diff --git a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
index 3ff7eafd6b..1955b8f0c8 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/Agent.cpp
@@ -55,13 +55,7 @@ Agent::Agent(ReceivedMessage& message) :
 {
     DependencyManager::get<EntityScriptingInterface>()->setPacketSender(&_entityEditSender);
 
-    auto assetClient = DependencyManager::set<AssetClient>();
-
-    QThread* assetThread = new QThread;
-    assetThread->setObjectName("Asset Thread");
-    assetClient->moveToThread(assetThread);
-    connect(assetThread, &QThread::started, assetClient.data(), &AssetClient::init);
-    assetThread->start();
+    ResourceManager::init();
 
     DependencyManager::registerInheritance<SpatialParentFinder, AssignmentParentFinder>();
 
@@ -471,11 +465,7 @@ void Agent::aboutToFinish() {
     // our entity tree is going to go away so tell that to the EntityScriptingInterface
     DependencyManager::get<EntityScriptingInterface>()->setEntityTree(nullptr);
 
-    // cleanup the AssetClient thread
-    QThread* assetThread = DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>()->thread();
-    DependencyManager::destroy<AssetClient>();
-    assetThread->quit();
-    assetThread->wait();
+    ResourceManager::cleanup();
     
     // cleanup the AudioInjectorManager (and any still running injectors)
     DependencyManager::destroy<AudioInjectorManager>();
diff --git a/examples/away.js b/examples/away.js
index 18a3fddfce..8d561f2623 100644
--- a/examples/away.js
+++ b/examples/away.js
@@ -13,13 +13,30 @@
 //
 // Goes into "paused" when the '.' key (and automatically when started in HMD), and normal when pressing any key.
 // See MAIN CONTROL, below, for what "paused" actually does.
-var OVERLAY_RATIO = 1920 / 1080;
+var OVERLAY_WIDTH = 1920;
+var OVERLAY_HEIGHT = 1080;
+var OVERLAY_RATIO = OVERLAY_WIDTH / OVERLAY_HEIGHT;
 var OVERLAY_DATA = {
+    width: OVERLAY_WIDTH,
+    height: OVERLAY_HEIGHT,
     imageURL: "http://hifi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/alan/production/images/images/Overlay-Viz-blank.png",
     color: {red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255},
     alpha: 1
 };
 
+var lastOverlayPosition = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0};
+var OVERLAY_DATA_HMD = {
+    position: lastOverlayPosition,
+    width: OVERLAY_WIDTH,
+    height: OVERLAY_HEIGHT,
+    url: "http://hifi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/alan/production/images/images/Overlay-Viz-blank.png",
+    color: {red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255},
+    alpha: 1,
+    scale: 2,
+    isFacingAvatar: true,
+    drawInFront: true   
+};
+
 // ANIMATION
 // We currently don't have play/stopAnimation integrated with the animation graph, but we can get the same effect
 // using an animation graph with a state that we turn on and off through the animation var defined with that state.
@@ -64,29 +81,74 @@ function stopAwayAnimation() {
 
 // OVERLAY
 var overlay = Overlays.addOverlay("image", OVERLAY_DATA);
+var overlayHMD = Overlays.addOverlay("image3d", OVERLAY_DATA_HMD);
+
+function moveCloserToCamera(positionAtHUD) {
+    // we don't actually want to render at the slerped look at... instead, we want to render
+    // slightly closer to the camera than that.
+    var MOVE_CLOSER_TO_CAMERA_BY = -0.25;
+    var cameraFront = Quat.getFront(Camera.orientation);
+    var closerToCamera = Vec3.multiply(cameraFront, MOVE_CLOSER_TO_CAMERA_BY); // slightly closer to camera
+    var slightlyCloserPosition = Vec3.sum(positionAtHUD, closerToCamera);
+
+    return slightlyCloserPosition;
+}
+
 function showOverlay() {
-    var properties = {visible: true},
-        // Update for current screen size, keeping overlay proportions constant.
-        screen = Controller.getViewportDimensions(),
-        screenRatio = screen.x / screen.y;
-    if (screenRatio < OVERLAY_RATIO) {
-        properties.width = screen.x;
-        properties.height = screen.x / OVERLAY_RATIO;
-        properties.x = 0;
-        properties.y = (screen.y - properties.height) / 2;
+    var properties = {visible: true};
+
+    if (HMD.active) {
+        // make sure desktop version is hidden
+        Overlays.editOverlay(overlay, { visible: false });
+
+        lastOverlayPosition = HMD.getHUDLookAtPosition3D();
+        var actualOverlayPositon = moveCloserToCamera(lastOverlayPosition);
+        Overlays.editOverlay(overlayHMD, { visible: true, position: actualOverlayPositon });
     } else {
-        properties.height = screen.y;
-        properties.width = screen.y * OVERLAY_RATIO;
-        properties.y = 0;
-        properties.x = (screen.x - properties.width) / 2;
+        // make sure HMD is hidden
+        Overlays.editOverlay(overlayHMD, { visible: false });
+
+        // Update for current screen size, keeping overlay proportions constant.
+        var screen = Controller.getViewportDimensions();
+
+        // keep the overlay it's natural size and always center it...
+        Overlays.editOverlay(overlay, { visible: true, 
+                    x: ((screen.x - OVERLAY_WIDTH) / 2), 
+                    y: ((screen.y - OVERLAY_HEIGHT) / 2) });
     }
-    Overlays.editOverlay(overlay, properties);
 }
 function hideOverlay() {
     Overlays.editOverlay(overlay, {visible: false});
+    Overlays.editOverlay(overlayHMD, {visible: false});
 }
 hideOverlay();
 
+function maybeMoveOverlay() {
+    if (isAway) {
+        // if we switched from HMD to Desktop, make sure to hide our HUD overlay and show the
+        // desktop overlay
+        if (!HMD.active) {
+            showOverlay(); // this will also recenter appropriately
+        }
+
+        if (HMD.active) {
+            // Note: instead of moving it directly to the lookAt, we will move it slightly toward the
+            // new look at. This will result in a more subtle slerp toward the look at and reduce jerkiness
+            var EASE_BY_RATIO = 0.1;
+            var lookAt = HMD.getHUDLookAtPosition3D();
+            var lookAtChange = Vec3.subtract(lookAt, lastOverlayPosition);
+            var halfWayBetweenOldAndLookAt = Vec3.multiply(lookAtChange, EASE_BY_RATIO);
+            var newOverlayPosition = Vec3.sum(lastOverlayPosition, halfWayBetweenOldAndLookAt);
+            lastOverlayPosition = newOverlayPosition;
+
+            var actualOverlayPositon = moveCloserToCamera(lastOverlayPosition);
+            Overlays.editOverlay(overlayHMD, { visible: true, position: actualOverlayPositon });
+
+            // make sure desktop version is hidden
+            Overlays.editOverlay(overlay, { visible: false });
+        }
+    }
+}
 
