diff --git a/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.cpp b/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.cpp
index 26cf94269b..f78a9a2b30 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.cpp
@@ -1020,7 +1020,7 @@ void OctreeServer::readConfiguration() {
     bool noPersist;
     readOptionBool(QString("NoPersist"), settingsSectionObject, noPersist);
     _wantPersist = !noPersist;
-    qDebug("wantPersist=%s", debug::valueOf(_wantPersist));
+    qDebug() << "wantPersist=" << _wantPersist;
 
     if (_wantPersist) {
         QString persistFilename;
@@ -1029,6 +1029,26 @@ void OctreeServer::readConfiguration() {
         }
         strcpy(_persistFilename, qPrintable(persistFilename));
         qDebug("persistFilename=%s", _persistFilename);
+
+        _persistInterval = OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL;
+        readOptionInt(QString("persistInterval"), settingsSectionObject, _persistInterval);
+        qDebug() << "persistInterval=" << _persistInterval;
+
+        bool noBackup;
+        readOptionBool(QString("NoBackup"), settingsSectionObject, noBackup);
+        _wantBackup = !noBackup;
+        qDebug() << "wantBackup=" << _wantBackup;
+
+        if (_wantBackup) {
+            _backupExtensionFormat = OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_BACKUP_EXTENSION_FORMAT;
+            readOptionString(QString("backupExtensionFormat"), settingsSectionObject, _backupExtensionFormat);
+            qDebug() << "backupExtensionFormat=" << _backupExtensionFormat;
+
+            _backupInterval = OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_BACKUP_INTERVAL;
+            readOptionInt(QString("backupInterval"), settingsSectionObject, _backupInterval);
+            qDebug() << "backupInterval=" << _backupInterval;
+        }
+
     } else {
         qDebug("persistFilename= DISABLED");
     }
@@ -1112,7 +1132,8 @@ void OctreeServer::run() {
     if (_wantPersist) {
 
         // now set up PersistThread
-        _persistThread = new OctreePersistThread(_tree, _persistFilename);
+        _persistThread = new OctreePersistThread(_tree, _persistFilename, _persistInterval,
+                                    _wantBackup, _backupInterval, _backupExtensionFormat);
         if (_persistThread) {
             _persistThread->initialize(true);
         }
@@ -1197,6 +1218,9 @@ void OctreeServer::aboutToFinish() {
         qDebug() << qPrintable(_safeServerName) << "server about to finish while node still connected node:" << *node;
         forceNodeShutdown(node);
     }
+    if (_persistThread) {
+        _persistThread->aboutToFinish();
+    }
     qDebug() << qPrintable(_safeServerName) << "server ENDING about to finish...";
 }
 
diff --git a/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.h b/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.h
index b05896596c..8a91b94da0 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.h
+++ b/assignment-client/src/octree/OctreeServer.h
@@ -167,6 +167,11 @@ protected:
     JurisdictionSender* _jurisdictionSender;
     OctreeInboundPacketProcessor* _octreeInboundPacketProcessor;
     OctreePersistThread* _persistThread;
+    
+    int _persistInterval;
+    bool _wantBackup;
+    QString _backupExtensionFormat;
+    int _backupInterval;
 
     static OctreeServer* _instance;
 
