diff --git a/chunk.py b/chunk.py
index 01db090..fc3d5fa 100644
--- a/chunk.py
+++ b/chunk.py
@@ -575,13 +575,15 @@ class ChunkRenderer(object):
             img = Image.new("RGBA", (384, 1728), (38,92,255,0))
 
         for x,y,z,imgx,imgy in iterate_chunkblocks(xoff,yoff):
-            blockid = blocks[x,y,z]
-            
-            if imgx > img.size[0] + 12 or imgx < -12:
+            # make sure we're drawing within the image boundaries
+            # 24 == approximate width, height of one block
+            if imgx >= img.size[0] + 24 or imgx <= -24:
                 continue
-            if imgy > img.size[1] + 12 or imgy < -12:
+            if imgy >= img.size[1] + 24 or imgy <= -24:
                 continue
 
+            blockid = blocks[x,y,z]
+            
             # the following blocks don't have textures that can be pre-computed from the blockid
             # alone.  additional data is required.
             # TODO torches, redstone torches, crops, ladders, stairs, 
diff --git a/quadtree.py b/quadtree.py
index bd4e6eb..a25d84f 100644
--- a/quadtree.py
+++ b/quadtree.py
@@ -430,6 +430,12 @@ class QuadtreeGen(object):
         chunklist = []
         for row in xrange(rowstart-16, rowend+1):
             for col in xrange(colstart, colend+1):
+                # due to how chunks are arranged, we can only allow
+                # even row, even column or odd row, odd column
+                # otherwise, you end up with duplicates!
+                if row % 2 != col % 2:
+                    continue
+                
                 # return (col, row, chunkx, chunky, regionpath)
                 chunkx, chunky = self.world.unconvert_coords(col, row)
                 c = self.world.get_region_path(chunkx, chunky)
@@ -589,7 +595,9 @@ def render_worldtile(quadtree, chunks, colstart, colend, rowstart, rowend, path)
     # their region files
     def chunk_exists(chunk):
         _, _, chunkx, chunky, region = chunk
-        return nbt.load_from_region(region, chunkx, chunky) != None
+        with open(region, 'rb') as region:
+            r = nbt.MCRFileReader(region)
+            return r.load_chunk(chunkx, chunky) != None
     chunks = filter(chunk_exists, chunks)
 
     if not chunks: