Refactor GUI dependencies out of color_filters.[ch] and move it to epan directory.

This also moved color.h into color_filters.h

Change-Id: Ic19e27aa1b3ec67e764aa7ee8bbef7b1187bb12e
Reviewed-on: https://code.wireshark.org/review/12831
Petri-Dish: Michael Mann <mmann78@netscape.net>
Tested-by: Petri Dish Buildbot <buildbot-no-reply@wireshark.org>
Reviewed-by: Michael Mann <mmann78@netscape.net>

41 files changed, 432 insertions, 366 deletions

diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 6995d28075..1090342539 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1014,7 +1014,7 @@ add_subdirectory( wiretap )
 add_subdirectory( wsutil )
 
 if(NOT WIN32)
-	add_custom_target(dumpabi DEPENDS dumpabi-libwireshark dumpabi-libwiretap dumpabi-libwsutil color.h)
+	add_custom_target(dumpabi DEPENDS dumpabi-libwireshark dumpabi-libwiretap dumpabi-libwsutil)
 endif()
 
 if(ENABLE_ECHLD)
@@ -1695,7 +1695,6 @@ if( (BUILD_wireshark AND QT_FOUND) OR (BUILD_wireshark_gtk AND GTK_FOUND) )
 	set(WIRESHARK_SRC
 		capture_info.c
 		capture_opts.c
-		color_filters.c
 		file.c
 		fileset.c
 		summary.c
diff --git a/Makefile.common b/Makefile.common
index 060e2b31a9..9f3c202a94 100644
--- a/Makefile.common
+++ b/Makefile.common
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ SHARK_COMMON_SRC =	\
 # corresponding headers
 SHARK_COMMON_INCLUDES =	\
 	cfile.h			\
-	color.h			\
 	extcap.h		\
 	extcap_parser.h		\
 	file.h			\
@@ -64,7 +63,6 @@ WIRESHARK_COMMON_SRC =	\
 	$(SHARK_COMMON_SRC)	\
 	capture_info.c	\
 	capture_opts.c	\
-	color_filters.c	\
 	file.c		\
 	fileset.c	\
 	summary.c
@@ -73,7 +71,6 @@ WIRESHARK_COMMON_SRC =	\
 WIRESHARK_COMMON_INCLUDES =	\
 	capture_info.h	\
 	capture_opts.h	\
-	color_filters.h	\
 	globals.h	\
 	log.h		\
 	summary.h	\
diff --git a/Makefile.nmake b/Makefile.nmake
index 6a8f3da6a0..fa977e0d77 100644
--- a/Makefile.nmake
+++ b/Makefile.nmake
@@ -454,24 +454,24 @@ androiddump.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h androiddump.obj wsutil\libwsutil.lib wi
 	mt.exe -nologo -manifest "androiddump.exe.manifest" -outputresource:androiddump.exe;1
 !ENDIF
 
-!IFDEF LIBSSH_DIR
-sshdump.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h sshdump.obj wsutil\libwsutil.lib wiretap\wiretap-$(WTAP_VERSION).lib
+randpktdump.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h randpktdump.obj randpkt-core.obj wsutil\libwsutil.lib wiretap\wiretap-$(WTAP_VERSION).lib
 	@echo Linking $@
 	$(LINK) @<<
-		/OUT:sshdump.exe $(conflags) $(conlibsdll) $(LDFLAGS) /SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS sshdump.obj $(sshdump_LIBS)
+		/OUT:randpktdump.exe $(conflags) $(conlibsdll) $(LDFLAGS) /SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS randpktdump.obj randpkt-core.obj $(randpktdump_LIBS)
 <<
 !IFDEF MANIFEST_INFO_REQUIRED
-	mt.exe -nologo -manifest "sshdump.exe.manifest" -outputresource:sshdump.exe;1
-!ENDIF
+	mt.exe -nologo -manifest "randpktdump.exe.manifest" -outputresource:randpktdump.exe;1
 !ENDIF
 
-randpktdump.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h randpktdump.obj randpkt-core.obj wsutil\libwsutil.lib wiretap\wiretap-$(WTAP_VERSION).lib
+!IFDEF LIBSSH_DIR
+sshdump.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h sshdump.obj wsutil\libwsutil.lib wiretap\wiretap-$(WTAP_VERSION).lib
 	@echo Linking $@
 	$(LINK) @<<
-		/OUT:randpktdump.exe $(conflags) $(conlibsdll) $(LDFLAGS) /SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS randpktdump.obj randpkt-core.obj $(randpktdump_LIBS)
+		/OUT:sshdump.exe $(conflags) $(conlibsdll) $(LDFLAGS) /SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS sshdump.obj $(sshdump_LIBS)
 <<
 !IFDEF MANIFEST_INFO_REQUIRED
-	mt.exe -nologo -manifest "randpktdump.exe.manifest" -outputresource:randpktdump.exe;1
+	mt.exe -nologo -manifest "sshdump.exe.manifest" -outputresource:sshdump.exe;1
+!ENDIF
 !ENDIF
 
 dumpcap.exe	: $(LIBS_CHECK) config.h $(dumpcap_OBJECTS) caputils wsutil\libwsutil.lib image\dumpcap.res
diff --git a/color.h b/color.h
deleted file mode 100644
index 47f13ac14f..0000000000
--- a/color.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,74 +0,0 @@
-/* color.h
- * Definitions for "toolkit-independent" colors
- *
- * Wireshark - Network traffic analyzer
- * By Gerald Combs <gerald@wireshark.org>
- * Copyright 1998 Gerald Combs
- *
- * 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., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
- */
-
-#ifndef __COLOR_H__
-#define __COLOR_H__
-
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-extern "C" {
-#endif /* __cplusplus */
-
-/*
- * Data structure holding RGB value for a color.
- *
- * XXX - yes, I know, there's a "pixel" value in there as well; for
- * now, it's intended to look just like a GdkColor but not to require
- * that any GTK+ header files be included in order to use it.
- * The way we handle colors needs to be cleaned up somewhat, in order
- * to keep toolkit-specific stuff separate from toolkit-independent stuff.
- */
-typedef struct {
-	guint32 pixel;
-	guint16 red;
-	guint16 green;
-	guint16 blue;
-} color_t;
-
-/** Initialize a color with R, G, and B values, including any toolkit-dependent
- ** work that needs to be done.
- *
- * @param color the color_t to be filled
- * @param red the red value for the color
- * @param green the green value for the color
- * @param blue the blue value for the color
- * @return TRUE if it succeeds, FALSE if it fails
- */
-gboolean initialize_color(color_t *color, guint16 red, guint16 green, guint16 blue);
-
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-}
-#endif /* __cplusplus */
-
-#endif /* __COLOR_H__ */
-
-/*
- * Editor modelines  -  http://www.wireshark.org/tools/modelines.html
- *
- * Local variables:
- * c-basic-offset: 8
- * tab-width: 8
- * indent-tabs-mode: t
- * End:
- *
- * vi: set shiftwidth=8 tabstop=8 noexpandtab:
- * :indentSize=8:tabSize=8:noTabs=false:
- */
diff --git a/debian/libwireshark-dev.install b/debian/libwireshark-dev.install
index d42d843f91..14441b9a6a 100644
--- a/debian/libwireshark-dev.install
+++ b/debian/libwireshark-dev.install
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 usr/lib/*/libwireshark.so
 usr/lib/*/pkgconfig/wireshark.pc
-color.h usr/include/wireshark
 obj-*/config.h usr/include/wireshark
 register.h usr/include/wireshark
 epan/stat_groups.h usr/include/wireshark
diff --git a/epan/CMakeLists.txt b/epan/CMakeLists.txt
index 43ea761d66..fa0676286e 100644
--- a/epan/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/epan/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1592,6 +1592,7 @@ set(LIBWIRESHARK_FILES
 	capture_dissectors.c
 	charsets.c
 	circuit.c
+	color_filters.c
 	column.c
 	column-utils.c
 	conversation.c
@@ -1764,7 +1765,7 @@ endif()
 
 ABICHECK(libwireshark)
 
-set(TOP_LEVEL_HEADERS ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/config.h ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/color.h ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/register.h)
+set(TOP_LEVEL_HEADERS ${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/config.h ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/register.h)
 file(GLOB CRYPT_HEADERS crypt/*.h)
 file(GLOB COMPRESS_HEADERS compress/*.h)
 file(GLOB DFILTER_HEADERS dfilter/*.h ../tools/lemon/cppmagic.h)
diff --git a/epan/Makefile.am b/epan/Makefile.am
index 2383af0433..0749d60a99 100644
--- a/epan/Makefile.am
+++ b/epan/Makefile.am
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ endif
 dumpabi-libwireshark: all abi-descriptor.xml
 	rm -rf abi-check-headers abi_dumps .libs/*.abi.tar.gz
 	mkdir abi-check-headers
-	cp ../color.h ../config.h ../register.h abi-check-headers/
+	cp ../config.h ../register.h abi-check-headers/
 	mkdir abi-check-headers/epan
 	cp *.h abi-check-headers/epan
 	mkdir abi-check-headers/crypt
diff --git a/epan/Makefile.common b/epan/Makefile.common
index bc57f50b42..d11786e993 100644
--- a/epan/Makefile.common
+++ b/epan/Makefile.common
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ LIBWIRESHARK_SRC =		\
 	capture_dissectors.c \
 	charsets.c		\
 	circuit.c		\
+	color_filters.c	\
 	column.c		\
 	column-utils.c		\
 	conversation.c		\
@@ -161,6 +162,7 @@ LIBWIRESHARK_INCLUDES =		\
 	charsets.h		\
 	chdlctypes.h		\
 	circuit.h		\
+	color_filters.h		\
 	column.h		\
 	column-info.h		\
 	column-utils.h		\
diff --git a/color_filters.c b/epan/color_filters.c
index bf417a93fd..cc95a08a31 100644
--- a/color_filters.c
+++ b/epan/color_filters.c
@@ -35,20 +35,17 @@
 #include <wsutil/file_util.h>
 
