diff --git a/interface/resources/shaders/point_size.vert b/interface/resources/shaders/point_size.vert
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9c93385768
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/resources/shaders/point_size.vert
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+#version 120
+ 
+attribute float voxelSizeIn;
+varying float voxelSize;
+
+uniform float viewportWidth;
+uniform float viewportHeight;
+uniform vec3 cameraPosition;
+
+// Bit codes for faces
+const int NONE = 0;
+const int RIGHT = 1;
+const int LEFT = 2;
+const int BOTTOM = 4;
+const int BOTTOM_RIGHT = BOTTOM + RIGHT;
+const int BOTTOM_LEFT = BOTTOM + LEFT;
+const int TOP = 8;
+const int TOP_RIGHT = TOP + RIGHT;
+const int TOP_LEFT = TOP + LEFT;
+const int NEAR = 16;
+const int NEAR_RIGHT = NEAR + RIGHT;
+const int NEAR_LEFT = NEAR + LEFT;
+const int NEAR_BOTTOM = NEAR + BOTTOM;
+const int NEAR_BOTTOM_RIGHT = NEAR + BOTTOM + RIGHT;
+const int NEAR_BOTTOM_LEFT = NEAR + BOTTOM + LEFT;
+const int NEAR_TOP = NEAR + TOP;
+const int NEAR_TOP_RIGHT = NEAR + TOP + RIGHT;
+const int NEAR_TOP_LEFT = NEAR + TOP + LEFT;
+const int FAR = 32;
+const int FAR_RIGHT = FAR + RIGHT;
+const int FAR_LEFT = FAR + LEFT;
+const int FAR_BOTTOM = FAR + BOTTOM;
+const int FAR_BOTTOM_RIGHT = FAR + BOTTOM + RIGHT;
+const int FAR_BOTTOM_LEFT = FAR + BOTTOM + LEFT;
+const int FAR_TOP = FAR + TOP;
+const int FAR_TOP_RIGHT = FAR + TOP + RIGHT;
+const int FAR_TOP_LEFT = FAR + TOP + LEFT;
+
+// If we know the position of the camera relative to the voxel, we can a priori know the vertices that make the visible hull
+// polygon. This also tells us which two vertices are known to make the longest possible distance between any pair of these
+// vertices for the projected polygon. This is a visibleFaces table based on this knowledge. 
+
+void main(void) {
+    // Note: the gl_Vertex in this case are in "world coordinates" meaning they've already been scaled to TREE_SCALE
+    // this is also true for voxelSizeIn.
+    vec4 bottomNearRight = gl_Vertex;
+    vec4 topFarLeft = (gl_Vertex + vec4(voxelSizeIn, voxelSizeIn, voxelSizeIn, 0.0));
+
+    int visibleFaces = NONE;
+
+    // In order to use our visibleFaces "table" (implemented as if statements) below, we need to encode the 6-bit code to 
+    // orient camera relative to the 6 defining faces of the voxel. Based on camera position relative to the bottomNearRight 
+    // corner and the topFarLeft corner, we can calculate which hull and therefore which two vertices are furthest apart 
+    // linearly once projected
+    if (cameraPosition.x < bottomNearRight.x) {
+        visibleFaces += RIGHT;
+    }
+    if (cameraPosition.x > topFarLeft.x) {
+        visibleFaces += LEFT;
+    }    
+    if (cameraPosition.y < bottomNearRight.y) {
+        visibleFaces += BOTTOM;
+    }    
+    if (cameraPosition.y > topFarLeft.y) {
+        visibleFaces += TOP;
+    }    
+    if (cameraPosition.z < bottomNearRight.z) {
+        visibleFaces += NEAR;
+    }    
+    if (cameraPosition.z > topFarLeft.z) {
+        visibleFaces += FAR;
+    }
+    
+    vec4 cornerAdjustOne;
+    vec4 cornerAdjustTwo;
+    
+    if (visibleFaces == RIGHT) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(0,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == LEFT) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(1,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == BOTTOM) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,0,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == TOP) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,1,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == NEAR) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == FAR) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == NEAR_BOTTOM_LEFT ||
+               visibleFaces == FAR_TOP ||
+               visibleFaces == FAR_TOP_RIGHT) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,1,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,0,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == FAR_TOP_LEFT ||
+               visibleFaces == NEAR_RIGHT ||
+               visibleFaces == NEAR_BOTTOM ||
+               visibleFaces == NEAR_BOTTOM_RIGHT) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    } else if (visibleFaces == NEAR_TOP_RIGHT ||
+               visibleFaces == FAR_LEFT ||
+               visibleFaces == FAR_BOTTOM_LEFT ||
+               visibleFaces == BOTTOM_RIGHT ||
+               visibleFaces == TOP_LEFT) {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(1,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(0,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        
+    // Everything else... 
+    //} else if (visibleFaces == BOTTOM_LEFT || 
+    //           visibleFaces == TOP_RIGHT ||
+    //           visibleFaces == NEAR_LEFT ||
+    //           visibleFaces == FAR_RIGHT ||
+    //           visibleFaces == NEAR_TOP ||
+    //           visibleFaces == NEAR_TOP_LEFT ||
+    //           visibleFaces == FAR_BOTTOM ||
+    //           visibleFaces == FAR_BOTTOM_RIGHT) {
+    } else {
+        cornerAdjustOne = vec4(0,0,0,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+        cornerAdjustTwo = vec4(1,1,1,0) * voxelSizeIn;
+    }
+
+    // Determine our corners
+    vec4 cornerOne = gl_Vertex + cornerAdjustOne;
+    vec4 cornerTwo = gl_Vertex + cornerAdjustTwo;
+
+    // Find their model view projections
+    vec4 cornerOneMVP = gl_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * cornerOne;
+    vec4 cornerTwoMVP = gl_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * cornerTwo;
+
+    // Map to x, y screen coordinates
+    vec2 cornerOneScreen = vec2(cornerOneMVP.x / cornerOneMVP.w, cornerOneMVP.y / cornerOneMVP.w);
+    if (cornerOneMVP.w < 0) {
+        cornerOneScreen.x = -cornerOneScreen.x;
+        cornerOneScreen.y = -cornerOneScreen.y;
+    }
+
+    vec2 cornerTwoScreen = vec2(cornerTwoMVP.x / cornerTwoMVP.w, cornerTwoMVP.y / cornerTwoMVP.w);
+    if (cornerTwoMVP.w < 0) {
+        cornerTwoScreen.x = -cornerTwoScreen.x;
+        cornerTwoScreen.y = -cornerTwoScreen.y;
+    }
+
+    // Find the distance between them in pixels
+    float voxelScreenWidth = abs(cornerOneScreen.x - cornerTwoScreen.x) * viewportWidth / 2.0;
+    float voxelScreenHeight = abs(cornerOneScreen.y - cornerTwoScreen.y) * viewportHeight / 2.0;
+    float voxelScreenLength = sqrt(voxelScreenHeight * voxelScreenHeight + voxelScreenWidth * voxelScreenWidth);
+    
+    // Find the center of the voxel
+    vec4 centerVertex = gl_Vertex;
+    float halfSizeIn = voxelSizeIn / 2;
+    centerVertex += vec4(halfSizeIn, halfSizeIn, halfSizeIn, 0.0);
+    vec4 center = gl_ModelViewProjectionMatrix * centerVertex;
+
+    // Finally place the point at the center of the voxel, with a size equal to the maximum screen length    
+    gl_Position = center;
+    gl_PointSize = voxelScreenLength;
+    gl_FrontColor = gl_Color;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 58e9d61025..47391d1f15 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, timeval &startup_time) :
         _packetsPerSecond(0),
         _bytesPerSecond(0),
         _bytesCount(0),
+        _recentMaxPackets(0),
+        _resetRecentMaxPacketsSoon(true),
         _swatch(NULL),
         _pasteMode(false)
 {
@@ -1304,7 +1306,10 @@ static glm::vec3 getFaceVector(BoxFace face) {
 }
 