 // MAIN CONTROL
 var wasMuted, isAway;
@@ -106,6 +168,12 @@ function goAway() {
     MyAvatar.setEnableMeshVisible(false);  // just for our own display, without changing point of view
     playAwayAnimation(); // animation is still seen by others
     showOverlay();
+
+    // tell the Reticle, we want to stop capturing the mouse until we come back
+    Reticle.allowMouseCapture = false;
+    if (HMD.active) {
+        Reticle.visible = false;
+    }
 }
 function goActive() {
     if (!isAway) {
@@ -119,13 +187,20 @@ function goActive() {
     MyAvatar.setEnableMeshVisible(true); // IWBNI we respected Developer->Avatar->Draw Mesh setting.
     stopAwayAnimation();
     hideOverlay();
+
+    // tell the Reticle, we are ready to capture the mouse again and it should be visible
+    Reticle.allowMouseCapture = true;
+    Reticle.visible = true;
+    if (HMD.active) {
+        Reticle.position = HMD.getHUDLookAtPosition2D();
+    }
 }
 
 function maybeGoActive(event) {
     if (event.isAutoRepeat) {  // isAutoRepeat is true when held down (or when Windows feels like it)
         return;
     }
-    if (!isAway && (event.text === '.')) {
+    if (!isAway && (event.text == 'ESC')) {
         goAway();
     } else {
         goActive();
@@ -141,10 +216,8 @@ function maybeGoAway() {
         }
     }
 
-    // If the mouse has gone from captured, to non-captured state,
-    // then it likely means the person is still in the HMD, but has
-    // tabbed away from the application (meaning they don't have mouse 
-    // control) and they likely want to go into an away state
+    // If the mouse has gone from captured, to non-captured state, then it likely means the person is still in the HMD, but
+    // tabbed away from the application (meaning they don't have mouse control) and they likely want to go into an away state
     if (Reticle.mouseCaptured !== wasMouseCaptured) {
         wasMouseCaptured = !wasMouseCaptured;
         if (!wasMouseCaptured) {
@@ -153,6 +226,8 @@ function maybeGoAway() {
     }
 }
 
+Script.update.connect(maybeMoveOverlay);
+
 Script.update.connect(maybeGoAway);
 Controller.mousePressEvent.connect(goActive);
 Controller.keyPressEvent.connect(maybeGoActive);
diff --git a/examples/depthReticle.js b/examples/depthReticle.js
index 14a5ba5ff3..14215bff3d 100644
--- a/examples/depthReticle.js
+++ b/examples/depthReticle.js
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ var AVERAGE_MOUSE_VELOCITY_FOR_SEEK_TO = 50;
 Controller.mouseMoveEvent.connect(function(mouseEvent) {
     var now = Date.now();
 
-    // if the reticle is hidden, show it...
-    if (!Reticle.visible) {
+    // if the reticle is hidden, and we're not in away mode...
+    if (!Reticle.visible && Reticle.allowMouseCapture) {
         Reticle.visible = true;
         if (HMD.active) {
             shouldSeekToLookAt = true;
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Controller.mouseMoveEvent.connect(function(mouseEvent) {
     } else {
         // even if the reticle is visible, if we're in HMD mode, and the person is moving their mouse quickly (shaking it)
         // then they are probably looking for it, and we should move into seekToLookAt mode
-        if (HMD.active && !shouldSeekToLookAt) {
+        if (HMD.active && !shouldSeekToLookAt && Reticle.allowMouseCapture) {
             var dx = Reticle.position.x - lastMouseX;
             var dy = Reticle.position.y - lastMouseY;
             var dt = Math.max(1, (now - lastMouseMove)); // mSecs since last mouse move
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 82e44fa907..a34fb3a38e 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -370,7 +370,6 @@ bool setupEssentials(int& argc, char** argv) {
     DependencyManager::set<AutoUpdater>();
     DependencyManager::set<PathUtils>();
     DependencyManager::set<InterfaceActionFactory>();
-    DependencyManager::set<AssetClient>();
     DependencyManager::set<AudioInjectorManager>();
     DependencyManager::set<MessagesClient>();
     DependencyManager::set<UserInputMapper>();
@@ -528,13 +527,7 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
 
     audioThread->start();
 
-    // Setup AssetClient
-    auto assetClient = DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>();
-    QThread* assetThread = new QThread;
-    assetThread->setObjectName("Asset Thread");
-    assetClient->moveToThread(assetThread);
-    connect(assetThread, &QThread::started, assetClient.data(), &AssetClient::init);
-    assetThread->start();
+    ResourceManager::init();
 
     // Setup MessagesClient
     auto messagesClient = DependencyManager::get<MessagesClient>();
@@ -547,7 +540,7 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
     const DomainHandler& domainHandler = nodeList->getDomainHandler();
 
     connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(hostnameChanged(const QString&)), SLOT(domainChanged(const QString&)));
-    connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(connectedToDomain(const QString&)), SLOT(connectedToDomain(const QString&)));
+    connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(resetting()), SLOT(resettingDomain()));
     connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(connectedToDomain(const QString&)), SLOT(updateWindowTitle()));
     connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(disconnectedFromDomain()), SLOT(updateWindowTitle()));
     connect(&domainHandler, SIGNAL(disconnectedFromDomain()), SLOT(clearDomainOctreeDetails()));
@@ -644,13 +637,6 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
     connect(&identityPacketTimer, &QTimer::timeout, getMyAvatar(), &MyAvatar::sendIdentityPacket);
     identityPacketTimer.start(AVATAR_IDENTITY_PACKET_SEND_INTERVAL_MSECS);
 
-    QString cachePath = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::DataLocation);
-    QNetworkAccessManager& networkAccessManager = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance();
-    QNetworkDiskCache* cache = new QNetworkDiskCache();
-    cache->setMaximumCacheSize(MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE);
-    cache->setCacheDirectory(!cachePath.isEmpty() ? cachePath : "interfaceCache");
-    networkAccessManager.setCache(cache);
-
     ResourceCache::setRequestLimit(3);
 
     _glWidget = new GLCanvas();
@@ -661,15 +647,15 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
 
     _glWidget->setFocusPolicy(Qt::StrongFocus);
     _glWidget->setFocus();
+
 #ifdef Q_OS_MAC
-    // OSX doesn't seem to provide for hiding the cursor only on the GL widget
-    _window->setCursor(Qt::BlankCursor);
+    auto cursorTarget = _window; // OSX doesn't seem to provide for hiding the cursor only on the GL widget
 #else
-    // On windows and linux, hiding the top level cursor also means it's invisible
-    // when hovering over the window menu, which is a pain, so only hide it for
-    // the GL surface
-    _glWidget->setCursor(Qt::BlankCursor);
+    // On windows and linux, hiding the top level cursor also means it's invisible when hovering over the 
+    // window menu, which is a pain, so only hide it for the GL surface
+    auto cursorTarget = _glWidget;
 #endif
+    cursorTarget->setCursor(Qt::BlankCursor);
 
     // enable mouse tracking; otherwise, we only get drag events
     _glWidget->setMouseTracking(true);
@@ -981,6 +967,29 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
     _idleTimer->start(0);
 }
 
+
+void Application::checkChangeCursor() {
+    QMutexLocker locker(&_changeCursorLock);
+    if (_cursorNeedsChanging) {
+#ifdef Q_OS_MAC
+        auto cursorTarget = _window; // OSX doesn't seem to provide for hiding the cursor only on the GL widget
+#else
+        // On windows and linux, hiding the top level cursor also means it's invisible when hovering over the 
+        // window menu, which is a pain, so only hide it for the GL surface
+        auto cursorTarget = _glWidget;
+#endif
+        cursorTarget->setCursor(_desiredCursor);
+
+        _cursorNeedsChanging = false;
+    }
+}
+
+void Application::showCursor(const QCursor& cursor) {
+    QMutexLocker locker(&_changeCursorLock);
+    _desiredCursor = cursor;
+    _cursorNeedsChanging = true;
+}
+
 void Application::aboutToQuit() {
     emit beforeAboutToQuit();
 
@@ -1062,13 +1071,6 @@ void Application::cleanupBeforeQuit() {
     DependencyManager::destroy<OffscreenUi>();
 }
 
