diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index 1baf76422..ba4122e9d 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -163,6 +163,8 @@ libmutter_la_SOURCES =				\
 	ui/resizepopup.h			\
 	ui/tabpopup.c				\
 	ui/tabpopup.h				\
+	ui/tile-preview.c			\
+	ui/tile-preview.h			\
 	ui/theme-parser.c			\
 	ui/theme.c				\
 	meta/theme.h				\
diff --git a/src/compositor/compositor.c b/src/compositor/compositor.c
index 580b0b887..ef1318824 100644
--- a/src/compositor/compositor.c
+++ b/src/compositor/compositor.c
@@ -1647,31 +1647,3 @@ meta_compositor_monotonic_time_to_server_time (MetaDisplay *display,
   else
     return monotonic_time + compositor->server_time_offset;
 }
-
-void
-meta_compositor_show_tile_preview (MetaCompositor *compositor,
-                                   MetaScreen     *screen,
-                                   MetaWindow     *window,
-                                   MetaRectangle  *tile_rect,
-                                   int             tile_monitor_number)
-{
-  MetaCompScreen *info = meta_screen_get_compositor_data (screen);
-
-  if (!info->plugin_mgr)
-    return;
-
-  meta_plugin_manager_show_tile_preview (info->plugin_mgr,
-                                         window, tile_rect, tile_monitor_number);
-}
-
-void
-meta_compositor_hide_tile_preview (MetaCompositor *compositor,
-                                   MetaScreen     *screen)
-{
-  MetaCompScreen *info = meta_screen_get_compositor_data (screen);
-
-  if (!info->plugin_mgr)
-    return;
-
-  meta_plugin_manager_hide_tile_preview (info->plugin_mgr);
-}
diff --git a/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.c b/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.c
index 899dcfef6..dee1b0801 100644
--- a/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.c
+++ b/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.c
@@ -326,44 +326,3 @@ meta_plugin_manager_confirm_display_change (MetaPluginManager *plugin_mgr)
   else
     return meta_plugin_complete_display_change (plugin, TRUE);
 }
-
-gboolean
-meta_plugin_manager_show_tile_preview (MetaPluginManager *plugin_mgr,
-                                       MetaWindow        *window,
-                                       MetaRectangle     *tile_rect,
-                                       int                tile_monitor_number)
-{
-  MetaPlugin *plugin = plugin_mgr->plugin;
-  MetaPluginClass *klass = META_PLUGIN_GET_CLASS (plugin);
-  MetaDisplay *display  = meta_screen_get_display (plugin_mgr->screen);
-
-  if (display->display_opening)
-    return FALSE;
-
-  if (klass->show_tile_preview)
-    {
-      klass->show_tile_preview (plugin, window, tile_rect, tile_monitor_number);
-      return TRUE;
-    }
-
-  return FALSE;
-}
-
-gboolean
-meta_plugin_manager_hide_tile_preview (MetaPluginManager *plugin_mgr)
-{
-  MetaPlugin *plugin = plugin_mgr->plugin;
-  MetaPluginClass *klass = META_PLUGIN_GET_CLASS (plugin);
-  MetaDisplay *display  = meta_screen_get_display (plugin_mgr->screen);
-
-  if (display->display_opening)
-    return FALSE;
-
-  if (klass->hide_tile_preview)
-    {
-      klass->hide_tile_preview (plugin);
-      return TRUE;
-    }
-
-  return FALSE;
-}
diff --git a/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.h b/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.h
index 0b94459dc..f39f5cada 100644
--- a/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.h
+++ b/src/compositor/meta-plugin-manager.h
@@ -77,9 +77,4 @@ gboolean _meta_plugin_xevent_filter (MetaPlugin *plugin,
 
 void     meta_plugin_manager_confirm_display_change (MetaPluginManager *mgr);
 
