diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/GOCAD.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/GOCAD.h
index 3cc622bdab6..d8483eec223 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/GOCAD.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/GOCAD.h
@@ -45,17 +45,18 @@ class GOCAD_builder
   typedef typename Base::Face_container                                         Face_container;
 
 public:
-  GOCAD_builder(std::istream& is_) : Base(is_) { }
+  GOCAD_builder(std::istream& is_, bool verbose) : Base(is_, verbose) { }
 
   // @check ascii
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool read(std::istream& input,
             Point_container& points,
             Face_container& faces,
-            const NamedParameters& np)
+            const NamedParameters& np,
+            bool verbose)
   {
     std::pair<std::string, std::string> name_and_color;
-    bool res = read_GOCAD(input, name_and_color, points, faces, np);
+    bool res = read_GOCAD(input, name_and_color, points, faces, np, verbose);
     if(res)
     {
       name = name_and_color.first;
@@ -77,12 +78,13 @@ template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_GOCAD(std::istream& in,
                 std::pair<std::string, std::string>& name_and_color,
                 FaceGraph& g,
-                const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+                const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+                bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<FaceGraph, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type VPM;
   typedef typename boost::property_traits<VPM>::value_type                     Point;
 
-  IO::internal::GOCAD_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in);
+  IO::internal::GOCAD_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in, verbose);
   if(!builder(g, np))
     return false;
 
@@ -113,10 +115,11 @@ bool read_GOCAD(std::istream& in,
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_GOCAD(std::istream& in,
                 FaceGraph& g,
-                const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+                const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+                bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::pair<std::string, std::string> dummy;
-  return read_GOCAD(in, dummy,g, np);
+  return read_GOCAD(in, dummy,g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph>
@@ -147,13 +150,13 @@ bool read_GOCAD(std::istream& in,
   \see \ref IOStreamGOCAD
 */
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_GOCAD(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_GOCAD(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np, bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
   std::string unused_name;
   std::string unused_color;
 
-  return read_GOCAD(in, unused_name, unused_color, g, np);
+  return read_GOCAD(in, unused_name, unused_color, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/Generic_facegraph_builder.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/Generic_facegraph_builder.h
index b930e4faf79..f7881a5f275 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/Generic_facegraph_builder.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/Generic_facegraph_builder.h
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ protected:
   typedef typename boost::graph_traits<FaceGraph>::face_descriptor                     face_descriptor;
 
 public:
-  Generic_facegraph_builder(std::istream& in_) : m_in(in_) { }
+  Generic_facegraph_builder(std::istream& in_, bool verbose) : m_in(in_), m_verbose(verbose) { }
 
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool operator()(FaceGraph& g, const NamedParameters& np)
@@ -81,11 +81,13 @@ public:
     std::vector<Vertex_texture> vertex_textures;
     std::vector<Face_color> face_colors;
 
-    bool ok = static_cast<Derived*>(this)->read(m_in, m_points, m_faces,
-      parameters::vertex_normal_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_normals))
-                 .vertex_color_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_colors))
-                 .vertex_texture_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_textures))
-                 .face_color_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(face_colors)));
+    bool ok =
+        static_cast<Derived*>(this)->read(m_in, m_points, m_faces,
+                                          parameters::vertex_normal_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_normals))
+                                          .vertex_color_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_colors))
+                                          .vertex_texture_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(vertex_textures))
+                                          .face_color_output_iterator(std::back_inserter(face_colors)),
+                                          m_verbose);
     if(!ok)
       return false;
 
@@ -140,6 +142,7 @@ protected:
 
   Point_container m_points;
   Face_container m_faces;
+  bool m_verbose;
 };
 
 } // end internal
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OBJ.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OBJ.h
index fdcb867cc28..242acd7a627 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OBJ.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OBJ.h
@@ -50,15 +50,16 @@ class OBJ_builder
   typedef typename Base::Face_container                                         Face_container;
 
 public:
-  OBJ_builder(std::istream& is_) : Base(is_) { }
+  OBJ_builder(std::istream& is_, bool verbose) : Base(is_, verbose) { }
 
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool read(std::istream& input,
             Point_container& points,
             Face_container& faces,
-            const NamedParameters& np)
+            const NamedParameters& np,
+            bool verbose)
   {
-    return read_OBJ(input, points, faces, np);
+    return read_OBJ(input, points, faces, np, verbose);
   }
 };
 