-void Application::emptyLocalCache() {
-    if (auto cache = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance().cache()) {
-        qDebug() << "DiskCacheEditor::clear(): Clearing disk cache.";
-        cache->clear();
-    }
-}
-
 Application::~Application() {
     EntityTreePointer tree = getEntities()->getTree();
     tree->setSimulation(NULL);
@@ -1106,11 +1108,7 @@ Application::~Application() {
     DependencyManager::destroy<ScriptCache>();
     DependencyManager::destroy<SoundCache>();
 
-    // cleanup the AssetClient thread
-    QThread* assetThread = DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>()->thread();
-    DependencyManager::destroy<AssetClient>();
-    assetThread->quit();
-    assetThread->wait();
+    ResourceManager::cleanup();
 
     QThread* nodeThread = DependencyManager::get<NodeList>()->thread();
 
@@ -2431,6 +2429,9 @@ void Application::idle(uint64_t now) {
         return; // bail early, nothing to do here.
     }
 
+
+    checkChangeCursor();
+
     Stats::getInstance()->updateStats();
     AvatarInputs::getInstance()->update();
 
@@ -3055,7 +3056,7 @@ void Application::reloadResourceCaches() {
     _viewFrustum.setOrientation(glm::quat());
     queryOctree(NodeType::EntityServer, PacketType::EntityQuery, _entityServerJurisdictions);
 
-    emptyLocalCache();
+    DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>()->clearCache();
 
     DependencyManager::get<AnimationCache>()->refreshAll();
     DependencyManager::get<ModelCache>()->refreshAll();
@@ -3978,13 +3979,8 @@ void Application::handleDomainConnectionDeniedPacket(QSharedPointer<ReceivedMess
     AccountManager::getInstance().checkAndSignalForAccessToken();
 }
 
-void Application::connectedToDomain(const QString& hostname) {
-    AccountManager& accountManager = AccountManager::getInstance();
-    const QUuid& domainID = DependencyManager::get<NodeList>()->getDomainHandler().getUUID();
-
-    if (accountManager.isLoggedIn() && !domainID.isNull()) {
-        _notifiedPacketVersionMismatchThisDomain = false;
-    }
+void Application::resettingDomain() {
+    _notifiedPacketVersionMismatchThisDomain = false;
 }
 
 void Application::nodeAdded(SharedNodePointer node) {
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index d205ce8041..852e3e86a6 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ public:
     QSize getDeviceSize() const;
     bool hasFocus() const;
 
+    void showCursor(const QCursor& cursor);
+
     bool isThrottleRendering() const;
 
     Camera* getCamera() { return &_myCamera; }
@@ -288,7 +290,7 @@ private slots:
     void idle(uint64_t now);
     void aboutToQuit();
 
-    void connectedToDomain(const QString& hostname);
+    void resettingDomain();
 
     void audioMuteToggled();
     void faceTrackerMuteToggled();
@@ -328,8 +330,6 @@ private:
 
     void cleanupBeforeQuit();
 
-    void emptyLocalCache();
-
     void update(float deltaTime);
 
     void setPalmData(Hand* hand, const controller::Pose& pose, float deltaTime, HandData::Hand whichHand, float triggerValue);
@@ -515,6 +515,11 @@ private:
     QTimer* _idleTimer { nullptr };
 
     bool _fakedMouseEvent { false };
+
+    void checkChangeCursor();
+    mutable QMutex _changeCursorLock { QMutex::Recursive };
+    QCursor _desiredCursor{ Qt::BlankCursor };
+    bool _cursorNeedsChanging { false };
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_Application_h
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.cpp b/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.cpp
index e8e6a0a956..efd69c7859 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.cpp
@@ -337,9 +337,21 @@ QPointF ApplicationCompositor::getMouseEventPosition(QMouseEvent* event) {
 
 bool ApplicationCompositor::shouldCaptureMouse() const {
     // if we're in HMD mode, and some window of ours is active, but we're not currently showing a popup menu
-    return qApp->isHMDMode() && QApplication::activeWindow() && !Menu::isSomeSubmenuShown();
+    return _allowMouseCapture && qApp->isHMDMode() && QApplication::activeWindow() && !Menu::isSomeSubmenuShown();
 }
 
+void ApplicationCompositor::setAllowMouseCapture(bool capture) {
+    if (qApp->isHMDMode()) {
+        if (capture) {
+            qApp->showCursor(Qt::BlankCursor);
+        } else {
+            qApp->showCursor(Qt::ArrowCursor);
+        }
+    }
+    _allowMouseCapture = capture;
+}
+
+
 void ApplicationCompositor::handleLeaveEvent() {
 
     if (shouldCaptureMouse()) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.h b/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.h
index 32835ace5a..324250deb1 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/ApplicationCompositor.h
@@ -106,6 +106,9 @@ public:
 
     bool shouldCaptureMouse() const;
 
+    bool getAllowMouseCapture() const { return _allowMouseCapture; }
+    void setAllowMouseCapture(bool capture);
+
     /// if the reticle is pointing to a system overlay (a dialog box for example) then the function returns true otherwise false
     bool getReticleOverDesktop() const;
     void setReticleOverDesktop(bool value) { _isOverDesktop = value; }
@@ -162,6 +165,8 @@ private:
 
     bool _reticleOverQml { false };
 
+    bool _allowMouseCapture { true };
+
     ReticleInterface* _reticleInterface;
 };
 
@@ -173,12 +178,17 @@ class ReticleInterface : public QObject {
     Q_PROPERTY(float depth READ getDepth WRITE setDepth)
     Q_PROPERTY(glm::vec2 maximumPosition READ getMaximumPosition)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool mouseCaptured READ isMouseCaptured)
+    Q_PROPERTY(bool allowMouseCapture READ getAllowMouseCapture WRITE setAllowMouseCapture)
     Q_PROPERTY(bool pointingAtSystemOverlay READ isPointingAtSystemOverlay)
 
 public:
     ReticleInterface(ApplicationCompositor* outer) : QObject(outer), _compositor(outer) {}
 
     Q_INVOKABLE bool isMouseCaptured() { return _compositor->shouldCaptureMouse(); }
+
+    Q_INVOKABLE bool getAllowMouseCapture() { return _compositor->getAllowMouseCapture(); }
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setAllowMouseCapture(bool value) { return _compositor->setAllowMouseCapture(value); }
+
     Q_INVOKABLE bool isPointingAtSystemOverlay() { return !_compositor->getReticleOverDesktop(); }
 
     Q_INVOKABLE bool getVisible() { return _compositor->getReticleVisible(); }
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.cpp b/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.cpp
index d3a40e6439..ed85b87d63 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.cpp
@@ -9,23 +9,21 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
-#include <functional>
+#include "DiskCacheEditor.h"
 
 #include <QDebug>
 #include <QDialog>
 #include <QGridLayout>
 #include <QPushButton>
 #include <QLabel>
-#include <QNetworkDiskCache>
+#include <QTimer>
 #include <QMessageBox>
 
-#include <NetworkAccessManager.h>
+#include <AssetClient.h>
 
-#include "DiskCacheEditor.h"
 #include "OffscreenUi.h"
 
 DiskCacheEditor::DiskCacheEditor(QWidget* parent) : QObject(parent) {
-    
 }
 
 QWindow* DiskCacheEditor::windowHandle() {
@@ -33,7 +31,6 @@ QWindow* DiskCacheEditor::windowHandle() {
 }
 
 void DiskCacheEditor::toggle() {
-    qDebug() << "DiskCacheEditor::toggle()";
     if (!_dialog) {
         makeDialog();
     }
@@ -88,17 +85,17 @@ void DiskCacheEditor::makeDialog() {
     Q_CHECK_PTR(_maxSize);
     _maxSize->setAlignment(Qt::AlignLeft);
     layout->addWidget(_maxSize, 2, 1, 1, 3);
-    
+
     refresh();
-    
-    
-    QPushButton* refreshCacheButton = new QPushButton(_dialog);
-    Q_CHECK_PTR(refreshCacheButton);
-    refreshCacheButton->setText("Refresh");
-    refreshCacheButton->setToolTip("Reload the cache stats.");
-    connect(refreshCacheButton, SIGNAL(clicked()), SLOT(refresh()));
-    layout->addWidget(refreshCacheButton, 3, 2);
-    
+
+
+    static const int REFRESH_INTERVAL = 100; // msec
+    _refreshTimer = new QTimer(_dialog);
+    _refreshTimer->setInterval(REFRESH_INTERVAL);
+    _refreshTimer->setSingleShot(false);
+    QObject::connect(_refreshTimer.data(), &QTimer::timeout, this, &DiskCacheEditor::refresh);
+    _refreshTimer->start();
+
     QPushButton* clearCacheButton = new QPushButton(_dialog);
     Q_CHECK_PTR(clearCacheButton);
     clearCacheButton->setText("Clear");
@@ -108,7 +105,11 @@ void DiskCacheEditor::makeDialog() {
 }
 
 void DiskCacheEditor::refresh() {
-    static const std::function<QString(qint64)> stringify = [](qint64 number) {
+    DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>()->cacheInfoRequest(this, "cacheInfoCallback");
+}
+
+void DiskCacheEditor::cacheInfoCallback(QString cacheDirectory, qint64 cacheSize, qint64 maximumCacheSize) {
+    static const auto stringify = [](qint64 number) {
         static const QStringList UNITS = QStringList() << "B" << "KB" << "MB" << "GB";
         static const qint64 CHUNK = 1024;
         QString unit;
@@ -122,30 +123,24 @@ void DiskCacheEditor::refresh() {
         }
         return QString("%0 %1").arg(number).arg(UNITS[i]);
     };
-    QNetworkDiskCache* cache = qobject_cast<QNetworkDiskCache*>(NetworkAccessManager::getInstance().cache());
     
     if (_path) {
-        _path->setText(cache->cacheDirectory());
+        _path->setText(cacheDirectory);
     }
     if (_size) {
-        _size->setText(stringify(cache->cacheSize()));
+        _size->setText(stringify(cacheSize));
     }
     if (_maxSize) {
-        _maxSize->setText(stringify(cache->maximumCacheSize()));
+        _maxSize->setText(stringify(maximumCacheSize));
     }
 }
 
 void DiskCacheEditor::clear() {
-    QMessageBox::StandardButton buttonClicked =
-                                    OffscreenUi::question(_dialog, "Clearing disk cache",
-                                              "You are about to erase all the content of the disk cache, "
-                                              "are you sure you want to do that?",
-                                              QMessageBox::Ok | QMessageBox::Cancel);
+    auto buttonClicked = OffscreenUi::question(_dialog, "Clearing disk cache",
+                                               "You are about to erase all the content of the disk cache, "
+                                               "are you sure you want to do that?",
+                                               QMessageBox::Ok | QMessageBox::Cancel);
     if (buttonClicked == QMessageBox::Ok) {
-        if (auto cache = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance().cache()) {
-            qDebug() << "DiskCacheEditor::clear(): Clearing disk cache.";
-            cache->clear();
-        }
+        DependencyManager::get<AssetClient>()->clearCache();
     }
-    refresh();
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.h b/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.h
index 5d673c4285..3f8fa1a883 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/DiskCacheEditor.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 class QDialog;
 class QLabel;
 class QWindow;
+class QTimer;
 
 class DiskCacheEditor : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
@@ -32,8 +33,9 @@ public slots:
     
 private slots:
     void refresh();
+    void cacheInfoCallback(QString cacheDirectory, qint64 cacheSize, qint64 maximumCacheSize);
     void clear();
-    
+
 private:
     void makeDialog();
     
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ private:
     QPointer<QLabel> _path;
     QPointer<QLabel> _size;
     QPointer<QLabel> _maxSize;
+    QPointer<QTimer> _refreshTimer;
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_DiskCacheEditor_h
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
index 85cbbbd328..44c3146b41 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ void EntityTreeRenderer::applyZonePropertiesToScene(std::shared_ptr<ZoneEntityIt
         _ambientTexture.clear();
     } else {
         _ambientTexture = textureCache->getTexture(zone->getKeyLightProperties().getAmbientURL(), CUBE_TEXTURE);
-        if (_ambientTexture->getGPUTexture()) {
+        if (_ambientTexture && _ambientTexture->isLoaded() && _ambientTexture->getGPUTexture()) {
             _pendingAmbientTexture = false;
             if (_ambientTexture->getGPUTexture()->getIrradiance()) {
                 sceneKeyLight->setAmbientSphere(_ambientTexture->getGPUTexture()->getIrradiance());
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ void EntityTreeRenderer::applyZonePropertiesToScene(std::shared_ptr<ZoneEntityIt
                 // Update the Texture of the Skybox with the one pointed by this zone
                 _skyboxTexture = textureCache->getTexture(zone->getSkyboxProperties().getURL(), CUBE_TEXTURE);
 
-                if (_skyboxTexture->getGPUTexture()) {
+                if (_skyboxTexture && _skyboxTexture->isLoaded() && _skyboxTexture->getGPUTexture()) {
                     auto texture = _skyboxTexture->getGPUTexture();
                     skybox->setCubemap(texture);
                     _pendingSkyboxTexture = false;
diff --git a/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.cpp b/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.cpp
index f795472137..21eed5f59f 100644
--- a/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.cpp
+++ b/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.cpp
@@ -338,105 +338,84 @@ static NetworkMesh* buildNetworkMesh(const FBXMesh& mesh, const QUrl& textureBas
     return networkMesh;
 }
 
-static NetworkMaterial* buildNetworkMaterial(NetworkGeometry* geometry, const FBXMaterial& material, const QUrl& textureBaseUrl) {
-    auto textureCache = DependencyManager::get<TextureCache>();
-    NetworkMaterial* networkMaterial = new NetworkMaterial();
 
+static model::TextureMapPointer setupNetworkTextureMap(NetworkGeometry* geometry, const QUrl& textureBaseUrl,
+        const FBXTexture& texture, TextureType type,
+        NetworkTexturePointer& networkTexture, QString& networkTextureName) {
+    auto textureCache = DependencyManager::get<TextureCache>();
+
+    // If content is inline, cache it under the fbx file, not its base url
+    const auto baseUrl = texture.content.isEmpty() ? textureBaseUrl : QUrl(textureBaseUrl.url() + "/");
+    const auto filename = baseUrl.resolved(QUrl(texture.filename));
+
+    networkTexture = textureCache->getTexture(filename, type, texture.content);
+    QObject::connect(networkTexture.data(), &NetworkTexture::networkTextureCreated, geometry, &NetworkGeometry::textureLoaded);
+    networkTextureName = texture.name;
+
+    auto map = std::make_shared<model::TextureMap>();
+    map->setTextureSource(networkTexture->_textureSource);
+    return map;
+}
+
+static NetworkMaterial* buildNetworkMaterial(NetworkGeometry* geometry, const FBXMaterial& material, const QUrl& textureBaseUrl) {
+    NetworkMaterial* networkMaterial = new NetworkMaterial();
     networkMaterial->_material = material._material;
 
     if (!material.albedoTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->albedoTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.albedoTexture.filename)), DEFAULT_TEXTURE, material.albedoTexture.content);
-        QObject::connect(networkMaterial->albedoTexture.data(), &NetworkTexture::networkTextureCreated,
-            geometry, &NetworkGeometry::textureLoaded);
-
-        networkMaterial->albedoTextureName = material.albedoTexture.name;
-
-        auto albedoMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        albedoMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->albedoTexture->_textureSource);
+        auto albedoMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.albedoTexture, DEFAULT_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->albedoTexture, networkMaterial->albedoTextureName);
         albedoMap->setTextureTransform(material.albedoTexture.transform);
-
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::ALBEDO_MAP, albedoMap);
     }
 
     if (!material.normalTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->normalTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.normalTexture.filename)), (material.normalTexture.isBumpmap ? BUMP_TEXTURE : NORMAL_TEXTURE), material.normalTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->normalTextureName = material.normalTexture.name;
-
-        auto normalMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        normalMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->normalTexture->_textureSource);
-
-        material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP, normalMap);
+        auto normalMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.normalTexture,
+            (material.normalTexture.isBumpmap ? BUMP_TEXTURE : NORMAL_TEXTURE),
+            networkMaterial->normalTexture, networkMaterial->normalTextureName);
+        networkMaterial->_material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP, normalMap);
     }
 
     // Roughness first or gloss maybe
     if (!material.roughnessTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->roughnessTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.roughnessTexture.filename)), ROUGHNESS_TEXTURE, material.roughnessTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->roughnessTextureName = material.roughnessTexture.name;
-
-        auto roughnessMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        roughnessMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->roughnessTexture->_textureSource);
-
+        auto roughnessMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.roughnessTexture, ROUGHNESS_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->roughnessTexture, networkMaterial->roughnessTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::ROUGHNESS_MAP, roughnessMap);
     } else if (!material.glossTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->roughnessTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.glossTexture.filename)), GLOSS_TEXTURE, material.glossTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->roughnessTextureName = material.roughnessTexture.name;
-
-        auto roughnessMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        roughnessMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->roughnessTexture->_textureSource);
-
+        auto roughnessMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.glossTexture, GLOSS_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->roughnessTexture, networkMaterial->roughnessTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::ROUGHNESS_MAP, roughnessMap);
     }
 
     // Metallic first or specular maybe
 
     if (!material.metallicTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->metallicTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.metallicTexture.filename)), METALLIC_TEXTURE, material.metallicTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->metallicTextureName = material.metallicTexture.name;
-
-        auto metallicMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        metallicMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->metallicTexture->_textureSource);
-
+        auto metallicMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.metallicTexture, METALLIC_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->metallicTexture, networkMaterial->metallicTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP, metallicMap);
     } else if (!material.specularTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->metallicTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.specularTexture.filename)), SPECULAR_TEXTURE, material.specularTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->metallicTextureName = material.specularTexture.name;
-
-        auto metallicMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        metallicMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->metallicTexture->_textureSource);
 
+        auto metallicMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.specularTexture, SPECULAR_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->metallicTexture, networkMaterial->metallicTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP, metallicMap);
     }
 
     if (!material.occlusionTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->occlusionTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.occlusionTexture.filename)), OCCLUSION_TEXTURE, material.occlusionTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->occlusionTextureName = material.occlusionTexture.name;
-
-        auto occlusionMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        occlusionMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->occlusionTexture->_textureSource);
-
+        auto occlusionMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.occlusionTexture, OCCLUSION_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->occlusionTexture, networkMaterial->occlusionTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::OCCLUSION_MAP, occlusionMap);
     }
 
     if (!material.emissiveTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->emissiveTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.emissiveTexture.filename)), EMISSIVE_TEXTURE, material.emissiveTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->emissiveTextureName = material.emissiveTexture.name;
-
-        auto emissiveMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        emissiveMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->emissiveTexture->_textureSource);
-
+        auto emissiveMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.emissiveTexture, EMISSIVE_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->emissiveTexture, networkMaterial->emissiveTextureName);
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_MAP, emissiveMap);
     }
 
     if (!material.lightmapTexture.filename.isEmpty()) {
-        networkMaterial->lightmapTexture = textureCache->getTexture(textureBaseUrl.resolved(QUrl(material.lightmapTexture.filename)), LIGHTMAP_TEXTURE, material.lightmapTexture.content);
-        networkMaterial->lightmapTextureName = material.lightmapTexture.name;
-
-
-        auto lightmapMap = model::TextureMapPointer(new model::TextureMap());
-        lightmapMap->setTextureSource(networkMaterial->lightmapTexture->_textureSource);
+        auto lightmapMap = setupNetworkTextureMap(geometry, textureBaseUrl, material.lightmapTexture, LIGHTMAP_TEXTURE,
+            networkMaterial->lightmapTexture, networkMaterial->lightmapTextureName);
         lightmapMap->setTextureTransform(material.lightmapTexture.transform);
         lightmapMap->setLightmapOffsetScale(material.lightmapParams.x, material.lightmapParams.y);
-
         material._material->setTextureMap(model::MaterialKey::LIGHTMAP_MAP, lightmapMap);
     }
 
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.cpp
index 4e7e7f24ba..9591828fef 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.cpp
@@ -47,22 +47,53 @@ AssetClient::AssetClient() {
 }
 
 void AssetClient::init() {
-    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
-        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "init", Qt::BlockingQueuedConnection);
-    }
-    
+    Q_ASSERT(QThread::currentThread() == thread());
+
     // Setup disk cache if not already
-    QNetworkAccessManager& networkAccessManager = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance();
+    auto& networkAccessManager = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance();
     if (!networkAccessManager.cache()) {
         QString cachePath = QStandardPaths::writableLocation(QStandardPaths::DataLocation);
         cachePath = !cachePath.isEmpty() ? cachePath : "interfaceCache";
-        
+
         QNetworkDiskCache* cache = new QNetworkDiskCache();
         cache->setMaximumCacheSize(MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE);
         cache->setCacheDirectory(cachePath);
         networkAccessManager.setCache(cache);
-        qCDebug(asset_client) << "AssetClient disk cache setup at" << cachePath
-                                << "(size:" << MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE / BYTES_PER_GIGABYTES << "GB)";
+        qDebug() << "ResourceManager disk cache setup at" << cachePath
+                 << "(size:" << MAXIMUM_CACHE_SIZE / BYTES_PER_GIGABYTES << "GB)";
+    }
+}
+
+
+void AssetClient::cacheInfoRequest(QObject* reciever, QString slot) {
+    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "cacheInfoRequest", Qt::QueuedConnection,
+                                  Q_ARG(QObject*, reciever), Q_ARG(QString, slot));
+        return;
+    }
+
+
+    if (auto* cache = qobject_cast<QNetworkDiskCache*>(NetworkAccessManager::getInstance().cache())) {
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(reciever, slot.toStdString().data(), Qt::QueuedConnection,
+                                  Q_ARG(QString, cache->cacheDirectory()),
+                                  Q_ARG(qint64, cache->cacheSize()),
+                                  Q_ARG(qint64, cache->maximumCacheSize()));
+    } else {
+        qCWarning(asset_client) << "No disk cache to get info from.";
+    }
+}
+
+void AssetClient::clearCache() {
+    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "clearCache", Qt::QueuedConnection);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (auto cache = NetworkAccessManager::getInstance().cache()) {
+        qDebug() << "AssetClient::clearCache(): Clearing disk cache.";
+        cache->clear();
+    } else {
+        qCWarning(asset_client) << "No disk cache to clear.";
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.h b/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.h
index 58790ef926..f66fe8adcc 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/AssetClient.h
@@ -43,13 +43,17 @@ class AssetClient : public QObject, public Dependency {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     AssetClient();
-    
-    Q_INVOKABLE void init();
 
