// returns a real entity so it doesnt leak
// if this has a pre-built BOX2d, then we use it,
// otherwise we need to compute it.
+// WARNING! the EMPTY geom will result in a random BOX2D returned
extern BOX2DFLOAT4 getbox2d(char *serialized_form);
+// this function writes to 'box' and returns 0 if serialized_form
+// does not have a bounding box (empty geom)
extern int getbox2d_p(char *serialized_form, BOX2DFLOAT4 *box);
// Expand given box of 'd' units in all directions