@@ -88,12 +89,13 @@ public:
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OBJ(std::istream& in,
               FaceGraph& g,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<FaceGraph, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type  VPM;
   typedef typename boost::property_traits<VPM>::value_type                      Point;
 
-  IO::internal::OBJ_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in);
+  IO::internal::OBJ_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in, verbose);
   return builder(g, np);
 }
 
@@ -121,18 +123,20 @@ bool read_OBJ(std::istream& in,
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OBJ(const char* fname,
               FaceGraph& g,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_OBJ(in, g, np);
+  return read_OBJ(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OBJ(const std::string& fname,
               FaceGraph& g,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_OBJ(fname.c_str(), g, np);
+  return read_OBJ(fname.c_str(), g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph>
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OFF.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OFF.h
index c7995b77e0b..a79911edb50 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OFF.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/OFF.h
@@ -48,15 +48,16 @@ class OFF_builder
   typedef typename Base::Face_container                                         Face_container;
 
 public:
-  OFF_builder(std::istream& is_) : Base(is_) { }
+  OFF_builder(std::istream& is_, bool verbose) : Base(is_, verbose) { }
 
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool read(std::istream& input,
             Point_container& points,
             Face_container& faces,
-            const NamedParameters& np)
+            const NamedParameters& np,
+            bool verbose)
   {
-    return read_OFF(input, points, faces, np);
+    return read_OFF(input, points, faces, np, verbose);
   }
 };
 
@@ -65,12 +66,13 @@ public:
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OFF_BGL(std::istream& in,
                   FaceGraph& g,
-                  const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+                  const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+                  bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<FaceGraph, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type  VPM;
   typedef typename boost::property_traits<VPM>::value_type                      Point;
 
-  IO::internal::OFF_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in);
+  IO::internal::OFF_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in, verbose);
   return builder(g, np);
 }
 
@@ -104,9 +106,9 @@ bool read_OFF_BGL(std::istream& in,
   \see \ref IOStreamOFF
 */
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_OFF(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_OFF(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np, bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return IO::internal::read_OFF_BGL(in, g, np);
+  return IO::internal::read_OFF_BGL(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -136,16 +138,18 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
   \see \ref IOStreamOFF
 */
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_OFF(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_OFF(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_OFF(in, g, np);
+  return read_OFF(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_OFF(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_OFF(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_OFF(fname.c_str(), g, np);
+  return read_OFF(fname.c_str(), g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph>
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/PLY.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/PLY.h
index ef1f3aeb7a8..888f158d933 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/PLY.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/PLY.h
@@ -43,42 +43,46 @@ class PLY_builder
   typedef typename Base::Face_container                                         Face_container;
 
 public:
-  PLY_builder(std::istream& is_) : Base(is_) { }
+  PLY_builder(std::istream& is_, bool verbose) : Base(is_, verbose) { }
   //! TODO: use vertex_point_map
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool read(std::istream& input,
             Point_container& points,
             Face_container& faces,
-            const NamedParameters& np)
+            const NamedParameters& np,
+            bool verbose)
   {
-    return read_PLY(input, points, faces, np);
+    return read_PLY(input, points, faces, np, verbose);
   }
 };
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_PLY_BGL(std::istream& in,
                   FaceGraph& g,
-                  const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+                  const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+                  bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<FaceGraph, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type  VPM;
   typedef typename boost::property_traits<VPM>::value_type                      Point;
 
-  IO::internal::PLY_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in);
+  IO::internal::PLY_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in, verbose);
   return builder(g, np);
 }
 
 // document that too
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_PLY(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_PLY(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+                              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_PLY(in, g, np);
+  return read_PLY(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_PLY(fname.c_str(), g, np);
+  return read_PLY(fname.c_str(), g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph>
@@ -118,9 +122,9 @@ bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g) { return read_PLY(fname, g
   \see \ref IOStreamPLY
 */
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_PLY(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_PLY(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np, bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(in, g, np);
+  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -148,16 +152,18 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& in, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
   \see \ref IOStreamPLY
 */
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_PLY(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_PLY(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream is(fname);
-  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(is, g, np);
+  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(is, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(fname.c_str(), g, np);
+  return IO::internal::read_PLY_BGL(fname.c_str(), g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/STL.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/STL.h
index 92e4ce4b336..2f22264f050 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/STL.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/IO/STL.h
@@ -45,15 +45,16 @@ class STL_builder
   typedef typename Base::Face_container                                         Face_container;
 
 public:
-  STL_builder(std::istream& is_) : Base(is_) { }
+  STL_builder(std::istream& is_, bool verbose) : Base(is_, verbose) { }
 
   template <typename NamedParameters>
   bool read(std::istream& input,
             Point_container& points,
             Face_container& faces,
-            const NamedParameters& np)
+            const NamedParameters& np,
+            bool verbose)
   {
-    return read_STL(input, points, faces, np);
+    return read_STL(input, points, faces, np, verbose);
   }
 };
 