diff --git a/domain-server/resources/describe-settings.json b/domain-server/resources/describe-settings.json
index ba4cfe8dfd..04c48e460e 100644
--- a/domain-server/resources/describe-settings.json
+++ b/domain-server/resources/describe-settings.json
@@ -276,6 +276,52 @@
     "label": "Entity Server Settings",
     "assignment-types": [6],
     "settings": [
+      {
+        "name": "persistFilename",
+        "label": "Persistant Filename",
+        "help": "the filename for your entities",
+        "placeholder": "resources/models.svo",
+        "default": "resources/models.svo",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "persistInterval",
+        "label": "Persist Interval",
+        "help": "Interval between persist checks in msecs.",
+        "placeholder": "30000",
+        "default": "30000",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "NoPersist",
+        "type": "checkbox",
+        "help": "Don't persist your entities to a file.",
+        "default": false,
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "backupExtensionFormat",
+        "label": "Backup File Extension Format:",
+        "help": "Format used to create the extension for the backup of your persisted entities.",
+        "placeholder": ".backup.%Y-%m-%d.%H:%M:%S.%z",
+        "default": ".backup.%Y-%m-%d.%H:%M:%S.%z",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "backupInterval",
+        "label": "Backup Interval",
+        "help": "Interval between backup checks in msecs.",
+        "placeholder": "1800000",
+        "default": "1800000",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "NoBackup",
+        "type": "checkbox",
+        "help": "Don't regularly backup your persisted entities to a backup file.",
+        "default": false,
+        "advanced": true
+      },
       {
         "name": "statusHost",
         "label": "Status Hostname",
@@ -330,7 +376,52 @@
     "label": "Voxel Server Settings",
     "assignment-types": [3],
     "settings": [
-
+      {
+        "name": "persistFilename",
+        "label": "Persistant Filename",
+        "help": "the filename for your voxels",
+        "placeholder": "resources/voxels.svo",
+        "default": "resources/voxels.svo",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "persistInterval",
+        "label": "Persist Interval",
+        "help": "Interval between persist checks in msecs.",
+        "placeholder": "30000",
+        "default": "30000",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "NoPersist",
+        "type": "checkbox",
+        "help": "Don't persist your voxels to a file.",
+        "default": false,
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "backupExtensionFormat",
+        "label": "Backup File Extension Format:",
+        "help": "Format used to create the extension for the backup of your persisted voxels.",
+        "placeholder": ".backup.%Y-%m-%d.%H:%M:%S.%z",
+        "default": ".backup.%Y-%m-%d.%H:%M:%S.%z",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "backupInterval",
+        "label": "Backup Interval",
+        "help": "Interval between backup checks in msecs.",
+        "placeholder": "1800000",
+        "default": "1800000",
+        "advanced": true
+      },
+      {
+        "name": "NoBackup",
+        "type": "checkbox",
+        "help": "Don't regularly backup your persisted voxels to a backup file.",
+        "default": false,
+        "advanced": true
+      },
       {
         "name": "statusHost",
         "label": "Status Hostname",
diff --git a/examples/cleanupChessboards.js b/examples/cleanupChessboards.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..926c02b8cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/cleanupChessboards.js
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+var entities = Entities.findEntities(MyAvatar.position, 10000);
+var URL = "https://s3.amazonaws.com/hifi-public/models/props/chess/";
+
+for(var i in entities) {
+  if (Entities.getEntityProperties(entities[i]).modelURL.slice(0, URL.length) === URL) {
+    Entities.deleteEntity(entities[i]);
+  }
+} 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/examples/clonedOverlaysExample.js b/examples/clonedOverlaysExample.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7aea048175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/clonedOverlaysExample.js
@@ -0,0 +1,294 @@
+//
+//  clonedOverlaysExample.js
+//  examples
+//
+//  Created by Thijs Wenker on 11/13/14.
+//  Copyright 2014 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Demonstrates the use of the overlay cloning function.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+const NUM_OF_TREES = 40;
+const NUM_OF_SANTAS = 20;
+
+// Image source: https://openclipart.org/detail/447/christmas-tree-by-theresaknott (heavily edited by Maximillian Merlin)
+const CHRISTMAS_TREE_SPRITES_URL = "http://test.thoys.nl/hifi/images/santa/christmas-tree.svg";
+
+// Image source: http://opengameart.org/content/santa-claus (CC-BY 3.0)
+const SANTA_SPRITES_URL = "http://test.thoys.nl/hifi/images/santa/Santa.png";
+
+Array.prototype.contains = function(obj) {
+    var i = this.length;
+    while (i--) {
+        if (this[i] === obj) {
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+};
+
+function getRandomPosAroundMyAvatar(radius, height_offset) {
+    if (height_offset == undefined) {
+        height_offset = 0;
+    }
+    return {x: MyAvatar.position.x + Math.floor(Math.random() * radius * 2) - radius, y: MyAvatar.position.y + height_offset, z: MyAvatar.position.z + Math.floor(Math.random() * radius * 2) - radius};
+}
+
+function OverlayPreloader(overlay_type, overlay_properties, loaded_callback) {
+    var _this = this;
+    this.loaded_callback = loaded_callback;
+    this.overlay = Overlays.addOverlay(overlay_type, overlay_properties);
+    this.timer = null;
+    this.timer = Script.setInterval(function() { 
+        if (Overlays.isLoaded(_this.overlay)) {
+            Script.clearInterval(_this.timer);
+            _this.loaded_callback();
+        }
+    }, 100);
+}
+
+function SpriteBillboard(sprite_properties, overlay) {
+    var _this = this;
+    
+    // set properties
+    this.overlay = overlay;
+    this.overlay_properties = {};
+    this.sprite_properties = sprite_properties;
+    this.edited_overlay_properties = [];
+    this.defaultFPS = 30;
+    this.currentSequence = "";
+    this.sequenceIndex = 0;
+    this.sequenceFPS = 0;
+    this.sequenceStepToNext = false;
+    this.sequenceTimer = null;
+    this.prevSequenceIndex = -1;
+    this.sequenceX = 0;
+    this.sequenceY = 0;
+    
+    this.spriteSize = {x: 0, y: 0, width: 32, height: 64};
+    
+    this.editedProperty = function(prop_name) {
+        if (!_this.edited_overlay_properties.contains(prop_name)) {
+            _this.edited_overlay_properties.push(prop_name);
+        }
+    };
+
+    // function definitions
+    this.getPosition = function() {
+        return _this.overlay_properties.position ?
+            _this.overlay_properties.position : {x: 0, y: 0, z: 0};
+    };
+
+    this.setPosition = function(newPosition) {
+        this.overlay_properties.position = newPosition;
+        this.editedProperty("position");
+        return _this;
+    };
+
+    this.setAlpha = function(alpha) {
+        this.overlay_properties.alpha = alpha;
+        this.editedProperty("alpha");
+        return _this;
+    }
+
+    this.setScale = function(scale) {
+        this.overlay_properties.scale = scale;
+        this.editedProperty("scale");
+        return _this;
+    }
+
+    this.setSpriteSize = function(spriteSize) {
+        this.overlay_properties.subImage = spriteSize;
+        this.editedProperty("subImage");
+        return _this;
+    };
+    
+    this.setSpriteXIndex = function(x_index) {
+        _this.sequenceX = x_index;
+        _this.overlay_properties.subImage.x = x_index * _this.overlay_properties.subImage.width;
+        _this.editedProperty("subImage");
+        return _this;
+    }
+    
+    this.setSpriteYIndex = function(y_index) {
+        _this.sequenceY = y_index;
+        _this.overlay_properties.subImage.y = y_index * _this.overlay_properties.subImage.height;
+        _this.editedProperty("subImage");
+        return _this;
+    }
+
+    this.editOverlay = function(properties) {
+        for (var key in properties) {
+            _this.overlay_properties[attrname] = properties[key];
+            _this.editedProperty(key);
+        }
+        return _this;
+    };
+
+    this.commitChanges = function() {
+        var changed_properties = {};
+        for (var i = 0; i < _this.edited_overlay_properties.length; i++) {
+             var key = _this.edited_overlay_properties[i];
+             changed_properties[key] = _this.overlay_properties[key];
+        }
+        if (Object.keys(changed_properties).length === 0) {
+            return;
+        }
+        Overlays.editOverlay(_this.overlay, changed_properties);
+        _this.edited_overlay_properties = [];
+    };
+
+    this._renderFrame = function() {
+        var currentSequence = _this.sprite_properties.sequences[_this.currentSequence];
+        var currentItem = currentSequence[_this.sequenceIndex];
+        var indexChanged = _this.sequenceIndex != _this.prevSequenceIndex;
+        var canMoveToNext = true;
+        _this.prevSequenceIndex = _this.sequenceIndex;
+        if (indexChanged) {
+            if (currentItem.loop != undefined) {
+                _this.loopSequence = currentItem.loop;
+            }
+            if (currentItem.fps !== undefined && currentItem.fps != _this.sequenceFPS) {
+                _this.startSequenceTimerFPS(currentItem.fps);
+            }
+            if (currentItem.step_to_next !== undefined) {
+                _this.sequenceStepToNext = currentItem.step_to_next;
+            }
+            if (currentItem.x !== undefined) {
+                _this.setSpriteXIndex(currentItem.x);
+            }
+            if (currentItem.y !== undefined) {
+                _this.setSpriteYIndex(currentItem.y);
+            }
+            
+            if (_this.sequenceStepToNext) {
+                canMoveToNext = false;
+            }
+        }
+        _this.prevSequenceIndex = _this.sequenceIndex;
+        var nextIndex = (_this.sequenceIndex + 1) % currentSequence.length;
+        var nextItem = currentSequence[nextIndex];
+        var nextX = nextItem.x != undefined ? nextItem.x : _this.sequenceX;
+        var nextY = nextItem.Y != undefined ? nextItem.Y : _this.sequenceY;
+        
+        if (_this.sequenceStepToNext && !indexChanged) {
+            var XMoveNext = true;
+            var YMoveNext = true;
+            if (Math.abs(nextX - _this.sequenceX) > 1) {
+                _this.setSpriteXIndex(_this.sequenceX + (nextX > _this.sequenceX ? 1 : -1));
+                XMoveNext = Math.abs(nextX - _this.sequenceX) == 1;
+            }
+            if (Math.abs(nextY - _this.sequenceY) > 1) {
+                _this.setSpriteYIndex(_this.sequenceY + (nextY > _this.sequenceY ? 1 : -1));
+                YMoveNext = Math.abs(nextY - _this.sequenceY) == 1;
+            }
+            canMoveToNext = XMoveNext && YMoveNext;
+        }
+        if (canMoveToNext) {
+            _this.sequenceIndex = nextIndex;