 #include <epan/packet.h>
-#include "color.h"
 #include "color_filters.h"
 #include "file.h"
 #include <epan/dfilter/dfilter.h>
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
 
-#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
-#include "ui/ui_util.h"
 
 #define RED_COMPONENT(x)   (guint16) (((((x) >> 16) & 0xff) * 65535 / 255))
 #define GREEN_COMPONENT(x) (guint16) (((((x) >>  8) & 0xff) * 65535 / 255))
 #define BLUE_COMPONENT(x)  (guint16) ( (((x)        & 0xff) * 65535 / 255))
 
-static gboolean read_users_filters(GSList **cfl);
+static gboolean read_users_filters(GSList **cfl, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 /* the currently active filters */
 static GSList *color_filter_list = NULL;
@@ -87,7 +84,7 @@ color_filter_new(const gchar *name,          /* The name of the filter to create
 
 /* Add ten empty (temporary) colorfilters for easy coloring */
 static void
-color_filters_add_tmp(GSList **cfl)
+color_filters_add_tmp(GSList **cfl, initialize_color_func init_func)
 {
     gchar          *name = NULL;
     guint32         i;
@@ -107,11 +104,11 @@ color_filters_add_tmp(GSList **cfl)
 
         /* retrieve background and foreground colors */
         cval = strtoul(fg_colors[i-1], NULL, 16);
-        initialize_color(&fg_color, RED_COMPONENT(cval),
+        init_func(&fg_color, RED_COMPONENT(cval),
                          GREEN_COMPONENT(cval),
                          BLUE_COMPONENT(cval) );
         cval = strtoul(bg_colors[i-1], NULL, 16);
-        initialize_color(&bg_color, RED_COMPONENT(cval),
+        init_func(&bg_color, RED_COMPONENT(cval),
                          GREEN_COMPONENT(cval),
                          BLUE_COMPONENT(cval) );
         colorf = color_filter_new(name, NULL, &bg_color, &fg_color, TRUE);
@@ -138,17 +135,16 @@ color_filters_find_by_name_cb(gconstpointer arg1, gconstpointer arg2)
 
 
 /* Set the filter off a temporary colorfilters and enable it */
-void
-color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled)
+gboolean
+color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled, gchar **err_msg)
 {
     gchar          *name = NULL;
     const gchar    *tmpfilter = NULL;
     GSList         *cfl;
     color_filter_t *colorf;
     dfilter_t      *compiled_filter;
-    gchar          *err_msg;
     guint8         i;
-
+    gchar          *local_err_msg = NULL;
     /* Go through the temporary filters and look for the same filter string.
      * If found, clear it so that a filter can be "moved" up and down the list
      */
@@ -171,11 +167,10 @@ color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled)
              * or if we found a matching filter string which need to be cleared
              */
             tmpfilter = ( (filter==NULL) || (i!=filt_nr) ) ? "frame" : filter;
-            if (!dfilter_compile(tmpfilter, &compiled_filter, &err_msg)) {
-                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                              "Could not compile color filter name: \"%s\""
-                              " text: \"%s\".\n%s", name, filter, err_msg);
-                g_free(err_msg);
+            if (!dfilter_compile(tmpfilter, &compiled_filter, &local_err_msg)) {
+                *err_msg = g_strdup_printf( "Could not compile color filter name: \"%s\" text: \"%s\".\n%s", name, filter, local_err_msg);
+                g_free(local_err_msg);
+                return FALSE;
             } else {
                 if (colorf->filter_text != NULL)
                     g_free(colorf->filter_text);
@@ -191,7 +186,7 @@ color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled)
         }
         g_free(name);
     }
-    return;
+    return TRUE;
 }
 
 const color_filter_t *
@@ -211,17 +206,18 @@ color_filters_tmp_color(guint8 filter_num) {
 }
 
 /* Reset the temporary colorfilters */
-void
-color_filters_reset_tmp(void)
+gboolean
+color_filters_reset_tmp(gchar **err_msg)
 {
     guint8 i;
 
     for ( i=1 ; i<=10 ; i++ ) {
-        color_filters_set_tmp(i, NULL, TRUE);
+        if (!color_filters_set_tmp(i, NULL, TRUE, err_msg))
+            return FALSE;
     }
     /* Remember that there are now *no* temporary coloring filters set */
     tmp_colors_set = FALSE;
-    return;
+    return TRUE;
 }
 
 /* delete the specified filter */
@@ -296,23 +292,33 @@ color_filter_list_clone(GSList *cfl)
 }
 
 /* Initialize the filter structures (reading from file) for general running, including app startup */
-void
-color_filters_init(void)
+gboolean
+color_filters_init(gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
     /* delete all currently existing filters */
     color_filter_list_delete(&color_filter_list);
 
     /* start the list with the temporary colorizing rules */
-    color_filters_add_tmp(&color_filter_list);
+    color_filters_add_tmp(&color_filter_list, init_func);
 
     /* try to read the users filters */
-    if (!read_users_filters(&color_filter_list))
+    if (!read_users_filters(&color_filter_list, err_msg, init_func, add_cb)) {
+        gchar* local_err_msg = NULL;
+
         /* if that failed, try to read the global filters */
-        color_filters_read_globals(&color_filter_list);
+        if (!color_filters_read_globals(&color_filter_list, &local_err_msg, init_func, add_cb)) {
+            /* Show the first error */
+            g_free(local_err_msg);
+        }
+
+        return (*err_msg == NULL);
+    }
+
+    return TRUE;
 }
 
-void
-color_filters_reload(void)
+gboolean
+color_filters_reload(gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
     /* "move" old entries to the deleted list
      * we must keep them until the dissection no longer needs them */
@@ -320,12 +326,21 @@ color_filters_reload(void)
     color_filter_list = NULL;
 
     /* start the list with the temporary colorizing rules */
-    color_filters_add_tmp(&color_filter_list);
+    color_filters_add_tmp(&color_filter_list, init_func);
 
     /* try to read the users filters */
-    if (!read_users_filters(&color_filter_list))
+    if (!read_users_filters(&color_filter_list, err_msg, init_func, add_cb)) {
+        gchar* local_err_msg = NULL;
+
         /* if that failed, try to read the global filters */
-        color_filters_read_globals(&color_filter_list);
+        if (!color_filters_read_globals(&color_filter_list, &local_err_msg, init_func, add_cb)) {
+            /* Show the first error */
+            g_free(local_err_msg);
+        }
+
+        return (*err_msg == NULL);
+    }
+    return TRUE;
 }
 
 void
@@ -335,32 +350,44 @@ color_filters_cleanup(void)
     color_filter_list_delete(&color_filter_deleted_list);
 }
 
+typedef struct _color_clone
+{
+    gpointer user_data;
+    color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb;
+} color_clone_t;
+
 static void
 color_filters_clone_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer user_data)
 {
+    color_clone_t* clone_data = (color_clone_t*)user_data;
     color_filter_t * new_colorf = color_filter_clone((color_filter_t *)filter_arg);
-    color_filter_add_cb (new_colorf, user_data);
+
+    clone_data->add_cb (new_colorf, clone_data->user_data);
 }
 
 void
-color_filters_clone(gpointer user_data)
+color_filters_clone(gpointer user_data, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
-    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_list, color_filters_clone_cb, user_data);
+    color_clone_t clone_data;
+
+    clone_data.user_data = user_data;
+    clone_data.add_cb = add_cb;
+    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_list, color_filters_clone_cb, &clone_data);
 }
 
 
 static void
-color_filter_compile_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer unused _U_)
+color_filter_compile_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer err)
 {
     color_filter_t *colorf = (color_filter_t *)filter_arg;
-    gchar *err_msg;
+    gchar **err_msg = (gchar**)err;
+    gchar *local_err_msg = NULL;
 
     g_assert(colorf->c_colorfilter == NULL);
-    if (!dfilter_compile(colorf->filter_text, &colorf->c_colorfilter, &err_msg)) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Could not compile color filter name: \"%s\" text: \"%s\".\n%s",
-                      colorf->filter_name, colorf->filter_text, err_msg);
-        g_free(err_msg);
+    if (!dfilter_compile(colorf->filter_text, &colorf->c_colorfilter, &local_err_msg)) {
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not compile color filter name: \"%s\" text: \"%s\".\n%s",
+                      colorf->filter_name, colorf->filter_text, local_err_msg);
+        g_free(local_err_msg);
         /* this filter was compilable before, so this should never happen */
         /* except if the OK button of the parent window has been clicked */
         /* so don't use g_assert_not_reached() but check the filters again */
@@ -368,17 +395,17 @@ color_filter_compile_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer unused _U_)
 }
 
 static void
-color_filter_validate_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer unused _U_)
+color_filter_validate_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer err)
 {
     color_filter_t *colorf = (color_filter_t *)filter_arg;
-    gchar *err_msg;
+    gchar **err_msg = (gchar**)err;
+    gchar *local_err_msg;
 
     g_assert(colorf->c_colorfilter == NULL);
-    if (!dfilter_compile(colorf->filter_text, &colorf->c_colorfilter, &err_msg)) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Removing color filter name: \"%s\" text: \"%s\".\n%s",
-                      colorf->filter_name, colorf->filter_text, err_msg);
-        g_free(err_msg);
+    if (!dfilter_compile(colorf->filter_text, &colorf->c_colorfilter, &local_err_msg)) {
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Removing color filter name: \"%s\" text: \"%s\".\n%s",
+                      colorf->filter_name, colorf->filter_text, local_err_msg);
+        g_free(local_err_msg);
         /* Delete the color filter from the list of color filters. */
         color_filter_valid_list = g_slist_remove(color_filter_valid_list, colorf);
         color_filter_delete(colorf);
@@ -386,9 +413,13 @@ color_filter_validate_cb(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer unused _U_)
 }
 