@@ -63,26 +64,29 @@ public:
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_STL(std::istream& in,
               FaceGraph& g,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<FaceGraph, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type  VPM;
   typedef typename boost::property_traits<VPM>::value_type                      Point;
 
-  IO::internal::STL_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in);
+  IO::internal::STL_builder<FaceGraph, Point> builder(in, verbose);
   return builder(g, np);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_STL(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_STL(const char* fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_STL(in, g, np);
+  return read_STL(in, g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_STL(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_STL(const std::string& fname, FaceGraph& g, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_STL(fname.c_str(), g, np);
+  return read_STL(fname.c_str(), g, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename FaceGraph>
diff --git a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/io.h b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/io.h
index 365e034ebef..23c5f3fbc06 100644
--- a/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/io.h
+++ b/BGL/include/CGAL/boost/graph/io.h
@@ -22,44 +22,111 @@
 #include <CGAL/boost/graph/IO/WRL.h>
 
 namespace CGAL{
+
+/*!
+ *
+ */
 template <class FaceGraph, typename NamedParameters>
 bool read_polygon_mesh(std::istream& is,
                        FaceGraph& g,
                        const NamedParameters& np)
 {
   bool ok = false;
-  ok = read_OFF(is, g, np);
+  ok = read_OFF(is, g, np, false);
   if(ok)
     return true;
   g.clear();
   is.clear();//reset the error state
   is.seekg (0, is.beg);
-  ok = read_OBJ(is, g, np);
+  ok = read_OBJ(is, g, np, false);
   if(ok)
     return true;
   g.clear();
   is.clear();
   is.seekg (0, is.beg);
-  ok = read_PLY(is, g, np);
+  ok = read_PLY(is, g, np, false);
   if(ok)
     return true;
   g.clear();
   is.clear();
   is.seekg (0, is.beg);
-  ok = read_STL(is, g, np);
+  ok = read_STL(is, g, np, false);
   if(ok)
     return true;
   g.clear();
   is.clear();
   is.seekg (0, is.beg);
-  ok = read_GOCAD(is, g, np);
+  ok = read_GOCAD(is, g, np, false);
   return ok;
 }
+
 template <class FaceGraph>
 bool read_polygon_mesh(std::istream& is,
                        FaceGraph& g)
 {
   return read_polygon_mesh(is, g, parameters::all_default());
 }
+
+/*!
+ *
+ */
+template <class FaceGraph, typename NamedParameters>
+bool read_polygon_mesh(const std::string& fname,
+                       FaceGraph& g,
+                       const NamedParameters& np)
+{
+  if (fname.find(".TS") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_GOCAD(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  if (fname.find(".obj") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_OBJ(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  if (fname.find(".off") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_OFF(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  if (fname.find(".ply") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_PLY(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  if (fname.find(".stl") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_STL(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  if (fname.find(".vtp") != std::string::npos) {
+    return read_VTP(fname, g, np);
+  }
+
+  std::istream is(fname.c_str());
+  return read_polygon_mesh(is, g, np, false);
+}
+
+template <class FaceGraph>
+bool read_polygon_mesh(const std::string& fname,
+                       FaceGraph& g)
+{
+  return read_polygon_mesh(fname, g, parameters::all_default());
+}
+
+
+
+template <class FaceGraph, typename NamedParameters>
+bool read_polygon_mesh(const char* fname,
+                       FaceGraph& g,
+                       const NamedParameters& np)
+{
+  return read_polygon_mesh(std::string(fname), g, np);
+}
+
+template <class FaceGraph>
+bool read_polygon_mesh(const char* fname,
+                       FaceGraph& g)
+{
+  return read_polygon_mesh(fname, g, parameters::all_default());
+}
+
+
 }//end CGAL
 #endif // CGAL_BOOST_GRAPH_IO_H
diff --git a/BGL/test/BGL/test_bgl_read_write.cpp b/BGL/test/BGL/test_bgl_read_write.cpp
index 7fa4453c1a0..24bc852e1cb 100644
--- a/BGL/test/BGL/test_bgl_read_write.cpp
+++ b/BGL/test/BGL/test_bgl_read_write.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ void test_bgl_OFF(const char* filename)
   Mesh sm;
   std::ifstream in(filename);
   CGAL::read_polygon_mesh(in,sm);
+
   CGAL::write_OFF(std::cout, sm);
 }
 
