diff --git a/interface/CMakeLists.txt b/interface/CMakeLists.txt
index d7e4b1ae7c..71341f3f11 100644
--- a/interface/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/interface/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ endif()
 # link required hifi libraries
 link_hifi_libraries(
   shared octree ktx gpu gl gpu-gl procedural model render
-  recording fbx networking model-networking entities avatars
+  recording fbx networking model-networking entities avatars trackers
   audio audio-client animation script-engine physics
   render-utils entities-renderer avatars-renderer ui auto-updater
   controllers plugins image trackers
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 1e3df955ba..1585d41115 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -129,12 +129,12 @@
 #include <Preferences.h>
 #include <display-plugins/CompositorHelper.h>
 #include <trackers/EyeTracker.h>
-
+#include <avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.h>
 
 #include "AudioClient.h"
 #include "audio/AudioScope.h"
 #include "avatar/AvatarManager.h"
-#include "avatar/ScriptAvatar.h"
+#include "avatar/MyHead.h"
 #include "CrashHandler.h"
 #include "devices/DdeFaceTracker.h"
 #include "devices/Leapmotion.h"
@@ -1586,6 +1586,8 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer, bo
     connect(&domainHandler, &DomainHandler::hostnameChanged, this, &Application::addAssetToWorldMessageClose);
 
     updateSystemTabletMode();
+
+    connect(&_myCamera, &Camera::modeUpdated, this, &Application::cameraModeChanged);
 }
 
 void Application::domainConnectionRefused(const QString& reasonMessage, int reasonCodeInt, const QString& extraInfo) {
@@ -2191,7 +2193,7 @@ void Application::paintGL() {
                 _myCamera.setOrientation(glm::quat_cast(camMat));
             } else {
                 _myCamera.setPosition(myAvatar->getDefaultEyePosition());
-                _myCamera.setOrientation(myAvatar->getHead()->getCameraOrientation());
+                _myCamera.setOrientation(myAvatar->getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation());
             }
         } else if (_myCamera.getMode() == CAMERA_MODE_THIRD_PERSON) {
             if (isHMDMode()) {
@@ -4082,6 +4084,30 @@ void Application::cycleCamera() {
     cameraMenuChanged(); // handle the menu change
 }
 
+void Application::cameraModeChanged() {
+    switch (_myCamera.getMode()) {
+        case CAMERA_MODE_FIRST_PERSON:
+            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::FirstPerson, true);
+            break;
+        case CAMERA_MODE_THIRD_PERSON:
+            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::ThirdPerson, true);
+            break;
+        case CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR:
+            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::FullscreenMirror, true);
+            break;
+        case CAMERA_MODE_INDEPENDENT:
+            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::IndependentMode, true);
+            break;
+        case CAMERA_MODE_ENTITY:
+            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::CameraEntityMode, true);
+            break;
+        default:
+            break;
+    }
+    cameraMenuChanged();
+}
+
+
 void Application::cameraMenuChanged() {
     if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::FullscreenMirror)) {
         if (_myCamera.getMode() != CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR) {
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index 041f1f8930..cbdfe8aeb1 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -372,6 +372,7 @@ public slots:
     static void showHelp();
 
     void cycleCamera();
+    void cameraModeChanged();
     void cameraMenuChanged();
     void toggleOverlays();
     void setOverlaysVisible(bool visible);
diff --git a/interface/src/FancyCamera.cpp b/interface/src/FancyCamera.cpp
index 7bb64a4a8e..298cab9948 100644
--- a/interface/src/FancyCamera.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/FancyCamera.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@
 
 #include "Application.h"
 
+PickRay FancyCamera::computePickRay(float x, float y) const {
+    return qApp->computePickRay(x, y);
+}
 
 QUuid FancyCamera::getCameraEntity() const {
     if (_cameraEntity != nullptr) {
diff --git a/interface/src/FancyCamera.h b/interface/src/FancyCamera.h
index 66f7a07dbd..3552dc6ca8 100644
--- a/interface/src/FancyCamera.h
+++ b/interface/src/FancyCamera.h
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 #ifndef hifi_FancyCamera_h
 #define hifi_FancyCamera_h
 
-#include "Camera.h"
+#include <shared/Camera.h>
 
 #include <EntityTypes.h>
 
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ public:
     FancyCamera() : Camera() {}
 
     EntityItemPointer getCameraEntityPointer() const { return _cameraEntity; }
+    PickRay computePickRay(float x, float y) const override;
+
 
 public slots:
     QUuid getCameraEntity() const;
diff --git a/interface/src/Util.cpp b/interface/src/Util.cpp
index 7bf48d98d2..78a503bc71 100644
--- a/interface/src/Util.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Util.cpp
@@ -142,11 +142,6 @@ void renderWorldBox(gpu::Batch& batch) {
     geometryCache->renderSolidSphereInstance(batch, GREY);
 }
 
-//  Return a random vector of average length 1
-const glm::vec3 randVector() {
-    return glm::vec3(randFloat() - 0.5f, randFloat() - 0.5f, randFloat() - 0.5f) * 2.0f;
-}
-
 //  Do some basic timing tests and report the results
 void runTimingTests() {
     //  How long does it take to make a call to get the time?
diff --git a/interface/src/Util.h b/interface/src/Util.h
index 60e38ae0ec..b1b4c78bcb 100644
--- a/interface/src/Util.h
+++ b/interface/src/Util.h
@@ -17,9 +17,6 @@
 
 #include <gpu/Batch.h>
 
-float randFloat();
-const glm::vec3 randVector();
-
 void renderWorldBox(gpu::Batch& batch);
 
 void runTimingTests();
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
index 04ab1531ba..1306ce03ea 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@
 #include <SettingHandle.h>
 #include <UsersScriptingInterface.h>
 #include <UUID.h>
+#include <avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.h>
 
 #include "Application.h"
-#include "Avatar.h"
 #include "AvatarManager.h"
 #include "InterfaceLogging.h"
 #include "Menu.h"
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ void AvatarManager::simulateAvatarFades(float deltaTime) {
 }
 
 AvatarSharedPointer AvatarManager::newSharedAvatar() {
-    return std::make_shared<Avatar>(qApp->thread(), std::make_shared<Rig>());
+    return std::make_shared<OtherAvatar>(qApp->thread(), std::make_shared<Rig>());
 }
 
 void AvatarManager::handleRemovedAvatar(const AvatarSharedPointer& removedAvatar, KillAvatarReason removalReason) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.h b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.h
index c67088a4be..9df1639853 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.h
@@ -21,13 +21,11 @@
 #include <PIDController.h>
 #include <SimpleMovingAverage.h>
 #include <shared/RateCounter.h>
+#include <avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.h>
+#include <avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.h>
 
-#include "Avatar.h"
 #include "MyAvatar.h"
-#include "AvatarMotionState.h"
-#include "ScriptAvatar.h"
 
-class MyAvatar;
 class AudioInjector;
 
 class AvatarManager : public AvatarHashMap {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
index 5e285f21ba..3f3ce7d9e9 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include "MyAvatar.h"
+
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -43,11 +45,12 @@
 #include <RecordingScriptingInterface.h>
 #include <trackers/FaceTracker.h>
 
+#include "MyHead.h"
+#include "MySkeletonModel.h"
 #include "Application.h"
 #include "AvatarManager.h"
 #include "AvatarActionHold.h"
 #include "Menu.h"
-#include "MyAvatar.h"
 #include "Util.h"
 #include "InterfaceLogging.h"
 #include "DebugDraw.h"
@@ -96,23 +99,12 @@ static const glm::quat DEFAULT_AVATAR_RIGHTFOOT_ROT { -0.4016716778278351f, 0.91
 
 MyAvatar::MyAvatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig) :
     Avatar(thread, rig),
-    _wasPushing(false),
-    _isPushing(false),
-    _isBeingPushed(false),
-    _isBraking(false),
-    _isAway(false),
-    _boomLength(ZOOM_DEFAULT),
     _yawSpeed(YAW_SPEED_DEFAULT),
     _pitchSpeed(PITCH_SPEED_DEFAULT),
-    _thrust(0.0f),
-    _actionMotorVelocity(0.0f),
-    _scriptedMotorVelocity(0.0f),
     _scriptedMotorTimescale(DEFAULT_SCRIPTED_MOTOR_TIMESCALE),
     _scriptedMotorFrame(SCRIPTED_MOTOR_CAMERA_FRAME),
     _motionBehaviors(AVATAR_MOTION_DEFAULTS),
     _characterController(this),
-    _lookAtTargetAvatar(),
-    _shouldRender(true),
     _eyeContactTarget(LEFT_EYE),
     _realWorldFieldOfView("realWorldFieldOfView",
                           DEFAULT_REAL_WORLD_FIELD_OF_VIEW_DEGREES),
@@ -129,6 +121,14 @@ MyAvatar::MyAvatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig) :
     _audioListenerMode(FROM_HEAD),
     _hmdAtRestDetector(glm::vec3(0), glm::quat())
 {
+
+    // give the pointer to our head to inherited _headData variable from AvatarData
+    _headData = new MyHead(this);
+
+    _skeletonModel = std::make_shared<MySkeletonModel>(this, nullptr, rig);
+    connect(_skeletonModel.get(), &Model::setURLFinished, this, &Avatar::setModelURLFinished);
+
+
     using namespace recording;
     _skeletonModel->flagAsCauterized();
 
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ void MyAvatar::simulate(float deltaTime) {
         }
         head->setPosition(headPosition);
         head->setScale(getUniformScale());
-        head->simulate(deltaTime, true);
+        head->simulate(deltaTime);
     }
 