+        }
+        _this.commitChanges();
+        
+    };
+
+    this.clone = function() {
+        var clone = {};
+        clone.prototype = this.prototype;
+        for (property in this) {
+            clone[property] = this[property];
+        }
+        return clone;
+    };
+    
+    this.startSequenceTimerFPS = function(fps) {
+        _this.sequenceFPS = fps;
+        if (_this.sequenceTimer != null) {
+            Script.clearInterval(_this.sequenceTimer);
+        }
+        _this.sequenceTimer = Script.setInterval(_this._renderFrame, 1000 / fps);
+    }
+
+    this.start = function(sequenceName) {
+        this.currentSequence = sequenceName;
+        this.sequenceFPS = this.defaultFPS;
+        this.startSequenceTimerFPS(this.defaultFPS);
+    };
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.url !== undefined) {
+        this.setURL(this.sprite_properties.url);
+    }
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.sprite_size !== undefined) {
+        this.setSpriteSize(this.sprite_properties.sprite_size);
+    }
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.scale !== undefined) {
+        this.setScale(this.sprite_properties.scale);
+    }
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.alpha !== undefined) {
+        this.setAlpha(this.sprite_properties.alpha);
+    }
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.position !== undefined) {
+        this.setPosition(this.sprite_properties.position);
+    }
+
+    _this.commitChanges();
+
+    if (this.sprite_properties.startup_sequence != undefined) {
+        this.start(this.sprite_properties.startup_sequence);
+    }
+    
+    Script.scriptEnding.connect(function () {
+        if (_this.sequenceTimer != null) {
+            Script.clearInterval(_this.sequenceTimer);
+        }
+        Overlays.deleteOverlay(_this.overlay);
+    });
+}
+
+var christmastree_loader = null;
+christmastree_loader = new OverlayPreloader("billboard", 
+    {url: CHRISTMAS_TREE_SPRITES_URL, alpha: 0}, function() {
+        for (var i = 0; i < NUM_OF_TREES; i++) {
+            var clonedOverlay = Overlays.cloneOverlay(christmastree_loader.overlay);
+            new SpriteBillboard({
+                position: getRandomPosAroundMyAvatar(20),
+                sprite_size: {x: 0, y: 0, width: 250.000, height: 357.626},
+                scale: 6,
+                alpha: 1,
+                sequences: {"idle": [{x: 0, y: 0, step_to_next: true, fps: 3}, {x: 3, step_to_next: false}]},
+                startup_sequence: "idle"
+            }, clonedOverlay);
+        }
+    }
+);
+
+var santa_loader = null;
+santa_loader = new OverlayPreloader("billboard", 
+    {url: SANTA_SPRITES_URL, alpha: 0}, function() {
+        for (var i = 0; i < NUM_OF_SANTAS; i++) {
+            var clonedOverlay = Overlays.cloneOverlay(santa_loader.overlay);
+            new SpriteBillboard({
+                position: getRandomPosAroundMyAvatar(18, -1),
+                sprite_size: {x: 0, y: 0, width: 64, height:  72},
+                scale: 4,
+                alpha: 1,
+                sequences: {
+                    "walk_left": [{x: 2, y: 0, step_to_next: true, fps: 4}, {x: 10, step_to_next: false}],
+                    "walk_right": [{x: 10, y: 1, step_to_next: true, fps: 4}, {x: 2, step_to_next: false}],
+                },
+                startup_sequence: (i % 2 == 0) ? "walk_left" : "walk_right"
+            }, clonedOverlay);
+        }
+    }
+);
+
+Script.scriptEnding.connect(function () {
+    Overlays.deleteOverlay(christmastree_loader.overlay);
+    Overlays.deleteOverlay(santa_loader.overlay);
+});
diff --git a/examples/entityScripts/chessPiece.js b/examples/entityScripts/chessPiece.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d3fc5cc3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/entityScripts/chessPiece.js
@@ -0,0 +1,201 @@
+(function(){
+    this.FIRST_TILE = null; // Global position of the first tile (1a)
+    this.TILE_SIZE = null; // Size of one tile
+  
+    this.wantDebug = false;
+    this.active = false;
+  
+    this.entityID = null;
+    this.properties = null;
+    this.boardID = null;
+    this.boardUserData = null;
+  
+    this.sound = null;
+    this.startingTile = null;
+    this.pieces = new Array();
+  
+    // All callbacks start by updating the properties
+    this.updateProperties = function(entityID) {
+        // Piece ID
+        if (this.entityID === null || !this.entityID.isKnownID) {
+            this.entityID = Entities.identifyEntity(entityID);
+        }
+        // Piece Properties
+        this.properties = Entities.getEntityProperties(this.entityID);
+    
+        // Board ID
+        if (this.boardID === null) {
+            // Read user data string and update boardID
+            var userData = JSON.parse(this.properties.userData);
+            var boardID = Entities.identifyEntity(userData.boardID);
+            if (boardID.isKnownID) {
+                this.boardID = boardID;
+            } else {
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    
+        // Board User Data
+        this.updateUserData();
+    }
+    // Get an entity's user data
+    this.getEntityUserData = function(entityID) {
+        var properties = Entities.getEntityProperties(entityID);
+    
+        if (properties && properties.userData){
+            return JSON.parse(properties.userData);
+        } else {
+            print("No user data found.");
+            return null;
+        }
+    }
+    // Updates user data related objects
+    this.updateUserData = function() {
+        // Get board's user data
+        if (this.boardID !== null && this.boardID.isKnownID) {
+            this.boardUserData = this.getEntityUserData(this.boardID);
+      
+            if (!(this.boardUserData &&
+                this.boardUserData.firstTile &&
+                this.boardUserData.tileSize)) {
+                print("Incomplete boardUserData " + this.boardID.id);
+            } else {
+                this.FIRST_TILE = this.boardUserData.firstTile;
+                this.TILE_SIZE = this.boardUserData.tileSize;
+        
+                this.active = true;
+            }
+        } else {
+            print("Missing boardID:" + JSON.stringify(this.boardID));
+        }
+    }
+    // Returns whether pos is inside the grid or not
+    this.isOutsideGrid = function(pos) {
+        return !(pos.i >= 0 && pos.j >= 0 && pos.i < 8 && pos.j < 8);
+    }
+    // Returns the tile coordinate
+    this.getIndexPosition = function(position) {
+        var halfTile = this.TILE_SIZE / 2.0;
+        var corner = Vec3.sum(this.FIRST_TILE, { x: -halfTile, y: 0.0, z: -halfTile });
+        var relative = Vec3.subtract(position, corner);
+        return {
+            i: Math.floor(relative.x / this.TILE_SIZE),
+            j: Math.floor(relative.z / this.TILE_SIZE)
+        }
+    }
+    // Returns the world position
+    this.getAbsolutePosition = function(pos, halfHeight) {
+        var relative = {
+            x: pos.i * this.TILE_SIZE,
+            y: halfHeight,
+            z: pos.j * this.TILE_SIZE
+        }
+        return Vec3.sum(this.FIRST_TILE, relative);
+    }
+    // Pr, Vr are respectively the Ray's Point of origin and Vector director
+    // Pp, Np are respectively the Plane's Point of origin and Normal vector
+    this.rayPlaneIntersection = function(Pr, Vr, Pp, Np) {
+        var d = -Vec3.dot(Pp, Np);
+        var t = -(Vec3.dot(Pr, Np) + d) / Vec3.dot(Vr, Np);
+        return Vec3.sum(Pr, Vec3.multiply(t, Vr));
+    }
+    // Download sound if needed
+    this.maybeDownloadSound = function() {
+        if (this.sound === null) {
+            this.sound = SoundCache.getSound("http://public.highfidelity.io/sounds/Footsteps/FootstepW3Left-12db.wav");
+        }
+    }
+    // Play drop sound
+    this.playSound = function() {
+        if (this.sound && this.sound.downloaded) {
+            Audio.playSound(this.sound, { position: this.properties.position });
+        }
+    }
+    // updates the piece position based on mouse input
+    this.updatePosition = function(mouseEvent) {
+        var pickRay = Camera.computePickRay(mouseEvent.x, mouseEvent.y)
+        var upVector = { x: 0, y: 1, z: 0 };
+        var intersection = this.rayPlaneIntersection(pickRay.origin, pickRay.direction,
+                                                     this.properties.position, upVector);                                 
+        // if piece outside grid then send it back to the starting tile
+        if (this.isOutsideGrid(this.getIndexPosition(intersection))) {
+            intersection = this.getAbsolutePosition(this.startingTile, this.properties.dimensions.y / 2.0);
+        }
+        Entities.editEntity(this.entityID, { position: intersection });
+    }
+    // Snap piece to the center of the tile it is on
+    this.snapToGrid = function() {
+        var pos = this.getIndexPosition(this.properties.position);
+        var finalPos = this.getAbsolutePosition((this.isOutsideGrid(pos)) ?  this.startingTile : pos,
+        this.properties.dimensions.y / 2.0);
+        Entities.editEntity(this.entityID, { position: finalPos });
+    }
+    this.moveDeadPiece = function() {
+        var myPos = this.getIndexPosition(this.properties.position);
+        var others = Entities.findEntities(this.properties.position, this.properties.dimensions.y);
+        
+        for (var i = 0; i < others.length; i++) {
+            var piece = others[i];
+  
+            if (piece.id != this.entityID.id) {
+                var properties = Entities.getEntityProperties(piece);
+         
+                var isWhite = properties.modelURL.search("White") !== -1;
+                var type = (properties.modelURL.search("King") !== -1) ?  4 :
+                (properties.modelURL.search("Queen") !== -1) ?  3 :
+                (properties.modelURL.search("Rook") !== -1) ?  2 :
+                (properties.modelURL.search("Knight") !== -1) ?  1 :
+                (properties.modelURL.search("Bishop") !== -1) ?  0 :
+                (properties.modelURL.search("Pawn") !== -1) ?  -1 : -2;
+                
+                var piecePos = this.getIndexPosition(properties.position);
+                if (myPos.i === piecePos.i && myPos.j === piecePos.j && type !== -2) {
+                    var position = this.getAbsolutePosition((isWhite) ? { i: type, j: -1 } : { i: 7 - type, j: 8 },
+                    properties.dimensions.y / 2.0);
+                    Entities.editEntity(piece, {
+                        position: position
+                    });
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+  
+    this.grab = function(mouseEvent) {
+        if (this.active) {
+            this.startingTile = this.getIndexPosition(this.properties.position);
+            this.updatePosition(mouseEvent);
+        }
+    }
+    this.move = function(mouseEvent) {
+        if (this.active) {
+            this.updatePosition(mouseEvent);
+        }
+    }
+    this.release = function(mouseEvent) {
+        if (this.active) {
+            this.updatePosition(mouseEvent);
+            this.snapToGrid();
+            this.moveDeadPiece();
+            this.playSound();
+        }
+    }
+  
