diff --git a/light8/panels.py b/light8/panels.py
--- a/light8/panels.py
+++ b/light8/panels.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ from Tkinter import *
 from uihelpers import *
 import Patch
 from FlyingFader import FlyingFader
+import Pmw
 
 stdfont = ('Arial', 8)
 monofont = ('Courier', 8)
@@ -82,14 +83,21 @@ class Subpanels:
         sublist.sort()
 
         for name, sub in sublist:
+            # choose one of the sub panels to add to
             if sub.is_effect:
                 parent=effectsparent
+                side1='bottom'
+                orient='vert'
             else:
                 parent=scenesparent
+                side1='right'
+                orient='horiz'
 
+            # make frame that surrounds the whole submaster
             f=Frame(parent, bd=1, relief='raised')
-            f.pack(fill='both',exp=1,side='left')
+            f.pack(fill='both',exp=1,side=('top','left')[sub.is_effect])
 
+            # make DoubleVar (there might be one left around from before a refresh)
             if name not in scalelevels:
                 scalelevels[name]=DoubleVar()
 
@@ -100,17 +108,19 @@ class Subpanels:
                 scaleopts['troughcolor'] = sub.color
 
             s = FlyingFader(f, label=str(name), variable=scalelevels[name],
-                    showvalue=0, length=300-17,
-                    width=20, to=0,res=.001,from_=1,bd=1, font=stdfont,
-                    **scaleopts)
+                            showvalue=0, length=300-17,
+                            width=18, sliderlength=18,
+                            to=1,res=.001,from_=0,bd=0, font=stdfont,
+                            orient=orient,
+                            labelwidth=12, # this should be equal to the longest label name
+                            **scaleopts)
 
             for axis in ('y','x'):
                 cvar=IntVar()
-                cb=Checkbutton(f,text=axis,variable=cvar,font=stdfont, padx=0, 
+                cb=Togglebutton(f,text=axis.upper(),variable=cvar,font=stdfont, padx=0, 
                                pady=0, bd=1)
-                button = ('Alt','Control')[axis=='y'] # unused?
-                # s.bind('<Key-%s>'%axis, lambda ev,cb=cb: cb.invoke)
-                cb.pack(side='bottom',fill='both', padx=0, pady=0)
+                cb.pack(side=side1,fill='both', padx=0, pady=0)
+                s.bind('<Key-%s>'%axis, lambda ev,cb=cb: cb.invoke)
                 xfader.registerbutton(name,axis,cvar)
 
             s.pack(side='left', fill=BOTH)
diff --git a/light8/rsn.py b/light8/rsn.py
--- a/light8/rsn.py
+++ b/light8/rsn.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ else:
 
 root = Tk()
 root.wm_title(window_title)
-root.wm_geometry('+447+373')
+root.wm_geometry('+462+470')
 root.tk_focusFollowsMouse()
 
 import Subs, Patch
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ class Lightboard:
         for w in self.master.winfo_children():
             w.destroy()
 
-        stage_tl = toplevelat(165,90)
+        stage_tl = toplevelat(65,37)
         s = stage.Stage(stage_tl)
         stage.createlights(s)
         s.pack()
 
         sub_tl = toplevelat(0,0)
-        effect_tl = toplevelat(0,352)
+        effect_tl = toplevelat(462,4)
 
         self.xfader = Xfader(self.scalelevels)
 
diff --git a/light8/uihelpers.py b/light8/uihelpers.py
--- a/light8/uihelpers.py
+++ b/light8/uihelpers.py
@@ -39,3 +39,46 @@ def colorlabel(label):
     out = [int(l+lev*(h-l)) for h,l in zip(high,low)]
     col="#%02X%02X%02X" % tuple(out)
     label.config(bg=col)
+
+class Togglebutton(Button):
+    """works like a single radiobutton, but it's a button so the label's on the button face, not to the side"""
+    def __init__(self,parent,**kw):
+        if kw['variable']:
+            self.variable = kw['variable']
+            self.variable.trace('w',self.varchanged)
+            del kw['variable']
+        else:
+            self.variable=None
+        self.oldcommand = kw.get('command',None)
+        kw['command'] = self.invoke
+        Button.__init__(self,parent,**kw)
+
+        self.origbkg = self.cget('bg')
+
+        self.state=0
+        if self.variable:
+            self.state = self.variable.get()
+
+        self.setstate(self.state)
+
+        self.bind("<Enter>",lambda ev: self.setstate)
+        self.bind("<Leave>",lambda ev: self.setstate)
+
+    def varchanged(self,*args):
+        self.setstate(self.variable.get())
+        
+    def invoke(self):
+        self.setstate(not self.state)
+        
+        if self.oldcommand:
+            self.oldcommand()
+
+    def setstate(self,newstate):
+        self.variable.set(newstate)
+        if newstate: # set
+            self.tk.call('tkButtonDown',self)
+            self.config(bg='green')
+        else: # unset
+            self.tk.call('tkButtonUp',self)
+            self.config(bg=self.origbkg)
+        return "break"