     // Record avatars movements.
@@ -1450,12 +1450,12 @@ void MyAvatar::updateMotors() {
     glm::quat motorRotation;
     if (_motionBehaviors & AVATAR_MOTION_ACTION_MOTOR_ENABLED) {
         if (_characterController.getState() == CharacterController::State::Hover) {
-            motorRotation = getHead()->getCameraOrientation();
+            motorRotation = getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation();
         } else {
             // non-hovering = walking: follow camera twist about vertical but not lift
             // so we decompose camera's rotation and store the twist part in motorRotation
             glm::quat liftRotation;
-            swingTwistDecomposition(getHead()->getCameraOrientation(), _worldUpDirection, liftRotation, motorRotation);
+            swingTwistDecomposition(getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation(), _worldUpDirection, liftRotation, motorRotation);
         }
         const float DEFAULT_MOTOR_TIMESCALE = 0.2f;
         const float INVALID_MOTOR_TIMESCALE = 1.0e6f;
@@ -1469,7 +1469,7 @@ void MyAvatar::updateMotors() {
     }
     if (_motionBehaviors & AVATAR_MOTION_SCRIPTED_MOTOR_ENABLED) {
         if (_scriptedMotorFrame == SCRIPTED_MOTOR_CAMERA_FRAME) {
-            motorRotation = getHead()->getCameraOrientation() * glm::angleAxis(PI, Vectors::UNIT_Y);
+            motorRotation = getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation() * glm::angleAxis(PI, Vectors::UNIT_Y);
         } else if (_scriptedMotorFrame == SCRIPTED_MOTOR_AVATAR_FRAME) {
             motorRotation = getOrientation() * glm::angleAxis(PI, Vectors::UNIT_Y);
         } else {
@@ -1814,7 +1814,7 @@ void MyAvatar::updateOrientation(float deltaTime) {
     if (getCharacterController()->getState() == CharacterController::State::Hover) {
 
         // This is the direction the user desires to fly in.
-        glm::vec3 desiredFacing = getHead()->getCameraOrientation() * Vectors::UNIT_Z;
+        glm::vec3 desiredFacing = getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation() * Vectors::UNIT_Z;
         desiredFacing.y = 0.0f;
 
         // This is our reference frame, it is captured when the user begins to move.
@@ -1958,7 +1958,7 @@ void MyAvatar::updatePosition(float deltaTime) {
     if (!_hoverReferenceCameraFacingIsCaptured && (fabs(getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_Z)) > 0.1f || fabs(getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_X)) > 0.1f)) {
         _hoverReferenceCameraFacingIsCaptured = true;
         // transform the camera facing vector into sensor space.
-        _hoverReferenceCameraFacing = transformVectorFast(glm::inverse(_sensorToWorldMatrix), getHead()->getCameraOrientation() * Vectors::UNIT_Z);
+        _hoverReferenceCameraFacing = transformVectorFast(glm::inverse(_sensorToWorldMatrix), getMyHead()->getCameraOrientation() * Vectors::UNIT_Z);
     } else if (_hoverReferenceCameraFacingIsCaptured && (fabs(getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_Z)) <= 0.1f && fabs(getDriveKey(TRANSLATE_X)) <= 0.1f)) {
         _hoverReferenceCameraFacingIsCaptured = false;
     }
@@ -2804,3 +2804,7 @@ void MyAvatar::updateHoldActions(const AnimPose& prePhysicsPose, const AnimPose&
         });
     }
 }
+
+const MyHead* MyAvatar::getMyHead() const { 
+    return static_cast<const MyHead*>(getHead()); 
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
index 6a1e457a97..7c510f0556 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyAvatar.h
@@ -22,14 +22,15 @@
 
 #include <controllers/Pose.h>
 #include <controllers/Actions.h>
+#include <avatars-renderer/Avatar.h>
 
-#include "Avatar.h"
 #include "AtRestDetector.h"
 #include "MyCharacterController.h"
 #include <ThreadSafeValueCache.h>
 
 class AvatarActionHold;
 class ModelItemID;
+class MyHead;
 
 enum eyeContactTarget {
     LEFT_EYE,
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@ public:
     explicit MyAvatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig);
     ~MyAvatar();
 
+    void instantiableAvatar() override {};
     void registerMetaTypes(QScriptEngine* engine);
 
     virtual void simulateAttachments(float deltaTime) override;
@@ -353,6 +355,7 @@ public:
 
     eyeContactTarget getEyeContactTarget();
 
+    const MyHead* getMyHead() const;
     Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getHeadPosition() const { return getHead()->getPosition(); }
     Q_INVOKABLE float getHeadFinalYaw() const { return getHead()->getFinalYaw(); }
     Q_INVOKABLE float getHeadFinalRoll() const { return getHead()->getFinalRoll(); }
@@ -589,17 +592,17 @@ private:
     std::array<float, MAX_DRIVE_KEYS> _driveKeys;
     std::bitset<MAX_DRIVE_KEYS> _disabledDriveKeys;
 
-    bool _wasPushing;
-    bool _isPushing;
-    bool _isBeingPushed;
-    bool _isBraking;
-    bool _isAway;
+    bool _wasPushing { false };
+    bool _isPushing { false };
+    bool _isBeingPushed { false };
+    bool _isBraking { false };
+    bool _isAway { false };
 
-    float _boomLength;
+    float _boomLength { ZOOM_DEFAULT };
     float _yawSpeed; // degrees/sec
     float _pitchSpeed; // degrees/sec
 
-    glm::vec3 _thrust;  // impulse accumulator for outside sources
+    glm::vec3 _thrust { 0.0f };  // impulse accumulator for outside sources
 
     glm::vec3 _actionMotorVelocity; // target local-frame velocity of avatar (default controller actions)
     glm::vec3 _scriptedMotorVelocity; // target local-frame velocity of avatar (analog script)
@@ -615,7 +618,7 @@ private:
 
     AvatarWeakPointer _lookAtTargetAvatar;
     glm::vec3 _targetAvatarPosition;
-    bool _shouldRender;
+    bool _shouldRender { true };
     float _oculusYawOffset;
 