-gboolean meta_plugin_manager_show_tile_preview (MetaPluginManager *mgr,
-                                                MetaWindow        *window,
-                                                MetaRectangle     *tile_rect,
-                                                int                tile_monitor_number);
-gboolean meta_plugin_manager_hide_tile_preview (MetaPluginManager *mgr);
 #endif
diff --git a/src/compositor/plugins/default.c b/src/compositor/plugins/default.c
index 3ea1b5366..404302c8b 100644
--- a/src/compositor/plugins/default.c
+++ b/src/compositor/plugins/default.c
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 #define SWITCH_TIMEOUT    500
 
 #define ACTOR_DATA_KEY "MCCP-Default-actor-data"
-#define SCREEN_TILE_PREVIEW_DATA_KEY "MCCP-Default-screen-tile-preview-data"
 
 #define META_TYPE_DEFAULT_PLUGIN            (meta_default_plugin_get_type ())
 #define META_DEFAULT_PLUGIN(obj)            (G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE_CAST ((obj), META_TYPE_DEFAULT_PLUGIN, MetaDefaultPlugin))
@@ -71,7 +70,6 @@ struct _MetaDefaultPluginClass
 };
 
 static GQuark actor_data_quark = 0;
-static GQuark screen_tile_preview_data_quark = 0;
 
 static void start      (MetaPlugin      *plugin);
 static void minimize   (MetaPlugin      *plugin,
@@ -102,12 +100,6 @@ static void kill_window_effects   (MetaPlugin      *plugin,
                                    MetaWindowActor *actor);
 static void kill_switch_workspace (MetaPlugin      *plugin);
 
-static void show_tile_preview (MetaPlugin      *plugin,
-                               MetaWindow      *window,
-                               MetaRectangle   *tile_rect,
-                               int              tile_monitor_number);
-static void hide_tile_preview (MetaPlugin      *plugin);
-
 static void confirm_display_change (MetaPlugin *plugin);
 
 static const MetaPluginInfo * plugin_info (MetaPlugin *plugin);
@@ -154,15 +146,6 @@ typedef struct
 } EffectCompleteData;
 
 
-typedef struct _ScreenTilePreview
-{
-  ClutterActor   *actor;
-
-  GdkRGBA        *preview_color;
-
-  MetaRectangle   tile_rect;
-} ScreenTilePreview;
-
 static void
 meta_default_plugin_dispose (GObject *object)
 {
@@ -223,8 +206,6 @@ meta_default_plugin_class_init (MetaDefaultPluginClass *klass)
   plugin_class->unmaximize       = unmaximize;
   plugin_class->destroy          = destroy;
   plugin_class->switch_workspace = switch_workspace;
-  plugin_class->show_tile_preview = show_tile_preview;
-  plugin_class->hide_tile_preview = hide_tile_preview;
   plugin_class->plugin_info      = plugin_info;
   plugin_class->kill_window_effects   = kill_window_effects;
   plugin_class->kill_switch_workspace = kill_switch_workspace;
@@ -804,82 +785,6 @@ destroy (MetaPlugin *plugin, MetaWindowActor *window_actor)
     meta_plugin_destroy_completed (plugin, window_actor);
 }
 
