diff --git a/python/plugins/processing/algs/gdal/GdalUtils.py b/python/plugins/processing/algs/gdal/GdalUtils.py
index 9f10c290fbc..0013320a9a9 100644
--- a/python/plugins/processing/algs/gdal/GdalUtils.py
+++ b/python/plugins/processing/algs/gdal/GdalUtils.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class GdalUtils:
     def escapeAndJoin(strList):
         joined = ''
         for s in strList:
-            if ' ' in s:
+            if s[0]!='-' and ' ' in s:
                 escaped = '"' + s.replace('\\', '\\\\').replace('"', '\\"') \
                     + '"'
             else:
diff --git a/python/plugins/processing/core/GeoAlgorithm.py b/python/plugins/processing/core/GeoAlgorithm.py
index 44e0ede68eb..fc6e07da991 100644
--- a/python/plugins/processing/core/GeoAlgorithm.py
+++ b/python/plugins/processing/core/GeoAlgorithm.py
@@ -361,17 +361,10 @@ class GeoAlgorithm:
                             if layer.source() == inputlayer:
                                 self.crs = layer.crs()
                                 return
-                        if isinstance(param, ParameterRaster) \
-                                or isinstance(param, ParameterMultipleInput) \
-                                and param.datatype \
-                                == ParameterMultipleInput.TYPE_RASTER:
-                            p = QgsProviderRegistry.instance().provider('gdal',
-                                    inputlayer)
-                        else:
-                            p = QgsProviderRegistry.instance().provider('ogr',
-                                    inputlayer)
+                        p = dataobjects.getObjectFromUri(inputlayer)
                         if p is not None:
                             self.crs = p.crs()
+                            p = None
                             return
         try:
             from qgis.utils import iface
diff --git a/python/plugins/processing/core/Processing.py b/python/plugins/processing/core/Processing.py
index adfc166bb23..f93a5fbf656 100644
--- a/python/plugins/processing/core/Processing.py
+++ b/python/plugins/processing/core/Processing.py
@@ -286,24 +286,39 @@ class Processing:
         if alg is None:
             print 'Error: Algorithm not found\n'
             return
-        if len(args) != alg.getVisibleParametersCount() \
-                    + alg.getVisibleOutputsCount():
-            print 'Error: Wrong number of parameters'
-            processing.alghelp(algOrName)
-            return
-
         alg = alg.getCopy()
-        if isinstance(args, dict):
-            # Set params by name
-            for (name, value) in args.items():
-                if alg.getParameterFromName(name).setValue(value):
+        
+        if len(args) == 1 and isinstance(args[0], dict):
+            # Set params by name and try to run the alg even if not all parameter values are provided, 
+            # by using the default values instead.
+            setParams = []
+            for (name, value) in args[0].items():
+                param = alg.getParameterFromName(name)
+                if param and param.setValue(value):
+                    setParams.append(name)
                     continue
-                if alg.getOutputFromName(name).setValue(value):
+                output = alg.getOutputFromName(name)
+                if output and output.setValue(value):
                     continue
                 print 'Error: Wrong parameter value %s for parameter %s.' \
                     % (value, name)
+                ProcessingLog.addToLog(ProcessingLog.LOG_ERROR, "Error in %s. Wrong parameter value %s for parameter %s." \
+                    % (alg.name, value, name))
                 return
+            # fill any missing parameters with default values if allowed
+            for param in alg.parameters:
+                if param.name not in setParams:
+                    if not param.setValue(None):
+                        print ("Error: Missing parameter value for parameter %s." % (param.name))
+                        ProcessingLog.addToLog(ProcessingLog.LOG_ERROR, "Error in %s. Missing parameter value for parameter %s." \
+                            % (alg.name, param.name))
+                        return
         else:
+            if len(args) != alg.getVisibleParametersCount() \
+                    + alg.getVisibleOutputsCount():
+                print 'Error: Wrong number of parameters'
+                processing.alghelp(algOrName)
+                return
             i = 0
             for param in alg.parameters:
                 if not param.hidden:
diff --git a/python/plugins/processing/gui/InputLayerSelectorPanel.py b/python/plugins/processing/gui/InputLayerSelectorPanel.py
index 665d7bfb1da..dd589748c45 100644
--- a/python/plugins/processing/gui/InputLayerSelectorPanel.py
+++ b/python/plugins/processing/gui/InputLayerSelectorPanel.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class InputLayerSelectorPanel(QtGui.QWidget):
             path = ''
 
         filename = QtGui.QFileDialog.getOpenFileName(self, self.param.description, path,
-                self.param.getFileFilter())
+                'All files(*.*);;' + self.param.getFileFilter())
         if filename:
             self.text.addItem(filename, filename)
             self.text.setCurrentIndex(self.text.count() - 1)
diff --git a/python/plugins/processing/gui/ProcessingToolbox.py b/python/plugins/processing/gui/ProcessingToolbox.py
index 6b6e6f398de..d33c077adee 100644
--- a/python/plugins/processing/gui/ProcessingToolbox.py
+++ b/python/plugins/processing/gui/ProcessingToolbox.py
@@ -123,6 +123,10 @@ class ProcessingToolbox(QDockWidget, Ui_ProcessingToolbox):
             if isinstance(child, TreeProviderItem):
                 if child.providerName == providerName:
                     child.refresh()
+                    # sort categories and items in categories
+                    child.sortChildren(0, Qt.AscendingOrder)
+                    for i in xrange(child.childCount()):
+                        child.child(i).sortChildren(0, Qt.AscendingOrder)
                     break
 
     def showPopupMenu(self, point):