diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
index 807a240763..32dd280502 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
@@ -431,13 +431,13 @@ void EntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronous(const ScenePointer& scene, Transa
         _visible = entity->getVisible();
         setIsVisibleInSecondaryCamera(entity->isVisibleInSecondaryCamera());
         setRenderLayer(entity->getRenderLayer());
-        setPrimitiveMode(entity->getPrimitiveMode());
+        _primitiveMode = entity->getPrimitiveMode();
         _canCastShadow = entity->getCanCastShadow();
         setCullWithParent(entity->getCullWithParent());
         _cauterized = entity->getCauterized();
         if (entity->needsZoneOcclusionUpdate()) {
             entity->resetNeedsZoneOcclusionUpdate();
-            setRenderWithZones(entity->getRenderWithZones());
+            _renderWithZones = entity->getRenderWithZones();
         }
         entity->setNeedsRenderUpdate(false);
     });
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
index 69fb9aca23..ca3e024338 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
@@ -108,18 +108,7 @@ protected:
 
     virtual void setIsVisibleInSecondaryCamera(bool value) { _isVisibleInSecondaryCamera = value; }
     virtual void setRenderLayer(RenderLayer value) { _renderLayer = value; }
-    virtual void setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode value) { _primitiveMode = value; }
     virtual void setCullWithParent(bool value) { _cullWithParent = value; }
-    virtual void setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones) { _renderWithZones = renderWithZones; }
-
-    template <typename F, typename T>
-    T withReadLockResult(const std::function<T()>& f) {
-        T result;
-        withReadLock([&] {
-            result = f();
-        });
-        return result;
-    }
 
 signals:
     void requestRenderUpdate();
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGizmoEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGizmoEntityItem.cpp
index 7a36ae2707..6928454eb0 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGizmoEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGizmoEntityItem.cpp
@@ -52,14 +52,11 @@ void GizmoEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
 void GizmoEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
     bool dirty = false;
     RingGizmoPropertyGroup ringProperties = entity->getRingProperties();
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _gizmoType = entity->getGizmoType();
-        if (_ringProperties != ringProperties) {
-            _ringProperties = ringProperties;
-            dirty = true;
-
-        }
-    });
+    _gizmoType = entity->getGizmoType();
+    if (_ringProperties != ringProperties) {
+        _ringProperties = ringProperties;
+        dirty = true;
+    }
 
     if (dirty || _prevPrimitiveMode != _primitiveMode || !_ringGeometryID || !_majorTicksGeometryID || !_minorTicksGeometryID) {
         _prevPrimitiveMode = _primitiveMode;
@@ -242,19 +239,20 @@ void GizmoEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
 
     if (_gizmoType == GizmoType::RING) {
         Transform transform;
-        bool hasTickMarks;
-        glm::vec4 tickProperties;
+        bool hasTickMarks = _ringProperties.getHasTickMarks();
+        glm::vec4 tickProperties = glm::vec4(_ringProperties.getMajorTickMarksAngle(), _ringProperties.getMajorTickMarksLength(),
+                                             _ringProperties.getMinorTickMarksAngle(), _ringProperties.getMinorTickMarksLength());
         bool forward;
+        bool wireframe;
+        bool transparent;
         withReadLock([&] {
             transform = _renderTransform;
-            hasTickMarks = _ringProperties.getHasTickMarks();
-            tickProperties = glm::vec4(_ringProperties.getMajorTickMarksAngle(), _ringProperties.getMajorTickMarksLength(),
-                                       _ringProperties.getMinorTickMarksAngle(), _ringProperties.getMinorTickMarksLength());
+            transparent = isTransparent();
+            wireframe = render::ShapeKey(args->_globalShapeKey).isWireframe() || _primitiveMode == PrimitiveMode::LINES;
             forward = _renderLayer != RenderLayer::WORLD || args->_renderMethod == Args::RenderMethod::FORWARD;
         });
 
-        bool wireframe = render::ShapeKey(args->_globalShapeKey).isWireframe() || _primitiveMode == PrimitiveMode::LINES;
-        geometryCache->bindSimpleProgram(batch, false, isTransparent(), wireframe, true, true, forward, graphics::MaterialKey::CULL_NONE);
+        geometryCache->bindSimpleProgram(batch, false, transparent, wireframe, true, true, forward, graphics::MaterialKey::CULL_NONE);
 
         batch.setModelTransform(transform);
 
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.cpp
index 52900d0798..35702c63e4 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.cpp
@@ -30,16 +30,6 @@ bool GridEntityRenderer::isTransparent() const {
 }
 
 void GridEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _color = entity->getColor();
-        _alpha = entity->getAlpha();
-        _pulseProperties = entity->getPulseProperties();
-
-        _followCamera = entity->getFollowCamera();
-        _majorGridEvery = entity->getMajorGridEvery();
-        _minorGridEvery = entity->getMinorGridEvery();
-    });
-
     void* key = (void*)this;
     AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->pushPostUpdateLambda(key, [this, entity] {
         withWriteLock([&] {
@@ -49,6 +39,16 @@ void GridEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scen
     });
 }
 
+void GridEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+    _color = entity->getColor();
+    _alpha = entity->getAlpha();
+    _pulseProperties = entity->getPulseProperties();
+
+    _followCamera = entity->getFollowCamera();
+    _majorGridEvery = entity->getMajorGridEvery();
+    _minorGridEvery = entity->getMinorGridEvery();
+}
+
 Item::Bound GridEntityRenderer::getBound() {
     if (_followCamera) {
         // This is a UI element that should always be in view, lie to the octree to avoid culling
@@ -73,13 +73,12 @@ ShapeKey GridEntityRenderer::getShapeKey() {
 }
 
 void GridEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
-    glm::vec4 color;
+    glm::vec4 color = glm::vec4(toGlm(_color), _alpha);
+    color = EntityRenderer::calculatePulseColor(color, _pulseProperties, _created);
     glm::vec3 dimensions;
     Transform renderTransform;
     bool forward;
     withReadLock([&] {
-        color = glm::vec4(toGlm(_color), _alpha);
-        color = EntityRenderer::calculatePulseColor(color, _pulseProperties, _created);
         dimensions = _dimensions;
         renderTransform = _renderTransform;
         forward = _renderLayer != RenderLayer::WORLD || args->_renderMethod == Args::RenderMethod::FORWARD;
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.h
index 2ecff01d01..3cd8bab822 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableGridEntityItem.h
@@ -30,10 +30,11 @@ protected:
 
 private:
     virtual void doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
+    virtual void doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
     virtual void doRender(RenderArgs* args) override;
 
-    glm::u8vec3 _color;
-    float _alpha;
+    glm::u8vec3 _color { NAN };
+    float _alpha { NAN };
     PulsePropertyGroup _pulseProperties;
 
     bool _followCamera;
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.cpp
index 4d19a83ae6..b9b30ea9c7 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.cpp
@@ -29,44 +29,7 @@ bool ImageEntityRenderer::isTransparent() const {
     return Parent::isTransparent() || (_textureIsLoaded && _texture->getGPUTexture() && _texture->getGPUTexture()->getUsage().isAlpha()) || _alpha < 1.0f || _pulseProperties.getAlphaMode() != PulseMode::NONE;
 }
 