-/*
- * Tile preview private data accessor
- */
-static void
-free_screen_tile_preview (gpointer data)
-{
-  ScreenTilePreview *preview = data;
-
-  if (G_LIKELY (preview != NULL)) {
-    clutter_actor_destroy (preview->actor);
-    g_slice_free (ScreenTilePreview, preview);
-  }
-}
-
-static ScreenTilePreview *
-get_screen_tile_preview (MetaScreen *screen)
-{
-  ScreenTilePreview *preview = g_object_get_qdata (G_OBJECT (screen), screen_tile_preview_data_quark);
-
-  if (G_UNLIKELY (screen_tile_preview_data_quark == 0))
-    screen_tile_preview_data_quark = g_quark_from_static_string (SCREEN_TILE_PREVIEW_DATA_KEY);
-
-  if (G_UNLIKELY (!preview))
-    {
-      preview = g_slice_new0 (ScreenTilePreview);
-
-      preview->actor = clutter_actor_new ();
-      clutter_actor_set_background_color (preview->actor, CLUTTER_COLOR_Blue);
-      clutter_actor_set_opacity (preview->actor, 100);
-
-      clutter_actor_add_child (meta_get_window_group_for_screen (screen), preview->actor);
-      g_object_set_qdata_full (G_OBJECT (screen),
-                               screen_tile_preview_data_quark, preview,
-                               free_screen_tile_preview);
-    }
-
-  return preview;
-}
-
-static void
-show_tile_preview (MetaPlugin    *plugin,
-                   MetaWindow    *window,
-                   MetaRectangle *tile_rect,
-                   int            tile_monitor_number)
-{
-  MetaScreen *screen = meta_plugin_get_screen (plugin);
-  ScreenTilePreview *preview = get_screen_tile_preview (screen);
-  ClutterActor *window_actor;
-
-  if (CLUTTER_ACTOR_IS_VISIBLE (preview->actor)
-      && preview->tile_rect.x == tile_rect->x
-      && preview->tile_rect.y == tile_rect->y
-      && preview->tile_rect.width == tile_rect->width
-      && preview->tile_rect.height == tile_rect->height)
-    return; /* nothing to do */
-
-  clutter_actor_set_position (preview->actor, tile_rect->x, tile_rect->y);
-  clutter_actor_set_size (preview->actor, tile_rect->width, tile_rect->height);
-
-  clutter_actor_show (preview->actor);
-
-  window_actor = CLUTTER_ACTOR (meta_window_get_compositor_private (window));
-  clutter_actor_lower (preview->actor, window_actor);
-
-  preview->tile_rect = *tile_rect;
-}
-
-static void
-hide_tile_preview (MetaPlugin *plugin)
-{
-  MetaScreen *screen = meta_plugin_get_screen (plugin);
-  ScreenTilePreview *preview = get_screen_tile_preview (screen);
-
-  clutter_actor_hide (preview->actor);
-}
-
 static void
 kill_switch_workspace (MetaPlugin     *plugin)
 {
diff --git a/src/core/keybindings.c b/src/core/keybindings.c
index 3effe090c..bd557baa3 100644
--- a/src/core/keybindings.c
+++ b/src/core/keybindings.c
@@ -2209,7 +2209,7 @@ process_mouse_move_resize_grab (MetaDisplay   *display,
     {
       /* Hide the tiling preview if necessary */
       if (window->tile_mode != META_TILE_NONE)
-        meta_screen_hide_tile_preview (screen);
+        meta_screen_tile_preview_hide (screen);
 
       /* Restore the original tile mode */
       window->tile_mode = display->grab_tile_mode;
diff --git a/src/core/screen-private.h b/src/core/screen-private.h
index 1aa0d2489..426f561ff 100644
--- a/src/core/screen-private.h
+++ b/src/core/screen-private.h
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ struct _MetaScreen
   MetaRectangle rect;  /* Size of screen; rect.x & rect.y are always 0 */
   MetaUI *ui;
   MetaTabPopup *tab_popup, *ws_popup;
+  MetaTilePreview *tile_preview;
 
   guint tile_preview_timeout_id;
 
@@ -168,9 +169,9 @@ void          meta_screen_workspace_popup_select       (MetaScreen    *screen,
 MetaWorkspace*meta_screen_workspace_popup_get_selected (MetaScreen    *screen);
 void          meta_screen_workspace_popup_destroy      (MetaScreen    *screen);
 
-void          meta_screen_update_tile_preview          (MetaScreen    *screen,
+void          meta_screen_tile_preview_update          (MetaScreen    *screen,
                                                         gboolean       delay);
-void          meta_screen_hide_tile_preview            (MetaScreen    *screen);
+void          meta_screen_tile_preview_hide            (MetaScreen    *screen);
 
 MetaWindow*   meta_screen_get_mouse_window     (MetaScreen                 *screen,
                                                 MetaWindow                 *not_this_one);
diff --git a/src/core/screen.c b/src/core/screen.c
index b1b264d8c..fc0c3ae19 100644
--- a/src/core/screen.c
+++ b/src/core/screen.c
@@ -763,6 +763,7 @@ meta_screen_new (MetaDisplay *display,
 
   screen->tab_popup = NULL;
   screen->ws_popup = NULL;
+  screen->tile_preview = NULL;
 
   screen->tile_preview_timeout_id = 0;
 