 void Application::idle() {
-    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    // Normally we check PipelineWarnings, but since idle will often take more than 10ms we only show these idle timing 
+    // details if we're in ExtraDebugging mode. However, the ::update() and it's subcomponents will show their timing 
+    // details normally.
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::ExtraDebugging);
     PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::idle()");
     
     timeval check;
@@ -1314,22 +1319,30 @@ void Application::idle() {
 
     double timeSinceLastUpdate = diffclock(&_lastTimeUpdated, &check);
     if (timeSinceLastUpdate > IDLE_SIMULATE_MSECS) {
-
-        const float BIGGEST_DELTA_TIME_SECS = 0.25f;
-        update(glm::clamp((float)timeSinceLastUpdate / 1000.f, 0.f, BIGGEST_DELTA_TIME_SECS));
-        _glWidget->updateGL();
-        _lastTimeUpdated = check;
-        _idleLoopStdev.addValue(timeSinceLastUpdate);
-    
-        //  Record standard deviation and reset counter if needed
-        const int STDEV_SAMPLES = 500;
-        if (_idleLoopStdev.getSamples() > STDEV_SAMPLES) {
-            _idleLoopMeasuredJitter = _idleLoopStdev.getStDev();
-            _idleLoopStdev.reset();
+        {
+            PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::idle()... update()");
+            const float BIGGEST_DELTA_TIME_SECS = 0.25f;
+            update(glm::clamp((float)timeSinceLastUpdate / 1000.f, 0.f, BIGGEST_DELTA_TIME_SECS));
         }
+        {
+            PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::idle()... updateGL()");
+            _glWidget->updateGL();
+        }
+        {
+            PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::idle()... rest of it");
+            _lastTimeUpdated = check;
+            _idleLoopStdev.addValue(timeSinceLastUpdate);
+    
+            //  Record standard deviation and reset counter if needed
+            const int STDEV_SAMPLES = 500;
+            if (_idleLoopStdev.getSamples() > STDEV_SAMPLES) {
+                _idleLoopMeasuredJitter = _idleLoopStdev.getStDev();
+                _idleLoopStdev.reset();
+            }
 
-        // After finishing all of the above work, restart the idle timer, allowing 2ms to process events.
-        idleTimer->start(2);
+            // After finishing all of the above work, restart the idle timer, allowing 2ms to process events.
+            idleTimer->start(2);
+        }
     }
 }
 void Application::terminate() {
@@ -1665,6 +1678,7 @@ void Application::init() {
     _glowEffect.init();
     _ambientOcclusionEffect.init();
     _voxelShader.init();
+    _pointShader.init();
     
     _handControl.setScreenDimensions(_glWidget->width(), _glWidget->height());
 
@@ -1775,6 +1789,8 @@ static QUuid DEFAULT_NODE_ID_REF;
 
 void Application::updateLookatTargetAvatar(const glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, const glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
     glm::vec3& eyePosition) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateLookatTargetAvatar()");
     
     _lookatTargetAvatar = findLookatTargetAvatar(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, eyePosition, DEFAULT_NODE_ID_REF);
 }
@@ -1906,17 +1922,13 @@ void Application::updateAvatars(float deltaTime, glm::vec3 mouseRayOrigin, glm::
     }
 }
 
-void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
+void Application::updateMouseRay(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection) {
+
     bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
-    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::update()");
-    
-    // tell my avatar if the mouse is being pressed...
-    _myAvatar.setMousePressed(_mousePressed);
-    
-    // check what's under the mouse and update the mouse voxel
-    glm::vec3 mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection;
-    _viewFrustum.computePickRay(_mouseX / (float)_glWidget->width(),
-        _mouseY / (float)_glWidget->height(), mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateMouseRay()");
+
+    _viewFrustum.computePickRay(_mouseX / (float)_glWidget->width(), _mouseY / (float)_glWidget->height(), 
+                                mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection);
 