+    this.preload = function(entityID) {
+        this.updateProperties(entityID); // All callbacks start by updating the properties
+        this.maybeDownloadSound();
+    }
+    this.clickDownOnEntity = function(entityID, mouseEvent) {
+        this.preload(entityID); // TODO : remove
+        this.updateProperties(entityID); // All callbacks start by updating the properties
+        this.grab(mouseEvent);
+    };
+    this.holdingClickOnEntity = function(entityID, mouseEvent) {
+        this.updateProperties(entityID); // All callbacks start by updating the properties
+        this.move(mouseEvent);
+    };
+    this.clickReleaseOnEntity = function(entityID, mouseEvent) {
+        this.updateProperties(entityID); // All callbacks start by updating the properties
+        this.release(mouseEvent);
+    };
+})
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/examples/playChess.js b/examples/playChess.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..57ed24f342
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/playChess.js
@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+//
+//  playChess.js
+//  examples
+//
+//  Created by Clement Brisset on 11/08/2014
+//  Copyright 2014 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
+
+var gamePosition = { x: 1.0, y: 1.0, z: 1.0 };
+var gameSize = 1.0;
+
+// Script namespace
+var extraDebug = extraDebug || true;
+var ChessGame = ChessGame || {
+    BOARD: {
+        modelURL: "https://s3.amazonaws.com/hifi-public/models/props/chess/Board.fbx",
+        dimensions: { x: 773.191, y: 20.010, z: 773.191 },
+        rotation: Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 90, 0),
+        numTiles: 10.0
+    },
+    KING: 0, QUEEN: 1, BISHOP: 2, KNIGHT: 3, ROOK: 4, PAWN: 5,
+  
+    board: null,
+    pieces: new Array()
+};
+
+ChessGame.getPieceInfo = function(type, isWhite) {
+    var info = {
+        modelURL: "https://s3.amazonaws.com/hifi-public/models/props/chess/",
+        dimensions: { x: 1.0, y: 1.0, z: 1.0 },
+        rotation: Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 0, 0)
+    }
+  
+    switch(type) {
+    case ChessGame.KING:
+        info.modelURL += "King";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 110.496, y: 306.713, z: 110.496 };
+        info.rotation = Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 90, 0);
+        break;
+    case ChessGame.QUEEN:
+        info.modelURL += "Queen";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 110.496, y: 257.459, z: 110.496 };
+        break;
+    case ChessGame.BISHOP:
+        info.modelURL += "Bishop";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 102.002, y: 213.941, z: 102.002 };
+        info.rotation = Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 90, 0);
+        break;
+    case ChessGame.KNIGHT:
+        info.modelURL += "Knight";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 95.602, y: 186.939, z: 95.602 };
+        info.rotation = Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 180, 0);
+        break;
+    case ChessGame.ROOK:
+        info.modelURL += "Rook";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 101.024, y: 167.523, z: 101.024 };
+        break;
+    case ChessGame.PAWN:
+        info.modelURL += "Pawn";
+        info.dimensions = { x: 93.317, y: 138.747, z: 93.317 };
+        break;
+    }
+    info.modelURL += ((isWhite) ? "_White" : "_Black") + ".fbx"
+  
+    return info;
+}
+
+
+// Board class
+ChessGame.Board = (function(position, scale) {
+    this.dimensions = Vec3.multiply(1.0 / ChessGame.BOARD.dimensions.x, ChessGame.BOARD.dimensions); // 1 by 1
+    this.dimensions = Vec3.multiply(scale, this.dimensions); // scale by scale
+    this.position = position
+    this.tileSize = scale / ChessGame.BOARD.numTiles;
+  
+    this.userDataObject = {
+        firstTile: this.tilePosition(1, 1),
+        tileSize: this.tileSize,
+        whitesDeadPieces: this.tilePosition(0,0),
+        blacksDeadPieces: this.tilePosition(9,9)
+    }
+    this.entityProperties = {
+        type: "Model",
+        modelURL: ChessGame.BOARD.modelURL,
+        position: this.position,
+        dimensions: this.dimensions,
+        userData: this.buildUserDataString()
+    }
+    this.entity = null;
+});
+// Returns the top center point of tile i,j
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.tilePosition = function(i, j) {
+    if (!(this.position || this.dimensions || this.tileSize || ChessGame.BOARD.numTiles)) {
+        print("ChessGame.Board.prototype.tilePosition(): Called before proper initialisation, bailing.");
+        return null;
+    }
+    return {
+        x: this.position.x + (i - ChessGame.BOARD.numTiles / 2.0 + 0.5) * this.tileSize,
+        y: this.position.y + this.dimensions.y / 2.0,
+        z: this.position.z + (j - ChessGame.BOARD.numTiles / 2.0 + 0.5) * this.tileSize
+    };
+}
+// Checks the color of the tile
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.isWhite = function(i, j) {
+    return (i + j) % 2 != 0;
+}
+// Build the user data string
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.buildUserDataString = function() {
+    return JSON.stringify(this.userDataObject);
+}
+// Updates the user data stored by the board
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.updateUserData = function() {
+    var userDataString = this.buildUserDataString();
+    this.entityProperties.userData = userDataString;
+    Entities.editEntity(this.entity, { userData: userDataString });
+}
+// Spawns the board using entities
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.spawn = function() {
+    if (extraDebug) {
+        print("Spawning board...");
+    }
+    this.entity = Entities.addEntity(this.entityProperties);
+    print("Board spawned");
+}
+// Cleans up the entities of the board
+ChessGame.Board.prototype.cleanup = function() {
+    if (extraDebug) {
+        print("Cleaning up board...");
+    }
+    Entities.deleteEntity(this.entity);
+    print("Board cleaned up");
+}
+
+// Piece class
+ChessGame.Piece = (function(position, dimensions, url, rotation) {
+    this.dimensions = dimensions;
+    this.position = position;
+    this.position.y += this.dimensions.y / 2.0;
+  
+    this.entityProperties = {
+        type: "Model",
+        position: this.position,
+        rotation: rotation,
+        dimensions: this.dimensions,
+        modelURL: url,
+        /**/
+        script: "https://s3.amazonaws.com/hifi-public/scripts/entityScripts/chessPiece.js",
+        /*/
+        script: "file:/Users/clement/hifi/examples/entityScripts/chessPiece.js",
+        /**/
+        userData: this.buildUserDataString()
+    }
+    this.entity = null;
+});
+// Build the user data string
+ChessGame.Piece.prototype.buildUserDataString = function() {
+    if (!(ChessGame.board !== null || ChessGame.board.entity.isKnownID)) {
+        print("ChessGame.Piece.prototype.buildUserDataString(): Called before proper initialization, bailing.");
+        return null;
+    }
+    var userDataObject = {
+        boardID: ChessGame.board.entity,
+    };
+    return JSON.stringify(userDataObject);
+}
+// Spawns the piece
+ChessGame.Piece.prototype.spawn = function() {
+    this.entity = Entities.addEntity(this.entityProperties);
+}
+// Cleans up the piece
+ChessGame.Piece.prototype.cleanup = function() {
+    Entities.deleteEntity(this.entity);
+}
+ChessGame.makePiece = function(piece, i, j, isWhite) {
+    var info = ChessGame.getPieceInfo(piece, isWhite);
+    var url = info.modelURL; 
+    var size = Vec3.multiply(0.5 * (1.0 / ChessGame.BOARD.dimensions.x), info.dimensions);
+    var rotation = (isWhite) ? info.rotation
+    : Quat.multiply(Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(0, 180, 0),
+    info.rotation);
+    var position = ChessGame.board.tilePosition(i, j);
+                
+    var piece = new ChessGame.Piece(position, size, url, rotation);
+    piece.spawn();
+    ChessGame.pieces.push(piece);
+    return piece;
+}
+
+ChessGame.scriptStarting = function() {
+    print("playChess.js started");
+    gamePosition = Vec3.sum(MyAvatar.position,
+        Vec3.multiplyQbyV(MyAvatar.orientation,
+                          { x: 0, y: 0, z: -1 }));
+    // Setup board
+    ChessGame.board = new ChessGame.Board(gamePosition, gameSize);
+    ChessGame.board.spawn();
+}
+
+ChessGame.update = function() {
+    ChessGame.board.entity = Entities.identifyEntity(ChessGame.board.entity);
+  
+    if (ChessGame.board.entity.isKnownID && ChessGame.pieces.length == 0) {
+        // Setup white pieces
+        var isWhite = true;
+        var row = 1;
+        // King
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KING, row, 5, isWhite);
+        // Queen
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.QUEEN, row, 4, isWhite);
+        // Bishop
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.BISHOP, row, 3, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.BISHOP, row, 6, isWhite);
+        // Knight
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KNIGHT, row, 2, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KNIGHT, row, 7, isWhite);
+        // Rook
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.ROOK, row, 1, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.ROOK, row, 8, isWhite);
+        for(var j = 1; j <= 8; j++) {
+            ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.PAWN, row + 1, j, isWhite);
+        }
+  
+        // Setup black pieces
+        isWhite = false;
+        row = 8;
+        // King
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KING, row, 5, isWhite);
+        // Queen
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.QUEEN, row, 4, isWhite);
+        // Bishop
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.BISHOP, row, 3, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.BISHOP, row, 6, isWhite);
+        // Knight
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KNIGHT, row, 2, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.KNIGHT, row, 7, isWhite);
+        // Rook
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.ROOK, row, 1, isWhite);
+        ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.ROOK, row, 8, isWhite);
+        for(var j = 1; j <= 8; j++) {
+            ChessGame.makePiece(ChessGame.PAWN, row - 1, j, isWhite);
+        }
+        Script.update.disconnect(ChessGame.update);
+    }
+}
+
+ChessGame.scriptEnding = function() {
+    // Cleaning up board
+    ChessGame.board.cleanup();
+  
+    // Cleaning up pieces
+    for(var i in ChessGame.pieces) {
+        ChessGame.pieces[i].cleanup();
+    }
+  
+    print("playChess.js finished");
+}
+
+Script.scriptEnding.connect(ChessGame.scriptEnding);
+Script.update.connect(ChessGame.update);
+ChessGame.scriptStarting();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/entities/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp b/interface/src/entities/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
index 2b657979f4..f8fd9cf298 100644
--- a/interface/src/entities/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/entities/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
@@ -165,10 +165,12 @@ QScriptValue EntityTreeRenderer::loadEntityScript(EntityItem* entity) {
     
