diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index cde8b3f..c759eb3 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ set(ENGINE_SOURCES
     src/Engine/Operator/Context.cpp
     src/Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp
     src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
+    src/Engine/Parameter/Default.cpp
     src/Engine/Network/NetworkManager.cpp
 )
 
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.cpp b/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a2fd68d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#include "Engine/Parameter/Default.h"
+
+
+enzo::prm::Default::Default(bt::floatT floatDefault, const char *stringDefault)
+: floatDefault_{floatDefault}, stringDefault_{stringDefault}
+{
+
+}
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.h b/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d9d8148
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Default.h
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "Engine/Types.h"
+namespace enzo::prm
+{
+    class Default
+    {
+    public:
+        Default(bt::floatT floatDefault=0, const char *stringDefault = ""
+        // TODO: add string meaning eg.
+        // ,  CH_StringMeaning string_meaning = CH_STRING_LITERAL
+        );
+
+        bt::floatT getFloat() const	{ return floatDefault_; }
+        bt::intT getInt() const { return (bt::intT)floatDefault_; }
+        const char *getString() const { return stringDefault_; }
+
+        void set(bt::floatT thefloat, const char *thestring);
+        void setFloat(bt::floatT value)	{ floatDefault_ = value; }
+        void setInt(bt::intT value)	{ floatDefault_ = (bt::intT)value; }
+        void setString(const char *value) { stringDefault_ = value; }
+
+    private:
+        bt::floatT floatDefault_;
+        const char* stringDefault_;
+    };
+}
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
index 4801740..6a34501 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #include "Engine/Parameter/Parameter.h"
+#include "Engine/Parameter/Default.h"
 #include "Engine/Types.h"
+#include <algorithm>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <stdexcept>
 #include <string>
@@ -7,8 +9,33 @@
 enzo::prm::Parameter::Parameter(Template prmTemplate)
 : template_{prmTemplate}
 {
-    floatValues_ = std::vector<bt::floatT>(prmTemplate.getSize(), prmTemplate.getDefault());
-    stringValues_ = std::vector<bt::String>(prmTemplate.getSize(), "default");
+    floatValues_ = std::vector<bt::floatT>();
+    floatValues_.reserve(prmTemplate.getSize());
+
+    stringValues_ = std::vector<bt::String>(prmTemplate.getSize(), prmTemplate.getDefault().getString());
+    stringValues_.reserve(prmTemplate.getSize());
+
+    const unsigned int templateSize = prmTemplate.getSize();
+    const unsigned int numDefaults = prmTemplate.getNumDefaults();
+
+    if(numDefaults==1)
+    {
+        floatValues_ = std::vector<bt::floatT>(templateSize, prmTemplate.getDefault().getFloat());
+        stringValues_ = std::vector<bt::String>(templateSize, prmTemplate.getDefault().getString());
+    }
+
+    for(int i=0; i<templateSize; ++i)
+    {
+        prm::Default prmDefault;
+        if(i<numDefaults)
+        {
+             prmDefault = prmTemplate.getDefault(i);
+        }
+        floatValues_.push_back(prmDefault.getFloat());
+        stringValues_.push_back(prmDefault.getString());
+    }
+
+
     std::cout << "created new parameter: " << prmTemplate.getName() << "\n";
 }
 
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp b/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp
index fd1a303..0d703d4 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp
@@ -1,9 +1,29 @@
 #include "Engine/Parameter/Template.h"
+#include "Engine/Parameter/Default.h"
 #include "Engine/Parameter/Type.h"
 
-enzo::prm::Template::Template(enzo::prm::Type type, const char* name, bt::floatT theDefault, unsigned int vectorSize)
-: type_{type}, name_{name}, default_{theDefault}, vectorSize_(vectorSize)
+enzo::prm::Template::Template(enzo::prm::Type type, const char* name)
+: Template(type, name, prm::Default())
 {
+
+}
+
+enzo::prm::Template::Template(enzo::prm::Type type, const char* name, unsigned int vectorSize)
+: Template(type, name, prm::Default(), vectorSize)
+{
+
+}
+
+enzo::prm::Template::Template(enzo::prm::Type type, const char* name, std::vector<prm::Default> defaults, unsigned int vectorSize)
+: type_{type}, name_{name}, defaults_{defaults}, vectorSize_(vectorSize)
+{
+    
+}
+
+enzo::prm::Template::Template(enzo::prm::Type type, const char* name, prm::Default theDefault, unsigned int vectorSize)
+: type_{type}, name_{name}, vectorSize_(vectorSize)
+{
+    defaults_.push_back(theDefault);
     