 /* apply changes from the edit list */
-void
-color_filters_apply(GSList *tmp_cfl, GSList *edit_cfl)
+gboolean
+color_filters_apply(GSList *tmp_cfl, GSList *edit_cfl, gchar** err_msg)
 {
+    gboolean ret = TRUE;
+
+    *err_msg = NULL;
+
     /* "move" old entries to the deleted list
      * we must keep them until the dissection no longer needs them */
     color_filter_deleted_list = g_slist_concat(color_filter_deleted_list, color_filter_list);
@@ -401,13 +432,21 @@ color_filters_apply(GSList *tmp_cfl, GSList *edit_cfl)
                                              color_filter_list_clone(edit_cfl) );
 
     /* compile all filter */
-    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_valid_list, color_filter_validate_cb, NULL);
+    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_valid_list, color_filter_validate_cb, err_msg);
+    if (*err_msg != NULL) {
+        ret = FALSE;
+    }
 
     /* clone all list entries from tmp/edit to normal list */
     color_filter_list = color_filter_list_clone(color_filter_valid_list);
 
     /* compile all filter */
-    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_list, color_filter_compile_cb, NULL);
+    g_slist_foreach(color_filter_list, color_filter_compile_cb, err_msg);
+    if (*err_msg != NULL) {
+        ret = FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return ret;
 }
 
 gboolean
@@ -422,13 +461,6 @@ tmp_color_filters_used(void)
     return tmp_colors_set;
 }
 
-void
-color_filters_enable(gboolean enable)
-{
-    packet_list_enable_color(enable);
-}
-
-
 /* prepare the epan_dissect_t for the filter */
 static void
 prime_edt(gpointer data, gpointer user_data)
@@ -478,7 +510,7 @@ color_filters_colorize_packet(epan_dissect_t *edt)
 /* XXX - Would it make more sense to use GStrings here instead of reallocing
    our buffers? */
 static gboolean
-read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data)
+read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
 #define INIT_BUF_SIZE 128
     gchar    *name             = NULL;
@@ -490,6 +522,7 @@ read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data)
     guint16   fg_r, fg_g, fg_b, bg_r, bg_g, bg_b;
     gboolean  disabled         = FALSE;
     gboolean  skip_end_of_line = FALSE;
+    gboolean  ret = TRUE;
 
     name = (gchar *)g_malloc(name_len + 1);
     filter_exp = (gchar *)g_malloc(filter_exp_len + 1);
@@ -584,34 +617,32 @@ read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data)
             color_t bg_color, fg_color;
             color_filter_t *colorf;
             dfilter_t *temp_dfilter;
-            gchar *err_msg;
+            gchar *local_err_msg = NULL;
 
-            if (!dfilter_compile(filter_exp, &temp_dfilter, &err_msg)) {
+            if (!dfilter_compile(filter_exp, &temp_dfilter, &local_err_msg)) {
                 g_warning("Could not compile \"%s\" in colorfilters file.\n%s",
-                          name, err_msg);
-                g_free(err_msg);
+                          name, local_err_msg);
+                g_free(local_err_msg);
                 prefs.unknown_colorfilters = TRUE;
 
                 skip_end_of_line = TRUE;
                 continue;
             }
 
-            if (!initialize_color(&fg_color, fg_r, fg_g, fg_b)) {
+            if (!init_func(&fg_color, fg_r, fg_g, fg_b)) {
                 /* oops */
-                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                              "Could not allocate foreground color "
-                              "specified in input file for %s.", name);
+                *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not allocate foreground color specified in input file for %s.", name);
                 dfilter_free(temp_dfilter);
                 skip_end_of_line = TRUE;
+                ret = FALSE;
                 continue;
             }
-            if (!initialize_color(&bg_color, bg_r, bg_g, bg_b)) {
+            if (!init_func(&bg_color, bg_r, bg_g, bg_b)) {
                 /* oops */
-                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                              "Could not allocate background color "
-                              "specified in input file for %s.", name);
+                *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not allocate background color specified in input file for %s.", name);
                 dfilter_free(temp_dfilter);
                 skip_end_of_line = TRUE;
+                ret = FALSE;
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -627,7 +658,7 @@ read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data)
                 /* external call */
                 /* just editing, don't need the compiled filter */
                 dfilter_free(temp_dfilter);
-                color_filter_add_cb (colorf, user_data);
+                add_cb(colorf, user_data);
             }
         }    /* if sscanf */
 
@@ -636,12 +667,12 @@ read_filters_file(FILE *f, gpointer user_data)
 
     g_free(name);
     g_free(filter_exp);
-    return TRUE;
+    return ret;
 }
 
 /* read filters from the user's filter file */
 static gboolean
-read_users_filters(GSList **cfl)
+read_users_filters(GSList **cfl, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
     gchar    *path;
     FILE     *f;
@@ -651,8 +682,7 @@ read_users_filters(GSList **cfl)
     path = get_persconffile_path("colorfilters", TRUE);
     if ((f = ws_fopen(path, "r")) == NULL) {
         if (errno != ENOENT) {
-            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                          "Could not open filter file\n\"%s\": %s.", path,
+            *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not open filter file\n\"%s\": %s.", path,
                           g_strerror(errno));
         }
         g_free(path);
@@ -661,14 +691,14 @@ read_users_filters(GSList **cfl)
     g_free(path);
     path = NULL;
 
-    ret = read_filters_file(f, cfl);
+    ret = read_filters_file(f, cfl, err_msg, init_func, add_cb);
     fclose(f);
     return ret;
 }
 
 /* read filters from the filter file */
 gboolean
-color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data)
+color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
     gchar    *path;
     FILE     *f;
@@ -678,8 +708,7 @@ color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data)
     path = get_datafile_path("colorfilters");
     if ((f = ws_fopen(path, "r")) == NULL) {
         if (errno != ENOENT) {
-            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                          "Could not open global filter file\n\"%s\": %s.", path,
+            *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not open global filter file\n\"%s\": %s.", path,
                           g_strerror(errno));
         }
         g_free(path);
@@ -688,26 +717,25 @@ color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data)
     g_free(path);
     path = NULL;
 
-    ret = read_filters_file(f, user_data);
+    ret = read_filters_file(f, user_data, err_msg, init_func, add_cb);
     fclose(f);
     return ret;
 }
 
 /* read filters from some other filter file (import) */
 gboolean
-color_filters_import(const gchar *path, const gpointer user_data)
+color_filters_import(const gchar *path, const gpointer user_data, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb)
 {
     FILE     *f;
     gboolean  ret;
 
     if ((f = ws_fopen(path, "r")) == NULL) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Could not open\n%s\nfor reading: %s.",
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not open\n%s\nfor reading: %s.",
                       path, g_strerror(errno));
         return FALSE;
     }
 
-    ret = read_filters_file(f, user_data);
+    ret = read_filters_file(f, user_data, err_msg, init_func, add_cb);
     fclose(f);
     return ret;
 }
@@ -757,7 +785,7 @@ write_filters_file(const GSList *cfl, FILE *f, gboolean only_selected)
 
 /* save filters in users filter file */
 gboolean
-color_filters_write(GSList *cfl)
+color_filters_write(GSList *cfl, gchar** err_msg)
 {
     gchar *pf_dir_path;
     gchar *path;
@@ -766,8 +794,7 @@ color_filters_write(GSList *cfl)
     /* Create the directory that holds personal configuration files,
        if necessary.  */
     if (create_persconffile_dir(&pf_dir_path) == -1) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Can't create directory\n\"%s\"\nfor color files: %s.",
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Can't create directory\n\"%s\"\nfor color files: %s.",
                       pf_dir_path, g_strerror(errno));
         g_free(pf_dir_path);
         return FALSE;
@@ -775,8 +802,7 @@ color_filters_write(GSList *cfl)
 
     path = get_persconffile_path("colorfilters", TRUE);
     if ((f = ws_fopen(path, "w+")) == NULL) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Could not open\n%s\nfor writing: %s.",
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not open\n%s\nfor writing: %s.",
                       path, g_strerror(errno));
         g_free(path);
         return FALSE;
@@ -789,13 +815,12 @@ color_filters_write(GSList *cfl)
 
