diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml
index 9d434ef97c..82bcd3fa40 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml
@@ -1,15 +1,7 @@
 import QtQuick 2.6
-import QtQuick.Controls 2.2
-import QtQuick.Layouts 1.3
-import QtQml.Models 2.1
-import QtGraphicalEffects 1.0
-import "../controlsUit" 1.0 as HifiControls
 import "../stylesUit" 1.0
 import "../windows" as Windows
-import "../controls" 1.0
-import "../dialogs"
 import "avatarPackager" 1.0
-import "avatarapp" 1.0 as AvatarApp
 
 Windows.ScrollingWindow {
     id: root
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerApp.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerApp.qml
index 0a678dafee..fb7987ca76 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerApp.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerApp.qml
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ import QtQuick.Controls 2.2
 import QtQuick.Layouts 1.3
 import QtQml.Models 2.1
 import QtGraphicalEffects 1.0
+import Hifi.AvatarPackager.AvatarProjectStatus 1.0
 import "../../controlsUit" 1.0 as HifiControls
 import "../../stylesUit" 1.0
-import "../../windows" as Windows
 import "../../controls" 1.0
 import "../../dialogs"
 import "../avatarapp" 1.0 as AvatarApp
@@ -16,9 +16,6 @@ Item {
     property alias desktopObject: avatarPackager.desktopObject
 
     id: windowContent
-   // height: pane ? pane.height : parent.width
-   // width: pane ? pane.width : parent.width
-
 
     MouseArea {
         anchors.fill: parent
@@ -75,6 +72,37 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
+    InfoBox {
+        id: errorPopup
+
+        property string errorMessage;
+
+        boxWidth: 380
+        boxHeight: 293
+
+        content: RalewayRegular {
+
+            id: bodyMessage
+
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            anchors.bottomMargin: 10
+            anchors.leftMargin: 29
+            anchors.rightMargin: 29
+
+            size: 20
+            color: "white"
+            text: errorPopup.errorMessage
+            width: parent.width
+            wrapMode: Text.WordWrap
+        }
+
+        function show(title, message) {
+            errorPopup.title = title;
+            errorMessage = message;
+            errorPopup.open();
+        }
+    }
+
     Rectangle {
         id: modalOverlay
         anchors.fill: parent
@@ -85,8 +113,8 @@ Item {
         // This mouse area captures the cursor events while the modalOverlay is active
         MouseArea {
             anchors.fill: parent
-            propagateComposedEvents: false;
-            hoverEnabled: true;
+            propagateComposedEvents: false
+            hoverEnabled: true
         }
     }
 
@@ -133,12 +161,58 @@ Item {
         property var desktopObject: desktop
 
         function openProject(path) {
-            let project = AvatarPackagerCore.openAvatarProject(path);
-            if (project) {
-                avatarProject.reset();
-                avatarPackager.state = AvatarPackagerState.project;
+            let status = AvatarPackagerCore.openAvatarProject(path);
+            if (status !== AvatarProjectStatus.SUCCESS) {
+                displayErrorMessage(status);
+                return status;
             }
-            return project;
+            avatarProject.reset();
+            avatarPackager.state = AvatarPackagerState.project;
+            return status;
+        }
+
+        function displayErrorMessage(status) {
+            if (status === AvatarProjectStatus.SUCCESS) {
+                return;
+            }
+            switch (status) {
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_PROJECT_NAME:
+                    errorPopup.show("Project Folder Already Exists", "A folder with that name already exists at that location. Please choose a different project name or location.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_CREATING_DIRECTORIES:
+                    errorPopup.show("Project Folders Creation Error", "There was a problem during the creation of the Avatar Project directories. Please select a project location with write permissions.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_FIND_MODEL:
+                    errorPopup.show("Cannot Find Model File", "There was a problem while trying to find the specified model file. Please verify if it exist at the specified location.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_OPEN_MODEL:
+                    errorPopup.show("Cannot Open Model File", "There was a problem while trying to open the specified model file. Please verify if you have read permissions at the specified location.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_READ_MODEL:
+                    errorPopup.show("Error Read Model File", "There was a problem while trying to read the specified model file. Please verify if the model file is supported by High Fidelity.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_CREATE_WRITE_FST:
+                    errorPopup.show("Error Writing Project File", "There was a problem while trying to write the FST file.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_OPEN_INVALID_FILE_TYPE:
+                    errorPopup.show("Invalid Project Path", "The avatar packager can only open FST files.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_OPEN_PROJECT_FOLDER:
+                    errorPopup.show("Project Missing", "Project folder cannot be found. Please locate the folder and copy/move it to its original location.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_OPEN_FIND_FST:
+                    errorPopup.show("File Missing", "We cannot find the project file (avatar.fst) in the folder. Please locate it and move to the project folder.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_OPEN_OPEN_FST:
+                    errorPopup.show("File Read Error", "We cannot read the project file (avatar.fst). Please make sure that it is not in use by another program.");
+                    break;
+                case AvatarProjectStatus.ERROR_OPEN_FIND_MODEL:
+                    errorPopup.show("File Missing", "We cannot find the avatar model file (.fbx) in the folder. Please locate it and move to the project folder.");
+                    break;
+                default:
+                    errorPopup.show("Error Message Missing", "Error message missing for status " + status);
+            }
+
         }
 