     QString scriptContents = loadScriptContents(entity->getScript());
     
-    if (QScriptEngine::checkSyntax(scriptContents).state() != QScriptSyntaxCheckResult::Valid) {
+    QScriptSyntaxCheckResult syntaxCheck = QScriptEngine::checkSyntax(scriptContents);
+    if (syntaxCheck.state() != QScriptSyntaxCheckResult::Valid) {
         qDebug() << "EntityTreeRenderer::loadEntityScript() entity:" << entityID;
-        qDebug() << "    INVALID SYNTAX";
-        qDebug() << "    SCRIPT:" << scriptContents;
+        qDebug() << "   " << syntaxCheck.errorMessage() << ":"
+                          << syntaxCheck.errorLineNumber() << syntaxCheck.errorColumnNumber();
+        qDebug() << "    SCRIPT:" << entity->getScript();
         return QScriptValue(); // invalid script
     }
     
@@ -177,7 +179,7 @@ QScriptValue EntityTreeRenderer::loadEntityScript(EntityItem* entity) {
     if (!entityScriptConstructor.isFunction()) {
         qDebug() << "EntityTreeRenderer::loadEntityScript() entity:" << entityID;
         qDebug() << "    NOT CONSTRUCTOR";
-        qDebug() << "    SCRIPT:" << scriptContents;
+        qDebug() << "    SCRIPT:" << entity->getScript();
         return QScriptValue(); // invalid script
     }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
index a83772d01b..5a5bfcd937 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,17 @@ Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay(const Base3DOverlay* base3DOverlay) :
+    Overlay(base3DOverlay),
+    _position(base3DOverlay->_position),
+    _lineWidth(base3DOverlay->_lineWidth),
+    _rotation(base3DOverlay->_rotation),
+    _isSolid(base3DOverlay->_isSolid),
+    _isDashedLine(base3DOverlay->_isDashedLine),
+    _ignoreRayIntersection(base3DOverlay->_ignoreRayIntersection)
+{
+}
+
 Base3DOverlay::~Base3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -178,8 +189,4 @@ void Base3DOverlay::drawDashedLine(const glm::vec3& start, const glm::vec3& end)
     glVertex3f(end.x, end.y, end.z);
 
     glEnd();
-
 }
-
-
-
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
index 7b7fa1a8f4..8304883e3c 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ class Base3DOverlay : public Overlay {
     
 public:
     Base3DOverlay();
+    Base3DOverlay(const Base3DOverlay* base3DOverlay);
     ~Base3DOverlay();
 
     // getters
@@ -64,6 +65,5 @@ protected:
     bool _isDashedLine;
     bool _ignoreRayIntersection;
 };
-
  
 #endif // hifi_Base3DOverlay_h
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp
index b36202cb04..dee5eceab7 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,17 @@ BillboardOverlay::BillboardOverlay() :
       _isLoaded = false;
 }
 
+BillboardOverlay::BillboardOverlay(const BillboardOverlay* billboardOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(billboardOverlay),
+    _newTextureNeeded(true),
+    _scale(billboardOverlay->_scale),
+    _isFacingAvatar(billboardOverlay->_isFacingAvatar),
+    _fromImage(billboardOverlay->_fromImage),
+    _url(billboardOverlay->_url),
+    _billboard(billboardOverlay->_billboard)
+{
+}
+
 void BillboardOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     if (!_visible || !_isLoaded) {
         return;
@@ -215,3 +226,6 @@ bool BillboardOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::v
     return false;
 }
 
+BillboardOverlay* BillboardOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new BillboardOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h
index 3a22a247f0..be947acf98 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ class BillboardOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     BillboardOverlay();
-    
+    BillboardOverlay(const BillboardOverlay* billboardOverlay);
+
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
     // setters
@@ -36,6 +37,8 @@ public:
 
     virtual bool findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction, float& distance, BoxFace& face) const;
     
+    virtual BillboardOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private slots:
     void replyFinished();
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
index 986088cebb..d19297b589 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,22 @@ Circle3DOverlay::Circle3DOverlay() :
     _minorTickMarksColor.red = _minorTickMarksColor.green = _minorTickMarksColor.blue = (unsigned char)0;
 }
 
+Circle3DOverlay::Circle3DOverlay(const Circle3DOverlay* circle3DOverlay) :
+    Planar3DOverlay(circle3DOverlay),
+    _startAt(circle3DOverlay->_startAt),
+    _endAt(circle3DOverlay->_endAt),
+    _outerRadius(circle3DOverlay->_outerRadius),
+    _innerRadius(circle3DOverlay->_innerRadius),
+    _hasTickMarks(circle3DOverlay->_hasTickMarks),
+    _majorTickMarksAngle(circle3DOverlay->_majorTickMarksAngle),
+    _minorTickMarksAngle(circle3DOverlay->_minorTickMarksAngle),
+    _majorTickMarksLength(circle3DOverlay->_majorTickMarksLength),
+    _minorTickMarksLength(circle3DOverlay->_minorTickMarksLength),
+    _majorTickMarksColor(circle3DOverlay->_majorTickMarksColor),
+    _minorTickMarksColor(circle3DOverlay->_minorTickMarksColor)
+{
+}
+
 Circle3DOverlay::~Circle3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -358,9 +374,6 @@ bool Circle3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin,
     return intersects;
 }
 
-
-
-
-
-
-
+Circle3DOverlay* Circle3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Circle3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.h
index 816ed280f9..b428be7a43 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ class Circle3DOverlay : public Planar3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Circle3DOverlay();
+    Circle3DOverlay(const Circle3DOverlay* circle3DOverlay);
     ~Circle3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
@@ -48,6 +49,8 @@ public:
     void setMinorTickMarksColor(const xColor& value) { _minorTickMarksColor = value; }
 
     virtual bool findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction, float& distance, BoxFace& face) const;
+
+    virtual Circle3DOverlay* createClone() const;
     
 protected:
     float _startAt;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
index 81a2dfd498..9c478c4465 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@
 Cube3DOverlay::Cube3DOverlay() {
 }
 
+Cube3DOverlay::Cube3DOverlay(const Cube3DOverlay* cube3DOverlay) :
+    Volume3DOverlay(cube3DOverlay)
+{
+}
+
 Cube3DOverlay::~Cube3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -102,3 +107,7 @@ void Cube3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
         delete glower;
     }
 }
+
+Cube3DOverlay* Cube3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Cube3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.h
index 272d68bb5e..9c199f2b7b 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.h
@@ -18,8 +18,11 @@ class Cube3DOverlay : public Volume3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Cube3DOverlay();
+    Cube3DOverlay(const Cube3DOverlay* cube3DOverlay);
     ~Cube3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
+
+    virtual Cube3DOverlay* createClone() const;
 };
 
  
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.cpp
index dee5d5d60a..84610d7981 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,13 @@ Grid3DOverlay::Grid3DOverlay() : Base3DOverlay(),
     _majorGridEvery(5) {
 }
 
+Grid3DOverlay::Grid3DOverlay(const Grid3DOverlay* grid3DOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(grid3DOverlay),
+    _minorGridWidth(grid3DOverlay->_minorGridWidth),
+    _majorGridEvery(grid3DOverlay->_majorGridEvery)
+{
+}
+
 Grid3DOverlay::~Grid3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -127,3 +134,7 @@ QScriptValue Grid3DOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
 
     return Base3DOverlay::getProperty(property);
 }
+
+Grid3DOverlay* Grid3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Grid3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.h
index 3e6a235d54..b162ff3d74 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Grid3DOverlay.h
@@ -29,12 +29,15 @@ class Grid3DOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
 
 public:
     Grid3DOverlay();
+    Grid3DOverlay(const Grid3DOverlay* grid3DOverlay);
     ~Grid3DOverlay();
 
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
+    virtual Grid3DOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private:
     float _minorGridWidth;
     int _majorGridEvery;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
index 615872e6ef..fad19be292 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
@@ -27,6 +27,17 @@ ImageOverlay::ImageOverlay() :
     _isLoaded = false;
 }
 