 /* save filters in some other filter file (export) */
 gboolean
-color_filters_export(const gchar *path, const GSList *cfl, gboolean only_marked)
+color_filters_export(const gchar *path, const GSList *cfl, gboolean only_marked, gchar** err_msg)
 {
     FILE *f;
 
     if ((f = ws_fopen(path, "w+")) == NULL) {
-        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                      "Could not open\n%s\nfor writing: %s.",
+        *err_msg = g_strdup_printf("Could not open\n%s\nfor writing: %s.",
                       path, g_strerror(errno));
         return FALSE;
     }
diff --git a/color_filters.h b/epan/color_filters.h
index 04aafc87ec..2fe8b018cb 100644
--- a/color_filters.h
+++ b/epan/color_filters.h
@@ -22,12 +22,41 @@
 #ifndef  __COLOR_FILTERS_H__
 #define  __COLOR_FILTERS_H__
 
+#include "ws_symbol_export.h"
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
 
 struct epan_dissect;
 
+/*
+ * Data structure holding RGB value for a color.
+ *
+ * XXX - yes, I know, there's a "pixel" value in there as well; for
+ * now, it's intended to look just like a GdkColor but not to require
+ * that any GTK+ header files be included in order to use it.
+ * The way we handle colors needs to be cleaned up somewhat, in order
+ * to keep toolkit-specific stuff separate from toolkit-independent stuff.
+ */
+typedef struct {
+	guint32 pixel;
+	guint16 red;
+	guint16 green;
+	guint16 blue;
+} color_t;
+
+/** Initialize a color with R, G, and B values, including any toolkit-dependent
+ ** work that needs to be done.
+ *
+ * @param color the color_t to be filled
+ * @param red the red value for the color
+ * @param green the green value for the color
+ * @param blue the blue value for the color
+ * @return TRUE if it succeeds, FALSE if it fails
+ */
+typedef gboolean (*initialize_color_func)(color_t *color, guint16 red, guint16 green, guint16 blue);
+
 #define CONVERSATION_COLOR_PREFIX       "___conversation_color_filter___"
 /** @file
  *  Color filters.
@@ -49,34 +78,34 @@ typedef struct _color_filter {
     void      *color_edit_dlg_info; /* if filter is being edited, ptr to req'd info. GTK+ only. */
 } color_filter_t;
 
+/** A color filter was added (while importing).
+ * (color_filters.c calls this for every filter coming in)
+ *
+ * @param colorf the new color filter
+ * @param user_data from caller
+ */
+typedef void (*color_filter_add_cb_func)(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data);
 
 /** Init the color filters (incl. initial read from file). */
-void color_filters_init(void);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_init(gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 /** Reload the color filters */
-void color_filters_reload(void);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_reload(gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 /** Cleanup remaining color filter zombies */
-void color_filters_cleanup(void);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC void color_filters_cleanup(void);
 
 /** Color filters currently used?
  *
  * @return TRUE, if filters are used
  */
-gboolean color_filters_used(void);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_used(void);
 
 /** Are there any temporary coloring filters used?
  *
  * @return TRUE, if temporary coloring filters are used
  */
-gboolean tmp_color_filters_used(void);
-
-/** En-/disable color filters
- *
- * @param enable TRUE to enable (default)
- */
-void
-color_filters_enable(gboolean enable);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean tmp_color_filters_used(void);
 
 /** Set the filter string of a temporary color filter
  *
@@ -84,43 +113,43 @@ color_filters_enable(gboolean enable);
  * @param filter the new filter-string
  * @param disabled whether the filter-rule should be disabled
  */
-void
-color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean
+color_filters_set_tmp(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar *filter, gboolean disabled, gchar **err_msg);
 
 /** Get a temporary color filter.
  *
  * @param filter_num A number from 1 to 10 specifying the color to fetch.
  * @return The corresponding color or NULL.
  */
-const color_filter_t *
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC const color_filter_t *
 color_filters_tmp_color(guint8 filter_num);
 
 /** Reset the temporary color filters
  *
  */
-void
-color_filters_reset_tmp(void);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean
+color_filters_reset_tmp(gchar **err_msg);
 
 /* Prime the epan_dissect_t with all the compiler
  * color filters of the current filter list.
  *
  * @param the epan dissector details
  */
-void color_filters_prime_edt(struct epan_dissect *edt);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC void color_filters_prime_edt(struct epan_dissect *edt);
 
 /** Colorize a specific packet.
  *
  * @param edt the dissected packet
  * @return the matching color filter or NULL
  */
-const color_filter_t *
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC const color_filter_t *
 color_filters_colorize_packet(struct epan_dissect *edt);
 
 /** Clone the currently active filter list.
  *
  * @param user_data will be returned by each call to to color_filter_add_cb()
  */
-void color_filters_clone(gpointer user_data);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC void color_filters_clone(gpointer user_data, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 /** Load filters (import) from some other filter file.
  *
@@ -128,23 +157,14 @@ void color_filters_clone(gpointer user_data);
  * @param user_data will be returned by each call to to color_filter_add_cb()
  * @return TRUE, if read succeeded
  */
-gboolean color_filters_import(const gchar *path, const gpointer user_data);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_import(const gchar *path, const gpointer user_data, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 /** Read filters from the global filter file (not the users file).
  *
  * @param user_data will be returned by each call to to color_filter_add_cb()
  * @return TRUE, if read succeeded
  */
-gboolean color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data);
-
-/** A color filter was added (while importing).
- * (color_filters.c calls this for every filter coming in)
- *
- * @param colorf the new color filter
- * @param user_data from caller
- */
-void color_filter_add_cb (color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data);
-
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_read_globals(gpointer user_data, gchar** err_msg, initialize_color_func init_func, color_filter_add_cb_func add_cb);
 
 
 /** Apply a changed filter list.
@@ -152,14 +172,14 @@ void color_filter_add_cb (color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data);
  * @param tmp_cfl the temporary color filter list to apply
  * @param edit_cfl the edited permanent color filter list to apply
  */
-void color_filters_apply(GSList *tmp_cfl, GSList *edit_cfl);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_apply(GSList *tmp_cfl, GSList *edit_cfl, gchar** err_msg);
 
 /** Save filters in users filter file.
  *
  * @param cfl the filter list to write
  * @return TRUE if write succeeded
  */
-gboolean color_filters_write(GSList *cfl);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_write(GSList *cfl, gchar** err_msg);
 
 /** Save filters (export) to some other filter file.
  *
@@ -168,7 +188,7 @@ gboolean color_filters_write(GSList *cfl);
  * @param only_selected TRUE if only the selected filters should be saved
  * @return TRUE, if write succeeded
  */
-gboolean color_filters_export(const gchar *path, const GSList *cfl, gboolean only_selected);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC gboolean color_filters_export(const gchar *path, const GSList *cfl, gboolean only_selected, gchar** err_msg);
 
 /** Create a new color filter (g_malloc'ed).
  *
@@ -179,7 +199,7 @@ gboolean color_filters_export(const gchar *path, const GSList *cfl, gboolean onl
  * @param disabled gboolean
  * @return the new color filter
  */
-color_filter_t *color_filter_new(
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC color_filter_t *color_filter_new(
     const gchar *name, const gchar *filter_string,
     color_t *bg_color, color_t *fg_color, gboolean disabled);
 
@@ -187,13 +207,13 @@ color_filter_t *color_filter_new(
  *
  * @param colorf the color filter to be removed
  */
-void color_filter_delete(color_filter_t *colorf);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC void color_filter_delete(color_filter_t *colorf);
 
 /** Delete a filter list including all entries.
  *
  * @param cfl the filter list to delete
  */
-void color_filter_list_delete(GSList **cfl);
+WS_DLL_PUBLIC void color_filter_list_delete(GSList **cfl);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/epan/dissectors/file-file.c b/epan/dissectors/file-file.c
index b01f53cd33..e7a469a18e 100644
--- a/epan/dissectors/file-file.c
+++ b/epan/dissectors/file-file.c
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@
 #include <wsutil/md5.h>
 #include <wsutil/str_util.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include "file-file.h"
 
diff --git a/epan/dissectors/packet-frame.c b/epan/dissectors/packet-frame.c
index 0776295f6c..2a7b498ac4 100644
--- a/epan/dissectors/packet-frame.c
+++ b/epan/dissectors/packet-frame.c
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@
 #include "packet-frame.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 void proto_register_frame(void);
 void proto_reg_handoff_frame(void);
diff --git a/epan/prefs.h b/epan/prefs.h
index 0f2834e43b..b02a2b0c45 100644
--- a/epan/prefs.h
+++ b/epan/prefs.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
+#include "color_filters.h"
 
 #include <epan/params.h>
 #include <epan/range.h>
diff --git a/file.c b/file.c
index 05bca69949..d7f13bb7a2 100644
--- a/file.c
+++ b/file.c
@@ -53,9 +53,8 @@
 #include <epan/dfilter/dfilter-macro.h>
 #include <epan/strutil.h>
 #include <epan/addr_resolv.h>
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
 #include "cfile.h"
 #include "file.h"
 #include "fileset.h"
diff --git a/ui/gtk/capture_file_dlg.c b/ui/gtk/capture_file_dlg.c
index e120034751..bf4a7ecc99 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/capture_file_dlg.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/capture_file_dlg.c
@@ -31,8 +31,7 @@
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
 