     // adjust for mirroring
     if (_myCamera.getMode() == CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR) {
@@ -1927,12 +1939,19 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
             _viewFrustum.getRight() * glm::dot(_viewFrustum.getRight(), mouseRayDirection));
     }
 
+    // tell my avatar if the mouse is being pressed...
+    _myAvatar.setMousePressed(_mousePressed);
+
     // tell my avatar the posiion and direction of the ray projected ino the world based on the mouse position        
     _myAvatar.setMouseRay(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection);
-    
-    // Set where I am looking based on my mouse ray (so that other people can see)
-    glm::vec3 lookAtSpot;
+}
 
+void Application::updateFaceshift(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
+    glm::vec3& lookAtRayOrigin, glm::vec3& lookAtRayDirection) {
+
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateFaceshift()");
+    
     //  Update faceshift
     _faceshift.update();
     
@@ -1940,20 +1959,26 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     if (_faceshift.isActive()) {
         _myAvatar.getHead().setAngularVelocity(_faceshift.getHeadAngularVelocity());
     }
+}
 
-    updateLookatTargetAvatar(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, lookAtSpot);
+void Application::updateMyAvatarLookAtPosition(glm::vec3& lookAtSpot, glm::vec3& lookAtRayOrigin, 
+        glm::vec3& lookAtRayDirection) {
+
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateMyAvatarLookAtPosition()");
+    
     if (!_lookatTargetAvatar) {
         if (_isHoverVoxel) {
             //  Look at the hovered voxel
             lookAtSpot = getMouseVoxelWorldCoordinates(_hoverVoxel);
-        
+            
         } else if (_myCamera.getMode() == CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR) {
             lookAtSpot = _myCamera.getPosition();
         
         } else {
             //  Just look in direction of the mouse ray
             const float FAR_AWAY_STARE = TREE_SCALE;
-            lookAtSpot = mouseRayOrigin + mouseRayDirection * FAR_AWAY_STARE;
+            lookAtSpot = lookAtRayOrigin + lookAtRayDirection * FAR_AWAY_STARE;
         }
     }
     if (_faceshift.isActive()) {
@@ -1967,11 +1992,14 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
                 glm::inverse(_myCamera.getRotation()) * (lookAtSpot - origin);
     }
     _myAvatar.getHead().setLookAtPosition(lookAtSpot);
+}
+
+void Application::updateHoverVoxels(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection, 
+                                    float& distance, BoxFace& face) {
+
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateHoverVoxels()");
 
-    //  Find the voxel we are hovering over, and respond if clicked
-    float distance;
-    BoxFace face;
-    
     //  If we have clicked on a voxel, update it's color
     if (_isHoverVoxelSounding) {
         VoxelNode* hoveredNode = _voxels.getVoxelAt(_hoverVoxel.x, _hoverVoxel.y, _hoverVoxel.z, _hoverVoxel.s);
@@ -1993,23 +2021,38 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     } else {
         //  Check for a new hover voxel
         glm::vec4 oldVoxel(_hoverVoxel.x, _hoverVoxel.y, _hoverVoxel.z, _hoverVoxel.s);
-        _isHoverVoxel = _voxels.findRayIntersection(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, _hoverVoxel, distance, face);
-        if (MAKE_SOUND_ON_VOXEL_HOVER && _isHoverVoxel && glm::vec4(_hoverVoxel.x, _hoverVoxel.y, _hoverVoxel.z, _hoverVoxel.s) != oldVoxel) {
-            _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[0] = _hoverVoxel.red;
-            _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[1] = _hoverVoxel.green;
-            _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[2] = _hoverVoxel.blue;
-            _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[3] = 1;
-            _audio.startCollisionSound(1.0, HOVER_VOXEL_FREQUENCY * _hoverVoxel.s * TREE_SCALE, 0.0, HOVER_VOXEL_DECAY);
-            _isHoverVoxelSounding = true;
+        // only do this work if MAKE_SOUND_ON_VOXEL_HOVER or MAKE_SOUND_ON_VOXEL_CLICK is enabled, 
+        // and make sure the tree is not already busy... because otherwise you'll have to wait.
+        if (!_voxels.treeIsBusy()) {
+            {
+                PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateHoverVoxels() _voxels.findRayIntersection()");
+                _isHoverVoxel = _voxels.findRayIntersection(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, _hoverVoxel, distance, face);
+            }
+            if (MAKE_SOUND_ON_VOXEL_HOVER && _isHoverVoxel && 
+                    glm::vec4(_hoverVoxel.x, _hoverVoxel.y, _hoverVoxel.z, _hoverVoxel.s) != oldVoxel) {
+                    
+                _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[0] = _hoverVoxel.red;
+                _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[1] = _hoverVoxel.green;
+                _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[2] = _hoverVoxel.blue;
+                _hoverVoxelOriginalColor[3] = 1;
+                _audio.startCollisionSound(1.0, HOVER_VOXEL_FREQUENCY * _hoverVoxel.s * TREE_SCALE, 0.0, HOVER_VOXEL_DECAY);
+                _isHoverVoxelSounding = true;
+            }
         }
     }
-        
+}
+
+void Application::updateMouseVoxels(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
+                                    float& distance, BoxFace& face) {
+
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateMouseVoxels()");
+
     _mouseVoxel.s = 0.0f;
     if (Menu::getInstance()->isVoxelModeActionChecked() &&
         (fabs(_myAvatar.getVelocity().x) +
          fabs(_myAvatar.getVelocity().y) +
          fabs(_myAvatar.getVelocity().z)) / 3 < MAX_AVATAR_EDIT_VELOCITY) {
-        PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::update()... findRayIntersection()");
 
         if (_voxels.findRayIntersection(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, _mouseVoxel, distance, face)) {
             if (distance < MAX_VOXEL_EDIT_DISTANCE) {
@@ -2078,12 +2121,17 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
             _justEditedVoxel = false;
         }
     }
-    
+}
+
+void Application::updateHandAndTouch(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateHandAndTouch()");
+
     // walking triggers the handControl to stop
     if (_myAvatar.getMode() == AVATAR_MODE_WALKING) {
         _handControl.stop();
     }
-       
+
     //  Update from Touch
     if (_isTouchPressed) {
         float TOUCH_YAW_SCALE = -0.25f;
@@ -2094,19 +2142,29 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
         _lastTouchAvgX = _touchAvgX;
         _lastTouchAvgY = _touchAvgY;
     }
-    
-    // Leap finger-sensing device
+}
+
+void Application::updateLeap(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateLeap()");
+
     LeapManager::enableFakeFingers(Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::SimulateLeapHand));
     _myAvatar.getHand().setRaveGloveActive(Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::TestRaveGlove));
     LeapManager::nextFrame(_myAvatar);
-    
-     //  Read serial port interface devices
+}
+
+void Application::updateSerialDevices(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateSerialDevices()");
+
     if (_serialHeadSensor.isActive()) {
         _serialHeadSensor.readData(deltaTime);
     }
-    
-    //  Sample hardware, update view frustum if needed, and send avatar data to mixer/nodes
-    updateAvatar(deltaTime);
+}
+
+void Application::updateThreads(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateThreads()");
 
     // read incoming packets from network
     if (!_enableNetworkThread) {
@@ -2118,12 +2176,12 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
         _voxelProcessor.threadRoutine();
         _voxelEditSender.threadRoutine();
     }
+}
+
+void Application::updateMyAvatarSimulation(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateMyAvatarSimulation()");
 
-    
-    //loop through all the other avatars and simulate them...
-    updateAvatars(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection);
-    
-    //  Simulate myself
     if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::Gravity)) {
         _myAvatar.setGravity(_environment.getGravity(_myAvatar.getPosition()));
     }
@@ -2136,12 +2194,21 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     } else {
         _myAvatar.simulate(deltaTime, NULL);
     }
-    
-    //  Simulate particle cloud movements
+}
+
+void Application::updateParticles(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateParticles()");
+
     if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::ParticleCloud)) {
         _cloud.simulate(deltaTime);
     }
-    
+}
+
+void Application::updateTransmitter(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateTransmitter()");
+
     // no transmitter drive implies transmitter pick
     if (!Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::TransmitterDrive) && _myTransmitter.isConnected()) {
         _transmitterPickStart = _myAvatar.getSkeleton().joint[AVATAR_JOINT_CHEST].position;
@@ -2176,7 +2243,12 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     } else {
         _transmitterPickStart = _transmitterPickEnd = glm::vec3();
     }
-    
+}
+
+void Application::updateCamera(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateCamera()");
+
     if (!OculusManager::isConnected()) {        
         if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::FullscreenMirror)) {
             if (_myCamera.getMode() != CAMERA_MODE_MIRROR) {
@@ -2211,7 +2283,12 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
             }
         }
     }
-   
+}
+
+void Application::updateDialogs(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateDialogs()");
+
     // Update bandwidth dialog, if any
     BandwidthDialog* bandwidthDialog = Menu::getInstance()->getBandwidthDialog();
     if (bandwidthDialog) {
@@ -2222,6 +2299,11 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     if (voxelStatsDialog) {
         voxelStatsDialog->update();
     }
+}
+
+void Application::updateAudio(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateAudio()");
 
     //  Update audio stats for procedural sounds
     #ifndef _WIN32
@@ -2229,7 +2311,12 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     _audio.setLastVelocity(_myAvatar.getVelocity());
     _audio.eventuallyAnalyzePing();
     #endif
-    
+}
+
+void Application::updateCursor(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateCursor()");
+
     // watch mouse position, if it hasn't moved, hide the cursor
     bool underMouse = _glWidget->underMouse();
     if (!_mouseHidden) {
@@ -2250,6 +2337,43 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
     }
 }
 
+void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
+    bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::update()");
+    
+    // check what's under the mouse and update the mouse voxel
+    glm::vec3 mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection;
+    updateMouseRay(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection);
+    
+    // Set where I am looking based on my mouse ray (so that other people can see)
+    glm::vec3 lookAtSpot;
+    glm::vec3 lookAtRayOrigin = mouseRayOrigin, lookAtRayDirection = mouseRayDirection;
+
+    updateFaceshift(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, lookAtRayOrigin, lookAtRayDirection);
+    updateLookatTargetAvatar(mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, lookAtSpot);
+    updateMyAvatarLookAtPosition(lookAtSpot, lookAtRayOrigin, lookAtRayDirection);
+    
+    //  Find the voxel we are hovering over, and respond if clicked
+    float distance;
+    BoxFace face;
+    
+    updateHoverVoxels(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, distance, face); // clicking on voxels and making sounds
+    updateMouseVoxels(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection, distance, face); // UI/UX related to voxels
+    updateHandAndTouch(deltaTime); // Update state for touch sensors
+    updateLeap(deltaTime); // Leap finger-sensing device
+    updateSerialDevices(deltaTime); // Read serial port interface devices
+    updateAvatar(deltaTime); // Sample hardware, update view frustum if needed, and send avatar data to mixer/nodes
+    updateThreads(deltaTime); // If running non-threaded, then give the threads some time to process...
+    updateAvatars(deltaTime, mouseRayOrigin, mouseRayDirection); //loop through all the other avatars and simulate them...
+    updateMyAvatarSimulation(deltaTime); // Simulate myself
+    updateParticles(deltaTime); // Simulate particle cloud movements
+    updateTransmitter(deltaTime); // transmitter drive or pick
+    updateCamera(deltaTime); // handle various camera tweaks like off axis projection
+    updateDialogs(deltaTime); // update various stats dialogs if present
+    updateAudio(deltaTime); // Update audio stats for procedural sounds
+    updateCursor(deltaTime); // Handle cursor updates
+}
+
 void Application::updateAvatar(float deltaTime) {
     bool showWarnings = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
     PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "Application::updateAvatar()");
@@ -3256,6 +3380,8 @@ void Application::displayStats() {
     drawtext(10, statsVerticalOffset, 0.10f, 0, 1.0, 0, avatarStats);
 
  
+    QLocale locale(QLocale::English);
+
     std::stringstream voxelStats;
     voxelStats.precision(4);
     voxelStats << "Voxels " << 
@@ -3278,11 +3404,19 @@ void Application::displayStats() {
     statsVerticalOffset += PELS_PER_LINE;
     drawtext(10, statsVerticalOffset, 0.10f, 0, 1.0, 0, (char*)voxelStats.str().c_str());
 
+    unsigned long localTotal = VoxelNode::getNodeCount();
+    unsigned long localInternal = VoxelNode::getInternalNodeCount();
+    unsigned long localLeaves = VoxelNode::getLeafNodeCount();
+    QString localTotalString = locale.toString((uint)localTotal); // consider adding: .rightJustified(10, ' ');
+    QString localInternalString = locale.toString((uint)localInternal);
+    QString localLeavesString = locale.toString((uint)localLeaves);
+
+
     voxelStats.str("");
     voxelStats << 
-        "Local Voxels Total: " << VoxelNode::getNodeCount() << ", " <<
-        "Internal: " << VoxelNode::getInternalNodeCount() << " , " <<
-        "Leaves: " << VoxelNode::getLeafNodeCount() << "";
+        "Local Voxels Total: " << localTotalString.toLocal8Bit().constData() << " / " <<
+        "Internal: " << localInternalString.toLocal8Bit().constData() << " / " <<
+        "Leaves: " << localLeavesString.toLocal8Bit().constData() << "";
     statsVerticalOffset += PELS_PER_LINE;
     drawtext(10, statsVerticalOffset, 0.10f, 0, 1.0, 0, (char*)voxelStats.str().c_str());
 
@@ -3309,6 +3443,29 @@ void Application::displayStats() {
     voxelStats << "Sending Mode: " << voxelDetails;
     statsVerticalOffset += PELS_PER_LINE;
     drawtext(10, statsVerticalOffset, 0.10f, 0, 1.0, 0, (char*)voxelStats.str().c_str());
+
+    voxelStats.str("");
+    int voxelPacketsToProcess = _voxelProcessor.packetsToProcessCount();
+    QString packetsString = locale.toString((int)voxelPacketsToProcess);
+    QString maxString = locale.toString((int)_recentMaxPackets);
+
+    voxelStats << "Voxel Packets to Process: " << packetsString.toLocal8Bit().constData() 
+                << " [Recent Max: " << maxString.toLocal8Bit().constData() << "]";
+                
+    if (_resetRecentMaxPacketsSoon && voxelPacketsToProcess > 0) {
+        _recentMaxPackets = 0;
+        _resetRecentMaxPacketsSoon = false;
+    }
+    if (voxelPacketsToProcess == 0) {
+        _resetRecentMaxPacketsSoon = true;
+    } else {
+        if (voxelPacketsToProcess > _recentMaxPackets) {
+            _recentMaxPackets = voxelPacketsToProcess;
+        }
+    }
+    statsVerticalOffset += PELS_PER_LINE;
+    drawtext(10, statsVerticalOffset, 0.10f, 0, 1.0, 0, (char*)voxelStats.str().c_str());
+
     
     Node *avatarMixer = NodeList::getInstance()->soloNodeOfType(NODE_TYPE_AVATAR_MIXER);
     char avatarMixerStats[200];
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index f888442dbd..ff8ae2f882 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #include "renderer/GeometryCache.h"
 #include "renderer/GlowEffect.h"
 #include "renderer/VoxelShader.h"
+#include "renderer/PointShader.h"
 #include "renderer/TextureCache.h"
 #include "ui/BandwidthDialog.h"
 #include "ui/ChatEntry.h"
@@ -162,6 +163,9 @@ public:
     virtual void domainChanged(QString domain);
     
     VoxelShader& getVoxelShader() { return _voxelShader; }
+    PointShader& getPointShader() { return _pointShader; }
+    
+    glm::vec2 getViewportDimensions() const{ return glm::vec2(_glWidget->width(),_glWidget->height()); }
 
 public slots:
     void sendAvatarFaceVideoMessage(int frameCount, const QByteArray& data);
@@ -219,9 +223,30 @@ private:
     void init();
     
     void update(float deltaTime);
-    
+
+    // Various helper functions called during update()
+    void updateMouseRay(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection);
+    void updateFaceshift(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
+            glm::vec3& lookAtRayOrigin, glm::vec3& lookAtRayDirection);
+    void updateMyAvatarLookAtPosition(glm::vec3& lookAtSpot, glm::vec3& lookAtRayOrigin, glm::vec3& lookAtRayDirection);
+    void updateHoverVoxels(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection, 
+            float& distance, BoxFace& face);
+    void updateMouseVoxels(float deltaTime, glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
+            float& distance, BoxFace& face);
     void updateLookatTargetAvatar(const glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, const glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
         glm::vec3& eyePosition);
+    void updateHandAndTouch(float deltaTime);
+    void updateLeap(float deltaTime);
+    void updateSerialDevices(float deltaTime);
+    void updateThreads(float deltaTime);
+    void updateMyAvatarSimulation(float deltaTime);
+    void updateParticles(float deltaTime);
+    void updateTransmitter(float deltaTime);
+    void updateCamera(float deltaTime);
+    void updateDialogs(float deltaTime);
+    void updateAudio(float deltaTime);
+    void updateCursor(float deltaTime);
+
     Avatar* findLookatTargetAvatar(const glm::vec3& mouseRayOrigin, const glm::vec3& mouseRayDirection,
         glm::vec3& eyePosition, QUuid &nodeUUID);
     bool isLookingAtMyAvatar(Avatar* avatar);
@@ -383,6 +408,7 @@ private:
     GlowEffect _glowEffect;
     AmbientOcclusionEffect _ambientOcclusionEffect;
     VoxelShader _voxelShader;
+    PointShader _pointShader;
     