         function openDocs() {
@@ -233,10 +307,8 @@ Item {
 
                             browser.selectedFile.connect(function(fileUrl) {
                                 let fstFilePath = fileDialogHelper.urlToPath(fileUrl);
-                                let currentAvatarProject = avatarPackager.openProject(fstFilePath);
-                                if (currentAvatarProject) {
-                                    avatarPackager.showModalOverlay = false;
-                                }
+                                avatarPackager.showModalOverlay = false;
+                                avatarPackager.openProject(fstFilePath);
                             });
                         }
                     }
@@ -253,12 +325,20 @@ Item {
                     RalewayRegular {
                         size: 20
                         color: "white"
-                        text: qsTr("Use a custom avatar to express your identity")
+                        text: "Use a custom avatar of your choice."
+                        width: parent.width
+                        wrapMode: Text.WordWrap
                     }
                     RalewayRegular {
                         size: 20
                         color: "white"
-                        text: qsTr("To learn more about using this tool, visit our docs")
+                        text: "<a href='javascript:void'>Visit our docs</a> to learn more about using the packager."
+                        linkColor: "#00B4EF"
+                        width: parent.width
+                        wrapMode: Text.WordWrap
+                        onLinkActivated: {
+                            avatarPackager.openDocs();
+                        }
                     }
                 }
 
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerFooter.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerFooter.qml
index e1d9396e04..31e05672d2 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerFooter.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerFooter.qml
@@ -38,5 +38,4 @@ Rectangle {
             width: parent.width
         }
     }
-
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerHeader.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerHeader.qml
index d0b06ea15f..cd6fdb72fe 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerHeader.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarPackagerHeader.qml
@@ -93,7 +93,6 @@ ShadowRectangle {
                 z: 200
                 onFocusChanged: {
                     if (titleArea.state === "renaming" && !titleArea.focus) {
-                        //titleArea.state = "";
                         accepted();
                     }
                 }
@@ -104,11 +103,7 @@ ShadowRectangle {
                 }
                 onAccepted:  {
                     if (acceptableInput) {
-                        //AvatarPackagerCore.renameProject(text);
-                        console.warn(text);
                         AvatarPackagerCore.currentAvatarProject.name = text;
-                        console.warn(AvatarPackagerCore.currentAvatarProject.name);
-
                     }
                     titleArea.state = "";
                 }
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProject.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProject.qml
index a5a2263346..8f7a4be481 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProject.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProject.qml
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ Item {
                 colorScheme: root.colorScheme
                 width: 133
                 height: 40
-                onClicked: function() {
+                onClicked: {
                     uploadNew();
                 }
             }
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ Item {
                 colorScheme: root.colorScheme
                 width: 134
                 height: 40
-                onClicked: function() {
+                onClicked: {
                     showConfirmUploadPopup(uploadNew, uploadUpdate);
                 }
             }
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ Item {
                     colorScheme: root.colorScheme
                     width: 134
                     height: 40
-                    onClicked: function() {
+                    onClicked: {
                         showConfirmUploadPopup(uploadNew, uploadUpdate);
                     }
                 }
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProjectUpload.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProjectUpload.qml
index c1d1a98158..68f465f514 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProjectUpload.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/AvatarProjectUpload.qml
@@ -29,10 +29,11 @@ Item {
 