-bool ImageEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdate() const {
-    if (resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        return !_textureIsLoaded;
-    })) {
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    return Parent::needsRenderUpdate();
-}
-
 void ImageEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        auto imageURL = entity->getImageURL();
-        if (_imageURL != imageURL) {
-            _imageURL = imageURL;
-            if (imageURL.isEmpty()) {
-                _texture.reset();
-            } else {
-                _texture = DependencyManager::get<TextureCache>()->getTexture(_imageURL);
-            }
-            _textureIsLoaded = false;
-        }
-
-        _emissive = entity->getEmissive();
-        _keepAspectRatio = entity->getKeepAspectRatio();
-        _subImage = entity->getSubImage();
-
-        _color = entity->getColor();
-        _alpha = entity->getAlpha();
-        _pulseProperties = entity->getPulseProperties();
-        _billboardMode = entity->getBillboardMode();
-
-        if (!_textureIsLoaded) {
-            emit requestRenderUpdate();
-        }
-        _textureIsLoaded = _texture && (_texture->isLoaded() || _texture->isFailed());
-    });
-
     void* key = (void*)this;
     AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->pushPostUpdateLambda(key, [this, entity] {
         withWriteLock([&] {
@@ -76,6 +39,33 @@ void ImageEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
     });
 }
 
+void ImageEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+    auto imageURL = entity->getImageURL();
+    if (_imageURL != imageURL) {
+        _imageURL = imageURL;
+        if (imageURL.isEmpty()) {
+            _texture.reset();
+        } else {
+            _texture = DependencyManager::get<TextureCache>()->getTexture(_imageURL);
+        }
+        _textureIsLoaded = false;
+    }
+
+    _emissive = entity->getEmissive();
+    _keepAspectRatio = entity->getKeepAspectRatio();
+    _subImage = entity->getSubImage();
+
+    _color = entity->getColor();
+    _alpha = entity->getAlpha();
+    _pulseProperties = entity->getPulseProperties();
+    _billboardMode = entity->getBillboardMode();
+
+    if (!_textureIsLoaded) {
+        emit requestRenderUpdate();
+    }
+    _textureIsLoaded = _texture && (_texture->isLoaded() || _texture->isFailed());
+}
+
 Item::Bound ImageEntityRenderer::getBound() {
     auto bound = Parent::getBound();
     if (_billboardMode != BillboardMode::NONE) {
@@ -93,33 +83,26 @@ ShapeKey ImageEntityRenderer::getShapeKey() {
         builder.withTranslucent();
     }
 
-    withReadLock([&] {
-        if (_emissive) {
-            builder.withUnlit();
-        }
+    if (_emissive) {
+        builder.withUnlit();
+    }
 
-        if (_primitiveMode == PrimitiveMode::LINES) {
-            builder.withWireframe();
-        }
-    });
+    if (_primitiveMode == PrimitiveMode::LINES) {
+        builder.withWireframe();
+    }
 
     return builder.build();
 }
 
 void ImageEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
-    NetworkTexturePointer texture;
-    QRect subImage;
-    glm::vec4 color;
+    glm::vec4 color = glm::vec4(toGlm(_color), _alpha);
+    color = EntityRenderer::calculatePulseColor(color, _pulseProperties, _created);
     Transform transform;
     withReadLock([&] {
-        texture = _texture;
-        subImage = _subImage;
-        color = glm::vec4(toGlm(_color), _alpha);
-        color = EntityRenderer::calculatePulseColor(color, _pulseProperties, _created);
         transform = _renderTransform;
     });
 
-    if (!_visible || !texture || !texture->isLoaded() || color.a == 0.0f) {
+    if (!_visible || !_texture || !_texture->isLoaded() || color.a == 0.0f) {
         return;
     }
 
@@ -129,28 +112,28 @@ void ImageEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
     transform.setRotation(EntityItem::getBillboardRotation(transform.getTranslation(), transform.getRotation(), _billboardMode, args->getViewFrustum().getPosition()));
 
     batch->setModelTransform(transform);
-    batch->setResourceTexture(0, texture->getGPUTexture());
+    batch->setResourceTexture(0, _texture->getGPUTexture());
 
-    float imageWidth = texture->getWidth();
-    float imageHeight = texture->getHeight();
+    float imageWidth = _texture->getWidth();
+    float imageHeight = _texture->getHeight();
 
     QRect fromImage;
-    if (subImage.width() <= 0) {
+    if (_subImage.width() <= 0) {
         fromImage.setX(0);
         fromImage.setWidth(imageWidth);
     } else {
-        float scaleX = imageWidth / texture->getOriginalWidth();
-        fromImage.setX(scaleX * subImage.x());
-        fromImage.setWidth(scaleX * subImage.width());
+        float scaleX = imageWidth / _texture->getOriginalWidth();
+        fromImage.setX(scaleX * _subImage.x());
+        fromImage.setWidth(scaleX * _subImage.width());
     }
 
-    if (subImage.height() <= 0) {
+    if (_subImage.height() <= 0) {
         fromImage.setY(0);
         fromImage.setHeight(imageHeight);
     } else {
-        float scaleY = imageHeight / texture->getOriginalHeight();
-        fromImage.setY(scaleY * subImage.y());
-        fromImage.setHeight(scaleY * subImage.height());
+        float scaleY = imageHeight / _texture->getOriginalHeight();
+        fromImage.setY(scaleY * _subImage.y());
+        fromImage.setHeight(scaleY * _subImage.height());
     }
 
     float maxSize = glm::max(fromImage.width(), fromImage.height());
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.h
index d73bc9bc05..35d60a230f 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableImageEntityItem.h
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ protected:
     bool isTransparent() const override;
 
 private:
-    virtual bool needsRenderUpdate() const override;
     virtual void doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
+    virtual void doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
     virtual void doRender(RenderArgs* args) override;
 
     QString _imageURL;
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.cpp
index c1b024a478..8d9ce24992 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.cpp
@@ -16,199 +16,186 @@
 using namespace render;
 using namespace render::entities;
 
-bool MaterialEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdate() const {
-    if (_retryApply) {
-        return true;
-    }
-    if (!_texturesLoaded) {
-        return true;
-    }
-    return Parent::needsRenderUpdate();
-}
-
 bool MaterialEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) const {
     if (resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        if (entity->getTransform() != _transform) {
-            return true;
-        }
-        if (entity->getUnscaledDimensions() != _dimensions) {
-            return true;
-        }
-        if (entity->getParentID() != _parentID) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        return false;
+        return entity->getParentID() != _parentID;
     })) {
         return true;
     }
     return false;
 }
 