     eyeContactTarget _eyeContactTarget;
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c41fff3bb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "MyHead.h"
+
+#include <glm/gtx/quaternion.hpp>
+#include <gpu/Batch.h>
+
+#include <NodeList.h>
+#include <recording/Deck.h>
+#include <Rig.h>
+#include <trackers/FaceTracker.h>
+#include <trackers/EyeTracker.h>
+
+#include "devices/DdeFaceTracker.h"
+#include "Application.h"
+#include "MyAvatar.h"
+
+using namespace std;
+
+MyHead::MyHead(MyAvatar* owningAvatar) : Head(owningAvatar) {
+}
+
+glm::quat MyHead::getCameraOrientation() const {
+    // NOTE: Head::getCameraOrientation() is not used for orienting the camera "view" while in Oculus mode, so
+    // you may wonder why this code is here. This method will be called while in Oculus mode to determine how
+    // to change the driving direction while in Oculus mode. It is used to support driving toward where you're
+    // head is looking. Note that in oculus mode, your actual camera view and where your head is looking is not
+    // always the same.
+    if (qApp->isHMDMode()) {
+        MyAvatar* myAvatar = static_cast<MyAvatar*>(_owningAvatar);
+        return glm::quat_cast(myAvatar->getSensorToWorldMatrix()) * myAvatar->getHMDSensorOrientation();
+    } else {
+        Avatar* owningAvatar = static_cast<Avatar*>(_owningAvatar);
+        return owningAvatar->getWorldAlignedOrientation() * glm::quat(glm::radians(glm::vec3(_basePitch, 0.0f, 0.0f)));
+    }
+}
+
+void MyHead::simulate(float deltaTime) {
+    auto player = DependencyManager::get<recording::Deck>();
+    // Only use face trackers when not playing back a recording.
+    if (!player->isPlaying()) {
+        FaceTracker* faceTracker = qApp->getActiveFaceTracker();
+        _isFaceTrackerConnected = faceTracker != NULL && !faceTracker->isMuted();
+        if (_isFaceTrackerConnected) {
+            _blendshapeCoefficients = faceTracker->getBlendshapeCoefficients();
+
+            if (typeid(*faceTracker) == typeid(DdeFaceTracker)) {
+
+                if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::UseAudioForMouth)) {
+                    calculateMouthShapes(deltaTime);
+
+                    const int JAW_OPEN_BLENDSHAPE = 21;
+                    const int MMMM_BLENDSHAPE = 34;
+                    const int FUNNEL_BLENDSHAPE = 40;
+                    const int SMILE_LEFT_BLENDSHAPE = 28;
+                    const int SMILE_RIGHT_BLENDSHAPE = 29;
+                    _blendshapeCoefficients[JAW_OPEN_BLENDSHAPE] += _audioJawOpen;
+                    _blendshapeCoefficients[SMILE_LEFT_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth4;
+                    _blendshapeCoefficients[SMILE_RIGHT_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth4;
+                    _blendshapeCoefficients[MMMM_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth2;
+                    _blendshapeCoefficients[FUNNEL_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth3;
+                }
+                applyEyelidOffset(getFinalOrientationInWorldFrame());
+            }
+        }
+        auto eyeTracker = DependencyManager::get<EyeTracker>();
+        _isEyeTrackerConnected = eyeTracker->isTracking();
+    }
+    Parent::simulate(deltaTime);
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.h b/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..097415153c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MyHead.h
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_MyHead_h
+#define hifi_MyHead_h
+
+#include <avatars-renderer/Head.h>
+
+class MyAvatar;
+class MyHead : public Head {
+    using Parent = Head;
+public:
+    explicit MyHead(MyAvatar* owningAvatar);
+
+    /// \return orientationBody * orientationBasePitch
+    glm::quat getCameraOrientation() const;
+    void simulate(float deltaTime) override;
+
+private:
+    // disallow copies of the Head, copy of owning Avatar is disallowed too
+    MyHead(const Head&);
+    MyHead& operator= (const MyHead&);
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_MyHead_h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..639c9f003f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "MySkeletonModel.h"
+
+#include <avatars-renderer/Avatar.h>
+
+#include "Application.h"
+#include "InterfaceLogging.h"
+
+MySkeletonModel::MySkeletonModel(Avatar* owningAvatar, QObject* parent, RigPointer rig) : SkeletonModel(owningAvatar, parent, rig) {
+}
+
+Rig::CharacterControllerState convertCharacterControllerState(CharacterController::State state) {
+    switch (state) {
+        default:
+        case CharacterController::State::Ground:
+            return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Ground;
+        case CharacterController::State::Takeoff:
+            return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Takeoff;
+        case CharacterController::State::InAir:
+            return Rig::CharacterControllerState::InAir;
+        case CharacterController::State::Hover:
+            return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Hover;
+    };
+}
+
+// Called within Model::simulate call, below.
+void MySkeletonModel::updateRig(float deltaTime, glm::mat4 parentTransform) {
+    const FBXGeometry& geometry = getFBXGeometry();
+
+    Head* head = _owningAvatar->getHead();
+
+    // make sure lookAt is not too close to face (avoid crosseyes)
+    glm::vec3 lookAt = _owningAvatar->isMyAvatar() ?  head->getLookAtPosition() : head->getCorrectedLookAtPosition();
+    MyAvatar* myAvatar = static_cast<MyAvatar*>(_owningAvatar);
+
+    Rig::HeadParameters headParams;
+
+    // input action is the highest priority source for head orientation.
+    auto avatarHeadPose = myAvatar->getHeadControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (avatarHeadPose.isValid()) {
+        glm::mat4 rigHeadMat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarHeadPose.getRotation(), avatarHeadPose.getTranslation());
+        headParams.rigHeadPosition = extractTranslation(rigHeadMat);
+        headParams.rigHeadOrientation = glmExtractRotation(rigHeadMat);
+        headParams.headEnabled = true;
+    } else {
+        if (qApp->isHMDMode()) {
+            // get HMD position from sensor space into world space, and back into rig space
+            glm::mat4 worldHMDMat = myAvatar->getSensorToWorldMatrix() * myAvatar->getHMDSensorMatrix();
+            glm::mat4 rigToWorld = createMatFromQuatAndPos(getRotation(), getTranslation());
+            glm::mat4 worldToRig = glm::inverse(rigToWorld);
+            glm::mat4 rigHMDMat = worldToRig * worldHMDMat;
+            _rig->computeHeadFromHMD(AnimPose(rigHMDMat), headParams.rigHeadPosition, headParams.rigHeadOrientation);
+            headParams.headEnabled = true;
+        } else {
+            // even though full head IK is disabled, the rig still needs the head orientation to rotate the head up and down in desktop mode.
+            // preMult 180 is necessary to convert from avatar to rig coordinates.
+            // postMult 180 is necessary to convert head from -z forward to z forward.
+            headParams.rigHeadOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * head->getFinalOrientationInLocalFrame() * Quaternions::Y_180;
+            headParams.headEnabled = false;
+        }
+    }
+
+    auto avatarHipsPose = myAvatar->getHipsControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (avatarHipsPose.isValid()) {
+        glm::mat4 rigHipsMat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarHipsPose.getRotation(), avatarHipsPose.getTranslation());
+        headParams.hipsMatrix = rigHipsMat;
+        headParams.hipsEnabled = true;
+    } else {
+        headParams.hipsEnabled = false;
+    }
+
+    auto avatarSpine2Pose = myAvatar->getSpine2ControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (avatarSpine2Pose.isValid()) {
+        glm::mat4 rigSpine2Mat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarSpine2Pose.getRotation(), avatarSpine2Pose.getTranslation());
+        headParams.spine2Matrix = rigSpine2Mat;
+        headParams.spine2Enabled = true;
+    } else {
+        headParams.spine2Enabled = false;
+    }
+
+    headParams.isTalking = head->getTimeWithoutTalking() <= 1.5f;
+
+    _rig->updateFromHeadParameters(headParams, deltaTime);
+
+    Rig::HandAndFeetParameters handAndFeetParams;
+
+    auto leftPose = myAvatar->getLeftHandControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (leftPose.isValid()) {
+        handAndFeetParams.isLeftEnabled = true;
+        handAndFeetParams.leftPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftPose.getTranslation();
+        handAndFeetParams.leftOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftPose.getRotation();
+    } else {
+        handAndFeetParams.isLeftEnabled = false;
+    }
+
+    auto rightPose = myAvatar->getRightHandControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (rightPose.isValid()) {
+        handAndFeetParams.isRightEnabled = true;
+        handAndFeetParams.rightPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightPose.getTranslation();
+        handAndFeetParams.rightOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightPose.getRotation();
+    } else {
+        handAndFeetParams.isRightEnabled = false;
+    }
+
+    auto leftFootPose = myAvatar->getLeftFootControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (leftFootPose.isValid()) {
+        handAndFeetParams.isLeftFootEnabled = true;
+        handAndFeetParams.leftFootPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftFootPose.getTranslation();
+        handAndFeetParams.leftFootOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftFootPose.getRotation();
+    } else {
+        handAndFeetParams.isLeftFootEnabled = false;
+    }
+
+    auto rightFootPose = myAvatar->getRightFootControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
+    if (rightFootPose.isValid()) {
+        handAndFeetParams.isRightFootEnabled = true;
+        handAndFeetParams.rightFootPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightFootPose.getTranslation();
+        handAndFeetParams.rightFootOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightFootPose.getRotation();
+    } else {
+        handAndFeetParams.isRightFootEnabled = false;
+    }
+
+    handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleRadius = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleRadius();
+    handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleHalfHeight = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleHalfHeight();
+    handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleLocalOffset = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleLocalOffset();
+
+    _rig->updateFromHandAndFeetParameters(handAndFeetParams, deltaTime);
+
+    Rig::CharacterControllerState ccState = convertCharacterControllerState(myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getState());
+
+    auto velocity = myAvatar->getLocalVelocity();
+    auto position = myAvatar->getLocalPosition();
+    auto orientation = myAvatar->getLocalOrientation();
+    _rig->computeMotionAnimationState(deltaTime, position, velocity, orientation, ccState);
+
+    // evaluate AnimGraph animation and update jointStates.
+    Model::updateRig(deltaTime, parentTransform);
+
+    Rig::EyeParameters eyeParams;
+    eyeParams.eyeLookAt = lookAt;
+    eyeParams.eyeSaccade = head->getSaccade();
+    eyeParams.modelRotation = getRotation();
+    eyeParams.modelTranslation = getTranslation();
+    eyeParams.leftEyeJointIndex = geometry.leftEyeJointIndex;
+    eyeParams.rightEyeJointIndex = geometry.rightEyeJointIndex;
+
+    _rig->updateFromEyeParameters(eyeParams);
+
+    Parent::updateRig(deltaTime, parentTransform);
+}
+
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.h b/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..84fccc825a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/MySkeletonModel.h
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_MySkeletonModel_h
+#define hifi_MySkeletonModel_h
+
+#include <avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.h>
+
+/// A skeleton loaded from a model.
+class MySkeletonModel : public SkeletonModel {
+    Q_OBJECT
+
+private:
+    using Parent = SkeletonModel;
+
+public:
+    MySkeletonModel(Avatar* owningAvatar, QObject* parent = nullptr, RigPointer rig = nullptr);
+    void updateRig(float deltaTime, glm::mat4 parentTransform) override;
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_MySkeletonModel_h
diff --git a/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.cpp b/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.cpp
index fa7b2c173e..ed52083d77 100644
--- a/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.cpp
@@ -9,20 +9,21 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include "DdeFaceTracker.h"
+
 #include <SharedUtil.h>
 
-#include <QCoreApplication>
-#include <QJsonDocument>
-#include <QJsonArray>
-#include <QJsonObject>
-#include <QTimer>
+#include <QtCore/QCoreApplication>
+#include <QtCore/QJsonDocument>
+#include <QtCore/QJsonArray>
+#include <QtCore/QJsonObject>
+#include <QtCore/QTimer>
 
 #include <GLMHelpers.h>
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
+#include <FaceshiftConstants.h>
 
 #include "Application.h"
-#include "DdeFaceTracker.h"
-#include "FaceshiftConstants.h"
 #include "InterfaceLogging.h"
 #include "Menu.h"
 
diff --git a/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.h b/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.h
index f125dfc3cf..dfb9c6d638 100644
--- a/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.h
+++ b/interface/src/devices/DdeFaceTracker.h
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 #ifndef hifi_DdeFaceTracker_h
 #define hifi_DdeFaceTracker_h
 
+#include <QtCore/QtGlobal>
+
 #if defined(Q_OS_WIN) || defined(Q_OS_OSX)
     #define HAVE_DDE
 #endif
diff --git a/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.cpp b/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.cpp
index cb99cf324d..c643042300 100644
--- a/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  Leapmotion.cpp
-//  interface/src/devices
-//
 //  Created by Sam Cake on 6/2/2014
 //  Copyright 2014 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
@@ -10,10 +7,11 @@
 //
 
 #include "Leapmotion.h"
-#include "Menu.h"
 