 #include "globals.h"
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include <wsutil/file_util.h>
 
@@ -40,6 +39,7 @@
 
 #include "ui/util.h"
 #include "ui/alert_box.h"
+#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
 #include "ui/file_dialog.h"
 #include "ui/recent.h"
 #include "ui/ui_util.h"
@@ -2245,7 +2245,7 @@ file_color_import_cmd_cb(GtkWidget *color_filters, gpointer filter_list _U_)
   win32_import_color_file(GDK_WINDOW_HWND(gtk_widget_get_window(top_level)), color_filters);
 #else /* USE_WIN32_FILE_DIALOGS */
   GtkWidget *main_vb, *cfglobal_but;
-  gchar     *cf_name, *s;
+  gchar     *cf_name, *s, *err_msg = NULL;
 
   /* No Apply button, and "OK" just sets our text widget, it doesn't
      activate it (i.e., it doesn't cause us to try to open the file). */
@@ -2277,11 +2277,13 @@ file_color_import_cmd_cb(GtkWidget *color_filters, gpointer filter_list _U_)
     }
 
     /* Try to open the color filter file. */
-    if (!color_filters_import(cf_name, color_filters)) {
+    if (!color_filters_import(cf_name, color_filters, &err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
       /* We couldn't open it; don't dismiss the open dialog box,
          just leave it around so that the user can, after they
          dismiss the alert box popped up for the open error,
          try again. */
+      simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+      g_free(err_msg);
       g_free(cf_name);
       continue;
     }
@@ -2341,6 +2343,7 @@ file_color_export_cmd_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_, gpointer filter_list)
   GtkWidget *cfselect_cb;
   gchar     *cf_name;
   gchar     *dirname;
+  gchar     *err_msg = NULL;
 
   color_selected   = FALSE;
 
@@ -2390,10 +2393,12 @@ file_color_export_cmd_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_, gpointer filter_list)
 
     /* Write out the filters (all, or only the ones that are currently
        displayed or selected) to the file with the specified name. */
-    if (!color_filters_export(cf_name, (GSList *)filter_list, color_selected)) {
+    if (!color_filters_export(cf_name, (GSList *)filter_list, color_selected, &err_msg)) {
       /* The write failed; don't dismiss the open dialog box,
          just leave it around so that the user can, after they
          dismiss the alert box popped up for the error, try again. */
+      simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+      g_free(err_msg);
       g_free(cf_name);
       continue;
     }
diff --git a/ui/gtk/color_dlg.c b/ui/gtk/color_dlg.c
index dfbe60d773..edb6c6da13 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/color_dlg.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/color_dlg.c
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@
 
 #include <epan/packet.h>
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
-
-#include "../color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include "simple_dialog.h"
 
@@ -149,6 +148,17 @@ int color_selected_count(void)
   return count;
 }
 
+
+/* a new color filter was read in from a filter file */
+void
+color_filter_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data)
+{
+  GtkWidget        *color_filters = (GtkWidget*)user_data;
+
+  add_filter_to_list(colorf, color_filters, FALSE);
+
+  gtk_widget_grab_focus(color_filters);
+}
 /* Create the "Coloring Rules" dialog. */
 static GtkWidget*
 colorize_dialog_new (char *filter)
@@ -406,7 +416,7 @@ colorize_dialog_new (char *filter)
   gtk_widget_grab_focus(color_filters);
 
   /* prepare filter list content */
-  color_filters_clone(color_filters);
+  color_filters_clone(color_filters, color_filter_add_cb);
   g_object_set_data(G_OBJECT(color_win), COLOR_FILTER_LIST, &color_filter_edit_list);
 
   gtk_widget_show_all(color_win);
@@ -734,18 +744,6 @@ add_filter_to_list(gpointer filter_arg, gpointer list_arg, gboolean prepend)
   }
 }
 
-
-/* a new color filter was read in from a filter file */
-void
-color_filter_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data)
-{
-  GtkWidget        *color_filters = (GtkWidget*)user_data;
-
-  add_filter_to_list(colorf, color_filters, FALSE);
-
-  gtk_widget_grab_focus(color_filters);
-}
-
 /* Create a new filter, add it to the list, and pop up an
    "Edit color filter" dialog box to edit it. */
 static void
@@ -955,6 +953,7 @@ static void
 color_clear_cmd(GtkWidget *widget)
 {
   GtkWidget * color_filters;
+  gchar* err_msg = NULL;
 
   color_filters = (GtkWidget *)g_object_get_data(G_OBJECT(widget), COLOR_FILTERS_CL);
 
@@ -964,7 +963,11 @@ color_clear_cmd(GtkWidget *widget)
   }
 
   /* try to read the global filters */
-  color_filters_read_globals(color_filters);
+  if (!color_filters_read_globals(color_filters, &err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb))
+  {
+    simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+    g_free(err_msg);
+  }
 }
 
 /* User pressed "clear" button: ask user before really doing it */
@@ -1013,12 +1016,17 @@ color_clear_cb(GtkWidget *widget, gpointer data _U_) {
 static void
 overwrite_existing_colorfilters_cb(gpointer dialog _U_, gint btn, gpointer data _U_)
 {
+  gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+
   switch (btn) {
   case(ESD_BTN_SAVE):
     /* overwrite the file*/
-    if (!color_filters_write(color_filter_edit_list))
+    if (!color_filters_write(color_filter_edit_list, &err_msg))
+    {
       simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK,
-                    "Could not open colorfilter file: %s", g_strerror(errno));
+                    "Could not open colorfilter file: %s", err_msg);
+      g_free(err_msg);
+    }
     else
       prefs.unknown_colorfilters = FALSE;
     break;
@@ -1032,6 +1040,7 @@ overwrite_existing_colorfilters_cb(gpointer dialog _U_, gint btn, gpointer data
 static void
 colorfilters_main_save(void)
 {
+  gchar* err_msg = NULL;
   if (prefs.unknown_colorfilters) {
     gpointer dialog = simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_CONFIRMATION, ESD_BTNS_SAVE_DONTSAVE,
       "Obsolete or unrecognized color filters have been detected. "
@@ -1041,8 +1050,9 @@ colorfilters_main_save(void)
 
     simple_dialog_set_cb(dialog, overwrite_existing_colorfilters_cb, NULL);
   } else {
-    if (!color_filters_write(color_filter_edit_list))
-      simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "Could not open filter file: %s", g_strerror(errno));
+    if (!color_filters_write(color_filter_edit_list, &err_msg))
+      simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "Could not open filter file: %s", err_msg);
+      g_free(err_msg);
   }
 }
 
@@ -1064,6 +1074,8 @@ color_ok_cb(GtkButton *button _U_, gpointer user_data _U_)
 static void
 color_apply_cb(GtkButton *button _U_, gpointer user_data _U_)
 {
+  gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+
   /* if we don't have a Save button, just save the settings now */
   if (!prefs.gui_use_pref_save)
     colorfilters_main_save();
@@ -1071,7 +1083,10 @@ color_apply_cb(GtkButton *button _U_, gpointer user_data _U_)
   /* Apply the coloring rules, both the temporary ones in
    * color_filter_tmp_list as the permanent ones in color_filter_edit_list
    * */
-  color_filters_apply(color_filter_tmp_list, color_filter_edit_list);
+  if (!color_filters_apply(color_filter_tmp_list, color_filter_edit_list, &err_msg)) {
+    simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+    g_free(err_msg);
+  }
 
   /* colorize list */
   packet_list_colorize_packets();
diff --git a/ui/gtk/color_edit_dlg.c b/ui/gtk/color_edit_dlg.c
index 33aa800c9c..5ee13a6e47 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/color_edit_dlg.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/color_edit_dlg.c
@@ -26,8 +26,7 @@
 
 #include <epan/dfilter/dfilter.h>
 
-#include "../color.h"
-#include "../color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
 
diff --git a/ui/gtk/color_utils.c b/ui/gtk/color_utils.c
index 73a98163e3..7d9d70af07 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/color_utils.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/color_utils.c
@@ -26,17 +26,14 @@
 
 #include <gtk/gtk.h>
 
-#include "../color.h"
-
-
 #include "ui/gtk/color_utils.h"
 #if 0
 static GdkColormap*	sys_cmap;
 static GdkColormap*	our_cmap = NULL;
 #endif
-GdkColor	WHITE = { 0, 65535, 65535, 65535 };
-/*GdkColor	LTGREY = { 0, 57343, 57343, 57343 };*/
-GdkColor	BLACK = { 0, 0, 0, 0 };
+/* static GdkColor	WHITE = { 0, 65535, 65535, 65535 }; */
+/*static GdkColor	LTGREY = { 0, 57343, 57343, 57343 };*/
+/* static GdkColor	BLACK = { 0, 0, 0, 0 }; */
 
 /*
  * Initialize a color with R, G, and B values, including any toolkit-dependent
diff --git a/ui/gtk/color_utils.h b/ui/gtk/color_utils.h
index c3923a51ea..15bddaef8d 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/color_utils.h
+++ b/ui/gtk/color_utils.h
@@ -24,20 +24,12 @@
 #define  __COLORS_H__
 
 #include "ui/gtk/gui_utils.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 /** @file
  *  Definitions for color structures and routines
  */
 