-void MaterialEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        bool deleteNeeded = false;
-        bool addNeeded = _retryApply;
-        bool transformChanged = false;
-        {
-            MaterialMappingMode mode = entity->getMaterialMappingMode();
-            if (mode != _materialMappingMode) {
-                _materialMappingMode = mode;
-                transformChanged = true;
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            bool repeat = entity->getMaterialRepeat();
-            if (repeat != _materialRepeat) {
-                _materialRepeat = repeat;
-                transformChanged = true;
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            glm::vec2 mappingPos = entity->getMaterialMappingPos();
-            glm::vec2 mappingScale = entity->getMaterialMappingScale();
-            float mappingRot = entity->getMaterialMappingRot();
-            if (mappingPos != _materialMappingPos || mappingScale != _materialMappingScale || mappingRot != _materialMappingRot) {
-                _materialMappingPos = mappingPos;
-                _materialMappingScale = mappingScale;
-                _materialMappingRot = mappingRot;
-                transformChanged |= _materialMappingMode == MaterialMappingMode::UV;
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            Transform transform = entity->getTransform();
-            glm::vec3 dimensions = entity->getUnscaledDimensions();
-            if (transform != _transform || dimensions != _dimensions) {
-                _transform = transform;
-                _dimensions = dimensions;
-                transformChanged |= _materialMappingMode == MaterialMappingMode::PROJECTED;
-            }
-        }
-
-        {
-            auto material = getMaterial();
-            // Update the old material regardless of if it's going to change
-            if (transformChanged && material && !_parentID.isNull()) {
-                deleteNeeded = true;
-                addNeeded = true;
-                applyTextureTransform(material);
-            }
-        }
-
-        bool urlChanged = false;
-        std::string newCurrentMaterialName = _currentMaterialName;
-        {
-            QString materialURL = entity->getMaterialURL();
-            if (materialURL != _materialURL) {
-                _materialURL = materialURL;
-                if (_materialURL.contains("#")) {
-                    auto split = _materialURL.split("#");
-                    newCurrentMaterialName = split.last().toStdString();
-                } else if (_materialURL.contains("?")) {
-                    qDebug() << "DEPRECATED: Use # instead of ? for material URLS:" << _materialURL;
-                    auto split = _materialURL.split("?");
-                    newCurrentMaterialName = split.last().toStdString();
-                }
-                urlChanged = true;
-            }
-        }
-
-        bool usingMaterialData = _materialURL.startsWith("materialData");
-        bool materialDataChanged = false;
-        QUuid oldParentID = _parentID;
-        QString oldParentMaterialName = _parentMaterialName;
-        {
-            QString materialData = entity->getMaterialData();
-            if (materialData != _materialData) {
-                _materialData = materialData;
-                if (usingMaterialData) {
-                    materialDataChanged = true;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            QString parentMaterialName = entity->getParentMaterialName();
-            if (parentMaterialName != _parentMaterialName) {
-                _parentMaterialName = parentMaterialName;
-                deleteNeeded = true;
-                addNeeded = true;
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            QUuid parentID = entity->getParentID();
-            if (parentID != _parentID) {
-                _parentID = parentID;
-                deleteNeeded = true;
-                addNeeded = true;
-            }
-        }
-        {
-            quint16 priority = entity->getPriority();
-            if (priority != _priority) {
-                _priority = priority;
-                deleteNeeded = true;
-                addNeeded = true;
-            }
-        }
-
-        if (urlChanged && !usingMaterialData) {
-            _networkMaterial = DependencyManager::get<MaterialCache>()->getMaterial(_materialURL);
-            auto onMaterialRequestFinished = [this, entity, oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName, newCurrentMaterialName](bool success) {
-                if (success) {
-                    deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
-                    _texturesLoaded = false;
-                    _parsedMaterials = _networkMaterial->parsedMaterials;
-                    setCurrentMaterialName(newCurrentMaterialName);
-                    applyMaterial(entity);
-                } else {
-                    deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
-                    _retryApply = false;
-                    _texturesLoaded = true;
-                }
-            };
-            if (_networkMaterial) {
-                if (_networkMaterial->isLoaded()) {
-                    onMaterialRequestFinished(!_networkMaterial->isFailed());
-                } else {
-                    connect(_networkMaterial.data(), &Resource::finished, this, [this, onMaterialRequestFinished](bool success) {
-                        withWriteLock([&] {
-                            onMaterialRequestFinished(success);
-                        });
-                    });
-                }
-            }
-        } else if (materialDataChanged && usingMaterialData) {
-            deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
-            _texturesLoaded = false;
-            _parsedMaterials = NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMaterials(QJsonDocument::fromJson(_materialData.toUtf8()), _materialURL);
-            // Since our material changed, the current name might not be valid anymore, so we need to update
-            setCurrentMaterialName(newCurrentMaterialName);
-            applyMaterial(entity);
-        } else {
-            if (deleteNeeded) {
-                deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
-            }
-            if (addNeeded) {
-                applyMaterial(entity);
-            }
-        }
-
-        {
-            auto material = getMaterial();
-            bool newTexturesLoaded = material ? !material->isMissingTexture() : false;
-            if (!_texturesLoaded && newTexturesLoaded) {
-                material->checkResetOpacityMap();
-            }
-            _texturesLoaded = newTexturesLoaded;
-        }
-
-        _renderTransform = getModelTransform();
-        const float MATERIAL_ENTITY_SCALE = 0.5f;
-        _renderTransform.postScale(MATERIAL_ENTITY_SCALE);
-        _renderTransform.postScale(ENTITY_ITEM_DEFAULT_DIMENSIONS);
+void MaterialEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+    void* key = (void*)this;
+    AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->pushPostUpdateLambda(key, [this, entity] {
+        withWriteLock([&] {
+            _renderTransform = getModelTransform();
+            const float MATERIAL_ENTITY_SCALE = 0.5f;
+            _renderTransform.postScale(MATERIAL_ENTITY_SCALE);
+            _renderTransform.postScale(ENTITY_ITEM_DEFAULT_DIMENSIONS);
+        });
     });
 }
 