+ImageOverlay::ImageOverlay(const ImageOverlay* imageOverlay) :
+    Overlay2D(imageOverlay),
+    _textureID(0),
+    _textureBound(false),
+    _wantClipFromImage(false),
+    _renderImage(imageOverlay->_renderImage),
+    _imageURL(imageOverlay->_imageURL),
+    _textureImage(imageOverlay->_textureImage)
+{
+}
+
 ImageOverlay::~ImageOverlay() {
     if (_parent && _textureID) {
         // do we need to call this?
@@ -161,3 +172,6 @@ QScriptValue ImageOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
 
     return Overlay2D::getProperty(property);
 }
+ImageOverlay* ImageOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new ImageOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.h
index bf4f2860ad..cff557654f 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ class ImageOverlay : public Overlay2D {
     
 public:
     ImageOverlay();
+    ImageOverlay(const ImageOverlay* imageOverlay);
     ~ImageOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
@@ -46,6 +47,8 @@ public:
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
+    virtual ImageOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private slots:
     void replyFinished(); // we actually want to hide this...
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
index 896ebd1e68..ae67bf9d92 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,12 @@
 Line3DOverlay::Line3DOverlay() {
 }
 
+Line3DOverlay::Line3DOverlay(const Line3DOverlay* line3DOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(line3DOverlay),
+    _end(line3DOverlay->_end)
+{
+}
+
 Line3DOverlay::~Line3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -87,3 +93,7 @@ QScriptValue Line3DOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
 
     return Base3DOverlay::getProperty(property);
 }
+
+Line3DOverlay* Line3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Line3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.h
index 0148648c35..607fb0e0bb 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ class Line3DOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Line3DOverlay();
+    Line3DOverlay(const Line3DOverlay* line3DOverlay);
     ~Line3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
@@ -30,6 +31,8 @@ public:
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
+    virtual Line3DOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 protected:
     glm::vec3 _end;
 };
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.cpp
index c1f16bf13e..d8555c85ba 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ LocalModelsOverlay::LocalModelsOverlay(EntityTreeRenderer* entityTreeRenderer) :
     _entityTreeRenderer(entityTreeRenderer) {
 }
 
+LocalModelsOverlay::LocalModelsOverlay(const LocalModelsOverlay* localModelsOverlay) :
+    Volume3DOverlay(localModelsOverlay),
+    _entityTreeRenderer(localModelsOverlay->_entityTreeRenderer)
+{
+
+}
+
 LocalModelsOverlay::~LocalModelsOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -48,3 +55,7 @@ void LocalModelsOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
 
     }
 }
+
+LocalModelsOverlay* LocalModelsOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new LocalModelsOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.h
index 60f09b8666..39465de7f9 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalModelsOverlay.h
@@ -20,11 +20,14 @@ class LocalModelsOverlay : public Volume3DOverlay {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     LocalModelsOverlay(EntityTreeRenderer* entityTreeRenderer);
+    LocalModelsOverlay(const LocalModelsOverlay* localModelsOverlay);
     ~LocalModelsOverlay();
     
     virtual void update(float deltatime);
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
+    virtual LocalModelsOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private:
     EntityTreeRenderer* _entityTreeRenderer;
 };
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.cpp
index 3ca79d548c..9cb3df8bf3 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ LocalVoxelsOverlay::LocalVoxelsOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+LocalVoxelsOverlay::LocalVoxelsOverlay(const LocalVoxelsOverlay* localVoxelsOverlay) :
+    Volume3DOverlay(localVoxelsOverlay),
+    _voxelCount(localVoxelsOverlay->_voxelCount)
+{
+}
+
 LocalVoxelsOverlay::~LocalVoxelsOverlay() {
     _voxelSystem->changeTree(new VoxelTree());
     _voxelSystem.clear();
@@ -103,6 +109,10 @@ void LocalVoxelsOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue &properties) {
     }
 }
 
+LocalVoxelsOverlay* LocalVoxelsOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new LocalVoxelsOverlay(this);
+}
+
 QScriptValue LocalVoxelsOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     if (property == "scale") {
         return vec3toScriptValue(_scriptEngine, getDimensions());
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.h
index 25ad4738b9..4afa44f9be 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/LocalVoxelsOverlay.h
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ class LocalVoxelsOverlay : public Volume3DOverlay {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     LocalVoxelsOverlay();
+    LocalVoxelsOverlay(const LocalVoxelsOverlay* localVoxelsOverlay);
     ~LocalVoxelsOverlay();
     
     virtual void update(float deltatime);
@@ -40,6 +41,7 @@ public:
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
+    virtual LocalVoxelsOverlay* createClone() const;
 private:
     static QMap<QString, WeakVoxelSystemPointer> _voxelSystemMap; // treeName/voxelSystem
     
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
index a2abfe77b1..3594d7e828 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,22 @@ ModelOverlay::ModelOverlay()
     _isLoaded = false;
 }
 
+ModelOverlay::ModelOverlay(const ModelOverlay* modelOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(modelOverlay),
+    _model(),
+    _modelTextures(QVariantMap()),
+    _scale(modelOverlay->_scale),
+    _updateModel(false),
+    _url(modelOverlay->_url),
+    _rotation(modelOverlay->_rotation)
+{
+    _model.init();
+    if (_url.isValid()) {
+        _updateModel = true;
+        _isLoaded = false;
+    }
+}
+
 void ModelOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
     if (_updateModel) {
         _updateModel = false;
@@ -166,4 +182,6 @@ bool ModelOverlay::findRayIntersectionExtraInfo(const glm::vec3& origin, const g
     return _model.findRayIntersectionAgainstSubMeshes(origin, direction, distance, face, extraInfo);
 }
 
-
+ModelOverlay* ModelOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new ModelOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
index c9f6799e8c..80b52ea27e 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ class ModelOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     ModelOverlay();
-    
+    ModelOverlay(const ModelOverlay* modelOverlay);
+
     virtual void update(float deltatime);
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
@@ -29,8 +30,10 @@ public:
     virtual bool findRayIntersectionExtraInfo(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction, 
                                                     float& distance, BoxFace& face, QString& extraInfo) const;
 
+    virtual ModelOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private:
-    
+
     Model _model;
     QVariantMap _modelTextures;
     
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
index a7c38946b7..549152ded0 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
@@ -39,12 +39,30 @@ Overlay::Overlay() :
 {
 }
 
+Overlay::Overlay(const Overlay* overlay) :
+    _parent(NULL),
+    _alpha(overlay->_alpha),
+    _lastPulseUpdate(usecTimestampNow()),
+    _alphaPulse(overlay->_alphaPulse),
+    _anchor(overlay->_anchor),
+    _color(overlay->_color),
+    _colorPulse(overlay->_colorPulse),
+    _glowLevel(overlay->_glowLevel),
+    _glowLevelPulse(overlay->_glowLevelPulse),
+    _pulseDirection(overlay->_pulseDirection),
+    _pulseMax(overlay->_pulseMax),
+    _pulseMin(overlay->_pulseMin),
+    _pulsePeriod(overlay->_pulsePeriod),
+    _visible(overlay->_visible),
+    _isLoaded(overlay->_isLoaded)
+{
+}
+
 void Overlay::init(QGLWidget* parent, QScriptEngine* scriptEngine) {
     _parent = parent;
     _scriptEngine = scriptEngine;
 }
 
-
 Overlay::~Overlay() {
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
index 192bb5fd40..99ab588197 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ public:
     };
     
     Overlay();
+    Overlay(const Overlay* overlay);
     ~Overlay();
     void init(QGLWidget* parent, QScriptEngine* scriptEngine);
     virtual void update(float deltatime) {}
@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ public:
     void setAlphaPulse(float value) { _alphaPulse = value; }
 
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
+    virtual Overlay* createClone() const = 0;
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
 protected:
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.cpp
index b7c0a3a3e4..df7df391eb 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@
 Overlay2D::Overlay2D() {
 }
 
+Overlay2D::Overlay2D(const Overlay2D* overlay2D) :
+    Overlay(overlay2D),
+    _bounds(overlay2D->_bounds)
+{
+}
+
 Overlay2D::~Overlay2D() {
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.h
index d0d75c9397..7493add905 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay2D.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class Overlay2D : public Overlay {
     
 public:
     Overlay2D();
+    Overlay2D(const Overlay2D* overlay2D);
     ~Overlay2D();
     
     virtual bool is3D() const { return false; }
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ public:
     void setX(int x) { _bounds.setX(x); }
     void setY(int y) { _bounds.setY(y);  }
     void setWidth(int width) { _bounds.setWidth(width); }
-    void setHeight(int height) {  _bounds.setHeight(height); }
+    void setHeight(int height) { _bounds.setHeight(height); }
     void setBounds(const QRect& bounds) { _bounds = bounds; }
 
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
index 71980ba92c..d6dbb0861e 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
@@ -196,6 +196,16 @@ unsigned int Overlays::addOverlay(Overlay* overlay) {
     return thisID;
 }
 