-/** The color white. */
-extern GdkColor WHITE;
-
-/** The color light-grey. */
-extern GdkColor LTGREY;
-
-/** The color black. */
-extern GdkColor BLACK;
-
 /** Initialize the colors. */
 void colors_init(void);
 
diff --git a/ui/gtk/compare_stat.c b/ui/gtk/compare_stat.c
index 6b13fd2d55..851ed217b0 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/compare_stat.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/compare_stat.c
@@ -64,8 +64,7 @@
 #include "globals.h"
 
 /* Color settings */
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "packet_list.h"
 
 
@@ -539,6 +538,7 @@ comparestat_draw(void *arg)
 	frame_info *fInfo;
 	guint32 first_file_amount, second_file_amount;
 	char* addr_str;
+	gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
 	/* initial steps, clear all data before start*/
 	cs->zebra_time.secs=0;
@@ -591,7 +591,10 @@ comparestat_draw(void *arg)
 		g_string_printf(filter_str, "%s %s %s %s", "eth.dst==", addr_str, "|| eth.dst==", addr_str);
 		wmem_free(NULL, addr_str);
 	}
-	color_filters_set_tmp(COLOR_N, filter_str->str, FALSE);
+	if (!color_filters_set_tmp(COLOR_N, filter_str->str, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+		simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+		g_free(err_msg);
+	}
 	packet_list_colorize_packets();
 	/* Variance */
 	cs->stats.variance=compare_variance;
diff --git a/ui/gtk/funnel_stat.c b/ui/gtk/funnel_stat.c
index 96781a11f2..f7f15eb38a 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/funnel_stat.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/funnel_stat.c
@@ -44,7 +44,8 @@
 #include <epan/funnel.h>
 
 #include "ui/progress_dlg.h"
-#include "../color_filters.h"
+#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include "ui/gtk/gui_utils.h"
 #include "ui/gtk/dlg_utils.h"
@@ -465,7 +466,11 @@ static void funnel_set_filter(funnel_ops_id_t *ops_id _U_, const char* filter_st
 }
 
 static void funnel_set_color_filter_slot(guint8 filt_nr, const gchar* filter_string) {
-    color_filters_set_tmp(filt_nr, (gchar *)filter_string, FALSE);
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+    if (!color_filters_set_tmp(filt_nr, (gchar *)filter_string, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 }
 
 static void funnel_apply_filter(funnel_ops_id_t *ops_id _U_) {
diff --git a/ui/gtk/main.c b/ui/gtk/main.c
index 8eab2b5b55..93e255f946 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/main.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/main.c
@@ -97,8 +97,7 @@
 #include "../file.h"
 #include "../frame_tvbuff.h"
 #include "../summary.h"
-#include "../color.h"
-#include "../color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "../register.h"
 #include "../ringbuffer.h"
 #include "../log.h"
@@ -355,6 +354,7 @@ void
 colorize_selected_ptree_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_, gpointer data _U_, guint8 filt_nr)
 {
     char *filter = NULL;
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
     if (cfile.finfo_selected) {
         filter = proto_construct_match_selected_string(cfile.finfo_selected,
@@ -370,9 +370,16 @@ colorize_selected_ptree_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_, gpointer data _U_, guint8 filt_nr)
             color_display_with_filter(filter);
         } else {
             if (filt_nr==255) {
-                color_filters_reset_tmp();
+                if (!color_filters_reset_tmp(&err_msg)) {
+                    simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+                    g_free(err_msg);
+                }
             } else {
-                color_filters_set_tmp(filt_nr,filter, FALSE);
+                if (!color_filters_set_tmp(filt_nr,filter, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+                    simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+                    g_free(err_msg);
+                }
+
             }
             packet_list_colorize_packets();
         }
@@ -1351,7 +1358,7 @@ main_colorize_changed(gboolean packet_list_colorize)
     /* change colorization */
     if(packet_list_colorize != recent.packet_list_colorize) {
         recent.packet_list_colorize = packet_list_colorize;
-        color_filters_enable(packet_list_colorize);
+        packet_list_enable_color(packet_list_colorize);
         packet_list_colorize_packets();
     }
 }
@@ -2215,7 +2222,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
     gint                 pl_size = 280, tv_size = 95, bv_size = 75;
     gchar               *rc_file, *cf_name = NULL, *rfilter = NULL, *dfilter = NULL, *jfilter = NULL;
     dfilter_t           *rfcode = NULL;
-    gchar               *err_msg;
+    gchar               *err_msg = NULL;
     gboolean             rfilter_parse_failed = FALSE;
     e_prefs             *prefs_p;
     char                 badopt;
@@ -3135,7 +3142,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
         g_free(rf_path);
     }
 
-    color_filters_enable(recent.packet_list_colorize);
+    packet_list_enable_color(recent.packet_list_colorize);
 
     /* rearrange all the widgets as we now have all recent settings ready for this */
     main_widgets_rearrange();
@@ -3173,7 +3180,10 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     dnd_init(top_level);
 
-    color_filters_init();
+    if (!color_filters_init(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 #ifdef HAVE_LIBPCAP
     capture_filter_init();
 #endif
@@ -3886,6 +3896,7 @@ void change_configuration_profile (const gchar *profile_name)
     char  *gdp_path, *dp_path;
     char  *rf_path;
     int    rf_open_errno;
+    gchar* err_msg = NULL;
 
     /* First check if profile exists */
     if (!profile_exists(profile_name, FALSE)) {
@@ -3933,7 +3944,7 @@ void change_configuration_profile (const gchar *profile_name)
     }
     timestamp_set_type (recent.gui_time_format);
     timestamp_set_seconds_type (recent.gui_seconds_format);
-    color_filters_enable(recent.packet_list_colorize);
+    packet_list_enable_color(recent.packet_list_colorize);
 
     prefs_to_capture_opts();
     prefs_apply_all();
@@ -3955,7 +3966,10 @@ void change_configuration_profile (const gchar *profile_name)
     }
 
     /* Reload color filters */
-    color_filters_reload();
+    if (!color_filters_reload(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 
     /* Reload list of interfaces on welcome page */
     welcome_if_panel_reload();
@@ -3975,8 +3989,13 @@ void change_configuration_profile (const gchar *profile_name)
 void
 main_fields_changed (void)
 {
+    gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+
     /* Reload color filters */
-    color_filters_reload();
+    if (!color_filters_reload(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 
     /* Syntax check filter */
     filter_te_syntax_check_cb(main_display_filter_widget, NULL);
diff --git a/ui/gtk/main_menubar.c b/ui/gtk/main_menubar.c
index 4edfa5140f..8da4c80299 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/main_menubar.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/main_menubar.c
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #include <epan/plugin_if.h>
 
 #include "globals.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include "ui/main_statusbar.h"
 #include "ui/preference_utils.h"
@@ -193,9 +193,13 @@ colorize_conversation_cb(conversation_filter_t* color_filter, int action_num)
 {
     gchar *filter = NULL;
     packet_info *pi = &cfile.edt->pi;
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
     if (action_num == 255) {
-        color_filters_reset_tmp();
+        if (!color_filters_reset_tmp(&err_msg)) {
+            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+            g_free(err_msg);
+        }
         packet_list_colorize_packets();
     } else if (cfile.current_frame) {
         if (color_filter == NULL) {
@@ -239,7 +243,10 @@ colorize_conversation_cb(conversation_filter_t* color_filter, int action_num)
             color_display_with_filter(filter);
         } else {
             /* Set one of the temporary coloring filters */
-            color_filters_set_tmp(action_num, filter, FALSE);
+            if (!color_filters_set_tmp(action_num, filter, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+                g_free(err_msg);
+            }
             packet_list_colorize_packets();
         }
 
diff --git a/ui/gtk/packet_list.c b/ui/gtk/packet_list.c
index 28a1aec161..98f4978a1e 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/packet_list.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/packet_list.c
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 #include "ui/gtk/packet_history.h"
 #include "ui/gtk/keys.h"
 #include "ui/gtk/menus.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "ui/gtk/color_utils.h"
 #include "ui/gtk/packet_win.h"
 #include "ui/gtk/main.h"
diff --git a/ui/gtk/packet_list_store.c b/ui/gtk/packet_list_store.c
index d7696a3597..8c4e21606b 100644
--- a/ui/gtk/packet_list_store.c
+++ b/ui/gtk/packet_list_store.c
@@ -42,8 +42,7 @@
 #include <epan/epan_dissect.h>
 #include <epan/column.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "frame_tvbuff.h"
 
 #include "globals.h"
diff --git a/ui/qt/Wireshark.pro b/ui/qt/Wireshark.pro
index ac42adad99..72467e0cca 100644
--- a/ui/qt/Wireshark.pro
+++ b/ui/qt/Wireshark.pro
@@ -191,7 +191,6 @@ SOURCES_WS_C = \
     ../../capture_info.c  \
     ../../capture_opts.c \
     ../../cfile.c \
-    ../../color_filters.c \
     ../../extcap.c \
     ../../extcap_parser.c \
     ../../file.c  \
diff --git a/ui/qt/color_utils.cpp b/ui/qt/color_utils.cpp
index e150a14003..d90d6046f7 100644
--- a/ui/qt/color_utils.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/color_utils.cpp
@@ -23,28 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "tango_colors.h"
 