     Q_INVOKABLE AssetRequest* createRequest(const QString& hash, const QString& extension);
     Q_INVOKABLE AssetUpload* createUpload(const QString& filename);
     Q_INVOKABLE AssetUpload* createUpload(const QByteArray& data, const QString& extension);
 
+public slots:
+    void init();
+
+    void cacheInfoRequest(QObject* reciever, QString slot);
+    void clearCache();
+
 private slots:
     void handleAssetGetInfoReply(QSharedPointer<ReceivedMessage> message, SharedNodePointer senderNode);
     void handleAssetGetReply(QSharedPointer<ReceivedMessage> message, SharedNodePointer senderNode);
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/AssetResourceRequest.h b/libraries/networking/src/AssetResourceRequest.h
index 0024426be0..4d2ea56ca4 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/AssetResourceRequest.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/AssetResourceRequest.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 class AssetResourceRequest : public ResourceRequest {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    AssetResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(parent, url) { }
+    AssetResourceRequest(const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(url) { }
     ~AssetResourceRequest();
 
 protected:
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.cpp
index db775983e1..bf27789c54 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.cpp
@@ -98,6 +98,8 @@ void DomainHandler::softReset() {
 }
 
 void DomainHandler::hardReset() {
+    emit resetting();
+
     softReset();
 
     qCDebug(networking) << "Hard reset in NodeList DomainHandler.";
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.h b/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.h
index f60ac2fbe6..957f52144b 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/DomainHandler.h
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ signals:
     // It means that, either from DNS lookup or ICE, we think we have a socket we can talk to DS on
     void completedSocketDiscovery();
 
+    void resetting();
     void connectedToDomain(const QString& hostname);
     void disconnectedFromDomain();
 
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/FileResourceRequest.h b/libraries/networking/src/FileResourceRequest.h
index 4ff0d2ecf2..547b754cb5 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/FileResourceRequest.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/FileResourceRequest.h
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 class FileResourceRequest : public ResourceRequest {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    FileResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(parent, url) { }
+    FileResourceRequest(const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(url) { }
 
 protected:
     virtual void doSend() override;
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.cpp
index 34c9c1dad2..11ab436933 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,25 @@ HTTPResourceRequest::~HTTPResourceRequest() {
     }
 }
 
+void HTTPResourceRequest::setupTimer() {
+    Q_ASSERT(!_sendTimer);
+    static const int TIMEOUT_MS = 10000;
+
+    _sendTimer = new QTimer();
+    connect(this, &QObject::destroyed, _sendTimer, &QTimer::deleteLater);
+    connect(_sendTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &HTTPResourceRequest::onTimeout);
+
+    _sendTimer->setSingleShot(true);
+    _sendTimer->start(TIMEOUT_MS);
+}
+
+void HTTPResourceRequest::cleanupTimer() {
+    Q_ASSERT(_sendTimer);
+    _sendTimer->disconnect(this);
+    _sendTimer->deleteLater();
+    _sendTimer = nullptr;
+}
+
 void HTTPResourceRequest::doSend() {
     QNetworkRequest networkRequest(_url);
     networkRequest.setHeader(QNetworkRequest::UserAgentHeader, HIGH_FIDELITY_USER_AGENT);
@@ -42,18 +61,15 @@ void HTTPResourceRequest::doSend() {
     
     connect(_reply, &QNetworkReply::finished, this, &HTTPResourceRequest::onRequestFinished);
     connect(_reply, &QNetworkReply::downloadProgress, this, &HTTPResourceRequest::onDownloadProgress);
-    connect(&_sendTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &HTTPResourceRequest::onTimeout);
 
-    static const int TIMEOUT_MS = 10000;
-    _sendTimer.setSingleShot(true);
-    _sendTimer.start(TIMEOUT_MS);
+    setupTimer();
 }
 
 void HTTPResourceRequest::onRequestFinished() {
     Q_ASSERT(_state == InProgress);
     Q_ASSERT(_reply);
 
-    _sendTimer.stop();
+    cleanupTimer();
     
     switch(_reply->error()) {
         case QNetworkReply::NoError:
@@ -80,7 +96,7 @@ void HTTPResourceRequest::onDownloadProgress(qint64 bytesReceived, qint64 bytesT
     Q_ASSERT(_state == InProgress);
     
     // We've received data, so reset the timer
-    _sendTimer.start();
+    _sendTimer->start();
 
     emit progress(bytesReceived, bytesTotal);
 }
@@ -91,6 +107,8 @@ void HTTPResourceRequest::onTimeout() {
     _reply->abort();
     _reply->deleteLater();
     _reply = nullptr;
+
+    cleanupTimer();
     
     _result = Timeout;
     _state = Finished;
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.h b/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.h
index f0d3bb82d9..cc628d8855 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/HTTPResourceRequest.h
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 class HTTPResourceRequest : public ResourceRequest {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    HTTPResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(parent, url) { }
+    HTTPResourceRequest(const QUrl& url) : ResourceRequest(url) { }
     ~HTTPResourceRequest();
 
 protected:
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ private slots:
     void onRequestFinished();
 
 private:
-    QTimer _sendTimer;
+    void setupTimer();
+    void cleanupTimer();
+
+    QTimer* _sendTimer { nullptr };
     QNetworkReply* _reply { nullptr };
 };
 
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.cpp
index f195011290..1d41266f3a 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.cpp
@@ -11,12 +11,20 @@
 
 #include "ResourceManager.h"
 
-#include "AssetResourceRequest.h"
-#include "FileResourceRequest.h"
-#include "HTTPResourceRequest.h"
+#include <QNetworkDiskCache>
+#include <QStandardPaths>
+#include <QThread>
 
 #include <SharedUtil.h>
 
+
+#include "AssetResourceRequest.h"
+#include "FileResourceRequest.h"
+#include "HTTPResourceRequest.h"
+#include "NetworkAccessManager.h"
+
+
+QThread ResourceManager::_thread;
 ResourceManager::PrefixMap ResourceManager::_prefixMap;
 QMutex ResourceManager::_prefixMapLock;
 
@@ -67,18 +75,41 @@ QUrl ResourceManager::normalizeURL(const QUrl& originalUrl) {
     return url;
 }
 
+void ResourceManager::init() {
+    _thread.setObjectName("Ressource Manager Thread");
+
+    auto assetClient = DependencyManager::set<AssetClient>();
+    assetClient->moveToThread(&_thread);
+    QObject::connect(&_thread, &QThread::started, assetClient.data(), &AssetClient::init);
+
+    _thread.start();
+}
+
+void ResourceManager::cleanup() {
+    // cleanup the AssetClient thread
+    DependencyManager::destroy<AssetClient>();
+    _thread.quit();
+    _thread.wait();
+}
+
 ResourceRequest* ResourceManager::createResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url) {
     auto normalizedURL = normalizeURL(url);
     auto scheme = normalizedURL.scheme();
+
+    ResourceRequest* request = nullptr;
+
     if (scheme == URL_SCHEME_FILE) {
-        return new FileResourceRequest(parent, normalizedURL);
+        request = new FileResourceRequest(normalizedURL);
     } else if (scheme == URL_SCHEME_HTTP || scheme == URL_SCHEME_HTTPS || scheme == URL_SCHEME_FTP) {
-        return new HTTPResourceRequest(parent, normalizedURL);
+        request = new HTTPResourceRequest(normalizedURL);
     } else if (scheme == URL_SCHEME_ATP) {
-        return new AssetResourceRequest(parent, normalizedURL);
+        request = new AssetResourceRequest(normalizedURL);
+    } else {
+        qDebug() << "Unknown scheme (" << scheme << ") for URL: " << url.url();
+        return nullptr;
     }
+    Q_ASSERT(request);
 