 }
 
@@ -30,11 +50,17 @@ const unsigned int enzo::prm::Template::getSize() const
 
 
 
-const enzo::bt::floatT enzo::prm::Template::getDefault() const
+const enzo::prm::Default enzo::prm::Template::getDefault(unsigned int index) const
 {
-    return default_;
+    return defaults_.at(index);
 }
 
+const unsigned int enzo::prm::Template::getNumDefaults() const
+{
+    return defaults_.size();
+}
+
+
 const char* enzo::prm::Template::getName() const
 {
     return name_;
diff --git a/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.h b/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.h
index e72c809..bde9334 100644
--- a/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.h
+++ b/src/Engine/Parameter/Template.h
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #pragma once
+#include "Engine/Parameter/Default.h"
 #include "Engine/Parameter/Type.h"
 #include "Engine/Types.h"
 
@@ -8,22 +9,37 @@ namespace enzo::prm
 class Template
 {
 public:
+    Template(
+        enzo::prm::Type type,
+        const char* name
+    );
     Template(
         enzo::prm::Type type,
         const char* name,
-        // TODO: change default to class that can store multiple types
-        bt::floatT theDefault,
+        unsigned int vectorSize
+    );
+    Template(
+        enzo::prm::Type type,
+        const char* name,
+        std::vector<prm::Default> defaults,
+        unsigned int vectorSize = 1
+    );
+    Template(
+        enzo::prm::Type type,
+        const char* name,
+        prm::Default theDefault,
         unsigned int vectorSize = 1
     );
     Template();
     const char* getName() const;
-    const bt::floatT getDefault() const;
+    const prm::Default getDefault(unsigned int index=0) const;
     const prm::Type getType() const;
     const unsigned int getSize() const;
+    const unsigned int getNumDefaults() const;
     bool isValid() const;
 private:
     enzo::prm::Type type_;
-    bt::floatT default_;
+    std::vector<prm::Default> defaults_;
     // TODO: make a class that holds token and name
     const char* name_;
     unsigned int vectorSize_;
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
index 6a7ba40..dd16549 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractFormParm.cpp
@@ -28,18 +28,16 @@ enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::AbstractFormParm(std::weak_ptr<prm::Parameter> param
             case prm::Type::FLOAT:
             {
                 AbstractSliderParm* slider;
-                slider = new AbstractSliderParm();
-                slider->setValue(sharedParameter->evalFloat());
+                slider = new AbstractSliderParm(sharedParameter->evalFloat());
                 mainLayout_->addWidget(slider);
                 connect(slider, &AbstractSliderParm::valueChanged, this, [this](bt::floatT value){this->changeValue(value, 0);}); 
                 break;
             }
             case prm::Type::XYZ:
             {
-                AbstractSliderParm* slider1 = new AbstractSliderParm();
-                AbstractSliderParm* slider2 = new AbstractSliderParm();
-                AbstractSliderParm* slider3 = new AbstractSliderParm();
-                slider1->setValue(sharedParameter->evalFloat());
+                AbstractSliderParm* slider1 = new AbstractSliderParm(sharedParameter->evalFloat(0));
+                AbstractSliderParm* slider2 = new AbstractSliderParm(sharedParameter->evalFloat(1));
+                AbstractSliderParm* slider3 = new AbstractSliderParm(sharedParameter->evalFloat(2));
                 QHBoxLayout* vectorLayout = new QHBoxLayout();
                 vectorLayout->addWidget(slider1);
                 vectorLayout->addWidget(slider2);
@@ -52,7 +50,7 @@ enzo::ui::AbstractFormParm::AbstractFormParm(std::weak_ptr<prm::Parameter> param
             }
             case prm::Type::STRING:
             {
-                StringParm* stringParm = new StringParm();
+                StringParm* stringParm = new StringParm(sharedParameter->evalString());
 
                 connect(stringParm, &StringParm::valueChanged, this, [this](bt::String value){this->changeValue(value, 0);}); 
 
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.cpp b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.cpp
index 18c3264..8405193 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.cpp
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.cpp
@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@
 #include <string>
 
 
-enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::AbstractSliderParm(QWidget *parent, Qt::WindowFlags f)
+enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::AbstractSliderParm(bt::floatT value, QWidget *parent, Qt::WindowFlags f)
 : QWidget(parent, f)
 {
     // tells qt to style the widget even though it's a Q_OBJECT
     setAttribute(Qt::WA_StyledBackground, true);
     setFixedHeight(24);
-    value_ = defaultValue_;
+
     
     mainLayout_ = new QVBoxLayout();
     setLayout(mainLayout_);
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::AbstractSliderParm(QWidget *parent, Qt::WindowFlag
                   )");
     mainLayout_->addWidget(valueLabel_);
 