@@ -868,6 +869,9 @@ meta_screen_free (MetaScreen *screen,
   if (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id)
     g_source_remove (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id);
 
+  if (screen->tile_preview)
+    meta_tile_preview_free (screen->tile_preview);
+  
   g_free (screen->screen_name);
 
   g_object_unref (screen);
@@ -1726,7 +1730,7 @@ meta_screen_workspace_popup_destroy (MetaScreen *screen)
 }
 
 static gboolean
-meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout (gpointer data)
+meta_screen_tile_preview_update_timeout (gpointer data)
 {
   MetaScreen *screen = data;
   MetaWindow *window = screen->display->grab_window;
@@ -1734,6 +1738,19 @@ meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout (gpointer data)
 
   screen->tile_preview_timeout_id = 0;
 
+  if (!screen->tile_preview)
+    {
+      Window xwindow;
+      gulong create_serial;
+
+      screen->tile_preview = meta_tile_preview_new (screen->number);
+      xwindow = meta_tile_preview_get_xwindow (screen->tile_preview,
+                                               &create_serial);
+      meta_stack_tracker_record_add (screen->stack_tracker,
+                                     xwindow,
+                                     create_serial);
+    }
+
   if (window)
     {
       switch (window->tile_mode)
@@ -1758,16 +1775,12 @@ meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout (gpointer data)
   if (needs_preview)
     {
       MetaRectangle tile_rect;
-      int monitor;
 
-      monitor = meta_window_get_current_tile_monitor_number (window);
       meta_window_get_current_tile_area (window, &tile_rect);
-      meta_compositor_show_tile_preview (screen->display->compositor,
-                                         screen, window, &tile_rect, monitor);
+      meta_tile_preview_show (screen->tile_preview, &tile_rect);
     }
   else
-    meta_compositor_hide_tile_preview (screen->display->compositor,
-                                       screen);
+    meta_tile_preview_hide (screen->tile_preview);
 
   return FALSE;
 }
@@ -1775,7 +1788,7 @@ meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout (gpointer data)
 #define TILE_PREVIEW_TIMEOUT_MS 200
 
 void
-meta_screen_update_tile_preview (MetaScreen *screen,
+meta_screen_tile_preview_update (MetaScreen *screen,
                                  gboolean    delay)
 {
   if (delay)
@@ -1785,7 +1798,7 @@ meta_screen_update_tile_preview (MetaScreen *screen,
 
       screen->tile_preview_timeout_id =
         g_timeout_add (TILE_PREVIEW_TIMEOUT_MS,
-                       meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout,
+                       meta_screen_tile_preview_update_timeout,
                        screen);
     }
   else
@@ -1793,18 +1806,18 @@ meta_screen_update_tile_preview (MetaScreen *screen,
       if (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id > 0)
         g_source_remove (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id);
 
-      meta_screen_update_tile_preview_timeout ((gpointer)screen);
+      meta_screen_tile_preview_update_timeout ((gpointer)screen);
     }
 }
 
 void
-meta_screen_hide_tile_preview (MetaScreen *screen)
+meta_screen_tile_preview_hide (MetaScreen *screen)
 {
   if (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id > 0)
     g_source_remove (screen->tile_preview_timeout_id);
 
-  meta_compositor_hide_tile_preview (screen->display->compositor,
-                                     screen);
+  if (screen->tile_preview)
+    meta_tile_preview_hide (screen->tile_preview);
 }
 
 MetaWindow*
diff --git a/src/core/window-private.h b/src/core/window-private.h
index 90afce8c0..774b6abb5 100644
--- a/src/core/window-private.h
+++ b/src/core/window-private.h
@@ -629,7 +629,6 @@ void meta_window_handle_mouse_grab_op_event (MetaWindow *window,
 
 GList* meta_window_get_workspaces (MetaWindow *window);
 