@@ -564,7 +565,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 {
   const char* filename=(argc>1) ? argv[1] : "data/prim.off";
   // OFF
-  /*test_bgl_OFF<Polyhedron>(filename);
+  test_bgl_OFF<Polyhedron>(filename);
   test_bgl_OFF<SM>(filename);
   test_bgl_OFF<LCC>(filename);
 #ifdef CGAL_USE_OPENMESH
@@ -594,7 +595,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv)
 #ifdef CGAL_USE_OPENMESH
   test_bgl_OBJ_with_np<OMesh>();
 #endif
-*/
+
 
   //PLY
   if(!test_bgl_PLY<Polyhedron>())
diff --git a/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/Polyhedron_OFF_iostream.h b/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/Polyhedron_OFF_iostream.h
index dbbb4eb6bd3..67fd6502566 100644
--- a/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/Polyhedron_OFF_iostream.h
+++ b/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/Polyhedron_OFF_iostream.h
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 // $URL$
 // $Id$
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later OR LicenseRef-Commercial
-// 
+//
 //
 // Author(s)     : Lutz Kettner  <kettner@mpi-sb.mpg.de>
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ template <class Traits,
           class Alloc, class CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OFF(std::istream& in,
               Polyhedron_3<Traits, Items, HDS, Alloc>& P,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np, bool verbose = true)
 {
   // reads a polyhedron from `in' and appends it to P.
   typedef typename CGAL::GetVertexPointMap<Polyhedron_3<Traits, Items, HDS, Alloc>, CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS>::type VPM;
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& in,
   using parameters::choose_parameter;
   using parameters::get_parameter;
 
-  CGAL::scan_OFF(in, P);
+  CGAL::scan_OFF(in, P, verbose);
 
   if(!parameters::is_default_parameter(get_parameter(np, internal_np::vertex_point)))
   {
diff --git a/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/scan_OFF.h b/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/scan_OFF.h
index db63ae8cb1c..ef25f830e56 100644
--- a/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/scan_OFF.h
+++ b/Polyhedron/include/CGAL/IO/scan_OFF.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ template <class Traits,
           class HDS, class Alloc>
 void scan_OFF(std::istream& in,
               Polyhedron_3<Traits, Items, HDS, Alloc>& P,
-              bool verbose = false)
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   // reads a polyhedron from `in' and appends it to P.
   typedef Polyhedron_3<Traits, Items, HDS, Alloc> Polyhedron;
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/GOCAD.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/GOCAD.h
index 12133e805be..e221a499132 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/GOCAD.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/GOCAD.h
@@ -39,8 +39,10 @@ bool read_GOCAD(std::istream& input,
                 std::pair<std::string, std::string>& name_and_color,
                 PointRange& points,
                 PolygonRange& polygons,
-                const NamedParameters&)
+                const NamedParameters&,
+                bool verbose = true)
 {
+  CGAL_USE(verbose);
   typedef typename boost::range_value<PointRange>::type     Point;
   typedef typename boost::range_value<PolygonRange>::type   CGAL_Polygon;
   int offset = 0;
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OBJ.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OBJ.h
index a93190f7b18..b370e8e389c 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OBJ.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OBJ.h
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename VertexNormalOutpu
 bool read_OBJ(std::istream& is,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& faces,
-              VertexNormalOutputIterator vn_out)
+              VertexNormalOutputIterator vn_out,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename boost::range_value<PointRange>::type                               Point;
   typedef typename CGAL::Kernel_traits<Point>::Kernel                                 Kernel;
@@ -103,12 +104,14 @@ bool read_OBJ(std::istream& is,
   }
   if(maxi<0)
   {
-    //not a OBJ file
+    if(verbose)
+      std::cerr<<"No face detected."<<std::endl;
     return false;
   }
   if(maxi > static_cast<int>(points.size()) || mini < -static_cast<int>(points.size()))
   {
-    std::cerr << "a face index is invalid " << std::endl;
+    if(verbose)
+      std::cerr << "a face index is invalid " << std::endl;
     return false;
   }
   bool res = is.bad();
@@ -123,30 +126,34 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPL
 bool read_OBJ(std::istream& is,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& faces,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   using parameters::choose_parameter;
   using parameters::get_parameter;
 