     function stateChangedCallback(newState) {
         if (newState >= 4) {
-            root.uploader.stateChanged.disconnect(stateChangedCallback)
+            root.uploader.stateChanged.disconnect(stateChangedCallback);
             backToProjectTimer.start();
         }
     }
+
     onVisibleChanged: {
         if (visible) {
             root.uploader.stateChanged.connect(stateChangedCallback);
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ Item {
                 source: "../../../icons/checkmark-stroke.svg"
             }
         }
+
         Item {
             id: statusRows
 
@@ -169,6 +171,7 @@ Item {
             color: "white"
             text: "We couldn't upload your avatar at this time. Please try again later."
         }
+
         AvatarPackagerFooter {
             id: errorFooter
 
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/CreateAvatarProject.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/CreateAvatarProject.qml
index d6f530a196..1e9a3d9e84 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/CreateAvatarProject.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/CreateAvatarProject.qml
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import QtQuick 2.6
 import QtQuick.Controls 2.2
 import QtQuick.Layouts 1.3
 
+import Hifi.AvatarPackager.AvatarProjectStatus 1.0
+
 import "../../controlsUit" 1.0 as HifiControls
 import "../../stylesUit" 1.0
 
@@ -24,8 +26,9 @@ Item {
             text: qsTr("Create")
             enabled: false
             onClicked: {
-                if (!AvatarPackagerCore.createAvatarProject(projectLocation.text, name.text, avatarModel.text, textureFolder.text)) {
-                    Window.alert('Failed to create project');
+                let status = AvatarPackagerCore.createAvatarProject(projectLocation.text, name.text, avatarModel.text, textureFolder.text);
+                if (status !== AvatarProjectStatus.SUCCESS) {
+                    avatarPackager.displayErrorMessage(status);
                     return;
                 }
                 avatarPackager.state = AvatarPackagerState.project;
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/InfoBox.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/InfoBox.qml
index 89f5d5c7f8..301386acfa 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/InfoBox.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/avatarPackager/InfoBox.qml
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ import controlsUit 1.0 as HifiControlsUit
 import "../../controls" as HifiControls
 
 Rectangle {
-    id: root;
-    visible: false;
-    color: Qt.rgba(.34, .34, .34, 0.6);
+    id: root
+    visible: false
+    color: Qt.rgba(.34, .34, .34, 0.6)
     z: 999;
 
     anchors.fill: parent
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ Rectangle {
 
     property bool closeOnClickOutside: false;
 
+    property alias boxWidth: mainContainer.width
+    property alias boxHeight: mainContainer.height
+
     function open() {
         visible = true;
     }
@@ -44,15 +47,15 @@ Rectangle {
     }
 
     Rectangle {
-        id: mainContainer;
+        id: mainContainer
 
         width: Math.max(parent.width * 0.8, 400)
         height: parent.height * 0.6
 
         MouseArea {
-            anchors.fill: parent;
-            propagateComposedEvents: false;
-            hoverEnabled: true;
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            propagateComposedEvents: false
+            hoverEnabled: true
             onClicked: function(ev) {
                 ev.accepted = true;
             }
@@ -107,6 +110,5 @@ Rectangle {
                 colorScheme: hifi.colorSchemes.dark;
             }
         }
-
     }
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.cpp
index eef574a8b5..941aff6943 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include <avatar/MarketplaceItemUploader.h>
 