-int meta_window_get_current_tile_monitor_number (MetaWindow *window);
 void meta_window_get_current_tile_area         (MetaWindow    *window,
                                                 MetaRectangle *tile_area);
 
diff --git a/src/core/window.c b/src/core/window.c
index 1c54b2217..a3ba38575 100644
--- a/src/core/window.c
+++ b/src/core/window.c
@@ -1404,6 +1404,9 @@ meta_window_new_with_attrs (MetaDisplay       *display,
   if (!window->override_redirect)
     meta_stack_add (window->screen->stack,
                     window);
+  else if (window->screen->tile_preview != NULL &&
+           meta_tile_preview_get_xwindow (window->screen->tile_preview, NULL) == xwindow)
+    window->layer = META_LAYER_NORMAL;
   else
     window->layer = META_LAYER_OVERRIDE_REDIRECT; /* otherwise set by MetaStack */
 
@@ -3781,7 +3784,7 @@ meta_window_tile (MetaWindow *window)
     directions = META_MAXIMIZE_VERTICAL;
 
   meta_window_maximize_internal (window, directions, NULL);
-  meta_screen_update_tile_preview (window->screen, FALSE);
+  meta_screen_tile_preview_update (window->screen, FALSE);
 
   if (window->display->compositor)
     {
@@ -9349,7 +9352,7 @@ update_move (MetaWindow  *window,
    * trigger it unwittingly, e.g. when shaking loose the window or moving
    * it to another monitor.
    */
-  meta_screen_update_tile_preview (window->screen,
+  meta_screen_tile_preview_update (window->screen,
                                    window->tile_mode != META_TILE_NONE);
 
   meta_window_get_client_root_coords (window, &old);
@@ -10105,20 +10108,6 @@ meta_window_get_work_area_all_monitors (MetaWindow    *window,
               window->desc, area->x, area->y, area->width, area->height);
 }
 
-int
-meta_window_get_current_tile_monitor_number (MetaWindow *window)
-{
-  int tile_monitor_number = window->tile_monitor_number;
-
-  if (tile_monitor_number < 0)
-    {
-      meta_warning ("%s called with an invalid monitor number; using 0 instead\n", G_STRFUNC);
-      tile_monitor_number = 0;
-    }
-
-  return tile_monitor_number;
-}
-
 void
 meta_window_get_current_tile_area (MetaWindow    *window,
                                    MetaRectangle *tile_area)
@@ -10127,7 +10116,12 @@ meta_window_get_current_tile_area (MetaWindow    *window,
 
   g_return_if_fail (window->tile_mode != META_TILE_NONE);
 
-  tile_monitor_number = meta_window_get_current_tile_monitor_number (window);
+  tile_monitor_number = window->tile_monitor_number;
+  if (tile_monitor_number < 0)
+    {
+      meta_warning ("%s called with an invalid monitor number; using 0 instead\n", G_STRFUNC);
+      tile_monitor_number = 0;
+    }
 
   meta_window_get_work_area_for_monitor (window, tile_monitor_number, tile_area);
 
diff --git a/src/meta/compositor.h b/src/meta/compositor.h
index adf1654f5..b0e54550d 100644
--- a/src/meta/compositor.h
+++ b/src/meta/compositor.h
@@ -128,12 +128,4 @@ void meta_compositor_sync_screen_size          (MetaCompositor *compositor,
 void meta_compositor_flash_screen              (MetaCompositor *compositor,
                                                 MetaScreen     *screen);
 
-void meta_compositor_show_tile_preview (MetaCompositor *compositor,
-                                        MetaScreen     *screen,
-                                        MetaWindow     *window,
-                                        MetaRectangle  *tile_rect,
-                                        int             tile_monitor_number);
-void meta_compositor_hide_tile_preview (MetaCompositor *compositor,
-                                        MetaScreen     *screen);
-
 #endif /* META_COMPOSITOR_H */
diff --git a/src/meta/meta-plugin.h b/src/meta/meta-plugin.h
index e03daa189..0587551c8 100644
--- a/src/meta/meta-plugin.h
+++ b/src/meta/meta-plugin.h
@@ -160,11 +160,6 @@ struct _MetaPluginClass
                             gint                to,
                             MetaMotionDirection direction);
 