   return IO::internal::read_OBJ(is, points, faces,
                                 choose_parameter(get_parameter(np, internal_np::vertex_normal_output_iterator),
-                                                 CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()));
+                                                 CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()),
+                                verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OBJ(const char* fname,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_OBJ(in, points, polygons, np);
+  return read_OBJ(in, points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_OBJ(const std::string& fname, PointRange& points, PolygonRange& polygons, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_OBJ(const std::string& fname, PointRange& points, PolygonRange& polygons, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_OBJ(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np);
+  return read_OBJ(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 //! \ingroup IOstreamFunctions
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF.h
index 721c3874f92..9ea32d22000 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF.h
@@ -49,8 +49,10 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& is,
               VertexNormalOutputIterator vn_out,
               VertexColorOutputIterator vc_out,
               VertexTextureOutputIterator vt_out,
-              FaceColorOutputIterator fc_out)
+              FaceColorOutputIterator fc_out,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
+  CGAL_USE(verbose);
   typedef typename boost::range_value<PointRange>::type                               Point;
   typedef typename CGAL::Kernel_traits<Point>::Kernel                                 Kernel;
   typedef typename Kernel::Point_2                                                    Texture;
@@ -154,7 +156,8 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename NamedParameters>
 bool read_OFF(std::istream& is,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const NamedParameters& np)
+              const NamedParameters& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   using parameters::choose_parameter;
   using parameters::get_parameter;
@@ -167,23 +170,26 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& is,
                                 choose_parameter(get_parameter(np, internal_np::vertex_texture_output_iterator),
                                                  CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()),
                                 choose_parameter(get_parameter(np, internal_np::face_color_output_iterator),
-                                                 CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()));
+                                                 CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()),
+                                verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_OFF(const char* fname,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ifstream in(fname);
-  return read_OFF(in, points, polygons, np);
+  return read_OFF(in, points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
-bool read_OFF(const std::string& fname, PointRange& points, PolygonRange& polygons, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+bool read_OFF(const std::string& fname, PointRange& points, PolygonRange& polygons, const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_OFF(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np);
+  return read_OFF(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 /*!
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF/File_header_OFF_impl.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF/File_header_OFF_impl.h
index 13416ca37d6..e31308410ea 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF/File_header_OFF_impl.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/OFF/File_header_OFF_impl.h
@@ -241,11 +241,6 @@ std::istream& operator>>( std::istream& in, File_header_OFF& h) {
     }
     if ( ! in )
       return in;
-    if( ! h.off_header())
-    {
-      in.clear( std::ios::badbit);
-      return in;
-    }
     h.set_skel(false);
     h.set_binary(false);
     h.set_index_offset(1);
@@ -265,7 +260,14 @@ std::istream& operator>>( std::istream& in, File_header_OFF& h) {
     keyword[i] = '\0';
     if ( i < 2 || (std::isdigit(keyword[0]) && keyword[0] != '4')
                || std::isdigit(keyword[1])) {
-        h.set_vertices( std::atoi( keyword));
+      in.clear( std::ios::badbit);
+      if ( h.verbose()) {
+          std::cerr << " " << std::endl;
+          std::cerr << "error: File_header_OFF: "
+                        "Missing header."
+                    << std::endl;
+      }
+      return in;
     } else {
         h.set_index_offset( 0);
         int j = 0;
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY.h
index 097bcb705fe..d1e54121040 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
               ColorOutputIterator fc_out,
               ColorOutputIterator vc_out,
               HUVOutputIterator huvs_out,
-              bool /* verbose */ = false,
+              bool  verbose  = true,
               typename std::enable_if<
                 CGAL::is_iterator<ColorOutputIterator>::value
               >::type* =0)
@@ -48,11 +48,12 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
   typedef CGAL::Color                     Color_rgb;
   if(!is.good())
   {
-    std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
+    if(verbose)
+      std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
     return false;
   }
 