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
 
+#include "Menu.h"
+
 const int PALMROOT_NUM_JOINTS = 3;
 const int FINGER_NUM_JOINTS = 4;
 const int HAND_NUM_JOINTS = FINGER_NUM_JOINTS*5+PALMROOT_NUM_JOINTS;
diff --git a/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.h b/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.h
index 6ecec8ccf9..a119821846 100644
--- a/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.h
+++ b/interface/src/devices/Leapmotion.h
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  Leapmotion.h
-//  interface/src/devices
-//
 //  Created by Sam Cake on 6/2/2014
 //  Copyright 2014 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
diff --git a/libraries/avatars-renderer/CMakeLists.txt b/libraries/avatars-renderer/CMakeLists.txt
index bee2cb31d6..b13bc0a4a6 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars-renderer/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 set(TARGET_NAME avatars-renderer)
 AUTOSCRIBE_SHADER_LIB(gpu model render render-utils)
 setup_hifi_library(Widgets Network Script)
-link_hifi_libraries(shared gpu model animation physics model-networking script-engine render render-utils)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared gpu model animation physics model-networking script-engine render image render-utils)
 
 target_bullet()
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.cpp
similarity index 96%
rename from interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.cpp
index 3bd4c663d2..6408807670 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.cpp
@@ -27,16 +27,13 @@
 #include <TextRenderer3D.h>
 #include <VariantMapToScriptValue.h>
 #include <DebugDraw.h>
+#include <shared/Camera.h>
+#include <SoftAttachmentModel.h>
 
-#include "AvatarMotionState.h"
-#include "Camera.h"
-#include "InterfaceLogging.h"
-#include "SceneScriptingInterface.h"
-#include "SoftAttachmentModel.h"
+#include "Logging.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
-const glm::vec3 DEFAULT_UP_DIRECTION(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f);
 const int   NUM_BODY_CONE_SIDES = 9;
 const float CHAT_MESSAGE_SCALE = 0.0015f;
 const float CHAT_MESSAGE_HEIGHT = 0.1f;
@@ -71,6 +68,11 @@ namespace render {
     }
 }
 
+bool showAvatars { true };
+void Avatar::setShowAvatars(bool render) {
+    showAvatars = render;
+}
+
 static bool showReceiveStats = false;
 void Avatar::setShowReceiveStats(bool receiveStats) {
     showReceiveStats = receiveStats;
@@ -97,25 +99,6 @@ void Avatar::setShowNamesAboveHeads(bool show) {
 }
 
 Avatar::Avatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig) :
-    AvatarData(),
-    _skeletonOffset(0.0f),
-    _bodyYawDelta(0.0f),
-    _positionDeltaAccumulator(0.0f),
-    _lastVelocity(0.0f),
-    _acceleration(0.0f),
-    _lastAngularVelocity(0.0f),
-    _lastOrientation(),
-    _worldUpDirection(DEFAULT_UP_DIRECTION),
-    _moving(false),
-    _smoothPositionTime(SMOOTH_TIME_POSITION),
-    _smoothPositionTimer(std::numeric_limits<float>::max()),
-    _smoothOrientationTime(SMOOTH_TIME_ORIENTATION),
-    _smoothOrientationTimer(std::numeric_limits<float>::max()),
-    _smoothPositionInitial(),
-    _smoothPositionTarget(),
-    _smoothOrientationInitial(),
-    _smoothOrientationTarget(),
-    _initialized(false),
     _voiceSphereID(GeometryCache::UNKNOWN_ID)
 {
     // we may have been created in the network thread, but we live in the main thread
@@ -123,12 +106,6 @@ Avatar::Avatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig) :
 
     setScale(glm::vec3(1.0f)); // avatar scale is uniform
 
-    // give the pointer to our head to inherited _headData variable from AvatarData
-    _headData = static_cast<HeadData*>(new Head(this));
-
-    _skeletonModel = std::make_shared<SkeletonModel>(this, nullptr, rig);
-    connect(_skeletonModel.get(), &Model::setURLFinished, this, &Avatar::setModelURLFinished);
-
     auto geometryCache = DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>();
     _nameRectGeometryID = geometryCache->allocateID();
     _leftPointerGeometryID = geometryCache->allocateID();
@@ -283,7 +260,7 @@ void Avatar::updateAvatarEntities() {
             // and either add or update the entity.
             QJsonDocument jsonProperties = QJsonDocument::fromBinaryData(data);
             if (!jsonProperties.isObject()) {
-                qCDebug(interfaceapp) << "got bad avatarEntity json" << QString(data.toHex());
+                qCDebug(avatars_renderer) << "got bad avatarEntity json" << QString(data.toHex());
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -306,7 +283,7 @@ void Avatar::updateAvatarEntities() {
             // NOTE: if this avatar entity is not attached to us, strip its entity script completely...
             auto attachedScript = properties.getScript();
             if (!isMyAvatar() && !attachedScript.isEmpty()) {
-                qCDebug(interfaceapp) << "removing entity script from avatar attached entity:" << entityID << "old script:" << attachedScript;
+                qCDebug(avatars_renderer) << "removing entity script from avatar attached entity:" << entityID << "old script:" << attachedScript;
                 QString noScript;
                 properties.setScript(noScript);
             }
@@ -410,7 +387,7 @@ void Avatar::simulate(float deltaTime, bool inView) {
             Head* head = getHead();
             head->setPosition(headPosition);
             head->setScale(getUniformScale());
-            head->simulate(deltaTime, false);
+            head->simulate(deltaTime);
         } else {
             // a non-full update is still required so that the position, rotation, scale and bounds of the skeletonModel are updated.
             _skeletonModel->simulate(deltaTime, false);
@@ -748,12 +725,12 @@ float Avatar::getBoundingRadius() const {
 #ifdef DEBUG
 void debugValue(const QString& str, const glm::vec3& value) {
     if (glm::any(glm::isnan(value)) || glm::any(glm::isinf(value))) {
-        qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "debugValue() " << str << value;
+        qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "debugValue() " << str << value;
     }
 };
 void debugValue(const QString& str, const float& value) {
     if (glm::isnan(value) || glm::isinf(value)) {
-        qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "debugValue() " << str << value;
+        qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "debugValue() " << str << value;
    }
 };
 #define DEBUG_VALUE(str, value) debugValue(str, value)
@@ -783,7 +760,7 @@ glm::vec3 Avatar::getDisplayNamePosition() const {
     }
 
     if (glm::any(glm::isnan(namePosition)) || glm::any(glm::isinf(namePosition))) {
-        qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "Invalid display name position" << namePosition
+        qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "Invalid display name position" << namePosition
                                 << ", setting is to (0.0f, 0.5f, 0.0f)";
         namePosition = glm::vec3(0.0f, 0.5f, 0.0f);
     }
@@ -1115,14 +1092,14 @@ void Avatar::setModelURLFinished(bool success) {
         const int MAX_SKELETON_DOWNLOAD_ATTEMPTS = 4; // NOTE: we don't want to be as generous as ResourceCache is, we only want 4 attempts
         if (_skeletonModel->getResourceDownloadAttemptsRemaining() <= 0 ||
             _skeletonModel->getResourceDownloadAttempts() > MAX_SKELETON_DOWNLOAD_ATTEMPTS) {
-            qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "Using default after failing to load Avatar model: " << _skeletonModelURL 
+            qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "Using default after failing to load Avatar model: " << _skeletonModelURL 
                                     << "after" << _skeletonModel->getResourceDownloadAttempts() << "attempts.";
             // call _skeletonModel.setURL, but leave our copy of _skeletonModelURL alone.  This is so that
             // we don't redo this every time we receive an identity packet from the avatar with the bad url.
             QMetaObject::invokeMethod(_skeletonModel.get(), "setURL",
                 Qt::QueuedConnection, Q_ARG(QUrl, AvatarData::defaultFullAvatarModelUrl()));
         } else {
-            qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "Avatar model: " << _skeletonModelURL 
+            qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "Avatar model: " << _skeletonModelURL 
                     << "failed to load... attempts:" << _skeletonModel->getResourceDownloadAttempts() 
                     << "out of:" << MAX_SKELETON_DOWNLOAD_ATTEMPTS;
         }
@@ -1438,7 +1415,7 @@ void Avatar::setParentID(const QUuid& parentID) {
     if (success) {
         setTransform(beforeChangeTransform, success);
         if (!success) {
-            qCDebug(interfaceapp) << "Avatar::setParentID failed to reset avatar's location.";
+            qCDebug(avatars_renderer) << "Avatar::setParentID failed to reset avatar's location.";
         }
         if (initialParentID != parentID) {
             _parentChanged = usecTimestampNow();
@@ -1456,7 +1433,7 @@ void Avatar::setParentJointIndex(quint16 parentJointIndex) {
     if (success) {
         setTransform(beforeChangeTransform, success);
         if (!success) {
-            qCDebug(interfaceapp) << "Avatar::setParentJointIndex failed to reset avatar's location.";
+            qCDebug(avatars_renderer) << "Avatar::setParentJointIndex failed to reset avatar's location.";
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1488,7 +1465,7 @@ QList<QVariant> Avatar::getSkeleton() {
 void Avatar::addToScene(AvatarSharedPointer myHandle, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     if (scene) {
         auto nodelist = DependencyManager::get<NodeList>();
-        if (DependencyManager::get<SceneScriptingInterface>()->shouldRenderAvatars()
+        if (showAvatars
             && !nodelist->isIgnoringNode(getSessionUUID())
             && !nodelist->isRadiusIgnoringNode(getSessionUUID())) {
             render::Transaction transaction;
@@ -1496,7 +1473,7 @@ void Avatar::addToScene(AvatarSharedPointer myHandle, const render::ScenePointer
             scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
         }
     } else {
-        qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "Avatar::addAvatar() : Unexpected null scene, possibly during application shutdown";
+        qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "Avatar::addAvatar() : Unexpected null scene, possibly during application shutdown";
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.h
similarity index 96%
rename from interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.h
index f86bf35bd9..20704a08b2 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Avatar.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include <AvatarData.h>
 #include <ShapeInfo.h>
 #include <render/Scene.h>
+#include <GLMHelpers.h>
 