+void MaterialEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+    bool deleteNeeded = false;
+    bool addNeeded = _retryApply;
+    bool transformChanged = false;
+    {
+        MaterialMappingMode mode = entity->getMaterialMappingMode();
+        if (mode != _materialMappingMode) {
+            _materialMappingMode = mode;
+            transformChanged = true;
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        bool repeat = entity->getMaterialRepeat();
+        if (repeat != _materialRepeat) {
+            _materialRepeat = repeat;
+            transformChanged = true;
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        glm::vec2 mappingPos = entity->getMaterialMappingPos();
+        glm::vec2 mappingScale = entity->getMaterialMappingScale();
+        float mappingRot = entity->getMaterialMappingRot();
+        if (mappingPos != _materialMappingPos || mappingScale != _materialMappingScale || mappingRot != _materialMappingRot) {
+            _materialMappingPos = mappingPos;
+            _materialMappingScale = mappingScale;
+            _materialMappingRot = mappingRot;
+            transformChanged |= _materialMappingMode == MaterialMappingMode::UV;
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        Transform transform = entity->getTransform();
+        glm::vec3 dimensions = entity->getUnscaledDimensions();
+        if (transform != _transform || dimensions != _dimensions) {
+            _transform = transform;
+            _dimensions = dimensions;
+            transformChanged |= _materialMappingMode == MaterialMappingMode::PROJECTED;
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        auto material = getMaterial();
+        // Update the old material regardless of if it's going to change
+        if (transformChanged && material && !_parentID.isNull()) {
+            deleteNeeded = true;
+            addNeeded = true;
+            applyTextureTransform(material);
+        }
+    }
+
+    bool urlChanged = false;
+    std::string newCurrentMaterialName = _currentMaterialName;
+    {
+        QString materialURL = entity->getMaterialURL();
+        if (materialURL != _materialURL) {
+            _materialURL = materialURL;
+            if (_materialURL.contains("#")) {
+                auto split = _materialURL.split("#");
+                newCurrentMaterialName = split.last().toStdString();
+            } else if (_materialURL.contains("?")) {
+                qDebug() << "DEPRECATED: Use # instead of ? for material URLS:" << _materialURL;
+                auto split = _materialURL.split("?");
+                newCurrentMaterialName = split.last().toStdString();
+            }
+            urlChanged = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    bool usingMaterialData = _materialURL.startsWith("materialData");
+    bool materialDataChanged = false;
+    QUuid oldParentID = _parentID;
+    QString oldParentMaterialName = _parentMaterialName;
+    {
+        QString materialData = entity->getMaterialData();
+        if (materialData != _materialData) {
+            _materialData = materialData;
+            if (usingMaterialData) {
+                materialDataChanged = true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        QString parentMaterialName = entity->getParentMaterialName();
+        if (parentMaterialName != _parentMaterialName) {
+            _parentMaterialName = parentMaterialName;
+            deleteNeeded = true;
+            addNeeded = true;
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        QUuid parentID = entity->getParentID();
+        if (parentID != _parentID) {
+            _parentID = parentID;
+            deleteNeeded = true;
+            addNeeded = true;
+        }
+    }
+    {
+        quint16 priority = entity->getPriority();
+        if (priority != _priority) {
+            _priority = priority;
+            deleteNeeded = true;
+            addNeeded = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (urlChanged && !usingMaterialData) {
+        _networkMaterial = DependencyManager::get<MaterialCache>()->getMaterial(_materialURL);
+        auto onMaterialRequestFinished = [this, entity, oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName, newCurrentMaterialName](bool success) {
+            deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
+            if (success) {
+                _texturesLoaded = false;
+                _parsedMaterials = _networkMaterial->parsedMaterials;
+                setCurrentMaterialName(newCurrentMaterialName);
+                applyMaterial(entity);
+                emit requestRenderUpdate();
+            } else {
+                _retryApply = false;
+                _texturesLoaded = true;
+            }
+        };
+        if (_networkMaterial) {
+            if (_networkMaterial->isLoaded()) {
+                onMaterialRequestFinished(!_networkMaterial->isFailed());
+            } else {
+                connect(_networkMaterial.data(), &Resource::finished, this, [this, onMaterialRequestFinished](bool success) {
+                    onMaterialRequestFinished(success);
+                });
+            }
+        }
+    } else if (materialDataChanged && usingMaterialData) {
+        deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
+        _texturesLoaded = false;
+        _parsedMaterials = NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMaterials(QJsonDocument::fromJson(_materialData.toUtf8()), _materialURL);
+        // Since our material changed, the current name might not be valid anymore, so we need to update
+        setCurrentMaterialName(newCurrentMaterialName);
+        applyMaterial(entity);
+    } else {
+        if (deleteNeeded) {
+            deleteMaterial(oldParentID, oldParentMaterialName);
+        }
+        if (addNeeded) {
+            applyMaterial(entity);
+        }
+    }
+
+    {
+        auto material = getMaterial();
+        bool newTexturesLoaded = material ? !material->isMissingTexture() : false;
+        if (!_texturesLoaded && newTexturesLoaded) {
+            material->checkResetOpacityMap();
+        }
+        _texturesLoaded = newTexturesLoaded;
+    }
+
+    if (!_texturesLoaded || _retryApply) {
+        emit requestRenderUpdate();
+    }
+}
+
 ItemKey MaterialEntityRenderer::getKey() {
     auto builder = ItemKey::Builder().withTypeShape().withTagBits(getTagMask()).withLayer(getHifiRenderLayer());
 
@@ -276,25 +263,26 @@ void MaterialEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
         return;
     }
 
-    Transform renderTransform;
-    graphics::MaterialPointer drawMaterial;
+    graphics::MaterialPointer drawMaterial = getMaterial();
     bool proceduralRender = false;
     Transform textureTransform;
+    textureTransform.setTranslation(glm::vec3(_materialMappingPos, 0));
+    textureTransform.setRotation(glm::vec3(0, 0, glm::radians(_materialMappingRot)));
+    textureTransform.setScale(glm::vec3(_materialMappingScale, 1));
+
+    Transform renderTransform;
     withReadLock([&] {
         renderTransform = _renderTransform;
-        drawMaterial = getMaterial();
-        textureTransform.setTranslation(glm::vec3(_materialMappingPos, 0));
-        textureTransform.setRotation(glm::vec3(0, 0, glm::radians(_materialMappingRot)));
-        textureTransform.setScale(glm::vec3(_materialMappingScale, 1));
-
-        if (drawMaterial && drawMaterial->isProcedural() && drawMaterial->isReady()) {
-            proceduralRender = true;
-        }
     });
+
     if (!drawMaterial) {
         return;
     }
 
+    if (drawMaterial->isProcedural() && drawMaterial->isReady()) {
+        proceduralRender = true;
+    }
+
     batch.setModelTransform(renderTransform);
 
     if (!proceduralRender) {
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
index 3a73c988eb..7d455c98de 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ public:
     ~MaterialEntityRenderer() { deleteMaterial(_parentID, _parentMaterialName); }
 
 private:
-    virtual bool needsRenderUpdate() const override;
     virtual bool needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) const override;
+    virtual void doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
     virtual void doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
     virtual void doRender(RenderArgs* args) override;
 
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
index 8c766d0ab8..a508ff7f56 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ ModelPointer ModelEntityWrapper::getModel() const {
 
 bool ModelEntityWrapper::isModelLoaded() const {
     return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        return _model.operator bool() && _model->isLoaded();
+        return _model && _model->isLoaded();
     });
 }
 
@@ -69,8 +69,7 @@ EntityItemPointer RenderableModelEntityItem::factory(const EntityItemID& entityI
 RenderableModelEntityItem::RenderableModelEntityItem(const EntityItemID& entityItemID, bool dimensionsInitialized) :
     ModelEntityWrapper(entityItemID),
     _dimensionsInitialized(dimensionsInitialized) {
-    
-    
+
 }
 
 RenderableModelEntityItem::~RenderableModelEntityItem() { }
@@ -182,20 +181,24 @@ void RenderableModelEntityItem::updateModelBounds() {
     }
 
     bool overridingModelTransform = model->isOverridingModelTransformAndOffset();
+    glm::vec3 scaledDimensions = getScaledDimensions();
+    glm::vec3 registrationPoint = getRegistrationPoint();
+    QString modelURL = getModelURL();
     if (!overridingModelTransform &&
-        (model->getScaleToFitDimensions() != getScaledDimensions() ||
-         model->getRegistrationPoint() != getRegistrationPoint() ||
+        (model->getScaleToFitDimensions() != scaledDimensions ||
+         model->getRegistrationPoint() != registrationPoint ||
+         model->getURL() != modelURL ||
          !model->getIsScaledToFit())) {
         // The machinery for updateModelBounds will give existing models the opportunity to fix their
         // translation/rotation/scale/registration.  The first two are straightforward, but the latter two
         // have guards to make sure they don't happen after they've already been set.  Here we reset those guards.
         // This doesn't cause the entity values to change -- it just allows the model to match once it comes in.
-        model->setScaleToFit(false, getScaledDimensions());
-        model->setSnapModelToRegistrationPoint(false, getRegistrationPoint());
+        model->setScaleToFit(false, scaledDimensions);
+        model->setSnapModelToRegistrationPoint(false, registrationPoint);
 