-  void (*show_tile_preview) (MetaPlugin      *plugin,
-                             MetaWindow      *window,
-                             MetaRectangle   *tile_rect,
-                             int              tile_monitor_number);
-  void (*hide_tile_preview) (MetaPlugin      *plugin);
 
   /**
    * MetaPluginClass::kill_window_effects:
diff --git a/src/ui/tile-preview.c b/src/ui/tile-preview.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..61a438578
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/tile-preview.c
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+/* Mutter tile-preview marks the area a window will *ehm* snap to */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2010 Florian Müllner
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
+ * 02111-1307, USA.
+ */
+
+#include <config.h>
+
+#include <gtk/gtk.h>
+#include <cairo.h>
+
+#include "tile-preview.h"
+#include "core.h"
+
+#define OUTLINE_WIDTH 5  /* frame width in non-composite case */
+
+
+struct _MetaTilePreview {
+  GtkWidget     *preview_window;
+  gulong         create_serial;
+
+  GdkRGBA       *preview_color;
+
+  MetaRectangle  tile_rect;
+};
+
+static gboolean
+meta_tile_preview_draw (GtkWidget *widget,
+                        cairo_t   *cr,
+                        gpointer   user_data)
+{
+  MetaTilePreview *preview = user_data;
+
+  cairo_set_line_width (cr, 1.0);
+
+  /* Fill the preview area with a transparent color */
+  gdk_cairo_set_source_rgba (cr, preview->preview_color);
+
+  cairo_set_operator (cr, CAIRO_OPERATOR_SOURCE);
+  cairo_paint (cr);
+
+  /* Use the opaque color for the border */
+  cairo_set_source_rgb (cr,
+                        preview->preview_color->red,
+                        preview->preview_color->green,
+                        preview->preview_color->blue);
+
+  cairo_rectangle (cr,
+                   0.5, 0.5,
+                   preview->tile_rect.width - 1,
+                   preview->tile_rect.height - 1);
+  cairo_stroke (cr);
+
+  return FALSE;
+}
+
+MetaTilePreview *
+meta_tile_preview_new (int      screen_number)
+{
+  MetaTilePreview *preview;
+  GdkScreen *screen;
+  GtkStyleContext *context;
+  GtkWidgetPath *path;
+  guchar selection_alpha = 0xFF;
+
+  screen = gdk_display_get_screen (gdk_display_get_default (), screen_number);
+
+  preview = g_new (MetaTilePreview, 1);
+
+  preview->preview_window = gtk_window_new (GTK_WINDOW_POPUP);
+
+  gtk_window_set_screen (GTK_WINDOW (preview->preview_window), screen);
+  gtk_widget_set_app_paintable (preview->preview_window, TRUE);
+
+  preview->preview_color = NULL;
+
+  preview->tile_rect.x = preview->tile_rect.y = 0;
+  preview->tile_rect.width = preview->tile_rect.height = 0;
+
+  gtk_widget_set_visual (preview->preview_window,
+                         gdk_screen_get_rgba_visual (screen));
+
+  path = gtk_widget_path_new ();
+  gtk_widget_path_append_type (path, GTK_TYPE_ICON_VIEW);
+
+  context = gtk_style_context_new ();
+  gtk_style_context_set_path (context, path);
+  gtk_style_context_add_class (context,
+                               GTK_STYLE_CLASS_RUBBERBAND);
+
+  gtk_widget_path_free (path);
+
+  gtk_style_context_get (context, GTK_STATE_FLAG_SELECTED,
+                         "background-color", &preview->preview_color,
+                         NULL);
+
+  /* The background-color for the .rubberband class should probably
+   * contain the correct alpha value - unfortunately, at least for now
+   * it doesn't. Hopefully the following workaround can be removed
+   * when GtkIconView gets ported to GtkStyleContext.
+   */
+  gtk_style_context_get_style (context,
+                               "selection-box-alpha", &selection_alpha,
+                               NULL);
+  preview->preview_color->alpha = (double)selection_alpha / 0xFF;
+
+  g_object_unref (context);
+
+  /* We make an assumption that XCreateWindow will be the first operation
+   * when calling gtk_widget_realize() (via gdk_window_new()), or that it