-  IO::internal::PLY_reader reader;
+  IO::internal::PLY_reader reader(verbose);
 
   if(!(reader.init(is)))
   {
@@ -124,7 +125,8 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
         IO::internal::read_PLY_faces<boost::uint32_t>(is, element, polygons, fc_out, "vertex_index");
       else
       {
-        std::cerr << "Error: can't find vertex indices in PLY input" << std::endl;
+        if(verbose)
+          std::cerr << "Error: can't find vertex indices in PLY input" << std::endl;
         return false;
       }
     }
@@ -203,12 +205,12 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
               ColorRange& fcolors,
               ColorRange& vcolors,
               HUVRange& huvs,
-              bool /* verbose */ = false,
+              bool verbose =true,
               typename std::enable_if<
                 !CGAL::is_iterator<ColorRange>::value
               >::type* =0)
 {
-  return IO::internal::read_PLY(is, points, polygons, std::back_inserter(hedges), std::back_inserter(fcolors), std::back_inserter(vcolors), std::back_inserter(huvs));
+  return IO::internal::read_PLY(is, points, polygons, std::back_inserter(hedges), std::back_inserter(fcolors), std::back_inserter(vcolors), std::back_inserter(huvs), verbose);
 }
 template <class PointRange, class PolygonRange, class ColorRange>
 bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
@@ -216,19 +218,20 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
               ColorRange& fcolors,
               ColorRange& vcolors,
-              bool /* verbose */ = false)
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::vector<std::pair<unsigned int, unsigned int> > dummy_pui;
   std::vector<std::pair<float, float> > dummy_pf;
-  return IO::internal::read_PLY(is, points, polygons, dummy_pui, std::back_inserter(fcolors), std::back_inserter(vcolors), dummy_pf);
+  return IO::internal::read_PLY(is, points, polygons, dummy_pui, std::back_inserter(fcolors), std::back_inserter(vcolors), dummy_pf, verbose);
 }
 
 
-template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename NamedParameters>
+template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPLATE_PARAMETERS>
 bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const NamedParameters& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
 
   using parameters::choose_parameter;
@@ -241,7 +244,7 @@ bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
                                    CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()),
                   choose_parameter(get_parameter(np, internal_np::vertex_color_output_iterator),
                                    CGAL::Emptyset_iterator()),
-                  std::back_inserter(dummy_pf));
+                  std::back_inserter(dummy_pf), verbose);
 }
 
 
@@ -263,7 +266,8 @@ template <class PointRange, class PolygonRange>
 bool
 read_PLY(std::istream& is,
          PointRange& points,
-         PolygonRange& polygons
+         PolygonRange& polygons,
+         bool verbose = true
 #ifndef DOXYGEN_RUNNING
     ,typename std::enable_if<
          boost::has_value_type<PointRange>::value
@@ -274,11 +278,12 @@ read_PLY(std::istream& is,
   typedef typename PointRange::value_type Point_3;
   if(!is.good())
   {
-    std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
+    if(verbose)
+      std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
     return false;
   }
 
-  IO::internal::PLY_reader reader;
+  IO::internal::PLY_reader reader(verbose);
 
   if(!(reader.init(is)))
   {
@@ -325,7 +330,8 @@ read_PLY(std::istream& is,
         IO::internal::read_PLY_faces<boost::uint32_t>(is, element, polygons, dummy, "vertex_index");
       else
       {
-        std::cerr << "Error: can't find vertex indices in PLY input" << std::endl;
+        if(verbose)
+          std::cerr << "Error: can't find vertex indices in PLY input" << std::endl;
         return false;
       }
     }
@@ -352,10 +358,11 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPL
 bool read_PLY(const char* fname,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   std::ofstream os(fname);
-  return read_PLY(os, points, polygons, np);
+  return read_PLY(os, points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -383,9 +390,10 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMPL
 bool read_PLY(const std::string& fname,
               PointRange& points,
               PolygonRange& polygons,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np)
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& np,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
-  return read_PLY(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np);
+  return read_PLY(fname.c_str(), points, polygons, np, verbose);
 }
 
 template <typename PointRange, typename PolygonRange>
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY/PLY_reader.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY/PLY_reader.h
index 2c7dd493778..5254f0be7c8 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY/PLY_reader.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/PLY/PLY_reader.h
@@ -414,9 +414,10 @@ class PLY_reader
 {
   std::vector<PLY_element> m_elements;
   std::string m_comments;
+  bool m_verbose;
 