 #include <mutex>
-#include "scripting/HMDScriptingInterface.h"
 #include "ui/TabletScriptingInterface.h"
 
 std::once_flag setupQMLTypesFlag;
@@ -32,6 +31,14 @@ AvatarPackager::AvatarPackager() {
         qmlRegisterType<MarketplaceItemUploader>();
         qRegisterMetaType<AvatarPackager*>();
         qRegisterMetaType<AvatarProject*>();
+        qRegisterMetaType<AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus>();
+        qmlRegisterUncreatableMetaObject(
+            AvatarProjectStatus::staticMetaObject,
+            "Hifi.AvatarPackager.AvatarProjectStatus",
+            1, 0,
+            "AvatarProjectStatus",
+            "Error: only enums"
+        );
     });
 
     recentProjectsFromVariantList(_recentProjectsSetting.get());
@@ -41,39 +48,39 @@ AvatarPackager::AvatarPackager() {
 }
 
 bool AvatarPackager::open() {
-    static const QUrl url{ "hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml" };
-
     const auto packageModelDialogCreated = [=](QQmlContext* context, QObject* newObject) {
         context->setContextProperty("AvatarPackagerCore", this);
     };
 
     static const QString SYSTEM_TABLET = "com.highfidelity.interface.tablet.system";
-    auto tabletScriptingInterface = DependencyManager::get<TabletScriptingInterface>();
-    auto tablet = dynamic_cast<TabletProxy*>(tabletScriptingInterface->getTablet(SYSTEM_TABLET));
-    auto hmd = DependencyManager::get<HMDScriptingInterface>();
+    auto tablet = dynamic_cast<TabletProxy*>(DependencyManager::get<TabletScriptingInterface>()->getTablet(SYSTEM_TABLET));
 
     if (tablet->getToolbarMode()) {
+        static const QUrl url{ "hifi/AvatarPackagerWindow.qml" };
         DependencyManager::get<OffscreenUi>()->show(url, "AvatarPackager", packageModelDialogCreated);
-    } else {
-        static const QUrl url("hifi/tablet/AvatarPackager.qml");
-        if (!tablet->isPathLoaded(url)) {
-            tablet->getTabletSurface()->getSurfaceContext()->setContextProperty("AvatarPackagerCore", this);
-            tablet->pushOntoStack(url);
-        }
+        return true;
     }
-    return true;
+
+    static const QUrl url{ "hifi/tablet/AvatarPackager.qml" };
+    if (!tablet->isPathLoaded(url)) {
+        tablet->getTabletSurface()->getSurfaceContext()->setContextProperty("AvatarPackagerCore", this);
+        tablet->pushOntoStack(url);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    return false;
 }
 
 void AvatarPackager::addCurrentProjectToRecentProjects() {
     const int MAX_RECENT_PROJECTS = 5;
     const QString& fstPath = _currentAvatarProject->getFSTPath();
     auto removeProjects = QVector<RecentAvatarProject>();
-    for (auto project : _recentProjects) {
+    for (const auto& project : _recentProjects) {
         if (project.getProjectFSTPath() == fstPath) {
             removeProjects.append(project);
         }
     }
-    for (const auto removeProject : removeProjects) {
+    for (const auto& removeProject : removeProjects) {
         _recentProjects.removeOne(removeProject);
     }
 
@@ -110,14 +117,19 @@ void AvatarPackager::recentProjectsFromVariantList(QVariantList projectsVariant)
     }
 }
 
-AvatarProject* AvatarPackager::openAvatarProject(const QString& avatarProjectFSTPath) {
-    setAvatarProject(AvatarProject::openAvatarProject(avatarProjectFSTPath));
-    return _currentAvatarProject;
+AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus AvatarPackager::openAvatarProject(const QString& avatarProjectFSTPath) {
+    AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus status;
+    setAvatarProject(AvatarProject::openAvatarProject(avatarProjectFSTPath, status));
+    return status;
 }
 
-AvatarProject* AvatarPackager::createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder, const QString& avatarProjectName, const QString& avatarModelPath, const QString& textureFolder) {
-    setAvatarProject(AvatarProject::createAvatarProject(projectsFolder, avatarProjectName, avatarModelPath, textureFolder));
-    return _currentAvatarProject;
+AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus AvatarPackager::createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder,
+                                                                             const QString& avatarProjectName,
+                                                                             const QString& avatarModelPath,
+                                                                             const QString& textureFolder) {
+    AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus status;
+    setAvatarProject(AvatarProject::createAvatarProject(projectsFolder, avatarProjectName, avatarModelPath, textureFolder, status));
+    return status;
 }
 
 void AvatarPackager::setAvatarProject(AvatarProject* avatarProject) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.h b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.h
index 343176497f..c9c5b9d312 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarPackager.h
@@ -63,8 +63,12 @@ public:
     AvatarPackager();
     bool open();
 