 
 #include "Head.h"
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ class Avatar : public AvatarData {
     Q_PROPERTY(glm::vec3 skeletonOffset READ getSkeletonOffset WRITE setSkeletonOffset)
 
 public:
+    static void setShowAvatars(bool render);
     static void setShowReceiveStats(bool receiveStats);
     static void setShowMyLookAtVectors(bool showMine);
     static void setShowOtherLookAtVectors(bool showOthers);
@@ -77,6 +79,8 @@ public:
     explicit Avatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig = nullptr);
     ~Avatar();
 
+    virtual void instantiableAvatar() = 0;
+
     typedef render::Payload<AvatarData> Payload;
     typedef std::shared_ptr<render::Item::PayloadInterface> PayloadPointer;
 
@@ -251,7 +255,6 @@ public:
     bool isInScene() const { return render::Item::isValidID(_renderItemID); }
     bool isMoving() const { return _moving; }
 
-    //void setMotionState(AvatarMotionState* motionState);
     void setPhysicsCallback(AvatarPhysicsCallback cb);
     void addPhysicsFlags(uint32_t flags);
     bool isInPhysicsSimulation() const { return _physicsCallback != nullptr; }
@@ -268,7 +271,6 @@ public slots:
     void setModelURLFinished(bool success);
 
 protected:
-
     const float SMOOTH_TIME_POSITION = 0.125f;
     const float SMOOTH_TIME_ORIENTATION = 0.075f;
 
@@ -282,7 +284,7 @@ protected:
     std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Model>> _attachmentsToRemove;
     std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Model>> _attachmentsToDelete;
 
-    float _bodyYawDelta;  // degrees/sec
+    float _bodyYawDelta { 0.0f };  // degrees/sec
 
     // These position histories and derivatives are in the world-frame.
     // The derivatives are the MEASURED results of all external and internal forces
@@ -298,9 +300,8 @@ protected:
     glm::vec3 _angularAcceleration;
     glm::quat _lastOrientation;
 
-    glm::vec3 _worldUpDirection;
-    float _stringLength;
-    bool _moving; ///< set when position is changing
+    glm::vec3 _worldUpDirection { Vectors::UP };
+    bool _moving { false }; ///< set when position is changing
 
     // protected methods...
     bool isLookingAtMe(AvatarSharedPointer avatar) const;
@@ -336,10 +337,10 @@ protected:
     RateCounter<> _jointDataSimulationRate;
 
     // Smoothing data for blending from one position/orientation to another on remote agents.
-    float _smoothPositionTime;
-    float _smoothPositionTimer;
-    float _smoothOrientationTime;
-    float _smoothOrientationTimer;
+    float _smoothPositionTime { SMOOTH_TIME_POSITION };
+    float _smoothPositionTimer { std::numeric_limits<float>::max() };
+    float _smoothOrientationTime { SMOOTH_TIME_ORIENTATION };
+    float _smoothOrientationTimer { std::numeric_limits<float>::max() };
     glm::vec3 _smoothPositionInitial;
     glm::vec3 _smoothPositionTarget;
     glm::quat _smoothOrientationInitial;
@@ -360,7 +361,7 @@ private:
     int _leftPointerGeometryID { 0 };
     int _rightPointerGeometryID { 0 };
     int _nameRectGeometryID { 0 };
-    bool _initialized;
+    bool _initialized { false };
     bool _isLookAtTarget { false };
     bool _isAnimatingScale { false };
 
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.cpp
similarity index 99%
rename from interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.cpp
index ffa99e3990..0305634400 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.cpp
@@ -9,13 +9,12 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include "AvatarMotionState.h"
+
 #include <PhysicsCollisionGroups.h>
 #include <PhysicsEngine.h>
 #include <PhysicsHelpers.h>
 
-#include "Avatar.h"
-#include "AvatarMotionState.h"
-#include "BulletUtil.h"
 
 AvatarMotionState::AvatarMotionState(AvatarSharedPointer avatar, const btCollisionShape* shape) : ObjectMotionState(shape), _avatar(avatar) {
     assert(_avatar);
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.h
similarity index 98%
rename from interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.h
index a8dd7327ca..f8801ddf2f 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarMotionState.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/AvatarMotionState.h
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@
 #include <QSet>
 
 #include <ObjectMotionState.h>
+#include <BulletUtil.h>
 
-class Avatar;
+#include "Avatar.h"
 
 class AvatarMotionState : public ObjectMotionState {
 public:
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.cpp
similarity index 77%
rename from interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.cpp
index 16e5776d87..a90c9cd5f7 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Head.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.cpp
@@ -8,55 +8,28 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include "Head.h"
+
 #include <glm/gtx/quaternion.hpp>
 #include <gpu/Batch.h>
 
 #include <NodeList.h>
 #include <recording/Deck.h>
+#include <DependencyManager.h>
+#include <GeometryUtil.h>
+#include <trackers/FaceTracker.h>
 #include <trackers/EyeTracker.h>
-
-#include "Application.h"
-#include "Avatar.h"
-#include "DependencyManager.h"
-#include "GeometryUtil.h"
-#include "Head.h"
-#include "Menu.h"
-#include "Util.h"
-#include "devices/DdeFaceTracker.h"
 #include <Rig.h>
 
+#include "Avatar.h"
+
 using namespace std;
 
+static bool fixGaze { false };
+static bool disableEyelidAdjustment { false };
+
 Head::Head(Avatar* owningAvatar) :
-    HeadData((AvatarData*)owningAvatar),
-    _returnHeadToCenter(false),
-    _position(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _rotation(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _leftEyePosition(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _rightEyePosition(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _eyePosition(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _scale(1.0f),
-    _lastLoudness(0.0f),
-    _longTermAverageLoudness(-1.0f),
-    _audioAttack(0.0f),
-    _audioJawOpen(0.0f),
-    _trailingAudioJawOpen(0.0f),
-    _mouth2(0.0f),
-    _mouth3(0.0f),
-    _mouth4(0.0f),
-    _mouthTime(0.0f),
-    _saccade(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _saccadeTarget(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f),
-    _leftEyeBlinkVelocity(0.0f),
-    _rightEyeBlinkVelocity(0.0f),
-    _timeWithoutTalking(0.0f),
-    _deltaPitch(0.0f),
-    _deltaYaw(0.0f),
-    _deltaRoll(0.0f),
-    _isCameraMoving(false),
-    _isLookingAtMe(false),
-    _lookingAtMeStarted(0),
-    _wasLastLookingAtMe(0),
+    HeadData(owningAvatar),
     _leftEyeLookAtID(DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->allocateID()),
     _rightEyeLookAtID(DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->allocateID())
 {
@@ -69,7 +42,7 @@ void Head::reset() {
     _baseYaw = _basePitch = _baseRoll = 0.0f;
 }
 
-void Head::simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine) {
+void Head::simulate(float deltaTime) {
     const float NORMAL_HZ = 60.0f; // the update rate the constant values were tuned for
 
     // grab the audio loudness from the owning avatar, if we have one
@@ -90,43 +63,7 @@ void Head::simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine) {
         _longTermAverageLoudness = glm::mix(_longTermAverageLoudness, _averageLoudness, glm::min(deltaTime / AUDIO_LONG_TERM_AVERAGING_SECS, 1.0f));
     }
 
-    if (isMine) {
-        auto player = DependencyManager::get<recording::Deck>();
-        // Only use face trackers when not playing back a recording.
-        if (!player->isPlaying()) {
-            FaceTracker* faceTracker = qApp->getActiveFaceTracker();
-            _isFaceTrackerConnected = faceTracker != NULL && !faceTracker->isMuted();
-            if (_isFaceTrackerConnected) {
-                _blendshapeCoefficients = faceTracker->getBlendshapeCoefficients();
-
-                if (typeid(*faceTracker) == typeid(DdeFaceTracker)) {
-
-                    if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::UseAudioForMouth)) {
-                        calculateMouthShapes(deltaTime);
-
-                        const int JAW_OPEN_BLENDSHAPE = 21;
-                        const int MMMM_BLENDSHAPE = 34;
-                        const int FUNNEL_BLENDSHAPE = 40;
-                        const int SMILE_LEFT_BLENDSHAPE = 28;
-                        const int SMILE_RIGHT_BLENDSHAPE = 29;
-                        _blendshapeCoefficients[JAW_OPEN_BLENDSHAPE] += _audioJawOpen;
-                        _blendshapeCoefficients[SMILE_LEFT_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth4;
-                        _blendshapeCoefficients[SMILE_RIGHT_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth4;
-                        _blendshapeCoefficients[MMMM_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth2;
-                        _blendshapeCoefficients[FUNNEL_BLENDSHAPE] += _mouth3;
-                    }
-
-                    applyEyelidOffset(getFinalOrientationInWorldFrame());
-                }
-            }
-
-            auto eyeTracker = DependencyManager::get<EyeTracker>();
-            _isEyeTrackerConnected = eyeTracker->isTracking();
-        }
-    }
-
     if (!_isFaceTrackerConnected) {
-
         if (!_isEyeTrackerConnected) {
             // Update eye saccades
             const float AVERAGE_MICROSACCADE_INTERVAL = 1.0f;
@@ -222,7 +159,7 @@ void Head::simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine) {
     } else {
         _saccade = glm::vec3();
     }
-    if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::FixGaze)) { // if debug menu turns off, use no saccade
+    if (fixGaze) { // if debug menu turns off, use no saccade
         _saccade = glm::vec3();
     }
 
@@ -277,7 +214,7 @@ void Head::calculateMouthShapes(float deltaTime) {
 void Head::applyEyelidOffset(glm::quat headOrientation) {
     // Adjusts the eyelid blendshape coefficients so that the eyelid follows the iris as the head pitches.
 