     #ifndef _WIN32
     Audio _audio;
@@ -402,6 +428,9 @@ private:
     int _bytesPerSecond;
     int _bytesCount;
     
+    int _recentMaxPackets; // recent max incoming voxel packets to process
+    bool _resetRecentMaxPacketsSoon;
+    
     StDev _idleLoopStdev;
     float _idleLoopMeasuredJitter;
 
diff --git a/interface/src/VoxelPacketProcessor.cpp b/interface/src/VoxelPacketProcessor.cpp
index 76075c6fa5..9087a5a545 100644
--- a/interface/src/VoxelPacketProcessor.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/VoxelPacketProcessor.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ void VoxelPacketProcessor::processPacket(sockaddr& senderAddress, unsigned char*
                             "VoxelPacketProcessor::processPacket()");
                             
     const int WAY_BEHIND = 300;
-    if (packetsToProcessCount() > WAY_BEHIND && Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings)) {
+    if (packetsToProcessCount() > WAY_BEHIND && Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::ExtraDebugging)) {
         qDebug("VoxelPacketProcessor::processPacket() packets to process=%d\n", packetsToProcessCount());
     }
     ssize_t messageLength = packetLength;
diff --git a/interface/src/VoxelSystem.cpp b/interface/src/VoxelSystem.cpp
index 9e2c6ec63e..1219548b4d 100644
--- a/interface/src/VoxelSystem.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/VoxelSystem.cpp
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ VoxelSystem::VoxelSystem(float treeScale, int maxVoxels)
     
     _culledOnce = false;
     _inhideOutOfView = false;
+    _treeIsBusy = false;
 }
 
 void VoxelSystem::voxelDeleted(VoxelNode* node) {
@@ -595,9 +596,9 @@ int VoxelSystem::parseData(unsigned char* sourceBuffer, int numBytes) {
                                     "readBitstreamToTree()");
             // ask the VoxelTree to read the bitstream into the tree
             ReadBitstreamToTreeParams args(WANT_COLOR, WANT_EXISTS_BITS, NULL, getDataSourceUUID());
-            pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+            lockTree();
             _tree->readBitstreamToTree(voxelData, numBytes - numBytesPacketHeader, args);
-            pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+            unlockTree();
         }
             break;
         case PACKET_TYPE_VOXEL_DATA_MONOCHROME: {
@@ -605,9 +606,9 @@ int VoxelSystem::parseData(unsigned char* sourceBuffer, int numBytes) {
                                     "readBitstreamToTree()");
             // ask the VoxelTree to read the MONOCHROME bitstream into the tree
             ReadBitstreamToTreeParams args(NO_COLOR, WANT_EXISTS_BITS, NULL, getDataSourceUUID());
-            pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+            lockTree();
             _tree->readBitstreamToTree(voxelData, numBytes - numBytesPacketHeader, args);
-            pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+            unlockTree();
         }
             break;
         case PACKET_TYPE_Z_COMMAND:
@@ -1002,7 +1003,9 @@ int VoxelSystem::updateNodeInArrays(VoxelNode* node, bool reuseIndex, bool force
         // not render these Voxels. We need to think about ways to keep the entire scene intact but maybe lower quality
         // possibly shifting down to lower LOD or something. This debug message is to help identify, if/when/how this
         // state actually occurs.
-        qDebug("OHHHH NOOOOOO!!!! updateNodeInArrays() BAILING (_voxelsInWriteArrays >= _maxVoxels)\n");
+        if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::ExtraDebugging)) {
+            qDebug("OHHHH NOOOOOO!!!! updateNodeInArrays() BAILING (_voxelsInWriteArrays >= _maxVoxels)\n");
+        }
         return 0;
     }
 
@@ -1257,13 +1260,27 @@ void VoxelSystem::render(bool texture) {
 
         if (!_voxelsAsPoints) {
             Application::getInstance()->getVoxelShader().begin();
-            
             attributeLocation = Application::getInstance()->getVoxelShader().attributeLocation("voxelSizeIn");
             glEnableVertexAttribArray(attributeLocation);
             glVertexAttribPointer(attributeLocation, 1, GL_FLOAT, false, sizeof(VoxelShaderVBOData), BUFFER_OFFSET(3*sizeof(float)));
         } else {
-            const float POINT_SIZE = 4.0;
-            glPointSize(POINT_SIZE);
+            glEnable(GL_VERTEX_PROGRAM_POINT_SIZE);
+
+            glm::vec2 viewDimensions = Application::getInstance()->getViewportDimensions();
+            float viewportWidth = viewDimensions.x;
+            float viewportHeight = viewDimensions.y;
+            glm::vec3 cameraPosition = Application::getInstance()->getViewFrustum()->getPosition();
+            PointShader& pointShader = Application::getInstance()->getPointShader();
+
+            pointShader.begin();
+
+            pointShader.setUniformValue(pointShader.uniformLocation("viewportWidth"), viewportWidth);
+            pointShader.setUniformValue(pointShader.uniformLocation("viewportHeight"), viewportHeight);
+            pointShader.setUniformValue(pointShader.uniformLocation("cameraPosition"), cameraPosition);
+
+            attributeLocation = pointShader.attributeLocation("voxelSizeIn");
+            glEnableVertexAttribArray(attributeLocation);
+            glVertexAttribPointer(attributeLocation, 1, GL_FLOAT, false, sizeof(VoxelShaderVBOData), BUFFER_OFFSET(3*sizeof(float)));
         }
         