         // now recalculate the bounds and registration
-        model->setScaleToFit(true, getScaledDimensions());
-        model->setSnapModelToRegistrationPoint(true, getRegistrationPoint());
+        model->setScaleToFit(true, scaledDimensions);
+        model->setSnapModelToRegistrationPoint(true, registrationPoint);
         updateRenderItems = true;
         model->scaleToFit();
     }
@@ -248,8 +251,6 @@ EntityItemProperties RenderableModelEntityItem::getProperties(const EntityProper
         }
     }
 
-
-
     return properties;
 }
 
@@ -960,13 +961,13 @@ QStringList RenderableModelEntityItem::getJointNames() const {
 }
 
 scriptable::ScriptableModelBase render::entities::ModelEntityRenderer::getScriptableModel() {
-    auto model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([this]{ return _model; });
+    auto model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] { return _model; });
 
     if (!model || !model->isLoaded()) {
         return scriptable::ScriptableModelBase();
     }
 
-    auto result = _model->getScriptableModel();
+    auto result = model->getScriptableModel();
     result.objectID = getEntity()->getID();
     {
         std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_materialsLock);
@@ -1054,10 +1055,10 @@ ModelEntityRenderer::ModelEntityRenderer(const EntityItemPointer& entity) : Pare
 
 }
 
-void ModelEntityRenderer::setKey(bool didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed) {
+void ModelEntityRenderer::setKey(bool didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, const ModelPointer& model) {
     auto builder = ItemKey::Builder().withTypeMeta().withTagBits(getTagMask()).withLayer(getHifiRenderLayer());
 
-    if (!_cullWithParent && _model && _model->isGroupCulled()) {
+    if (!_cullWithParent && model && model->isGroupCulled()) {
         builder.withMetaCullGroup();
     } else if (_cullWithParent) {
         builder.withSubMetaCulled();
@@ -1075,8 +1076,9 @@ ItemKey ModelEntityRenderer::getKey() {
 }
 
 uint32_t ModelEntityRenderer::metaFetchMetaSubItems(ItemIDs& subItems) const {
-    if (_model) {
-        auto metaSubItems = _model->fetchRenderItemIDs();
+    auto model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] { return _model; });
+    if (model) {
+        auto metaSubItems = model->fetchRenderItemIDs();
         subItems.insert(subItems.end(), metaSubItems.begin(), metaSubItems.end());
         return (uint32_t)metaSubItems.size();
     }
@@ -1089,8 +1091,9 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::handleBlendedVertices(int blendshapeNumber, const QVec
 }
 
 void ModelEntityRenderer::removeFromScene(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction) {
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->removeFromScene(scene, transaction);
+    auto model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] { return _model; });
+    if (model) {
+        model->removeFromScene(scene, transaction);
     }
     Parent::removeFromScene(scene, transaction);
 }
@@ -1099,7 +1102,7 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::onRemoveFromSceneTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entit
     entity->setModel({});
 }
 
-void ModelEntityRenderer::animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+void ModelEntityRenderer::animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity, const ModelPointer& model) {
     if (!_animation || !_animation->isLoaded()) {
         return;
     }
@@ -1124,17 +1127,17 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
         _lastKnownCurrentFrame = currentIntegerFrame;
     }
 
-    if (_jointMapping.size() != _model->getJointStateCount()) {
+    if (_jointMapping.size() != model->getJointStateCount()) {
         qCWarning(entitiesrenderer) << "RenderableModelEntityItem::getAnimationFrame -- joint count mismatch"
-                    << _jointMapping.size() << _model->getJointStateCount();
+                    << _jointMapping.size() << model->getJointStateCount();
         return;
     }
 
     QStringList animationJointNames = _animation->getHFMModel().getJointNames();
     auto& hfmJoints = _animation->getHFMModel().joints;
 
-    auto& originalHFMJoints = _model->getHFMModel().joints;
-    auto& originalHFMIndices = _model->getHFMModel().jointIndices;
+    auto& originalHFMJoints = model->getHFMModel().joints;
+    auto& originalHFMIndices = model->getHFMModel().jointIndices;
 
     bool allowTranslation = entity->getAnimationAllowTranslation();
 
@@ -1183,90 +1186,39 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
 }
 
 bool ModelEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdate() const {
-    if (resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        if (_moving || _animating) {
-            return true;
-        }
+    //ModelPointer model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] {
+    //    return _model;
+    //});
 
-        if (!_texturesLoaded) {
-            return true;
-        }
+    //if (model) {
+    //    // When the individual mesh parts of a model finish fading, they will mark their Model as needing updating
+    //    // we will watch for that and ask the model to update it's render items
+    //    if (model->needsReload()) {
+    //        return true;
+    //    }
 
-        if (!_prevModelLoaded) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        return false;
-    })) {
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    ModelPointer model;
-    QUrl parsedModelURL;
-    withReadLock([&] {
-        model = _model;
-        parsedModelURL = _parsedModelURL;
-    });
-
-    if (model) {
-        // When the individual mesh parts of a model finish fading, they will mark their Model as needing updating
-        // we will watch for that and ask the model to update it's render items
-        if (parsedModelURL != model->getURL()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        if (model->needsReload()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        if (model->needsFixupInScene()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        if (model->getRenderItemsNeedUpdate()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-    }
+    //    if (model->needsFixupInScene()) {
+    //        return true;
+    //    }
+    //}
     return Parent::needsRenderUpdate();
 }
 
 bool ModelEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) const {
-    if (resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        if (entity->hasModel() != _hasModel) {
-            return true;
-        }
+    if (entity->blendshapesChanged()) {
+        return true;
+    }
 
-        // No model to render, early exit
-        if (!_hasModel) {
-            return false;
-        }
+    // Check to see if we need to update the model bounds
+    if (entity->needsUpdateModelBounds()) {
+        return true;
+    }
 
-        if (_animating != entity->isAnimatingSomething()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        return false;
-    })) { return true; }
-
-    ModelPointer model;
-    withReadLock([&] {
-        model = _model;
+    ModelPointer model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] {
+        return _model;
     });
 
     if (model && model->isLoaded()) {
-        if (!entity->_dimensionsInitialized || entity->_needsInitialSimulation || !entity->_originalTexturesRead) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        if (entity->blendshapesChanged()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
-        // Check to see if we need to update the model bounds
-        if (entity->needsUpdateModelBounds()) {
-            return true;
-        }
-
         // Check to see if we need to update the model bounds
         auto transform = entity->getTransform();
         if (model->getTranslation() != transform.getTranslation() ||
@@ -1280,48 +1232,38 @@ bool ModelEntityRenderer::needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPoin
         }
     }
 
-    return false;
+    return Parent::needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(entity);
 }
 