-/*
- * Initialize a color with R, G, and B values, including any toolkit-dependent
- * work that needs to be done.
- */
-gboolean
-initialize_color(color_t *color, guint16 red, guint16 green, guint16 blue)
-{
-    QColor qc;
-
-    // color_t uses 16-bit components to match Gtk+. Qt use 8.
-    qc.setRgb(red>>8, green>>8, blue>>8);
-    if (!qc.isValid())
-        return FALSE;
-
-    // Match what color_filters.c does.
-    color->red = red;
-    color->green = green;
-    color->blue = blue;
-    color->pixel = 0;
-    return TRUE;
-}
-
 const QColor ColorUtils::expert_color_comment    = QColor ( 0xb7, 0xf7, 0x74 );        /* Green */
 const QColor ColorUtils::expert_color_chat       = QColor ( 0x80, 0xb7, 0xf7 );        /* Light blue */
 const QColor ColorUtils::expert_color_note       = QColor ( 0xa0, 0xff, 0xff );        /* Bright turquoise */
diff --git a/ui/qt/color_utils.h b/ui/qt/color_utils.h
index 8b1051837b..e9b1806363 100644
--- a/ui/qt/color_utils.h
+++ b/ui/qt/color_utils.h
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 
 #include <QBrush>
 #include <QColor>
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ private:
     static const QList<QRgb> graph_colors_;
 };
 
+void color_filter_qt_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data);
+
 #endif // COLOR_UTILS_H
 
 /*
diff --git a/ui/qt/coloring_rules_dialog.cpp b/ui/qt/coloring_rules_dialog.cpp
index e8314f499a..846ff13112 100644
--- a/ui/qt/coloring_rules_dialog.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/coloring_rules_dialog.cpp
@@ -28,9 +28,10 @@
 #include "coloring_rules_dialog.h"
 #include <ui_coloring_rules_dialog.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 
+#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
+#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
 #include "epan/dfilter/dfilter.h"
 #include "epan/prefs.h"
 
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
 #include "wsutil/filesystem.h"
 
 #include "color_utils.h"
+#include "ui/ui_util.h"
 #include "display_filter_combo.h"
 #include "syntax_line_edit.h"
 #include "wireshark_application.h"
@@ -60,15 +62,6 @@
 // - Make the filter column narrower? It's easy to run into Qt's annoying
 //   habit of horizontally scrolling QTreeWidgets here.
 
-// Callback for color_filters_clone.
-void
-color_filter_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data)
-{
-    ColoringRulesDialog *coloring_rules_dialog = static_cast<ColoringRulesDialog*>(user_data);
-
-    if (!coloring_rules_dialog) return;
-    coloring_rules_dialog->addColor(colorf);
-}
 
 enum {
     name_col_ = 0,
@@ -93,7 +86,7 @@ ColoringRulesDialog::ColoringRulesDialog(QWidget *parent, QString add_filter) :
     ui->coloringRulesTreeWidget->setDropIndicatorShown(true);
     ui->coloringRulesTreeWidget->setDragDropMode(QAbstractItemView::InternalMove);
 
-    color_filters_clone(this);
+    color_filters_clone(this, color_filter_add_cb);
 
     for (int i = 0; i < ui->coloringRulesTreeWidget->columnCount(); i++) {
         ui->coloringRulesTreeWidget->setItemDelegateForColumn(i, &coloring_rules_tree_delegate_);
@@ -330,7 +323,11 @@ void ColoringRulesDialog::on_buttonBox_clicked(QAbstractButton *button)
     if (button == import_button_) {
         QString file_name = QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(this, wsApp->windowTitleString(tr("Import Coloring Rules")),
                                                          wsApp->lastOpenDir().path());
-        color_filters_import(file_name.toUtf8().constData(), this);
+        gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+        if (!color_filters_import(file_name.toUtf8().constData(), this, &err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+            g_free(err_msg);
+        }
     } else if (button == export_button_) {
         int num_items = ui->coloringRulesTreeWidget->selectedItems().count();
 
@@ -345,7 +342,11 @@ void ColoringRulesDialog::on_buttonBox_clicked(QAbstractButton *button)
                                                          wsApp->lastOpenDir().path());
         if (!file_name.isEmpty()) {
             GSList *cfl = createColorFilterList();
-            color_filters_export(file_name.toUtf8().constData(), cfl, FALSE);
+            gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+            if (!color_filters_export(file_name.toUtf8().constData(), cfl, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+                g_free(err_msg);
+            }
             color_filter_list_delete(&cfl);
         }
     }
@@ -354,6 +355,7 @@ void ColoringRulesDialog::on_buttonBox_clicked(QAbstractButton *button)
 void ColoringRulesDialog::on_buttonBox_accepted()
 {
     GSList *cfl = createColorFilterList();
+    gchar* err_msg = NULL;
     if (prefs.unknown_colorfilters) {
         QMessageBox mb;
         mb.setText(tr("Your coloring rules file contains unknown rules"));
@@ -365,9 +367,13 @@ void ColoringRulesDialog::on_buttonBox_accepted()
         int result = mb.exec();
         if (result != QMessageBox::Save) return;
     }
-    color_filters_apply(conversation_colors_, cfl);
-    if (!color_filters_write(cfl)) {
-        QMessageBox::warning(this, tr("Unable to save coloring rules"), g_strerror(errno));
+    if (!color_filters_apply(conversation_colors_, cfl, &err_msg)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
+    if (!color_filters_write(cfl, &err_msg)) {
+        QMessageBox::warning(this, tr("Unable to save coloring rules: %s"), g_strerror(errno));
+        g_free(err_msg);
     }
     color_filter_list_delete(&cfl);
 }
@@ -431,6 +437,38 @@ void ColoringRulesTreeDelegate::ruleNameChanged(const QString name)
 }
 
 /*
+ * Initialize a color with R, G, and B values, including any toolkit-dependent
+ * work that needs to be done.
+ */
+gboolean
+initialize_color(color_t *color, guint16 red, guint16 green, guint16 blue)
+{
+    QColor qc;
+
+    // color_t uses 16-bit components to match Gtk+. Qt use 8.
+    qc.setRgb(red>>8, green>>8, blue>>8);
+    if (!qc.isValid())
+        return FALSE;
+
+    // Match what color_filters.c does.
+    color->red = red;
+    color->green = green;
+    color->blue = blue;
+    color->pixel = 0;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+// Callback for color_filters_clone.
+void
+color_filter_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data)
+{
+    ColoringRulesDialog *coloring_rules_dialog = static_cast<ColoringRulesDialog*>(user_data);
+
+    if (!coloring_rules_dialog) return;
+    coloring_rules_dialog->addColor(colorf);
+}
+
+/*
  * Editor modelines
  *
  * Local Variables:
diff --git a/ui/qt/column_preferences_frame.cpp b/ui/qt/column_preferences_frame.cpp
index 943861d352..87627124aa 100644
--- a/ui/qt/column_preferences_frame.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/column_preferences_frame.cpp
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-
 #include <epan/column-info.h>
 #include <epan/column.h>
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
diff --git a/ui/qt/funnel_statistics.cpp b/ui/qt/funnel_statistics.cpp
index abbb4f37ce..85e0f2b6a5 100644
--- a/ui/qt/funnel_statistics.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/funnel_statistics.cpp
@@ -23,13 +23,13 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 #include "file.h"
 
 #include "epan/funnel.h"
 
 #include "ui/progress_dlg.h"
+#include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
 
 #include "funnel_statistics.h"
 #include "funnel_string_dialog.h"
@@ -230,7 +230,11 @@ void funnel_statistics_set_filter(funnel_ops_id_t *ops_id, const char* filter_st
 }
 
 void funnel_statistics_set_color_filter_slot(guint8 filter_num, const gchar* filter_string) {
-    color_filters_set_tmp(filter_num, (gchar *)filter_string, FALSE);
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+    if (!color_filters_set_tmp(filter_num, (gchar *)filter_string, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 }
 
 gboolean funnel_statistics_open_file(funnel_ops_id_t *ops_id, const char* fname, const char* filter, char**) {
diff --git a/ui/qt/main_window_slots.cpp b/ui/qt/main_window_slots.cpp
index 91ce271fb9..29416f02f6 100644
--- a/ui/qt/main_window_slots.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/main_window_slots.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #include "ui/capture.h"
 #endif
 
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 
 #include "wsutil/file_util.h"
 #include "wsutil/filesystem.h"
@@ -1397,7 +1397,11 @@ void MainWindow::checkDisplayFilter()
 
 void MainWindow::fieldsChanged()
 {
-    color_filters_reload();
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+    if (!color_filters_reload(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
     tap_listeners_dfilter_recompile();
 
     emit checkDisplayFilter();
@@ -2245,7 +2249,7 @@ void MainWindow::on_actionViewNormalSize_triggered()
 
 void MainWindow::on_actionViewColorizePacketList_triggered(bool checked) {
     recent.packet_list_colorize = checked;
-    color_filters_enable(checked);
+    packet_list_enable_color(checked);
     packet_list_->packetListModel()->resetColorized();
 }
 