+   * is at least "close enough".
+   */
+  preview->create_serial = XNextRequest (GDK_DISPLAY_XDISPLAY (gdk_display_get_default ()));
+  gtk_widget_realize (preview->preview_window);
+  g_signal_connect (preview->preview_window, "draw",
+                    G_CALLBACK (meta_tile_preview_draw), preview);
+
+  return preview;
+}
+
+void
+meta_tile_preview_free (MetaTilePreview *preview)
+{
+  gtk_widget_destroy (preview->preview_window);
+
+  if (preview->preview_color)
+    gdk_rgba_free (preview->preview_color);
+
+  g_free (preview);
+}
+
+void
+meta_tile_preview_show (MetaTilePreview *preview,
+                        MetaRectangle   *tile_rect)
+{
+  GdkWindow *window;
+  GdkRectangle old_rect;
+
+  if (gtk_widget_get_visible (preview->preview_window)
+      && preview->tile_rect.x == tile_rect->x
+      && preview->tile_rect.y == tile_rect->y
+      && preview->tile_rect.width == tile_rect->width
+      && preview->tile_rect.height == tile_rect->height)
+    return; /* nothing to do */
+
+  gtk_widget_show (preview->preview_window);
+  window = gtk_widget_get_window (preview->preview_window);
+  meta_core_lower_beneath_grab_window (GDK_DISPLAY_XDISPLAY (gdk_display_get_default ()),
+                                       GDK_WINDOW_XID (window),
+                                       gtk_get_current_event_time ());
+
+  old_rect.x = old_rect.y = 0;
+  old_rect.width = preview->tile_rect.width;
+  old_rect.height = preview->tile_rect.height;
+
+  gdk_window_invalidate_rect (window, &old_rect, FALSE);
+
+  preview->tile_rect = *tile_rect;
+
+  gdk_window_move_resize (window,
+                          preview->tile_rect.x, preview->tile_rect.y,
+                          preview->tile_rect.width, preview->tile_rect.height);
+}
+
+void
+meta_tile_preview_hide (MetaTilePreview *preview)
+{
+  gtk_widget_hide (preview->preview_window);
+}
+
+Window
+meta_tile_preview_get_xwindow (MetaTilePreview *preview,
+                               gulong          *create_serial)
+{
+  GdkWindow *window = gtk_widget_get_window (preview->preview_window);
+
+  if (create_serial)
+    *create_serial = preview->create_serial;
+
+  return GDK_WINDOW_XID (window);
+}
diff --git a/src/ui/tile-preview.h b/src/ui/tile-preview.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8152a60ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/ui/tile-preview.h
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+/* -*- mode: C; c-file-style: "gnu"; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*- */
+
+/* Meta tile preview */
+
+/*
+ * Copyright (C) 2010 Florian Müllner
+ *
+ * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
+ * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+ * WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
+ * General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software
+ * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA
+ * 02111-1307, USA.
+ */
+#ifndef META_TILE_PREVIEW_H
+#define META_TILE_PREVIEW_H
+
+#include <meta/boxes.h>
+
+typedef struct _MetaTilePreview MetaTilePreview;
+
+MetaTilePreview   *meta_tile_preview_new    (int                screen_number);
+void               meta_tile_preview_free   (MetaTilePreview   *preview);
+void               meta_tile_preview_show   (MetaTilePreview   *preview,
+                                             MetaRectangle     *rect);
+void               meta_tile_preview_hide   (MetaTilePreview   *preview);
+Window             meta_tile_preview_get_xwindow (MetaTilePreview   *preview,
+                                                  gulong            *create_serial);
+
+#endif /* META_TILE_PREVIEW_H */
diff --git a/src/ui/ui.h b/src/ui/ui.h
index ac33d40da..e397c43d0 100644
--- a/src/ui/ui.h
+++ b/src/ui/ui.h
@@ -181,5 +181,6 @@ int      meta_ui_get_drag_threshold       (MetaUI *ui);
 MetaUIDirection meta_ui_get_direction (void);
 
 #include "tabpopup.h"
+#include "tile-preview.h"
 
 #endif