-void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
+void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
     DETAILED_PROFILE_RANGE(simulation_physics, __FUNCTION__);
-    if (_hasModel != entity->hasModel()) {
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _hasModel = entity->hasModel();
-        });
+
+    _hasModel = entity->hasModel();
+    if (_parsedModelURL != entity->getModelURL()) {
+        _parsedModelURL = QUrl(entity->getModelURL());
     }
 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animating = entity->isAnimatingSomething();
-        if (_parsedModelURL != entity->getModelURL()) {
-            _parsedModelURL = QUrl(entity->getModelURL());
-        }
+    ModelPointer model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] {
+        return _model;
     });
 
-    ModelPointer model;
-    withReadLock([&] { model = _model; });
+    bool visuallyReady = model && model->isLoaded() && _didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed && _texturesLoaded;
+    entity->setVisuallyReady(visuallyReady);
 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        bool visuallyReady = true;
-        if (_hasModel) {
-            if (model && _didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed) {
-                visuallyReady = (_prevModelLoaded && _texturesLoaded);
-            }
-        }
-        entity->setVisuallyReady(visuallyReady);
-    });
+    const render::ScenePointer& scene = AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->getMain3DScene();
+    render::Transaction transaction;
 
     // Check for removal
     if (!_hasModel) {
         if (model) {
             model->removeFromScene(scene, transaction);
             entity->bumpAncestorChainRenderableVersion();
-            withWriteLock([&] { _model.reset(); });
             emit DependencyManager::get<scriptable::ModelProviderFactory>()->
-                modelRemovedFromScene(entity->getEntityItemID(), NestableType::Entity, _model);
+                modelRemovedFromScene(entity->getEntityItemID(), NestableType::Entity, model);
+            withWriteLock([&] { model.reset(); });
         }
-        setKey(false);
         _didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed = false;
+        setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, model);
         return;
     }
 
@@ -1330,18 +1272,28 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
         model = std::make_shared<Model>(nullptr, entity.get(), _created);
         connect(model.get(), &Model::requestRenderUpdate, this, &ModelEntityRenderer::requestRenderUpdate);
         connect(model.get(), &Model::setURLFinished, this, [&](bool didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed) {
-            setKey(didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
-            _model->setTagMask(getTagMask());
-            _model->setHifiRenderLayer(getHifiRenderLayer());
-            _model->setPrimitiveMode(_primitiveMode);
-            _model->setCullWithParent(_cullWithParent);
-            _model->setRenderWithZones(_renderWithZones);
-            emit requestRenderUpdate();
+            const render::ScenePointer& scene = AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->getMain3DScene();
+            withWriteLock([&] {
+                setKey(didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, _model);
+                _model->setVisibleInScene(_visible, scene);
+                _model->setCauterized(_cauterized, scene);
+                _model->setCanCastShadow(_canCastShadow, scene);
+                _model->setGroupCulled(entity->getGroupCulled(), scene);
+                _model->setTagMask(getTagMask(), scene);
+                _model->setHifiRenderLayer(getHifiRenderLayer(), scene);
+                _model->setPrimitiveMode(_primitiveMode, scene);
+                _model->setCullWithParent(_cullWithParent, scene);
+                _model->setRenderWithZones(_renderWithZones, scene);
+            });
             if (didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed) {
                 emit DependencyManager::get<scriptable::ModelProviderFactory>()->
-                    modelAddedToScene(entity->getEntityItemID(), NestableType::Entity, _model);
+                    modelAddedToScene(entity->getEntityItemID(), NestableType::Entity, model);
             }
             _didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed = didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed;
+            entity->_dimensionsInitialized = false;
+            entity->_originalTexturesRead = false;
+            entity->_needsJointSimulation = true;
+            emit requestRenderUpdate();
         });
         model->setLoadingPriority(EntityTreeRenderer::getEntityLoadingPriority(*entity));
         entity->setModel(model);
@@ -1350,24 +1302,15 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
 
     // From here on, we are guaranteed a populated model
     if (_parsedModelURL != model->getURL()) {
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _texturesLoaded = false;
-            _jointMappingCompleted = false;
-            model->setURL(_parsedModelURL);
-        });
+        _texturesLoaded = false;
+        _jointMappingCompleted = false;
+        model->setURL(_parsedModelURL);
     }
 
     // Nothing else to do unless the model is loaded
     if (!model->isLoaded()) {
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _prevModelLoaded = false;
-        });
         emit requestRenderUpdate();
         return;
-    } else if (!_prevModelLoaded) {
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _prevModelLoaded = true;
-        });
     }
 
     // Check for initializing the model
@@ -1383,6 +1326,7 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
 
         QMetaObject::invokeMethod(DependencyManager::get<EntityScriptingInterface>().data(), "editEntity",
             Qt::QueuedConnection, Q_ARG(QUuid, entity->getEntityItemID()), Q_ARG(EntityItemProperties, properties));
+        entity->_dimensionsInitialized = true;
     }
 
     if (!entity->_originalTexturesRead) {
@@ -1393,51 +1337,34 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
 
     if (_textures != entity->getTextures()) {
         QVariantMap newTextures;
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _texturesLoaded = false;
-            _textures = entity->getTextures();
-            newTextures = parseTexturesToMap(_textures, entity->_originalTextures);
-        });
+        _texturesLoaded = false;
+        _textures = entity->getTextures();
+        newTextures = parseTexturesToMap(_textures, entity->_originalTextures);
         model->setTextures(newTextures);
     }
+
     if (entity->_needsJointSimulation) {
         entity->copyAnimationJointDataToModel();
     }
     entity->updateModelBounds();
     entity->stopModelOverrideIfNoParent();
 
-    if (model->isVisible() != _visible) {
-        model->setVisibleInScene(_visible, scene);
-    }
-
-    if (model->isCauterized() != _cauterized) {
-        model->setCauterized(_cauterized, scene);
-    }
-
-    render::hifi::Tag tagMask = getTagMask();
-    if (model->getTagMask() != tagMask) {
-        model->setTagMask(tagMask, scene);
-    }
+    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, model);
+    model->setVisibleInScene(_visible, scene);
+    model->setCauterized(_cauterized, scene);
+    model->setCanCastShadow(_canCastShadow, scene);
+    model->setGroupCulled(entity->getGroupCulled(), scene);
+    model->setTagMask(getTagMask(), scene);
+    model->setHifiRenderLayer(getHifiRenderLayer(), scene);
+    model->setPrimitiveMode(_primitiveMode, scene);
+    model->setCullWithParent(_cullWithParent, scene);
+    model->setRenderWithZones(_renderWithZones, scene);
 
     if (entity->blendshapesChanged()) {
         model->setBlendshapeCoefficients(entity->getBlendshapeCoefficientVector());
         model->updateBlendshapes();
     }
 
-    // TODO? early exit here when not visible?
-
-    if (model->canCastShadow() != _canCastShadow) {
-        model->setCanCastShadow(_canCastShadow, scene);
-    }
-
-    {
-        bool groupCulled = entity->getGroupCulled();
-        if (model->isGroupCulled() != groupCulled) {
-            model->setGroupCulled(groupCulled);
-            setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
-        }
-    }
-
     {
         DETAILED_PROFILE_RANGE(simulation_physics, "Fixup");
         if (model->needsFixupInScene()) {
@@ -1452,9 +1379,7 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
     }
 
     if (!_texturesLoaded && model->getGeometry() && model->getGeometry()->areTexturesLoaded()) {
-        withWriteLock([&] {
-            _texturesLoaded = true;
-        });
+        _texturesLoaded = true;
         model->updateRenderItems();
     } else if (!_texturesLoaded) {
         emit requestRenderUpdate();
@@ -1491,9 +1416,13 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
         model->updateRenderItems();
     }
 