-    if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::DisableEyelidAdjustment)) {
+    if (disableEyelidAdjustment) {
         return;
     }
 
@@ -350,7 +287,7 @@ glm::vec3 Head::getCorrectedLookAtPosition() {
     }
 }
 
-void Head::setCorrectedLookAtPosition(glm::vec3 correctedLookAtPosition) {
+void Head::setCorrectedLookAtPosition(const glm::vec3& correctedLookAtPosition) {
     if (!isLookingAtMe()) {
         _lookingAtMeStarted = usecTimestampNow();
     }
@@ -366,25 +303,6 @@ bool Head::isLookingAtMe() {
     return _isLookingAtMe || (now - _wasLastLookingAtMe) < LOOKING_AT_ME_GAP_ALLOWED;
 }
 
-glm::quat Head::getCameraOrientation() const {
-    // NOTE: Head::getCameraOrientation() is not used for orienting the camera "view" while in Oculus mode, so
-    // you may wonder why this code is here. This method will be called while in Oculus mode to determine how
-    // to change the driving direction while in Oculus mode. It is used to support driving toward where you're
-    // head is looking. Note that in oculus mode, your actual camera view and where your head is looking is not
-    // always the same.
-    if (qApp->isHMDMode()) {
-        MyAvatar* myAvatar = dynamic_cast<MyAvatar*>(_owningAvatar);
-        if (myAvatar) {
-            return glm::quat_cast(myAvatar->getSensorToWorldMatrix()) * myAvatar->getHMDSensorOrientation();
-        } else {
-            return getOrientation();
-        }
-    } else {
-        Avatar* owningAvatar = static_cast<Avatar*>(_owningAvatar);
-        return owningAvatar->getWorldAlignedOrientation() * glm::quat(glm::radians(glm::vec3(_basePitch, 0.0f, 0.0f)));
-    }
-}
-
 glm::quat Head::getEyeRotation(const glm::vec3& eyePosition) const {
     glm::quat orientation = getOrientation();
     glm::vec3 lookAtDelta = _lookAtPosition - eyePosition;
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Head.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.h
similarity index 79%
rename from interface/src/avatar/Head.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.h
index fd20e709f5..aea6a41528 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Head.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Head.h
@@ -11,16 +11,10 @@
 #ifndef hifi_Head_h
 #define hifi_Head_h
 
-#include <glm/glm.hpp>
-#include <glm/gtx/quaternion.hpp>
-
+#include <GLMHelpers.h>
 #include <SharedUtil.h>
-
 #include <HeadData.h>
 
-#include "world.h"
-
-
 const float EYE_EAR_GAP = 0.08f;
 
 class Avatar;
@@ -31,9 +25,9 @@ public:
 
     void init();
     void reset();
-    void simulate(float deltaTime, bool isMine);
+    virtual void simulate(float deltaTime);
     void setScale(float scale);
-    void setPosition(glm::vec3 position) { _position = position; }
+    void setPosition(const glm::vec3& position) { _position = position; }
     void setAverageLoudness(float averageLoudness) { _averageLoudness = averageLoudness; }
     void setReturnToCenter (bool returnHeadToCenter) { _returnHeadToCenter = returnHeadToCenter; }
 
@@ -43,17 +37,14 @@ public:
     /// \return orientationBody * (orientationBase+Delta)
     glm::quat getFinalOrientationInWorldFrame() const;
 
-    /// \return orientationBody * orientationBasePitch
-    glm::quat getCameraOrientation () const;
-
-    void setCorrectedLookAtPosition(glm::vec3 correctedLookAtPosition);
+    void setCorrectedLookAtPosition(const glm::vec3& correctedLookAtPosition);
     glm::vec3 getCorrectedLookAtPosition();
     void clearCorrectedLookAtPosition() { _isLookingAtMe = false; }
     bool isLookingAtMe();
     quint64 getLookingAtMeStarted() { return _lookingAtMeStarted; }
 
     float getScale() const { return _scale; }
-    glm::vec3 getPosition() const { return _position; }
+    const glm::vec3& getPosition() const { return _position; }
     const glm::vec3& getEyePosition() const { return _eyePosition; }
     const glm::vec3& getSaccade() const { return _saccade; }
     glm::vec3 getRightDirection() const { return getOrientation() * IDENTITY_RIGHT; }
@@ -91,46 +82,46 @@ public:
 
     float getTimeWithoutTalking() const { return _timeWithoutTalking; }
 
-private:
+protected:
     glm::vec3 calculateAverageEyePosition() const { return _leftEyePosition + (_rightEyePosition - _leftEyePosition ) * 0.5f; }
 
     // disallow copies of the Head, copy of owning Avatar is disallowed too
     Head(const Head&);
     Head& operator= (const Head&);
 
-    bool _returnHeadToCenter;
+    bool _returnHeadToCenter { false };
     glm::vec3 _position;
     glm::vec3 _rotation;
     glm::vec3 _leftEyePosition;
     glm::vec3 _rightEyePosition;
     glm::vec3 _eyePosition;
 
-    float _scale;
-    float _lastLoudness;
-    float _longTermAverageLoudness;
-    float _audioAttack;
-    float _audioJawOpen;
-    float _trailingAudioJawOpen;
-    float _mouth2;
-    float _mouth3;
-    float _mouth4;
-    float _mouthTime;
+    float _scale { 1.0f };
+    float _lastLoudness { 0.0f };
+    float _longTermAverageLoudness { -1.0f };
+    float _audioAttack { 0.0f };
+    float _audioJawOpen { 0.0f };
+    float _trailingAudioJawOpen { 0.0f };
+    float _mouth2 { 0.0f };
+    float _mouth3 { 0.0f };
+    float _mouth4 { 0.0f };
+    float _mouthTime { 0.0f };
 
     glm::vec3 _saccade;
     glm::vec3 _saccadeTarget;
-    float _leftEyeBlinkVelocity;
-    float _rightEyeBlinkVelocity;
-    float _timeWithoutTalking;
+    float _leftEyeBlinkVelocity { 0.0f };
+    float _rightEyeBlinkVelocity { 0.0f };
+    float _timeWithoutTalking { 0.0f };
 
     // delta angles for local head rotation (driven by hardware input)
-    float _deltaPitch;
-    float _deltaYaw;
-    float _deltaRoll;
+    float _deltaPitch { 0.0f };
+    float _deltaYaw { 0.0f };
+    float _deltaRoll { 0.0f };
 
-    bool _isCameraMoving;
-    bool _isLookingAtMe;
-    quint64 _lookingAtMeStarted;
-    quint64 _wasLastLookingAtMe;
+    bool _isCameraMoving { false };
+    bool _isLookingAtMe { false };
+    quint64 _lookingAtMeStarted { 0 };
+    quint64 _wasLastLookingAtMe { 0 };
 
     glm::vec3 _correctedLookAtPosition;
 
diff --git a/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/AvatarsRendererLogging.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Logging.cpp
similarity index 89%
rename from libraries/avatars-renderer/src/AvatarsRendererLogging.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Logging.cpp
index 2804df1b7a..f50902354d 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/AvatarsRendererLogging.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Logging.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
-#include "AvatarsRendererLogging.h"
+#include "Logging.h"
 
 Q_LOGGING_CATEGORY(avatars_renderer, "hifi.avatars.rendering")
diff --git a/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/AvatarsRendererLogging.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Logging.h
similarity index 100%
rename from libraries/avatars-renderer/src/AvatarsRendererLogging.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/Logging.h
diff --git a/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ad69ba24cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "OtherAvatar.h"
+
+OtherAvatar::OtherAvatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig) : Avatar(thread, rig) {
+    // give the pointer to our head to inherited _headData variable from AvatarData
+    _headData = new Head(this);
+    _skeletonModel = std::make_shared<SkeletonModel>(this, nullptr, rig);
+    connect(_skeletonModel.get(), &Model::setURLFinished, this, &Avatar::setModelURLFinished);
+}
diff --git a/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2f6c9a38aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/OtherAvatar.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+//
+//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2017/04/27
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_OtherAvatar_h
+#define hifi_OtherAvatar_h
+
+#include "Avatar.h"
+
+class OtherAvatar : public Avatar {
+public:
+    explicit OtherAvatar(QThread* thread, RigPointer rig = nullptr);
+    void instantiableAvatar() {};
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_OtherAvatar_h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/ScriptAvatar.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from interface/src/avatar/ScriptAvatar.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.cpp
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/ScriptAvatar.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.h
similarity index 100%
rename from interface/src/avatar/ScriptAvatar.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/ScriptAvatar.h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.cpp
similarity index 66%
rename from interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.cpp
index f81a83523b..8fcc859b62 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.cpp
@@ -9,19 +9,18 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include "SkeletonModel.h"
+
 #include <glm/gtx/transform.hpp>
 #include <QMultiMap>
 
 #include <recording/Deck.h>
 #include <DebugDraw.h>
+#include <AnimDebugDraw.h>
+#include <CharacterController.h>
 
-#include "Application.h"
 #include "Avatar.h"
-#include "Menu.h"
-#include "SkeletonModel.h"
-#include "Util.h"
-#include "InterfaceLogging.h"
-#include "AnimDebugDraw.h"
+#include "Logging.h"
 