         
@@ -1287,6 +1304,10 @@ void VoxelSystem::render(bool texture) {
         if (!_voxelsAsPoints) {
             Application::getInstance()->getVoxelShader().end();
             glDisableVertexAttribArray(attributeLocation);
+        } else {
+            Application::getInstance()->getPointShader().end();
+            glDisableVertexAttribArray(attributeLocation);
+            glDisable(GL_VERTEX_PROGRAM_POINT_SIZE);
         }
     } else {
         PerformanceWarning warn(showWarnings, "render().. TRIANGLES...");
@@ -1387,9 +1408,9 @@ void VoxelSystem::removeScaleAndReleaseProgram(bool texture) {
 int VoxelSystem::_nodeCount = 0;
 
 void VoxelSystem::killLocalVoxels() {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    lockTree();
     _tree->eraseAllVoxels();
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     clearFreeBufferIndexes();    
     _voxelsInReadArrays = 0; // do we need to do this?
     setupNewVoxelsForDrawing();
@@ -1408,9 +1429,9 @@ bool VoxelSystem::clearAllNodesBufferIndexOperation(VoxelNode* node, void* extra
 
 void VoxelSystem::clearAllNodesBufferIndex() {
     _nodeCount = 0;
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);                                  
+    lockTree();                                  
     _tree->recurseTreeWithOperation(clearAllNodesBufferIndexOperation);
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     if (Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings)) {
         qDebug("clearing buffer index of %d nodes\n", _nodeCount);
     }
@@ -1864,7 +1885,7 @@ void VoxelSystem::hideOutOfView(bool forceFullFrustum) {
     _inhideOutOfView = true;
 
     bool showDebugDetails = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::PipelineWarnings);
-    PerformanceWarning warn(showDebugDetails, "hideOutOfView()", showDebugDetails);
+    PerformanceWarning warn(showDebugDetails, "hideOutOfView()");
     bool widenFrustum = true;
 
     // When using "delta" view frustums and only hide/show items that are in the difference
@@ -1898,9 +1919,9 @@ void VoxelSystem::hideOutOfView(bool forceFullFrustum) {
         return;
     }
 
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);                                  
+    lockTree();                                  
     _tree->recurseTreeWithOperation(hideOutOfViewOperation,(void*)&args);
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     _lastCulledViewFrustum = args.thisViewFrustum; // save last stable
     _culledOnce = true;
 
@@ -1909,7 +1930,8 @@ void VoxelSystem::hideOutOfView(bool forceFullFrustum) {
         setupNewVoxelsForDrawingSingleNode(DONT_BAIL_EARLY);
     }
     
-    if (showDebugDetails) {
+    bool extraDebugDetails = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::ExtraDebugging);
+    if (extraDebugDetails) {
         qDebug("hideOutOfView() scanned=%ld removed=%ld inside=%ld intersect=%ld outside=%ld\n", 
                 args.nodesScanned, args.nodesRemoved, args.nodesInside, 
                 args.nodesIntersect, args.nodesOutside
@@ -2088,10 +2110,10 @@ bool VoxelSystem::hideOutOfViewOperation(VoxelNode* node, void* extraData) {
 
 bool VoxelSystem::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3& direction,
                                       VoxelDetail& detail, float& distance, BoxFace& face) {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);                                  
+    lockTree();                                  
     VoxelNode* node;
     if (!_tree->findRayIntersection(origin, direction, node, distance, face)) {
-        pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+        unlockTree();
         return false;
     }
     detail.x = node->getCorner().x;
@@ -2101,21 +2123,21 @@ bool VoxelSystem::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3&
     detail.red = node->getColor()[0];
     detail.green = node->getColor()[1];
     detail.blue = node->getColor()[2];
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     return true;
 }
 
 bool VoxelSystem::findSpherePenetration(const glm::vec3& center, float radius, glm::vec3& penetration) {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    lockTree();
     bool result = _tree->findSpherePenetration(center, radius, penetration);
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     return result;
 }
 
 bool VoxelSystem::findCapsulePenetration(const glm::vec3& start, const glm::vec3& end, float radius, glm::vec3& penetration) {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    lockTree();
     bool result = _tree->findCapsulePenetration(start, end, radius, penetration);
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     return result;
 }
 
@@ -2289,9 +2311,9 @@ void VoxelSystem::collectStatsForTreesAndVBOs() {
 
 
 void VoxelSystem::deleteVoxelAt(float x, float y, float z, float s) {
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    lockTree();
     _tree->deleteVoxelAt(x, y, z, s);
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
     
     // redraw!
     setupNewVoxelsForDrawing();  // do we even need to do this? Or will the next network receive kick in?
@@ -2306,9 +2328,9 @@ void VoxelSystem::createVoxel(float x, float y, float z, float s,
                               unsigned char red, unsigned char green, unsigned char blue, bool destructive) {
     
     //qDebug("VoxelSystem::createVoxel(%f,%f,%f,%f)\n",x,y,z,s);
-    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    lockTree();
     _tree->createVoxel(x, y, z, s, red, green, blue, destructive); 
-    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+    unlockTree();
 
     setupNewVoxelsForDrawing(); 
 };
@@ -2631,9 +2653,9 @@ void VoxelSystem::nodeKilled(Node* node) {
         if (_voxelServerCount > 0) {
             // Kill any voxels from the local tree that match this nodeID
             // commenting out for removal of 16 bit node IDs
-            pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+            lockTree();
             _tree->recurseTreeWithOperation(killSourceVoxelsOperation, &nodeUUID);
-            pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+            unlockTree();
             _tree->setDirtyBit();
             setupNewVoxelsForDrawing();
         } else {
@@ -2701,5 +2723,15 @@ unsigned long VoxelSystem::getVoxelMemoryUsageGPU() {
     return (_initialMemoryUsageGPU - currentFreeMemory);
 }
 