-    qDebug() << "Unknown scheme (" << scheme << ") for URL: " << url.url();
-
-    return nullptr;
+    request->moveToThread(&_thread);
+    return request;
 }
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.h b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.h
index c010c67f9b..162892abaf 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceManager.h
@@ -29,8 +29,15 @@ public:
     static void setUrlPrefixOverride(const QString& prefix, const QString& replacement);
     static QString normalizeURL(const QString& urlString);
     static QUrl normalizeURL(const QUrl& url);
+
     static ResourceRequest* createResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url);
+
+    static void init();
+    static void cleanup();
+
 private:
+    static QThread _thread;
+
     using PrefixMap = std::map<QString, QString>;
 
     static PrefixMap _prefixMap;
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.cpp
index c6880636ea..e6402d6b25 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.cpp
@@ -11,12 +11,15 @@
 
 #include "ResourceRequest.h"
 
-ResourceRequest::ResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url) :
-    QObject(parent),
-    _url(url) {
-}
+#include <QtCore/QThread>
+
+ResourceRequest::ResourceRequest(const QUrl& url) : _url(url) { }
 
 void ResourceRequest::send() {
+    if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
+        QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "send", Qt::QueuedConnection);
+        return;
+    }
     Q_ASSERT(_state == NotStarted);
 
     _state = InProgress;
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.h b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.h
index b229951a49..f940221d9d 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/ResourceRequest.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 class ResourceRequest : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    ResourceRequest(QObject* parent, const QUrl& url);
+    ResourceRequest(const QUrl& url);
 
     enum State {
         NotStarted = 0,
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ public:
         NotFound
     };
 
-    void send();
     QByteArray getData() { return _data; }
     State getState() const { return _state; }
     Result getResult() const { return _result; }
@@ -47,8 +46,11 @@ public:
 
     void setCacheEnabled(bool value) { _cacheEnabled = value; }
 
+public slots:
+    void send();
+
 signals:
-    void progress(uint64_t bytesReceived, uint64_t bytesTotal);
+    void progress(qint64 bytesReceived, qint64 bytesTotal);
     void finished();
 
 protected:
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/BasePacket.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/udt/BasePacket.cpp
index 54342d9cba..000573d241 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/BasePacket.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/BasePacket.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ BasePacket::BasePacket(qint64 size) {
     Q_ASSERT(size >= 0 || size < maxPayload);
     
     _packetSize = size;
-    _packet.reset(new char[_packetSize]);
+    _packet.reset(new char[_packetSize]());
     _payloadCapacity = _packetSize;
     _payloadSize = 0;
     _payloadStart = _packet.get();
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.cpp
index 3b5b26d05d..e6a15aa6a0 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.cpp
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ SendQueue& Connection::getSendQueue() {
         // receiver is getting the sequence numbers it expects (given that the connection must still be active)
 
         // Lasily create send queue
-        _sendQueue = SendQueue::create(_parentSocket, _destination, _inactiveSendQueueSequenceNumber);
+        _sendQueue = SendQueue::create(_parentSocket, _destination);
+        _lastReceivedACK = _sendQueue->getCurrentSequenceNumber();
 
 #ifdef UDT_CONNECTION_DEBUG
         qCDebug(networking) << "Created SendQueue for connection to" << _destination;
@@ -109,10 +110,6 @@ SendQueue& Connection::getSendQueue() {
 }
 
 void Connection::queueInactive() {
-    // get the current sequence number from the send queue, this is to be re-used if the send
-    // queue is re-activated for this connection
-    _inactiveSendQueueSequenceNumber = _sendQueue->getCurrentSequenceNumber();
-
     // tell our current send queue to go down and reset our ptr to it to null
     stopSendQueue();
     
@@ -728,15 +725,28 @@ void Connection::processNAK(std::unique_ptr<ControlPacket> controlPacket) {
 }
 
 void Connection::processHandshake(std::unique_ptr<ControlPacket> controlPacket) {
+    SequenceNumber initialSequenceNumber;
+    controlPacket->readPrimitive(&initialSequenceNumber);
     
-    if (!_hasReceivedHandshake || _isReceivingData) {
+    if (!_hasReceivedHandshake || initialSequenceNumber != _initialReceiveSequenceNumber) {
         // server sent us a handshake - we need to assume this means state should be reset
         // as long as we haven't received a handshake yet or we have and we've received some data
+
+#ifdef UDT_CONNECTION_DEBUG
+        if (initialSequenceNumber != _initialReceiveSequenceNumber) {
+            qCDebug(networking) << "Resetting receive state, received a new initial sequence number in handshake";
+        }
+#endif
         resetReceiveState();
+        _initialReceiveSequenceNumber = initialSequenceNumber;
+        _lastReceivedSequenceNumber = initialSequenceNumber - 1;
+        _lastSentACK = initialSequenceNumber - 1;
     }
     
     // immediately respond with a handshake ACK
-    static auto handshakeACK = ControlPacket::create(ControlPacket::HandshakeACK, 0);
+    static auto handshakeACK = ControlPacket::create(ControlPacket::HandshakeACK, sizeof(SequenceNumber));
+    handshakeACK->seek(0);
+    handshakeACK->writePrimitive(initialSequenceNumber);
     _parentSocket->writeBasePacket(*handshakeACK, _destination);
     
     // indicate that handshake has been received
@@ -746,8 +756,11 @@ void Connection::processHandshake(std::unique_ptr<ControlPacket> controlPacket)
 void Connection::processHandshakeACK(std::unique_ptr<ControlPacket> controlPacket) {
     // if we've decided to clean up the send queue then this handshake ACK should be ignored, it's useless
     if (_sendQueue) {
+        SequenceNumber initialSequenceNumber;
+        controlPacket->readPrimitive(&initialSequenceNumber);
+
         // hand off this handshake ACK to the send queue so it knows it can start sending
-        getSendQueue().handshakeACK();
+        getSendQueue().handshakeACK(initialSequenceNumber);
         
         // indicate that handshake ACK was received
         _hasReceivedHandshakeACK = true;
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.h b/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.h
index b58b7ec570..bf56a468aa 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/Connection.h
@@ -130,7 +130,9 @@ private:
     
     bool _isReceivingData { false }; // flag used for expiry of receipt portion of connection
     bool _isActive { true }; // flag used for inactivity of connection
-    
+
+    SequenceNumber _initialReceiveSequenceNumber; // Randomized by peer SendQueue on creation, identifies connection during re-connect requests
+
     LossList _lossList; // List of all missing packets
     SequenceNumber _lastReceivedSequenceNumber; // The largest sequence number received from the peer
     SequenceNumber _lastReceivedACK; // The last ACK received
@@ -140,8 +142,6 @@ private:
     SequenceNumber _lastSentACK; // The last sent ACK
     SequenceNumber _lastSentACK2; // The last sent ACK sub-sequence number in an ACK2
 
-    SequenceNumber _inactiveSendQueueSequenceNumber { 0 };
-   
     int _acksDuringSYN { 1 }; // The number of non-SYN ACKs sent during SYN
     int _lightACKsDuringSYN { 1 }; // The number of lite ACKs sent during SYN interval
     
