                subplot.docks["right"].auto_scale(maintain_aspect=False)
+                subplot.docks["right"].controller.enabled = False
 
         self.block_sliders = False
         self._image_widget_toolbar = None
@@ -869,9 +874,6 @@ def set_data(
         # force graphics to update
         self.current_index = self.current_index
 
-        # if reset_vmin_vmax:
-        #     self.reset_vmin_vmax()
-
     def show(self, toolbar: bool = True, sidecar: bool = False, sidecar_kwargs: dict = None):
         """
         Show the widget