Hello,

Following the example in the Columns manual, the following works with TeXLive 2011 but not with the current context suite beta (25 nov 2011):

\definecolumnset[body][n=2]
\definecolumnsethsize{body}{1}{1}\One
\definecolumnsethsize{body}{1}{2}\Two

\starttext
\startcolumnset[body]

\dorecurse{5}{\input tufte\par}
 
\startbuffer
\placefigure[btlr]{A placeholder figure.}{\externalfigure[widefigure][width=\Two]}
\stopbuffer

\dorecurse{5}{\input tufte\par}

\getbuffer

\stopcolumnset
\stoptext

Using the current beta, the figure only cleanly spans one column -- vertical space for the graphic and caption is reserved in one column; in the other column, text flows on beneath the graphic, which is superimposed.

Using TeXLive 2011, the wide figure spans both columns correctly.

Thanks,
PPN
--
Peter Park Nelson
peter.park.nelson@gmail.com