+    scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
+}
+
+void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) {
     // The code to deal with the change of properties is now in ModelEntityItem.cpp
     // That is where _currentFrame and _lastAnimated were updated.
-    if (_animating) {
+    if (entity->isAnimatingSomething()) {
         DETAILED_PROFILE_RANGE(simulation_physics, "Animate");
 
         auto animationURL = entity->getAnimationURL();
@@ -1502,18 +1431,20 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
             _animationURL = animationURL;
 
             if (_animation) {
-                //(_animation->getURL().toString() != entity->getAnimationURL())) { // bad check
                 // the joints have been mapped before but we have a new animation to load
                 _animation.reset();
                 _jointMappingCompleted = false;
             }
         }
-
+        
+        ModelPointer model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] {
+            return _model;
+        });
         if (!_jointMappingCompleted) {
             mapJoints(entity, model);
         }
-        if (entity->readyToAnimate()) {
-            animate(entity);
+        if (entity->readyToAnimate() && model && model->isLoaded()) {
+            animate(entity, model);
         }
         emit requestRenderUpdate();
     }
@@ -1521,40 +1452,20 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& sce
 
 void ModelEntityRenderer::setIsVisibleInSecondaryCamera(bool value) {
     Parent::setIsVisibleInSecondaryCamera(value);
-    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->setTagMask(getTagMask());
-    }
+    // called within a lock so no need to lock for _model
+    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, _model);
 }
 
 void ModelEntityRenderer::setRenderLayer(RenderLayer value) {
     Parent::setRenderLayer(value);
-    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->setHifiRenderLayer(getHifiRenderLayer());
-    }
-}
-
-void ModelEntityRenderer::setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode value) {
-    Parent::setPrimitiveMode(value);
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->setPrimitiveMode(_primitiveMode);
-    }
+    // called within a lock so no need to lock for _model
+    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, _model);
 }
 
 void ModelEntityRenderer::setCullWithParent(bool value) {
     Parent::setCullWithParent(value);
-    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->setCullWithParent(_cullWithParent);
-    }
-}
-
-void ModelEntityRenderer::setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones) {
-    Parent::setRenderWithZones(renderWithZones);
-    if (_model) {
-        _model->setRenderWithZones(renderWithZones);
-    }
+    // called within a lock so no need to lock for _model
+    setKey(_didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, _model);
 }
 
 // NOTE: this only renders the "meta" portion of the Model, namely it renders debugging items
@@ -1570,9 +1481,8 @@ void ModelEntityRenderer::doRender(RenderArgs* args) {
     geometryCache->renderWireCubeInstance(args, batch, greenColor, geometryCache->getShapePipelinePointer(false, false, args->_renderMethod == Args::RenderMethod::FORWARD));
 
 #if WANT_EXTRA_DEBUGGING
-    ModelPointer model;
-    withReadLock([&] {
-        model = _model;
+    ModelPointer model = resultWithReadLock<ModelPointer>([&] {
+        return _model;
     });
     if (model) {
         model->renderDebugMeshBoxes(batch, args->_renderMethod == Args::RenderMethod::FORWARD);
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
index 850617d1af..4cccc327bc 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableModelEntityItem.h
@@ -153,25 +153,24 @@ protected:
     virtual void removeFromScene(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction) override;
     virtual void onRemoveFromSceneTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
 
-    void setKey(bool didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed);
+    void setKey(bool didVisualGeometryRequestSucceed, const ModelPointer& model);
     virtual ItemKey getKey() override;
     virtual uint32_t metaFetchMetaSubItems(ItemIDs& subItems) const override;
     virtual void handleBlendedVertices(int blendshapeNumber, const QVector<BlendshapeOffset>& blendshapeOffsets,
                                        const QVector<int>& blendedMeshSizes, const render::ItemIDs& subItemIDs) override;
 
-    virtual bool needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) const override;
     virtual bool needsRenderUpdate() const override;
-    virtual void doRender(RenderArgs* args) override;
+    virtual bool needsRenderUpdateFromTypedEntity(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) const override;
     virtual void doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
+    virtual void doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
+    virtual void doRender(RenderArgs* args) override;
 
     void setIsVisibleInSecondaryCamera(bool value) override;
     void setRenderLayer(RenderLayer value) override;
-    void setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode value) override;
     void setCullWithParent(bool value) override;
-    void setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones) override;
 
 private:
-    void animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity);
+    void animate(const TypedEntityPointer& entity, const ModelPointer& model);
     void mapJoints(const TypedEntityPointer& entity, const ModelPointer& model);
 
     // Transparency is handled in ModelMeshPartPayload
@@ -192,14 +191,12 @@ private:
     bool _jointMappingCompleted { false };
     QVector<int> _jointMapping; // domain is index into model-joints, range is index into animation-joints
     AnimationPointer _animation;
-    bool _animating { false };
     QString _animationURL;
     uint64_t _lastAnimated { 0 };
 
     render::ItemKey _itemKey { render::ItemKey::Builder().withTypeMeta() };
 
     bool _didLastVisualGeometryRequestSucceed { true };
-    bool _prevModelLoaded { false };
 
     void processMaterials();
     bool _allProceduralMaterialsLoaded { false };
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/LightEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/LightEntityItem.cpp
index 715b457bde..0dcb5d125a 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/LightEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/LightEntityItem.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,14 @@ void LightEntityItem::setFalloffRadius(float value) {
 }
 
 void LightEntityItem::setIsSpotlight(bool value) {
-    if (value == getIsSpotlight()) {
+    bool needsRenderUpdate;
+    withWriteLock([&] {
+        needsRenderUpdate = value != _isSpotlight;
+        _needsRenderUpdate |= needsRenderUpdate;
+        _isSpotlight = value;
+    });
+
+    if (!needsRenderUpdate) {
         return;
     }
 
@@ -92,25 +99,25 @@ void LightEntityItem::setIsSpotlight(bool value) {
         newDimensions = glm::vec3(glm::compMax(dimensions));
     }
 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _needsRenderUpdate = true;
-        _isSpotlight = value;
-    });
     setScaledDimensions(newDimensions);
 }
 
 void LightEntityItem::setCutoff(float value) {
     value = glm::clamp(value, MIN_CUTOFF, MAX_CUTOFF);
-    if (value == getCutoff()) {
+    bool needsRenderUpdate;
+    bool spotlight;
+    withWriteLock([&] {
+        needsRenderUpdate = value != _cutoff;
+        _needsRenderUpdate |= needsRenderUpdate;
+        _cutoff = value;
+        spotlight = _isSpotlight;
+    });
+
+    if (!needsRenderUpdate) {
         return;
     }
 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _needsRenderUpdate = true;
-        _cutoff = value;
-    });
-
-    if (getIsSpotlight()) {
+    if (spotlight) {
         // If we are a spotlight, adjusting the cutoff will affect the area we encapsulate,
         // so update the dimensions to reflect this.
         const float length = getScaledDimensions().z;
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.cpp
index cd27c1cf36..3a4e96d7bd 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.cpp
@@ -330,13 +330,6 @@ void ModelEntityItem::setCompoundShapeURL(const QString& url) {
     });
 }
 