-    Q_INVOKABLE AvatarProject* createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder, const QString& avatarProjectName, const QString& avatarModelPath, const QString& textureFolder);
-    Q_INVOKABLE AvatarProject* openAvatarProject(const QString& avatarProjectFSTPath);
+    Q_INVOKABLE AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder,
+                                                                             const QString& avatarProjectName,
+                                                                             const QString& avatarModelPath,
+                                                                             const QString& textureFolder);
+
+    Q_INVOKABLE AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus openAvatarProject(const QString& avatarProjectFSTPath);
     Q_INVOKABLE bool isValidNewProjectName(const QString& projectPath, const QString& projectName) { return AvatarProject::isValidNewProjectName(projectPath, projectName); }
 
 signals:
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.cpp
index 0c29bcf906..e049dc0ba3 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.cpp
@@ -22,55 +22,98 @@
 #include <ui/TabletScriptingInterface.h>
 #include "scripting/HMDScriptingInterface.h"
 
-AvatarProject* AvatarProject::openAvatarProject(const QString& path) {
+AvatarProject* AvatarProject::openAvatarProject(const QString& path, AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus& status) {
+    status = AvatarProjectStatus::NONE;
+
     if (!path.toLower().endsWith(".fst")) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_OPEN_INVALID_FILE_TYPE;
         return nullptr;
     }
-    QFile file{ path };
+
+    QFileInfo fstFileInfo{ path };
+    if (!fstFileInfo.absoluteDir().exists()) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_OPEN_PROJECT_FOLDER;
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    if (!fstFileInfo.exists()) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_OPEN_FIND_FST;
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    QFile file{ fstFileInfo.filePath() };
     if (!file.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_OPEN_OPEN_FST;
         return nullptr;
     }
+
     const auto project = new AvatarProject(path, file.readAll());
+
+    QFileInfo fbxFileInfo{ project->getFBXPath() };
+    if (!fbxFileInfo.exists()) {
+        project->deleteLater();
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_OPEN_FIND_MODEL;
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
     QQmlEngine::setObjectOwnership(project, QQmlEngine::CppOwnership);
+    status = AvatarProjectStatus::SUCCESS;
     return project;
 }
 
-AvatarProject* AvatarProject::createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder, const QString& avatarProjectName, const QString& avatarModelPath, const QString& textureFolder) {
+AvatarProject* AvatarProject::createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder, const QString& avatarProjectName,
+                                                  const QString& avatarModelPath, const QString& textureFolder,
+                                                  AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus& status) {
+    status = AvatarProjectStatus::NONE;
+
     if (!isValidNewProjectName(projectsFolder, avatarProjectName)) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_PROJECT_NAME;
         return nullptr;
     }
+
     QDir projectDir(projectsFolder + "/" + avatarProjectName);
     if (!projectDir.mkpath(".")) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_CREATING_DIRECTORIES;
         return nullptr;
     }
+
     QDir projectTexturesDir(projectDir.path() + "/textures");
     if (!projectTexturesDir.mkpath(".")) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_CREATING_DIRECTORIES;
         return nullptr;
     }
+
     QDir projectScriptsDir(projectDir.path() + "/scripts");
     if (!projectScriptsDir.mkpath(".")) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_CREATING_DIRECTORIES;
         return nullptr;
     }
+
     const auto fileName = QFileInfo(avatarModelPath).fileName();
     const auto newModelPath = projectDir.absoluteFilePath(fileName);
     const auto newFSTPath = projectDir.absoluteFilePath("avatar.fst");
     QFile::copy(avatarModelPath, newModelPath);
 