+unsigned int Overlays::cloneOverlay(unsigned int id) {
+    Overlay* thisOverlay = NULL;
+    if (_overlays2D.contains(id)) {
+        thisOverlay = _overlays2D[id];
+    } else if (_overlays3D.contains(id)) {
+        thisOverlay = _overlays3D[id];
+    }
+    return addOverlay(thisOverlay->createClone());
+}
+
 bool Overlays::editOverlay(unsigned int id, const QScriptValue& properties) {
     Overlay* thisOverlay = NULL;
     QWriteLocker lock(&_lock);
@@ -397,15 +407,15 @@ void RayToOverlayIntersectionResultFromScriptValue(const QScriptValue& object, R
 
 bool Overlays::isLoaded(unsigned int id) {
     QReadLocker lock(&_lock);
-    Overlay* overlay = _overlays2D.value(id);
-    if (!overlay) {
-        _overlays3D.value(id);
-    }
-    if (!overlay) {
+    Overlay* thisOverlay = NULL;
+    if (_overlays2D.contains(id)) {
+        thisOverlay = _overlays2D[id];
+    } else if (_overlays3D.contains(id)) {
+        thisOverlay = _overlays3D[id];
+    } else {
         return false; // not found
     }
-
-    return overlay->isLoaded();
+    return thisOverlay->isLoaded();
 }
 
 float Overlays::textWidth(unsigned int id, const QString& text) const {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
index 312d872eb7..2cd80041cd 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ public slots:
     /// adds an overlay that's already been created
     unsigned int addOverlay(Overlay* overlay);
 
+    /// clones an existing overlay
+    unsigned int cloneOverlay(unsigned int id);
+
     /// edits an overlay updating only the included properties, will return the identified OverlayID in case of
     /// successful edit, if the input id is for an unknown overlay this function will have no effect
     bool editOverlay(unsigned int id, const QScriptValue& properties);
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
index ffd7d73531..a8288b241c 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ Planar3DOverlay::Planar3DOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+Planar3DOverlay::Planar3DOverlay(const Planar3DOverlay* planar3DOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(planar3DOverlay),
+    _dimensions(planar3DOverlay->_dimensions)
+{
+}
+
 Planar3DOverlay::~Planar3DOverlay() {
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.h
index fe73cfbe08..d34fe44ebc 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ class Planar3DOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Planar3DOverlay();
+    Planar3DOverlay(const Planar3DOverlay* planar3DOverlay);
     ~Planar3DOverlay();
 
     // getters
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.cpp
index c131a139ac..bcca759cd4 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@
 Rectangle3DOverlay::Rectangle3DOverlay() {
 }
 
+Rectangle3DOverlay::Rectangle3DOverlay(const Rectangle3DOverlay* rectangle3DOverlay) :
+    Planar3DOverlay(rectangle3DOverlay)
+{
+}
+
 Rectangle3DOverlay::~Rectangle3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -106,9 +111,6 @@ void Rectangle3DOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue &properties) {
     Planar3DOverlay::setProperties(properties);
 }
 
-
-
-
-
-
-
+Rectangle3DOverlay* Rectangle3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Rectangle3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.h
index 9cec6da7e7..5e75469f2d 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Rectangle3DOverlay.h
@@ -18,9 +18,12 @@ class Rectangle3DOverlay : public Planar3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Rectangle3DOverlay();
+    Rectangle3DOverlay(const Rectangle3DOverlay* rectangle3DOverlay);
     ~Rectangle3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
+
+    virtual Rectangle3DOverlay* createClone() const;
 };
 
  
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
index 63ed3e8d7e..34064675e5 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,11 @@
 Sphere3DOverlay::Sphere3DOverlay() {
 }
 
+Sphere3DOverlay::Sphere3DOverlay(const Sphere3DOverlay* Sphere3DOverlay) :
+    Volume3DOverlay(Sphere3DOverlay)
+{
+}
+
 Sphere3DOverlay::~Sphere3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -70,3 +75,7 @@ void Sphere3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     }
 
 }
+
+Sphere3DOverlay* Sphere3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Sphere3DOverlay(this);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.h
index 98776a3f57..3b881e5ba6 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.h
@@ -18,8 +18,11 @@ class Sphere3DOverlay : public Volume3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Sphere3DOverlay();
+    Sphere3DOverlay(const Sphere3DOverlay* Sphere3DOverlay);
     ~Sphere3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
+
+    virtual Sphere3DOverlay* createClone() const;
 };
 
  
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
index 8a8581599a..88ac009ac7 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -31,6 +31,19 @@ Text3DOverlay::Text3DOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+Text3DOverlay::Text3DOverlay(const Text3DOverlay* text3DOverlay) :
+    Planar3DOverlay(text3DOverlay),
+    _text(text3DOverlay->_text),
+    _backgroundColor(text3DOverlay->_backgroundColor),
+    _lineHeight(text3DOverlay->_lineHeight),
+    _leftMargin(text3DOverlay->_leftMargin),
+    _topMargin(text3DOverlay->_topMargin),
+    _rightMargin(text3DOverlay->_rightMargin),
+    _bottomMargin(text3DOverlay->_bottomMargin),
+    _isFacingAvatar(text3DOverlay->_isFacingAvatar)
+{
+}
+
 Text3DOverlay::~Text3DOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -172,7 +185,6 @@ void Text3DOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties) {
         setBottomMargin(properties.property("bottomMargin").toVariant().toFloat());
     }
 
-
     QScriptValue isFacingAvatarValue = properties.property("isFacingAvatar");
     if (isFacingAvatarValue.isValid()) {
         _isFacingAvatar = isFacingAvatarValue.toVariant().toBool();
@@ -208,6 +220,10 @@ QScriptValue Text3DOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     return Planar3DOverlay::getProperty(property);
 }
 
+Text3DOverlay* Text3DOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new Text3DOverlay(this);;
+}
+
 float Text3DOverlay::textWidth(const QString& text) const {
     QFont font(SANS_FONT_FAMILY, FIXED_FONT_POINT_SIZE);  // Same font properties as render()
     QFontMetrics fontMetrics(font);
@@ -215,3 +231,4 @@ float Text3DOverlay::textWidth(const QString& text) const {
     return scaleFactor * (float)fontMetrics.width(qPrintable(text));
 }
 
+
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.h
index ceb52b492e..c624830ac8 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ class Text3DOverlay : public Planar3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Text3DOverlay();
+    Text3DOverlay(const Text3DOverlay* text3DOverlay);
     ~Text3DOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
@@ -51,6 +52,8 @@ public:
 
     float textWidth(const QString& text) const;  // Meters
 
+    virtual Text3DOverlay* createClone() const;
+
 private:
     void enableClipPlane(GLenum plane, float x, float y, float z, float w);
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.cpp
index 1c3a626132..1d72cf7f05 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,16 @@ TextOverlay::TextOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+TextOverlay::TextOverlay(const TextOverlay* textOverlay) :
+    Overlay2D(textOverlay),
+    _text(textOverlay->_text),
+    _backgroundColor(textOverlay->_backgroundColor),
+    _leftMargin(textOverlay->_leftMargin),
+    _topMargin(textOverlay->_topMargin),
+    _fontSize(textOverlay->_fontSize)
+{
+}
+
 TextOverlay::~TextOverlay() {
 }
 
@@ -124,6 +134,10 @@ void TextOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties) {
     }
 }
 
+TextOverlay* TextOverlay::createClone() const {
+    return new TextOverlay(this);
+}
+
 QScriptValue TextOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     if (property == "font") {
         QScriptValue font = _scriptEngine->newObject();
@@ -146,7 +160,6 @@ QScriptValue TextOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     return Overlay2D::getProperty(property);
 }
 
-
 float TextOverlay::textWidth(const QString& text) const {
     QFont font(SANS_FONT_FAMILY, _fontSize, DEFAULT_FONT_WEIGHT);  // Same font properties as render()
     QFontMetrics fontMetrics(font);
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.h
index 7559b33df5..703e15be10 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/TextOverlay.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class TextOverlay : public Overlay2D {
     
 public:
     TextOverlay();
+    TextOverlay(const TextOverlay* textOverlay);
     ~TextOverlay();
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args);
 
@@ -53,12 +54,12 @@ public:
     void setFontSize(int fontSize) { _fontSize = fontSize; }
 
     virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
+    virtual TextOverlay* createClone() const;
     virtual QScriptValue getProperty(const QString& property);
 
     float textWidth(const QString& text) const;  // Pixels
 
 private:
-
     QString _text;
     xColor _backgroundColor;
     int _leftMargin;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
index 0940caea04..c4192a15b2 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ Volume3DOverlay::Volume3DOverlay() :
 {
 }
 