 SkeletonModel::SkeletonModel(Avatar* owningAvatar, QObject* parent, RigPointer rig) :
     CauterizedModel(rig, parent),
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ void SkeletonModel::initJointStates() {
     // Determine the default eye position for avatar scale = 1.0
     int headJointIndex = geometry.headJointIndex;
     if (0 > headJointIndex || headJointIndex >= _rig->getJointStateCount()) {
-        qCWarning(interfaceapp) << "Bad head joint! Got:" << headJointIndex << "jointCount:" << _rig->getJointStateCount();
+        qCWarning(avatars_renderer) << "Bad head joint! Got:" << headJointIndex << "jointCount:" << _rig->getJointStateCount();
     }
     glm::vec3 leftEyePosition, rightEyePosition;
     getEyeModelPositions(leftEyePosition, rightEyePosition);
@@ -72,21 +71,6 @@ void SkeletonModel::initJointStates() {
     emit skeletonLoaded();
 }
 
-Rig::CharacterControllerState convertCharacterControllerState(CharacterController::State state) {
-    switch (state) {
-    default:
-    case CharacterController::State::Ground:
-        return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Ground;
-    case CharacterController::State::Takeoff:
-        return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Takeoff;
-    case CharacterController::State::InAir:
-        return Rig::CharacterControllerState::InAir;
-    case CharacterController::State::Hover:
-        return Rig::CharacterControllerState::Hover;
-    };
-}
-
-
 // Called within Model::simulate call, below.
 void SkeletonModel::updateRig(float deltaTime, glm::mat4 parentTransform) {
     const FBXGeometry& geometry = getFBXGeometry();
@@ -102,122 +86,7 @@ void SkeletonModel::updateRig(float deltaTime, glm::mat4 parentTransform) {
         lookAt = _owningAvatar->getHead()->getEyePosition() + (MIN_LOOK_AT_FOCUS_DISTANCE / focusDistance) * focusOffset;
     }
 
-    if (_owningAvatar->isMyAvatar()) {
-        MyAvatar* myAvatar = static_cast<MyAvatar*>(_owningAvatar);
-
-        Rig::HeadParameters headParams;
-
-        // input action is the highest priority source for head orientation.
-        auto avatarHeadPose = myAvatar->getHeadControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (avatarHeadPose.isValid()) {
-            glm::mat4 rigHeadMat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarHeadPose.getRotation(), avatarHeadPose.getTranslation());
-            headParams.rigHeadPosition = extractTranslation(rigHeadMat);
-            headParams.rigHeadOrientation = glmExtractRotation(rigHeadMat);
-            headParams.headEnabled = true;
-        } else {
-            if (qApp->isHMDMode()) {
-                // get HMD position from sensor space into world space, and back into rig space
-                glm::mat4 worldHMDMat = myAvatar->getSensorToWorldMatrix() * myAvatar->getHMDSensorMatrix();
-                glm::mat4 rigToWorld = createMatFromQuatAndPos(getRotation(), getTranslation());
-                glm::mat4 worldToRig = glm::inverse(rigToWorld);
-                glm::mat4 rigHMDMat = worldToRig * worldHMDMat;
-                _rig->computeHeadFromHMD(AnimPose(rigHMDMat), headParams.rigHeadPosition, headParams.rigHeadOrientation);
-                headParams.headEnabled = true;
-            } else {
-                // even though full head IK is disabled, the rig still needs the head orientation to rotate the head up and down in desktop mode.
-                // preMult 180 is necessary to convert from avatar to rig coordinates.
-                // postMult 180 is necessary to convert head from -z forward to z forward.
-                headParams.rigHeadOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * head->getFinalOrientationInLocalFrame() * Quaternions::Y_180;
-                headParams.headEnabled = false;
-            }
-        }
-
-        auto avatarHipsPose = myAvatar->getHipsControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (avatarHipsPose.isValid()) {
-            glm::mat4 rigHipsMat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarHipsPose.getRotation(), avatarHipsPose.getTranslation());
-            headParams.hipsMatrix = rigHipsMat;
-            headParams.hipsEnabled = true;
-        } else {
-            headParams.hipsEnabled = false;
-        }
-
-        auto avatarSpine2Pose = myAvatar->getSpine2ControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (avatarSpine2Pose.isValid()) {
-            glm::mat4 rigSpine2Mat = Matrices::Y_180 * createMatFromQuatAndPos(avatarSpine2Pose.getRotation(), avatarSpine2Pose.getTranslation());
-            headParams.spine2Matrix = rigSpine2Mat;
-            headParams.spine2Enabled = true;
-        } else {
-            headParams.spine2Enabled = false;
-        }
-
-        headParams.isTalking = head->getTimeWithoutTalking() <= 1.5f;
-
-        _rig->updateFromHeadParameters(headParams, deltaTime);
-
-        Rig::HandAndFeetParameters handAndFeetParams;
-
-        auto leftPose = myAvatar->getLeftHandControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (leftPose.isValid()) {
-            handAndFeetParams.isLeftEnabled = true;
-            handAndFeetParams.leftPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftPose.getTranslation();
-            handAndFeetParams.leftOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftPose.getRotation();
-        } else {
-            handAndFeetParams.isLeftEnabled = false;
-        }
-
-        auto rightPose = myAvatar->getRightHandControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (rightPose.isValid()) {
-            handAndFeetParams.isRightEnabled = true;
-            handAndFeetParams.rightPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightPose.getTranslation();
-            handAndFeetParams.rightOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightPose.getRotation();
-        } else {
-            handAndFeetParams.isRightEnabled = false;
-        }
-
-        auto leftFootPose = myAvatar->getLeftFootControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (leftFootPose.isValid()) {
-            handAndFeetParams.isLeftFootEnabled = true;
-            handAndFeetParams.leftFootPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftFootPose.getTranslation();
-            handAndFeetParams.leftFootOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * leftFootPose.getRotation();
-        } else {
-            handAndFeetParams.isLeftFootEnabled = false;
-        }
-
-        auto rightFootPose = myAvatar->getRightFootControllerPoseInAvatarFrame();
-        if (rightFootPose.isValid()) {
-            handAndFeetParams.isRightFootEnabled = true;
-            handAndFeetParams.rightFootPosition = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightFootPose.getTranslation();
-            handAndFeetParams.rightFootOrientation = Quaternions::Y_180 * rightFootPose.getRotation();
-        } else {
-            handAndFeetParams.isRightFootEnabled = false;
-        }
-
-        handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleRadius = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleRadius();
-        handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleHalfHeight = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleHalfHeight();
-        handAndFeetParams.bodyCapsuleLocalOffset = myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getCapsuleLocalOffset();
-
-        _rig->updateFromHandAndFeetParameters(handAndFeetParams, deltaTime);
-
-        Rig::CharacterControllerState ccState = convertCharacterControllerState(myAvatar->getCharacterController()->getState());
-
-        auto velocity = myAvatar->getLocalVelocity();
-        auto position = myAvatar->getLocalPosition();
-        auto orientation = myAvatar->getLocalOrientation();
-        _rig->computeMotionAnimationState(deltaTime, position, velocity, orientation, ccState);
-
-        // evaluate AnimGraph animation and update jointStates.
-        Model::updateRig(deltaTime, parentTransform);
-
-        Rig::EyeParameters eyeParams;
-        eyeParams.eyeLookAt = lookAt;
-        eyeParams.eyeSaccade = head->getSaccade();
-        eyeParams.modelRotation = getRotation();
-        eyeParams.modelTranslation = getTranslation();
-        eyeParams.leftEyeJointIndex = geometry.leftEyeJointIndex;
-        eyeParams.rightEyeJointIndex = geometry.rightEyeJointIndex;
-
-        _rig->updateFromEyeParameters(eyeParams);
-    } else {
+    if (!_owningAvatar->isMyAvatar()) {
         // no need to call Model::updateRig() because otherAvatars get their joint state
         // copied directly from AvtarData::_jointData (there are no Rig animations to blend)
         _needsUpdateClusterMatrices = true;
@@ -249,6 +118,9 @@ void SkeletonModel::updateRig(float deltaTime, glm::mat4 parentTransform) {
 
         _rig->updateFromEyeParameters(eyeParams);
      }
+
+    // evaluate AnimGraph animation and update jointStates.
+    Model::updateRig(deltaTime, parentTransform);
 }
 
 void SkeletonModel::updateAttitude() {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.h b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.h
similarity index 99%
rename from interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.h
rename to libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.h
index 7a6081a010..23af04e964 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SkeletonModel.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars-renderer/src/avatars-renderer/SkeletonModel.h
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ protected:
 
     void computeBoundingShape();
 
-private:
+protected:
 
     bool getEyeModelPositions(glm::vec3& firstEyePosition, glm::vec3& secondEyePosition) const;
 
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
index b4c79470de..6196c4eeb3 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarData.h
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ const quint32 AVATAR_MOTION_SCRIPTABLE_BITS =
 //     +-----+-----+-+-+-+--+
 // Key state - K0,K1 is found in the 1st and 2nd bits
 // Hand state - H0,H1,H2 is found in the 3rd, 4th, and 8th bits
-// Faceshift - F is found in the 5th bit
+// Face tracker - F is found in the 5th bit
 // Eye tracker - E is found in the 6th bit
 // Referential Data - R is found in the 7th bit
 const int KEY_STATE_START_BIT = 0; // 1st and 2nd bits
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ namespace AvatarDataPacket {
     // it might be nice to use a dictionary to compress that
 
     // Packet State Flags - we store the details about the existence of other records in this bitset:
-    // AvatarGlobalPosition, Avatar Faceshift, eye tracking, and existence of
+    // AvatarGlobalPosition, Avatar face tracker, eye tracking, and existence of
     using HasFlags = uint16_t;
     const HasFlags PACKET_HAS_AVATAR_GLOBAL_POSITION = 1U << 0;
     const HasFlags PACKET_HAS_AVATAR_BOUNDING_BOX    = 1U << 1;
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/HeadData.cpp b/libraries/avatars/src/HeadData.cpp
index 271ce133a2..b55be7c156 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/HeadData.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/HeadData.cpp
@@ -23,11 +23,6 @@
 