-    QFileInfo fbxInfo(newModelPath);
-    QFile fbx(fbxInfo.filePath());
-    if (!fbxInfo.exists() || !fbxInfo.isFile() || !fbx.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
-        // TODO: Can't open model FBX (throw error here)
+    QFileInfo fbxInfo{ newModelPath };
+    if (!fbxInfo.exists() || !fbxInfo.isFile()) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_FIND_MODEL;
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+
+    QFile fbx{ fbxInfo.filePath() };
+    if (!fbx.open(QIODevice::ReadOnly)) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_OPEN_MODEL;
         return nullptr;
     }
 
     std::shared_ptr<hfm::Model> hfmModel;
 
     try {
-        qDebug() << "Reading FBX file : " << fbxInfo.filePath();
         const QByteArray fbxContents = fbx.readAll();
         hfmModel = FBXSerializer().read(fbxContents, QVariantHash(), fbxInfo.filePath());
     } catch (const QString& error) {
-        qDebug() << "Error reading: " << error;
+        Q_UNUSED(error)
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_READ_MODEL;
         return nullptr;
     }
     QStringList textures{};
@@ -111,9 +154,11 @@ AvatarProject* AvatarProject::createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder,
     fst->setName(avatarProjectName);
 
     if (!fst->write()) {
+        status = AvatarProjectStatus::ERROR_CREATE_WRITE_FST;
         return nullptr;
     }
 
+    status = AvatarProjectStatus::SUCCESS;
     return new AvatarProject(fst);
 }
 
@@ -157,7 +202,7 @@ AvatarProject::AvatarProject(FST* fst) {
     _projectPath = fileInfo.absoluteDir().absolutePath();
 }
 
-void AvatarProject::appendDirectory(QString prefix, QDir dir) {
+void AvatarProject::appendDirectory(const QString& prefix, const QDir& dir) {
     constexpr auto flags = QDir::Dirs | QDir::Files | QDir::NoSymLinks | QDir::NoDotAndDotDot | QDir::Hidden;
     for (auto& entry : dir.entryInfoList({}, flags)) {
         if (entry.isFile()) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.h b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.h
index 469324004d..c422c14d62 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarProject.h
@@ -22,6 +22,27 @@
 #include <QVariantHash>
 #include <QStandardPaths>
 
+namespace AvatarProjectStatus {
+    Q_NAMESPACE
+    enum AvatarProjectStatus {
+        NONE,
+        SUCCESS,
+        ERROR_CREATE_PROJECT_NAME,
+        ERROR_CREATE_CREATING_DIRECTORIES,
+        ERROR_CREATE_FIND_MODEL,
+        ERROR_CREATE_OPEN_MODEL,
+        ERROR_CREATE_READ_MODEL,
+        ERROR_CREATE_WRITE_FST,
+        ERROR_OPEN_INVALID_FILE_TYPE,
+        ERROR_OPEN_PROJECT_FOLDER,
+        ERROR_OPEN_FIND_FST,
+        ERROR_OPEN_OPEN_FST,
+        ERROR_OPEN_FIND_MODEL
+    };
+    Q_ENUM_NS(AvatarProjectStatus)
+}
+
+
 class AvatarProject : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
     Q_PROPERTY(FST* fst READ getFST CONSTANT)
@@ -48,16 +69,19 @@ public:
     }
     Q_INVOKABLE QString getProjectPath() const { return _projectPath; }
     Q_INVOKABLE QString getFSTPath() const { return _fst->getPath(); }
-    Q_INVOKABLE QString getFBXPath() const { return _fst->getModelPath(); }
+    Q_INVOKABLE QString getFBXPath() const {
+        return QDir::cleanPath(QDir(_projectPath).absoluteFilePath(_fst->getModelPath()));
+    }
 
     /**
      * returns the AvatarProject or a nullptr on failure.
      */
-    static AvatarProject* openAvatarProject(const QString& path);
+    static AvatarProject* openAvatarProject(const QString& path, AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus& status);
     static AvatarProject* createAvatarProject(const QString& projectsFolder,
                                               const QString& avatarProjectName,
                                               const QString& avatarModelPath,
-                                              const QString& textureFolder);
+                                              const QString& textureFolder,
+                                              AvatarProjectStatus::AvatarProjectStatus& status);
 
     static bool isValidNewProjectName(const QString& projectPath, const QString& projectName);
 
@@ -78,7 +102,7 @@ private:
     FST* getFST() { return _fst; }
 
     void refreshProjectFiles();
-    void appendDirectory(QString prefix, QDir dir);
+    void appendDirectory(const QString& prefix, const QDir& dir);
     QStringList getScriptPaths(const QDir& scriptsDir);
 
     FST* _fst;