+Volume3DOverlay::Volume3DOverlay(const Volume3DOverlay* volume3DOverlay) :
+    Base3DOverlay(volume3DOverlay),
+    _dimensions(volume3DOverlay->_dimensions)
+{
+}
+
 Volume3DOverlay::~Volume3DOverlay() {
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.h
index 8787759022..005646c036 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ class Volume3DOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
     
 public:
     Volume3DOverlay();
+    Volume3DOverlay(const Volume3DOverlay* volume3DOverlay);
     ~Volume3DOverlay();
 
     // getters
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.cpp
index bc2823e15c..73957ad077 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityTree.cpp
@@ -1089,7 +1089,6 @@ bool DebugOperator::preRecursion(OctreeElement* element) {
 }
 
 void EntityTree::dumpTree() {
-    // First, look for the existing entity in the tree..
     DebugOperator theOperator;
     recurseTreeWithOperator(&theOperator);
 }
@@ -1107,7 +1106,6 @@ bool PruneOperator::postRecursion(OctreeElement* element) {
 }
 
 void EntityTree::pruneTree() {
-    // First, look for the existing entity in the tree..
     PruneOperator theOperator;
     recurseTreeWithOperator(&theOperator);
 }
diff --git a/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.cpp b/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.cpp
index 406681c2c5..f74ddfa5f0 100644
--- a/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.cpp
+++ b/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.cpp
@@ -9,18 +9,31 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+#include <time.h>
+
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <PerfStat.h>
 #include <SharedUtil.h>
 
 #include "OctreePersistThread.h"
 
-OctreePersistThread::OctreePersistThread(Octree* tree, const QString& filename, int persistInterval) :
+const int OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL = 1000 * 30; // every 30 seconds
+const int OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_BACKUP_INTERVAL = 1000 * 60 * 30; // every 30 minutes
+const QString OctreePersistThread::DEFAULT_BACKUP_EXTENSION_FORMAT(".backup.%Y-%m-%d.%H:%M:%S.%z");
+
+
+OctreePersistThread::OctreePersistThread(Octree* tree, const QString& filename, int persistInterval, 
+                                                bool wantBackup, int backupInterval, const QString& backupExtensionFormat) :
     _tree(tree),
     _filename(filename),
+    _backupExtensionFormat(backupExtensionFormat),
     _persistInterval(persistInterval),
+    _backupInterval(backupInterval),
     _initialLoadComplete(false),
-    _loadTimeUSecs(0) 
+    _loadTimeUSecs(0),
+    _lastCheck(0),
+    _lastBackup(0),
+    _wantBackup(wantBackup)
 {
 }
 
@@ -51,16 +64,22 @@ bool OctreePersistThread::process() {
         unsigned long leafNodeCount = OctreeElement::getLeafNodeCount();
         qDebug("Nodes after loading scene %lu nodes %lu internal %lu leaves", nodeCount, internalNodeCount, leafNodeCount);
 
-        double usecPerGet = (double)OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexTime() / (double)OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexCalls();
-        qDebug() << "getChildAtIndexCalls=" << OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexCalls()
-                << " getChildAtIndexTime=" << OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexTime() << " perGet=" << usecPerGet;
+        bool wantDebug = false;
+        if (wantDebug) {
+            double usecPerGet = (double)OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexTime() 
+                                    / (double)OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexCalls();
+            qDebug() << "getChildAtIndexCalls=" << OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexCalls()
+                    << " getChildAtIndexTime=" << OctreeElement::getGetChildAtIndexTime() << " perGet=" << usecPerGet;
 
-        double usecPerSet = (double)OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexTime() / (double)OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexCalls();
-        qDebug() << "setChildAtIndexCalls=" << OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexCalls()
-                << " setChildAtIndexTime=" << OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexTime() << " perset=" << usecPerSet;
+            double usecPerSet = (double)OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexTime() 
+                                    / (double)OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexCalls();
+            qDebug() << "setChildAtIndexCalls=" << OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexCalls()
+                    << " setChildAtIndexTime=" << OctreeElement::getSetChildAtIndexTime() << " perSet=" << usecPerSet;
+        }
 
         _initialLoadComplete = true;
-        _lastCheck = usecTimestampNow(); // we just loaded, no need to save again
+        _lastBackup = _lastCheck = usecTimestampNow(); // we just loaded, no need to save again
+        time(&_lastPersistTime);
 
         emit loadCompleted();
     }
@@ -78,19 +97,62 @@ bool OctreePersistThread::process() {
         quint64 intervalToCheck = _persistInterval * MSECS_TO_USECS;
 
         if (sinceLastSave > intervalToCheck) {
-            // check the dirty bit and persist here...
-            _lastCheck = usecTimestampNow();
-            if (_tree->isDirty()) {
-                qDebug() << "pruning Octree before saving...";
-                _tree->pruneTree();
-                qDebug() << "DONE pruning Octree before saving...";
-            
-                qDebug() << "saving Octree to file " << _filename << "...";
-                _tree->writeToSVOFile(_filename.toLocal8Bit().constData());
-                _tree->clearDirtyBit(); // tree is clean after saving
-                qDebug("DONE saving Octree to file...");
-            }
+            _lastCheck = now;
+            persist();
         }
     }
     return isStillRunning();  // keep running till they terminate us
 }
+
+
+void OctreePersistThread::aboutToFinish() {
+    qDebug() << "Persist thread about to finish...";
+    persist();
+    qDebug() << "Persist thread done with about to finish...";
+}
+
+void OctreePersistThread::persist() {
+    if (_tree->isDirty()) {
+        _tree->lockForWrite();
+        {
+            qDebug() << "pruning Octree before saving...";
+            _tree->pruneTree();
+            qDebug() << "DONE pruning Octree before saving...";
+        }
+        _tree->unlock();
+
+        backup(); // handle backup if requested        
+
+        qDebug() << "saving Octree to file " << _filename << "...";
+        _tree->writeToSVOFile(qPrintable(_filename));
+        time(&_lastPersistTime);
+        _tree->clearDirtyBit(); // tree is clean after saving
+        qDebug() << "DONE saving Octree to file...";
+    }
+}
+
+void OctreePersistThread::backup() {
+    if (_wantBackup) {
+        quint64 now = usecTimestampNow();
+        quint64 sinceLastBackup = now - _lastBackup;
+        quint64 MSECS_TO_USECS = 1000;
+        quint64 intervalToBackup = _backupInterval * MSECS_TO_USECS;
+        
+        if (sinceLastBackup > intervalToBackup) {
+            struct tm* localTime = localtime(&_lastPersistTime);
+
+            char backupExtension[256];
+            strftime(backupExtension, sizeof(backupExtension), qPrintable(_backupExtensionFormat), localTime);
+
+            QString backupFileName = _filename + backupExtension;
+
+            qDebug() << "backing up persist file " << _filename << "to" << backupFileName << "...";
+            int result = rename(qPrintable(_filename), qPrintable(backupFileName));
+            if (result == 0) {
+                qDebug() << "DONE backing up persist file...";
+            } else {
+                qDebug() << "ERROR in backing up persist file...";
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.h b/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.h
index 2f86320b2e..06b97b2dcb 100644
--- a/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.h
+++ b/libraries/octree/src/OctreePersistThread.h
@@ -22,27 +22,41 @@
 class OctreePersistThread : public GenericThread {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    static const int DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL = 1000 * 30; // every 30 seconds
+    static const int DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL;
+    static const int DEFAULT_BACKUP_INTERVAL;
+    static const QString DEFAULT_BACKUP_EXTENSION_FORMAT;
 
-    OctreePersistThread(Octree* tree, const QString& filename, int persistInterval = DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL);
+    OctreePersistThread(Octree* tree, const QString& filename, int persistInterval = DEFAULT_PERSIST_INTERVAL, 
+                                bool wantBackup = false, int backupInterval = DEFAULT_BACKUP_INTERVAL,
+                                const QString& backupExtensionFormat = DEFAULT_BACKUP_EXTENSION_FORMAT);
 
     bool isInitialLoadComplete() const { return _initialLoadComplete; }
     quint64 getLoadElapsedTime() const { return _loadTimeUSecs; }
 
+    void aboutToFinish(); /// call this to inform the persist thread that the owner is about to finish to support final persist
+
 signals:
     void loadCompleted();
 
 protected:
     /// Implements generic processing behavior for this thread.
     virtual bool process();
+    
+    void persist();
+    void backup();
 private:
     Octree* _tree;
     QString _filename;
+    QString _backupExtensionFormat;
     int _persistInterval;
+    int _backupInterval;
     bool _initialLoadComplete;
 
     quint64 _loadTimeUSecs;
     quint64 _lastCheck;
+    quint64 _lastBackup;
+    bool _wantBackup;
+    time_t _lastPersistTime;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_OctreePersistThread_h