 public:
-  PLY_reader() { }
+  PLY_reader(bool verbose) : m_verbose(verbose) { }
 
   std::size_t number_of_elements() const { return m_elements.size(); }
   PLY_element& element(std::size_t idx)
@@ -449,7 +450,8 @@ public:
         if(!(iss >> signature) || (signature != "ply"))
         {
           // if wrong file format
-          std::cerr << "Error: incorrect file format line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+          if(m_verbose)
+            std::cerr << "Error: incorrect file format line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
           return false;
         }
       }
@@ -460,7 +462,8 @@ public:
         std::string tag, format_string, version;
         if( !(iss >> tag >> format_string >> version) )
         {
-          std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+          if(m_verbose)
+            std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
           return false;
         }
         if(format_string == "ascii") format = ASCII;
@@ -468,7 +471,8 @@ public:
         else if(format_string == "binary_big_endian") format = BINARY_BIG_ENDIAN;
         else
         {
-          std::cerr << "Error: unknown file format \"" << format_string << "\" line " << lineNumber << std::endl;
+          if(m_verbose)
+            std::cerr << "Error: unknown file format \"" << format_string << "\" line " << lineNumber << std::endl;
           return false;
         }
       }
@@ -479,7 +483,8 @@ public:
         std::string keyword;
         if(!(iss >> keyword))
         {
-          std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+          if(m_verbose)
+            std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
           return false;
         }
 
@@ -488,7 +493,8 @@ public:
           std::string type, name;
           if(!(iss >> type >> name))
           {
-            std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+            if(m_verbose)
+              std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
             return false;
           }
 
@@ -500,7 +506,8 @@ public:
             name.clear();
             if(!(iss >> index_type >> name))
             {
-              std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+              if(m_verbose)
+                std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
               return false;
             }
 
@@ -542,7 +549,8 @@ public:
           std::size_t number;
           if(!(iss >> type >> number))
           {
-            std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
+            if(m_verbose)
+              std::cerr << "Error line " << lineNumber << " of file" << std::endl;
             return false;
           }
 
diff --git a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/STL.h b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/STL.h
index 5aeee3522bf..6fb9b5359cb 100644
--- a/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/STL.h
+++ b/Stream_support/include/CGAL/IO/STL.h
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ template <typename PointRange, typename TriangleRange, typename CGAL_BGL_NP_TEMP
 bool read_STL(std::istream& is,
               PointRange& points,
               TriangleRange& facets,
-              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& /*np*/) // might become useful one day for face normals
+              const CGAL_BGL_NP_CLASS& /*np*/,
+              bool verbose = true) // might become useful one day for face normals
 {
-  const bool verbose = false;
   int pos = 0;
 
   // Ignore all initial whitespace
diff --git a/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/OFF.h b/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/OFF.h
index d1d76b363bd..d4598823f27 100644
--- a/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/OFF.h
+++ b/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/OFF.h
@@ -59,8 +59,7 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& is,
               #else
               const NamedParameters& np
               #endif
-
-              )
+              , bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef Surface_mesh<Point>                                            Mesh;
   typedef typename Mesh::Vertex_index                                    Vertex_index;
@@ -97,7 +96,8 @@ bool read_OFF(std::istream& is,
                                                              .vertex_normal_map(vnormals)
                                                              .vertex_color_map(vcolors)
                                                              .vertex_texture_map(vtextures)
-                                                             .face_color_map(fcolors));
+                                                             .face_color_map(fcolors),
+                                    verbose);
 }
 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/PLY.h b/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/PLY.h
index 8a980a51962..38577c28134 100644
--- a/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/PLY.h
+++ b/Surface_mesh/include/CGAL/Surface_mesh/IO/PLY.h
@@ -932,13 +932,15 @@ bool write_PLY(std::ostream& os,
 template <typename P>
 bool read_PLY(std::istream& is,
               Surface_mesh<P>& sm,
-              std::string& comments)
+              std::string& comments,
+              bool verbose = true)
 {
   typedef typename Surface_mesh<P>::size_type size_type;
 
   if(!is.good())
   {
-    std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
+    if(verbose)
+      std::cerr << "Error: cannot open file" << std::endl;
     return false;
   }