+void VoxelSystem::lockTree() {
+    pthread_mutex_lock(&_treeLock);
+    _treeIsBusy = true;
+}
+
+void VoxelSystem::unlockTree() {
+    _treeIsBusy = false;
+    pthread_mutex_unlock(&_treeLock);
+}
+
 
 
diff --git a/interface/src/VoxelSystem.h b/interface/src/VoxelSystem.h
index 303c7dfb49..0fdbb5b884 100644
--- a/interface/src/VoxelSystem.h
+++ b/interface/src/VoxelSystem.h
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ public:
     virtual void nodeKilled(Node* node);
     virtual void domainChanged(QString domain);
     
+    bool treeIsBusy() const { return _treeIsBusy; }
+    
 signals:
     void importSize(float x, float y, float z);
     void importProgress(int progress);
@@ -302,6 +304,10 @@ private:
     bool _useFastVoxelPipeline;
     
     bool _inhideOutOfView;
+    bool _treeIsBusy; // is the tree mutex locked? if so, it's busy, and if you can avoid it, don't access the tree
+    
+    void lockTree();
+    void unlockTree();
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.cpp b/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..32139903be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+//
+//  PointShader.cpp
+//  interface
+//
+//  Created by Brad Hefta-Gaub on 10/30/13.
+//  Copyright (c) 2013 High Fidelity, Inc. All rights reserved.
+
+// include this before QOpenGLFramebufferObject, which includes an earlier version of OpenGL
+#include "InterfaceConfig.h"
+
+#include <QOpenGLFramebufferObject>
+
+#include "Application.h"
+#include "PointShader.h"
+#include "ProgramObject.h"
+#include "RenderUtil.h"
+
+PointShader::PointShader()
+    : _initialized(false)
+{
+    _program = NULL;
+}
+
+PointShader::~PointShader() {
+    if (_initialized) {
+        delete _program;
+    }
+}
+
+ProgramObject* PointShader::createPointShaderProgram(const QString& name) {
+    ProgramObject* program = new ProgramObject();
+    program->addShaderFromSourceFile(QGLShader::Vertex, "resources/shaders/" + name + ".vert" );
+    program->link();
+    return program;
+}
+
+void PointShader::init() {
+    if (_initialized) {
+        qDebug("[ERROR] PointShader is already initialized.\n");
+        return;
+    }
+    switchToResourcesParentIfRequired();
+    _program = createPointShaderProgram("point_size");
+    _initialized = true;
+}
+
+void PointShader::begin() {
+    _program->bind();
+}
+
+void PointShader::end() {
+    _program->release();
+}
+
+int PointShader::attributeLocation(const char* name) const {
+    if (_program) {
+        return _program->attributeLocation(name);
+    } else {
+        return -1;
+    }
+}
+
+int PointShader::uniformLocation(const char* name) const {
+    if (_program) {
+        return _program->uniformLocation(name);
+    } else {
+        return -1;
+    }
+}
+
+void PointShader::setUniformValue(int uniformLocation, float value) {
+    _program->setUniformValue(uniformLocation, value);
+}
+
+void PointShader::setUniformValue(int uniformLocation, const glm::vec3& value) {
+    _program->setUniformValue(uniformLocation, value.x, value.y, value.z);
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.h b/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b7e1b8c008
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/renderer/PointShader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+//
+//  PointShader.h
+//  interface
+//
+//  Created by Brad Hefta-Gaub on 10/30/13.
+//  Copyright (c) 2013 High Fidelity, Inc. All rights reserved.
+//
+
+#ifndef __interface__PointShader__
+#define __interface__PointShader__
+
+#include <QObject>
+
+class ProgramObject;
+
+/// A shader program that draws voxels as points with variable sizes
+class PointShader : public QObject {
+    Q_OBJECT
+    
+public:
+    PointShader();
+    ~PointShader();
+    
+    void init();
+    
+    /// Starts using the voxel point shader program.
+    void begin();
+    
+    /// Stops using the voxel point shader program.
+    void end();
+    
+    /// Gets access to attributes from the shader program
+    int attributeLocation(const char* name) const;
+    int uniformLocation(const char* name) const;
+    void setUniformValue(int uniformLocation, float value);
+    void setUniformValue(int uniformLocation, const glm::vec3& value);
+
+    static ProgramObject* createPointShaderProgram(const QString& name);
+    
+private:
+    bool _initialized;
+    ProgramObject* _program;
+};
+
+#endif /* defined(__interface__PointShader__) */
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/ReceivedPacketProcessor.h b/libraries/shared/src/ReceivedPacketProcessor.h
index f6d49cbb09..78017bffd7 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/ReceivedPacketProcessor.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/ReceivedPacketProcessor.h
@@ -24,6 +24,12 @@ public:
     /// \param ssize_t packetLength size of received data
     /// \thread network receive thread
     void queueReceivedPacket(sockaddr& senderAddress, unsigned char*  packetData, ssize_t packetLength);
+
+    /// Are there received packets waiting to be processed
+    bool hasPacketsToProcess() const { return _packets.size() > 0; }
+
+    /// How many received packets waiting are to be processed
+    int packetsToProcessCount() const { return _packets.size(); }
     
 protected:
     /// Callback for processing of recieved packets. Implement this to process the incoming packets.
@@ -36,12 +42,6 @@ protected:
     /// Implements generic processing behavior for this thread.
     virtual bool process();
 
-    /// Are there received packets waiting to be processed
-    bool hasPacketsToProcess() const { return _packets.size() > 0; }
-
-    /// How many received packets waiting are to be processed
-    int packetsToProcessCount() const { return _packets.size(); }
-
 private:
 
     std::vector<NetworkPacket> _packets;