-    setValue(value_);
+    setValueImpl(value);
 }
 
 void enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::paintEvent(QPaintEvent *event)
@@ -53,20 +53,24 @@ void enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::paintEvent(QPaintEvent *event)
 
 }
 
-void enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::setValue(bt::floatT value)
+void enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::setValueImpl(bt::floatT value)
 {
-    // if(value_==value)
-    //     return;
-
     if(clampMin_ && value<minValue_) { value = minValue_; }
     if(clampMax_ && value>maxValue_) { value = maxValue_; }
 
     value_ = value;
-    update();
-    QString valStr = QString::number(value);
+    QString valStr = QString::number(value_);
     valStr.truncate(4);
     valueLabel_->setText(valStr);
 
+
+}
+
+void enzo::ui::AbstractSliderParm::setValue(bt::floatT value)
+{
+
+    setValueImpl(value);
+    update();
     valueChanged(value_);
 
 }
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.h b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.h
index 1e28496..097c4b3 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.h
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/AbstractSliderParm.h
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class AbstractSliderParm
 {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    AbstractSliderParm(QWidget *parent = nullptr, Qt::WindowFlags f = Qt::WindowFlags());
+    AbstractSliderParm(bt::floatT value, QWidget *parent = nullptr, Qt::WindowFlags f = Qt::WindowFlags());
     void setValue(bt::floatT value);
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
@@ -23,12 +23,13 @@ private:
     QVBoxLayout* mainLayout_;
     QLabel* valueLabel_;
     bt::floatT value_;
-    float defaultValue_=0;
     bool clampMin_ = true;
     bool clampMax_ = true;
     bt::floatT minValue_=-5;
     bt::floatT maxValue_=10;
 
+    void setValueImpl(bt::floatT value);
+
 protected:
 void paintEvent(QPaintEvent *event) override;
 void mouseMoveEvent(QMouseEvent *event) override;
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
index 3265a52..1a96e1b 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.cpp
@@ -11,12 +11,15 @@
 #include <string>
 
 
-enzo::ui::StringParm::StringParm(QWidget *parent)
+enzo::ui::StringParm::StringParm(bt::String value, QWidget *parent)
 : QLineEdit(parent)
 {
     // tells qt to style the widget even though it's a Q_OBJECT
     setAttribute(Qt::WA_StyledBackground, true);
     setFixedHeight(24);
+
+    value_ = value;
+    setText(QString::fromStdString(value_));
     
 
     // setAlignment(Qt::AlignCenter);
diff --git a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h
index 5f9b6ed..e2b1291 100644
--- a/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h
+++ b/src/Gui/Parameters/StringParm.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ class StringParm
 {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    StringParm(QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+    StringParm(bt::String value, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
     void setValue(bt::String value);
     void setValueQString(QString value);
 
diff --git a/src/OpDefs/CMakeLists.txt b/src/OpDefs/CMakeLists.txt
index 06c1e46..1a5a95d 100644
--- a/src/OpDefs/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/OpDefs/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ add_library(${libName} SHARED
     ../Engine/Network/NetworkManager.cpp
     ../Engine/Parameter/Template.cpp
     ../Engine/Parameter/Parameter.cpp
+    ../Engine/Parameter/Default.cpp
     GopTransform.cpp
     GopHouse.cpp
     GopTestCube.cpp
diff --git a/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp b/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
index e0a8253..9e539d2 100644
--- a/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
+++ b/src/OpDefs/GopGeometryImport.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ void GopGeometryImport::cookOp(enzo::op::Context context)
 
 enzo::prm::Template GopGeometryImport::parameterList[] =
 {
-    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::STRING, "filePath", 1),
-    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::FLOAT, "size", 1),
+    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::STRING, "filePath"),
+    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::FLOAT, "size", enzo::prm::Default(1)),
     enzo::prm::Terminator
 };
diff --git a/src/OpDefs/GopTransform.cpp b/src/OpDefs/GopTransform.cpp
index 1470b1e..bdf75ec 100644
--- a/src/OpDefs/GopTransform.cpp
+++ b/src/OpDefs/GopTransform.cpp
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ void GopTransform::cookOp(enzo::op::Context context)
 
 enzo::prm::Template GopTransform::parameterList[] = 
 {
-    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::XYZ, "translate", 0, 3),
-    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::XYZ, "rotate", 0, 3),
+    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::XYZ, "translate", 3),
+    enzo::prm::Template(enzo::prm::Type::XYZ, "rotate", 3),
     enzo::prm::Terminator
 };