 #include "AvatarData.h"
 
-/// The names of the blendshapes expected by Faceshift, terminated with an empty string.
-extern const char* FACESHIFT_BLENDSHAPES[];
-/// The size of FACESHIFT_BLENDSHAPES
-extern const int NUM_FACESHIFT_BLENDSHAPES;
-
 HeadData::HeadData(AvatarData* owningAvatar) :
     _baseYaw(0.0f),
     _basePitch(0.0f),
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp
similarity index 94%
rename from interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp
index c11f92083b..2e3d0385cd 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 #include <PerfStat.h>
 
-#include "SkeletonModel.h"
+#include "CauterizedModel.h"
 
 using namespace render;
 
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ void CauterizedMeshPartPayload::updateTransformForCauterizedMesh(
 
 void CauterizedMeshPartPayload::bindTransform(gpu::Batch& batch, const render::ShapePipeline::LocationsPointer locations, RenderArgs::RenderMode renderMode) const {
     // Still relying on the raw data from the model
-    SkeletonModel* skeleton = static_cast<SkeletonModel*>(_model);
+    CauterizedModel* skeleton = static_cast<CauterizedModel*>(_model);
     bool useCauterizedMesh = (renderMode != RenderArgs::RenderMode::SHADOW_RENDER_MODE) && skeleton->getEnableCauterization();
 
     if (useCauterizedMesh) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h
similarity index 87%
rename from interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h
index dc88e950c1..010cd6fcb6 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 //
-//  CauterizedModelMeshPartPayload.h
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
 //  Created by AndrewMeadows 2017.01.17
-//  Copyright 2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//  Copyright 2013-2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
 //  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
@@ -12,7 +9,7 @@
 #ifndef hifi_CauterizedMeshPartPayload_h
 #define hifi_CauterizedMeshPartPayload_h
 
-#include <MeshPartPayload.h>
+#include "MeshPartPayload.h"
 
 class CauterizedMeshPartPayload : public ModelMeshPartPayload {
 public:
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.cpp
similarity index 98%
rename from interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.cpp
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.cpp
index d7b7e0fedf..14625952ea 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  CauterizedModel.cpp
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
 //  Created by Andrew Meadows 2017.01.17
 //  Copyright 2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
@@ -11,10 +8,10 @@
 
 #include "CauterizedModel.h"
 
-#include <AbstractViewStateInterface.h>
-#include <MeshPartPayload.h>
 #include <PerfStat.h>
 
+#include "AbstractViewStateInterface.h"
+#include "MeshPartPayload.h"
 #include "CauterizedMeshPartPayload.h"
 #include "RenderUtilsLogging.h"
 
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.h
similarity index 95%
rename from interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.h
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.h
index ba12aee32b..39bcedf639 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/CauterizedModel.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/CauterizedModel.h
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  CauterizeableModel.h
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
 //  Created by Andrew Meadows 2016.01.17
 //  Copyright 2017 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
@@ -13,7 +10,7 @@
 #define hifi_CauterizedModel_h
 
 
-#include <Model.h>
+#include "Model.h"
 
 class CauterizedModel : public Model {
     Q_OBJECT
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
similarity index 97%
rename from interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
index 0521f7a893..8fef0f8f77 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  SoftAttachmentModel.cpp
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
 //  Created by Anthony J. Thibault on 12/17/15.
 //  Copyright 2013 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
@@ -10,7 +7,6 @@
 //
 
 #include "SoftAttachmentModel.h"
-#include "InterfaceLogging.h"
 
 SoftAttachmentModel::SoftAttachmentModel(RigPointer rig, QObject* parent, RigPointer rigOverride) :
     CauterizedModel(rig, parent),
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.h
similarity index 95%
rename from interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.h
rename to libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.h
index fea679839a..b66c1a289a 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/SoftAttachmentModel.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/SoftAttachmentModel.h
@@ -1,7 +1,4 @@
 //
-//  SoftAttachmentModel.h
-//  interface/src/avatar
-//
 //  Created by Anthony J. Thibault on 12/17/15.
 //  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.cpp b/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.cpp
index db42fef8bc..70237e8ff6 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.cpp
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.cpp
@@ -582,3 +582,9 @@ glm::mat4 orthoInverse(const glm::mat4& m) {
     r[3][3] = 1.0f;
     return r;
 }
+
+//  Return a random vector of average length 1
+glm::vec3 randVector() {
+    return glm::vec3(randFloat() - 0.5f, randFloat() - 0.5f, randFloat() - 0.5f) * 2.0f;
+}
+
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.h b/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.h
index fd75fa416c..ef92552d1f 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/GLMHelpers.h
@@ -252,6 +252,9 @@ inline bool isNaN(const glm::quat& value) { return isNaN(value.w) || isNaN(value
 
 glm::mat4 orthoInverse(const glm::mat4& m);
 
+//  Return a random vector of average length 1
+glm::vec3 randVector();
+
 //
 // Safe replacement of glm_mat4_mul() for unaligned arguments instead of __m128
 //
diff --git a/interface/src/Camera.cpp b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.cpp
similarity index 79%
rename from interface/src/Camera.cpp
rename to libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.cpp
index 37f53e3cc2..48fea9e835 100644
--- a/interface/src/Camera.cpp
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.cpp
@@ -8,16 +8,7 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
-#include <glm/gtx/quaternion.hpp>
-
-#include <SharedUtil.h>
-#include <EventTypes.h>
-
-#include "Application.h"
 #include "Camera.h"
-#include "Menu.h"
-#include "Util.h"
-
 
 CameraMode stringToMode(const QString& mode) {
     if (mode == "third person") {
@@ -102,35 +93,9 @@ void Camera::setProjection(const glm::mat4& projection) {
     _projection = projection;
 }
 
-PickRay Camera::computePickRay(float x, float y) {
-    return qApp->computePickRay(x, y);
-}
-
 void Camera::setModeString(const QString& mode) {
     CameraMode targetMode = stringToMode(mode);
 
-    switch (targetMode) {
-        case CAMERA_MODE_FIRST_PERSON:
-            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::FirstPerson, true);
-            break;
-        case CAMERA_MODE_THIRD_PERSON:
-            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::ThirdPerson, true);
-            break;
-        case CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR:
-            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::FullscreenMirror, true);
-            break;
-        case CAMERA_MODE_INDEPENDENT:
-            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::IndependentMode, true);
-            break;
-        case CAMERA_MODE_ENTITY:
-            Menu::getInstance()->setIsOptionChecked(MenuOption::CameraEntityMode, true);
-            break;
-        default:
-            break;
-    }
-
-    qApp->cameraMenuChanged();
-    
     if (_mode != targetMode) {
         setMode(targetMode);
     }
diff --git a/interface/src/Camera.h b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.h
similarity index 94%
rename from interface/src/Camera.h
rename to libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.h
index c5a3b192ba..5f2162ff6e 100644
--- a/interface/src/Camera.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/shared/Camera.h
@@ -11,11 +11,9 @@
 #ifndef hifi_Camera_h
 #define hifi_Camera_h
 
-#include <glm/glm.hpp>
-#include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
-#include <glm/gtc/matrix_transform.hpp>
-#include <RegisteredMetaTypes.h>
-#include <ViewFrustum.h>
+#include "../GLMHelpers.h"
+#include "../RegisteredMetaTypes.h"
+#include "../ViewFrustum.h"
 
 enum CameraMode
 {
@@ -87,7 +85,7 @@ public slots:
      * @param {float} y Y-coordinate on screen.
      * @return {PickRay} The computed {PickRay}.
      */
-    PickRay computePickRay(float x, float y);
+    virtual PickRay computePickRay(float x, float y) const = 0;
 
     /**jsdoc
      * Set the camera to look at position <code>position</code>. Only works while in <code>independent</code>.
diff --git a/tests/render-perf/src/Camera.hpp b/tests/render-perf/src/Camera.hpp
index ada1277c47..0fea933041 100644
--- a/tests/render-perf/src/Camera.hpp
+++ b/tests/render-perf/src/Camera.hpp
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 #include <GLMHelpers.h>
 
-class Camera {
+class SimpleCamera {
 protected:
     float fov { 60.0f };
     float znear { DEFAULT_NEAR_CLIP }, zfar { DEFAULT_FAR_CLIP };
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ public:
 
     std::bitset<KEYS_SIZE> keys;
 
-    Camera() {
+    SimpleCamera() {
         matrices.perspective = glm::perspective(glm::radians(fov), aspect, znear, zfar);
     }
 
diff --git a/tests/render-perf/src/main.cpp b/tests/render-perf/src/main.cpp
index a1120ee3e1..cff866edbf 100644
--- a/tests/render-perf/src/main.cpp
+++ b/tests/render-perf/src/main.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public:
     }
 };
 
-class QWindowCamera : public Camera {
+class QWindowCamera : public SimpleCamera {
     Key forKey(int key) {
         switch (key) {
             case Qt::Key_W: return FORWARD;
@@ -1067,7 +1067,7 @@ private:
     }
 
     void cycleMode() {
-        static auto defaultProjection = Camera().matrices.perspective;
+        static auto defaultProjection = SimpleCamera().matrices.perspective;
         _renderMode = (RenderMode)((_renderMode + 1) % RENDER_MODE_COUNT);
         if (_renderMode == HMD) {
             _camera.matrices.perspective[0] = vec4 { 0.759056330, 0.000000000, 0.000000000, 0.000000000 };