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationURL(const QString& url) {
-    _flags |= Simulation::DIRTY_UPDATEABLE;
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setURL(url);
-    });
-}
-
 void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationSettings(const QString& value) {
     // NOTE: this method only called for old bitstream format
 
@@ -399,20 +392,6 @@ void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationSettings(const QString& value) {
     });
 }
 
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationIsPlaying(bool value) {
-    _flags |= Simulation::DIRTY_UPDATEABLE;
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setRunning(value);
-    });
-}
-
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationFPS(float value) {
-    _flags |= Simulation::DIRTY_UPDATEABLE;
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setFPS(value);
-    });
-}
-
 void ModelEntityItem::resizeJointArrays(int newSize) {
     if (newSize < 0) {
         return;
@@ -629,61 +608,18 @@ void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationCurrentFrame(float value) {
     });
 }
 
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationAllowTranslation(bool value) {
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setAllowTranslation(value);
-    });
-}
-
 bool ModelEntityItem::getAnimationAllowTranslation() const {
     return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
         return _animationProperties.getAllowTranslation();
     });
 }
 
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationLoop(bool loop) { 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setLoop(loop);
-    });
-}
-
-bool ModelEntityItem::getAnimationLoop() const {
-    return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        return _animationProperties.getLoop();
-    });
-}
-
-
-void ModelEntityItem::setAnimationHold(bool hold) { 
-    withWriteLock([&] {
-        _animationProperties.setHold(hold);
-    });
-}
-
-bool ModelEntityItem::getAnimationHold() const { 
-    return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        return _animationProperties.getHold();
-    });
-}
-
-bool ModelEntityItem::getAnimationIsPlaying() const { 
-    return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
-        return _animationProperties.getRunning();
-    });
-}
-
 float ModelEntityItem::getAnimationCurrentFrame() const { 
     return resultWithReadLock<float>([&] {
         return _animationProperties.getCurrentFrame();
     });
 }
 
-float ModelEntityItem::getAnimationFPS() const {
-    return resultWithReadLock<float>([&] {
-        return _animationProperties.getFPS();
-    });
-}
-
 bool ModelEntityItem::isAnimatingSomething() const {
     return resultWithReadLock<bool>([&] {
         return _animationProperties.isValidAndRunning();
@@ -722,6 +658,7 @@ bool ModelEntityItem::applyNewAnimationProperties(AnimationPropertyGroup newProp
     bool somethingChanged = newProperties != _animationProperties;
     if (somethingChanged) {
         _animationProperties = newProperties;
+        _needsRenderUpdate = true;
         _flags |= Simulation::DIRTY_UPDATEABLE;
     }
     return somethingChanged;
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.h
index 795630a72a..59bb6d67cf 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/ModelEntityItem.h
@@ -85,24 +85,12 @@ public:
 
     // Animation related items...
     AnimationPropertyGroup getAnimationProperties() const;
-
-    // TODO: audit and remove unused Animation accessors
     bool hasAnimation() const;
     QString getAnimationURL() const;
-    virtual void setAnimationURL(const QString& url);
-
     void setAnimationCurrentFrame(float value);
-    void setAnimationIsPlaying(bool value);
-    void setAnimationFPS(float value); 
-
-    void setAnimationAllowTranslation(bool value);
+    float getAnimationCurrentFrame() const;
     bool getAnimationAllowTranslation() const;
-
-    void setAnimationLoop(bool loop);
-    bool getAnimationLoop() const;
-
-    void setAnimationHold(bool hold);
-    bool getAnimationHold() const;
+    bool isAnimatingSomething() const;
 
     void setRelayParentJoints(bool relayJoints);
     bool getRelayParentJoints() const;
@@ -110,11 +98,6 @@ public:
     void setGroupCulled(bool value);
     bool getGroupCulled() const;
 
-    bool getAnimationIsPlaying() const;
-    float getAnimationCurrentFrame() const;
-    float getAnimationFPS() const;
-    bool isAnimatingSomething() const;
-
     static const QString DEFAULT_TEXTURES;
     const QString getTextures() const;
     void setTextures(const QString& textures);
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
index 182b83762c..e46bdc03b3 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
@@ -958,16 +958,20 @@ void Model::setCauterized(bool cauterized, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     }
 }
 
-void Model::setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode primitiveMode) {
+void Model::setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode primitiveMode, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     if (_primitiveMode != primitiveMode) {
         _primitiveMode = primitiveMode;
-        updateRenderItemsKey(nullptr);
+        updateRenderItemsKey(scene);
     }
 }
 
-void Model::setCullWithParent(bool cullWithParent) {
+void Model::setCullWithParent(bool cullWithParent, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     if (_cullWithParent != cullWithParent) {
         _cullWithParent = cullWithParent;
+        if (!scene) {
+            _needsFixupInScene = true;
+            return;
+        }
 
         render::Transaction transaction;
         auto renderItemsKey = _renderItemKeyGlobalFlags;
@@ -977,14 +981,27 @@ void Model::setCullWithParent(bool cullWithParent) {
                 data.updateKey(renderItemsKey);
             });
         }
-        AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->getMain3DScene()->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
+        scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
     }
 }
 
-void Model::setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones) {
+void Model::setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     if (_renderWithZones != renderWithZones) {
         _renderWithZones = renderWithZones;
-        setRenderItemsNeedUpdate();
+
+        if (!scene) {
+            _needsFixupInScene = true;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        render::Transaction transaction;
+        auto renderItemsKey = _renderItemKeyGlobalFlags;
+        for (auto item : _modelMeshRenderItemIDs) {
+            transaction.updateItem<ModelMeshPartPayload>(item, [renderWithZones, renderItemsKey](ModelMeshPartPayload& data) {
+                data.setRenderWithZones(renderWithZones);
+            });
+        }
+        scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
index 4585ad0009..7372baa2dd 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
@@ -116,14 +116,14 @@ public:
     void setHifiRenderLayer(render::hifi::Layer layer, const render::ScenePointer& scene = nullptr);
 
     bool isCauterized() const { return _cauterized; }
-    void setCauterized(bool value, const render::ScenePointer& scene);
+    void setCauterized(bool value, const render::ScenePointer& scene = nullptr);
 
-    void setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode primitiveMode);
+    void setPrimitiveMode(PrimitiveMode primitiveMode, const render::ScenePointer& scene = nullptr);
     PrimitiveMode getPrimitiveMode() const { return _primitiveMode; }
 
-    void setCullWithParent(bool value);
+    void setCullWithParent(bool value, const render::ScenePointer& scene = nullptr);
 
-    void setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones);
+    void setRenderWithZones(const QVector<QUuid>& renderWithZones, const render::ScenePointer& scene = nullptr);
     const QVector<QUuid>& getRenderWithZones() const { return _renderWithZones; }
 
     // Access the current RenderItemKey Global Flags used by the model and applied to the render items  representing the parts of the model.