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/PacketHeaders.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/udt/PacketHeaders.cpp
index 88fabf1a5a..27b74f270c 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/PacketHeaders.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/PacketHeaders.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,10 @@
 #include <QtCore/QDebug>
 #include <QtCore/QMetaEnum>
 
+
+Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(PacketType);
+static int packetTypeMetaTypeId = qRegisterMetaType<PacketType>();
+
 const QSet<PacketType> NON_VERIFIED_PACKETS = QSet<PacketType>()
     << PacketType::NodeJsonStats << PacketType::EntityQuery
     << PacketType::OctreeDataNack << PacketType::EntityEditNack
@@ -38,6 +42,8 @@ const QSet<PacketType> RELIABLE_PACKETS = QSet<PacketType>();
 
 PacketVersion versionForPacketType(PacketType packetType) {
     switch (packetType) {
+        case PacketType::DomainList:
+            return 18;
         case PacketType::EntityAdd:
         case PacketType::EntityEdit:
         case PacketType::EntityData:
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.cpp b/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.cpp
index 18269d1d43..5c6db5adf3 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.cpp
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include "SendQueue.h"
 
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <random>
 #include <thread>
 
 #include <QtCore/QCoreApplication>
@@ -53,10 +54,10 @@ private:
     Mutex2& _mutex2;
 };
 
-std::unique_ptr<SendQueue> SendQueue::create(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr destination, SequenceNumber currentSequenceNumber) {
+std::unique_ptr<SendQueue> SendQueue::create(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr destination) {
     Q_ASSERT_X(socket, "SendQueue::create", "Must be called with a valid Socket*");
     
-    auto queue = std::unique_ptr<SendQueue>(new SendQueue(socket, destination, currentSequenceNumber));
+    auto queue = std::unique_ptr<SendQueue>(new SendQueue(socket, destination));
 
     // Setup queue private thread
     QThread* thread = new QThread;
@@ -75,12 +76,23 @@ std::unique_ptr<SendQueue> SendQueue::create(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr destin
     return queue;
 }
     
-SendQueue::SendQueue(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr dest, SequenceNumber currentSequenceNumber) :
+SendQueue::SendQueue(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr dest) :
     _socket(socket),
-    _destination(dest),
-    _currentSequenceNumber(currentSequenceNumber)
+    _destination(dest)
 {
-    
+
+    // setup psuedo-random number generation for all instances of SendQueue
+    static std::random_device rd;
+    static std::mt19937 generator(rd());
+    static std::uniform_int_distribution<> distribution(0, SequenceNumber::MAX);
+
+    // randomize the intial sequence number
+    _initialSequenceNumber = SequenceNumber(distribution(generator));
+
+    // set our member variables from randomized initial number
+    _currentSequenceNumber = _initialSequenceNumber - 1;
+    _atomicCurrentSequenceNumber = uint32_t(_currentSequenceNumber);
+    _lastACKSequenceNumber = uint32_t(_currentSequenceNumber) - 1;
 }
 
 void SendQueue::queuePacket(std::unique_ptr<Packet> packet) {
@@ -190,7 +202,11 @@ void SendQueue::sendHandshake() {
     std::unique_lock<std::mutex> handshakeLock { _handshakeMutex };
     if (!_hasReceivedHandshakeACK) {
         // we haven't received a handshake ACK from the client, send another now
-        static const auto handshakePacket = ControlPacket::create(ControlPacket::Handshake, 0);
+        static const auto handshakePacket = ControlPacket::create(ControlPacket::Handshake, sizeof(SequenceNumber));
+
+        handshakePacket->seek(0);
+
+        handshakePacket->writePrimitive(_initialSequenceNumber);
         _socket->writeBasePacket(*handshakePacket, _destination);
         
         // we wait for the ACK or the re-send interval to expire
@@ -199,14 +215,16 @@ void SendQueue::sendHandshake() {
     }
 }
 
-void SendQueue::handshakeACK() {
-    {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> locker { _handshakeMutex };
-        _hasReceivedHandshakeACK = true;
+void SendQueue::handshakeACK(SequenceNumber initialSequenceNumber) {
+    if (initialSequenceNumber == _initialSequenceNumber) {
+        {
+            std::lock_guard<std::mutex> locker { _handshakeMutex };
+            _hasReceivedHandshakeACK = true;
+        }
+
+        // Notify on the handshake ACK condition
+        _handshakeACKCondition.notify_one();
     }
-    
-    // Notify on the handshake ACK condition
-    _handshakeACKCondition.notify_one();
 }
 
 SequenceNumber SendQueue::getNextSequenceNumber() {
diff --git a/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.h b/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.h
index da8f5e6c3f..0390f2ff1f 100644
--- a/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.h
+++ b/libraries/networking/src/udt/SendQueue.h
@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ public:
         Stopped
     };
     
-    static std::unique_ptr<SendQueue> create(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr destination,
-                                             SequenceNumber currentSequenceNumber = SequenceNumber());
+    static std::unique_ptr<SendQueue> create(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr destination);
     
     void queuePacket(std::unique_ptr<Packet> packet);
     void queuePacketList(std::unique_ptr<PacketList> packetList);
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ public slots:
     void ack(SequenceNumber ack);
     void nak(SequenceNumber start, SequenceNumber end);
     void overrideNAKListFromPacket(ControlPacket& packet);
-    void handshakeACK();
+    void handshakeACK(SequenceNumber initialSequenceNumber);
 
 signals:
     void packetSent(int dataSize, int payloadSize);
@@ -84,7 +83,7 @@ private slots:
     void run();
     
 private:
-    SendQueue(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr dest, SequenceNumber currentSequenceNumber);
+    SendQueue(Socket* socket, HifiSockAddr dest);
     SendQueue(SendQueue& other) = delete;
     SendQueue(SendQueue&& other) = delete;
     
@@ -106,6 +105,8 @@ private:
     
     Socket* _socket { nullptr }; // Socket to send packet on
     HifiSockAddr _destination; // Destination addr
+
+    SequenceNumber _initialSequenceNumber; // Randomized on SendQueue creation, identifies connection during re-connect requests
     
     std::atomic<uint32_t> _lastACKSequenceNumber { 0 }; // Last ACKed sequence number
     
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLighting.slh b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLighting.slh
index b33371b10d..95c77ef2f0 100755
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLighting.slh
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLighting.slh
@@ -19,13 +19,20 @@ vec3 fresnelSchlick(vec3 fresnelColor, vec3 lightDir, vec3 halfDir) {
 }
 
 float specularDistribution(float roughness, vec3 normal, vec3 halfDir) {
-    float gloss = (1.0 - roughness) * 128.0;
-    gloss *= gloss;
+    float ndoth = clamp(dot(halfDir, normal), 0.0, 1.0);
+    float gloss2 = pow(roughness, 4);
+    float denom = (ndoth * ndoth*(gloss2 - 1) + 1);
+    float power = gloss2 / (3.14159 * denom * denom);
+    return power;
+}
+/*
+float specularDistribution(float roughness, vec3 normal, vec3 halfDir) {
+    float gloss = exp2(10 * (1.0 - roughness) + 1);
     float power = pow(clamp(dot(halfDir, normal), 0.0, 1.0), gloss);
     power *= (gloss * 0.125 + 0.25);
     return power;
 }
-
+*/
 // Frag Shading returns the diffuse amount as W and the specular rgb as xyz
 vec4 evalPBRShading(vec3 fragNormal, vec3 fragLightDir, vec3 fragEyeDir, float metallic, vec3 fresnel, float roughness) {
     // Diffuse Lighting