@@ -2302,7 +2306,11 @@ void MainWindow::colorizeConversation(bool create_rule)
                     packet_list_, SLOT(recolorPackets()));
             coloring_rules_dialog.exec();
         } else {
-            color_filters_set_tmp(cc_num, filter, FALSE);
+            gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+            if (!color_filters_set_tmp(cc_num, filter, FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+                simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+                g_free(err_msg);
+            }
             packet_list_->recolorPackets();
         }
     }
@@ -2322,7 +2330,11 @@ void MainWindow::colorizeWithFilter()
 
     if (ok) {
         // Assume "Color X"
-        color_filters_set_tmp(color_number, filter.toUtf8().constData(), FALSE);
+        gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+        if (color_filters_set_tmp(color_number, filter.toUtf8().constData(), FALSE, &err_msg)) {
+            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+            g_free(err_msg);
+        }
         packet_list_->recolorPackets();
     } else {
         // New coloring rule
@@ -2336,7 +2348,11 @@ void MainWindow::colorizeWithFilter()
 
 void MainWindow::on_actionViewColorizeResetColorization_triggered()
 {
-    color_filters_reset_tmp();
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
+    if (!color_filters_reset_tmp(&err_msg)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
     packet_list_->recolorPackets();
     setMenusForSelectedPacket();
 }
diff --git a/ui/qt/module_preferences_scroll_area.h b/ui/qt/module_preferences_scroll_area.h
index c2bfb72eb3..7b46e8dfe8 100644
--- a/ui/qt/module_preferences_scroll_area.h
+++ b/ui/qt/module_preferences_scroll_area.h
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
 #include <epan/prefs-int.h>
 
diff --git a/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp b/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
index 2d92d30779..0f5d57d694 100644
--- a/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/packet_list.cpp
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@
 
 #include "wsutil/str_util.h"
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "frame_tvbuff.h"
 
 #include "color_utils.h"
diff --git a/ui/qt/packet_list_model.cpp b/ui/qt/packet_list_model.cpp
index db6e6f58f9..4bbb63658d 100644
--- a/ui/qt/packet_list_model.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/packet_list_model.cpp
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@
 #include "ui/packet_list_utils.h"
 #include "ui/recent.h"
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "frame_tvbuff.h"
 
 #include "color_utils.h"
diff --git a/ui/qt/packet_list_record.cpp b/ui/qt/packet_list_record.cpp
index 73b788405d..26f147feed 100644
--- a/ui/qt/packet_list_record.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/packet_list_record.cpp
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@
 #include <epan/column.h>
 #include <epan/conversation.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include <epan/color_filters.h>
 #include "frame_tvbuff.h"
 
 #include <QStringList>
diff --git a/ui/qt/preferences_dialog.h b/ui/qt/preferences_dialog.h
index 95582e05f7..8c0824b228 100644
--- a/ui/qt/preferences_dialog.h
+++ b/ui/qt/preferences_dialog.h
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@
 
 #include <glib.h>
 
-#include "color.h"
-
 #include <epan/prefs.h>
 
 #include "wireshark_application.h"
diff --git a/ui/qt/wireshark_application.cpp b/ui/qt/wireshark_application.cpp
index 45e0587b46..ec648a56fc 100644
--- a/ui/qt/wireshark_application.cpp
+++ b/ui/qt/wireshark_application.cpp
@@ -48,8 +48,10 @@
 #include "ui/util.h"
 
 #include "qt_ui_utils.h"
+#include "color_utils.h"
+#include "coloring_rules_dialog.h"
 
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "recent_file_status.h"
 
@@ -303,6 +305,7 @@ void WiresharkApplication::setConfigurationProfile(const gchar *profile_name)
     char  *gdp_path, *dp_path;
     char  *rf_path;
     int    rf_open_errno;
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
     /* First check if profile exists */
     if (!profile_exists(profile_name, FALSE)) {
@@ -366,7 +369,7 @@ void WiresharkApplication::setConfigurationProfile(const gchar *profile_name)
     timestamp_set_type (recent.gui_time_format);
     timestamp_set_precision(recent.gui_time_precision);
     timestamp_set_seconds_type (recent.gui_seconds_format);
-    color_filters_enable(recent.packet_list_colorize);
+    packet_list_enable_color(recent.packet_list_colorize);
     tap_update_timer_.setInterval(prefs.tap_update_interval);
 
     prefs_to_capture_opts();
@@ -391,7 +394,10 @@ void WiresharkApplication::setConfigurationProfile(const gchar *profile_name)
     }
 
     /* Reload color filters */
-    color_filters_reload();
+    if (!color_filters_reload(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 
     emit localInterfaceListChanged();
     emit packetDissectionChanged();
diff --git a/ui/ui_util.h b/ui/ui_util.h
index 4fb6c0f63d..fd5f1daedb 100644
--- a/ui/ui_util.h
+++ b/ui/ui_util.h
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 
 #include "epan/packet_info.h"
 #include "epan/column-utils.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -82,6 +83,15 @@ gboolean packet_list_check_end(void); /* GTK+ only */
 gboolean packet_list_select_row_from_data(frame_data *fdata_needle);
 void packet_list_resize_column(gint col);
 
+/* XXX - Yes this isn't the best place, but they are used by file_dlg_win32.c, which is supposed
+         to be GUI independent, but has lots of GTK leanings.  But if you put these in a GTK UI
+         header file, file_dlg_win32.c complains about all of the GTK structures also in the header
+         files
+         Function names make it clear where they are coming from
+*/
+gboolean initialize_color(color_t *color, guint16 red, guint16 green, guint16 blue);
+void color_filter_add_cb(color_filter_t *colorf, gpointer user_data);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif /* __cplusplus */
diff --git a/ui/win32/file_dlg_win32.c b/ui/win32/file_dlg_win32.c
index 9e9c32d6c5..747819024b 100644
--- a/ui/win32/file_dlg_win32.c
+++ b/ui/win32/file_dlg_win32.c
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 #include "epan/addr_resolv.h"
 #include "epan/prefs.h"
 
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 
 #include "ui/alert_box.h"
 #include "ui/help_url.h"
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@
 #include "ui/simple_dialog.h"
 #include "ui/ssl_key_export.h"
 #include "ui/util.h"
+#include "ui/ui_util.h"
 
 #include "file_dlg_win32.h"
 
@@ -898,6 +899,7 @@ win32_export_color_file(HWND h_wnd, capture_file *cf, gpointer filter_list) {
     TCHAR  file_name[MAX_PATH] = _T("");
     gchar *dirname;
     int    ofnsize;
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
     ofnsize = win32_get_ofnsize();
     ofn = g_malloc0(ofnsize);
@@ -927,8 +929,12 @@ win32_export_color_file(HWND h_wnd, capture_file *cf, gpointer filter_list) {
     /* XXX - Support marked filters */
     if (GetSaveFileName(ofn)) {
         g_free( (void *) ofn);
-        if (!color_filters_export(utf_16to8(file_name), filter_list, FALSE /* all filters */))
+        if (!color_filters_export(utf_16to8(file_name), filter_list, FALSE /* all filters */, &err_msg))
+        {
+            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+            g_free(err_msg);
             return;
+        }
 
         /* Save the directory name for future file dialogs. */
         dirname = get_dirname(utf_16to8(file_name));  /* Overwrites cf_name */
@@ -944,6 +950,7 @@ win32_import_color_file(HWND h_wnd, gpointer color_filters) {
     TCHAR  file_name[MAX_PATH] = _T("");
     gchar *dirname;
     int    ofnsize;
+    gchar *err_msg = NULL;
 
     ofnsize = win32_get_ofnsize();
     ofn = g_malloc0(ofnsize);
@@ -971,8 +978,11 @@ win32_import_color_file(HWND h_wnd, gpointer color_filters) {
     /* XXX - Support export limited to selected filters */
     if (GetOpenFileName(ofn)) {
         g_free( (void *) ofn);
-        if (!color_filters_import(utf_16to8(file_name), color_filters))
+        if (!color_filters_import(utf_16to8(file_name), color_filters, &err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+            simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+            g_free(err_msg);
             return;
+        }
 
         /* Save the directory name for future file dialogs. */
         dirname = get_dirname(utf_16to8(file_name));  /* Overwrites cf_name */
diff --git a/wireshark-qt.cpp b/wireshark-qt.cpp
index ec8b33cbab..cd63039447 100644
--- a/wireshark-qt.cpp
+++ b/wireshark-qt.cpp
@@ -72,8 +72,7 @@
 
 /* general (not Qt specific) */
 #include "file.h"
-#include "color.h"
-#include "color_filters.h"
+#include "epan/color_filters.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
 #include "epan/rtd_table.h"
@@ -89,6 +88,8 @@
 #include "ui/util.h"
 
 #include "ui/qt/conversation_dialog.h"
+#include "ui/qt/color_utils.h"
+#include "ui/qt/coloring_rules_dialog.h"
 #include "ui/qt/endpoint_dialog.h"
 #include "ui/qt/main_window.h"
 #include "ui/qt/response_time_delay_dialog.h"
@@ -1341,16 +1342,20 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         g_free(rf_path);
     }
 
-    color_filters_enable(recent.packet_list_colorize);
+    packet_list_enable_color(recent.packet_list_colorize);
 
     g_log(NULL, G_LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG, "FIX: fetch recent color settings");
-    color_filters_enable(TRUE);
+    packet_list_enable_color(TRUE);
 
 ////////
 
 
 ////////
-    color_filters_init();
+    gchar* err_msg = NULL;
+    if (!color_filters_init(&err_msg, initialize_color, color_filter_add_cb)) {
+        simple_dialog(ESD_TYPE_ERROR, ESD_BTN_OK, "%s", err_msg);
+        g_free(err_msg);
+    }
 
 ////////