diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 5c8d18cf4a..c1d28fa7f9 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -164,6 +164,7 @@
 #include <RenderableWebEntityItem.h>
 #include <StencilMaskPass.h>
 #include <procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.h>
+#include <procedural/ReferenceMaterial.h>
 #include "recording/ClipCache.h"
 
 #include "AudioClient.h"
@@ -2168,6 +2169,19 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer, bo
         return nullptr;
     });
 
+    ReferenceMaterial::setMaterialForUUIDOperator([this](const QUuid& entityID) -> graphics::MaterialPointer {
+        if (_aboutToQuit) {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+
+        auto renderable = getEntities()->renderableForEntityId(entityID);
+        if (renderable) {
+            return renderable->getTopMaterial();
+        }
+
+        return nullptr;
+    });
+
     connect(this, &Application::aboutToQuit, [this]() {
         setKeyboardFocusEntity(UNKNOWN_ENTITY_ID);
     });
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
index b7cfcde224..0bf2b590c0 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.cpp
@@ -495,6 +495,15 @@ void EntityRenderer::removeMaterial(graphics::MaterialPointer material, const st
     emit requestRenderUpdate();
 }
 
+graphics::MaterialPointer EntityRenderer::getTopMaterial() {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_materialsLock);
+    auto materials = _materials.find("0");
+    if (materials != _materials.end()) {
+        return materials->second.top().material;
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
 EntityRenderer::Pipeline EntityRenderer::getPipelineType(const graphics::MultiMaterial& materials) {
     if (materials.top().material && materials.top().material->isProcedural() && materials.top().material->isReady()) {
         return Pipeline::PROCEDURAL;
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
index 29351cb25a..823498d223 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableEntityItem.h
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ public:
     };
     virtual void addMaterial(graphics::MaterialLayer material, const std::string& parentMaterialName);
     virtual void removeMaterial(graphics::MaterialPointer material, const std::string& parentMaterialName);
+    virtual graphics::MaterialPointer getTopMaterial();
     static Pipeline getPipelineType(const graphics::MultiMaterial& materials);
     virtual gpu::TexturePointer getTexture() { return nullptr; }
 
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
index 340d169f29..25403e8a2b 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/RenderableMaterialEntityItem.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ public:
     MaterialEntityRenderer(const EntityItemPointer& entity) : Parent(entity) {}
     ~MaterialEntityRenderer() { deleteMaterial(_parentID, _parentMaterialName); }
 
+    graphics::MaterialPointer getTopMaterial() override { return getMaterial(); }
+
 private:
     virtual void doRenderUpdateSynchronousTyped(const ScenePointer& scene, Transaction& transaction, const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
     virtual void doRenderUpdateAsynchronousTyped(const TypedEntityPointer& entity) override;
diff --git a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
index 18df2e5d3f..b8e284d470 100755
--- a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
+++ b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
@@ -676,9 +676,10 @@ public:
         _element(element)
     {};
 
-    TextureView(const TexturePointer& texture, uint16 subresource) :
+    TextureView(const TexturePointer& texture, uint16 subresource, std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()> textureOperator = nullptr) :
         _texture(texture),
-        _subresource(subresource)
+        _subresource(subresource),
+        _textureOperator(textureOperator)
     {};
 
     ~TextureView() {}
@@ -689,6 +690,12 @@ public:
     bool operator !() const { return (!_texture); }
 
     bool isValid() const { return bool(_texture); }
+
+    bool isReference() const { return (bool)_textureOperator; }
+    std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()> getTextureOperator() const { return _textureOperator; }
+
+private:
+    std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()> _textureOperator { nullptr };
 };
 typedef std::vector<TextureView> TextureViews;
 
@@ -708,6 +715,7 @@ public:
     void resetTextureOperator(std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()> textureOperator);
 
     bool isDefined() const;
+    std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()> TextureSource::getTextureOperator() const { return _gpuTextureOperator; }
 
 protected:
     gpu::TexturePointer _gpuTexture;
diff --git a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.cpp b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.cpp
index 41cd319595..91265b6bfc 100755
--- a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.cpp
+++ b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.cpp
@@ -281,4 +281,20 @@ void MultiMaterial::calculateMaterialInfo() const {
         }
         _hasCalculatedTextureInfo = allTextures;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+void MultiMaterial::resetReferenceTexturesAndMaterials() {
+    _referenceTextures.clear();
+}
+
+void MultiMaterial::addReferenceTexture(const std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()>& textureOperator) {
+    _referenceTextures.emplace_back(textureOperator, textureOperator());
+}
+
+bool MultiMaterial::anyReferenceMaterialsOrTexturesChanged() const {
+    for (auto textureOperatorPair : _referenceTextures) {
+        if (textureOperatorPair.first() != textureOperatorPair.second) {
+            return true;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.h b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.h
index 7a411e5b2c..8caa4a3187 100755
--- a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.h
+++ b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/Material.h
@@ -341,57 +341,57 @@ public:
     virtual ~Material() = default;
     Material& operator= (const Material& material);
 
-    const MaterialKey& getKey() const { return _key; }
+    virtual const MaterialKey& getKey() const { return _key; }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_EMISSIVE;
     void setEmissive(const glm::vec3& emissive, bool isSRGB = true);
-    glm::vec3 getEmissive(bool SRGB = true) const { return (SRGB ? ColorUtils::tosRGBVec3(_emissive) : _emissive); }
+    virtual glm::vec3 getEmissive(bool SRGB = true) const { return (SRGB ? ColorUtils::tosRGBVec3(_emissive) : _emissive); }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_OPACITY;
     void setOpacity(float opacity);
-    float getOpacity() const { return _opacity; }
+    virtual float getOpacity() const { return _opacity; }
 
     static const MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode DEFAULT_OPACITY_MAP_MODE;
     void setOpacityMapMode(MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode opacityMapMode);
-    MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode getOpacityMapMode() const;
+    virtual MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode getOpacityMapMode() const;
 
     static const float DEFAULT_OPACITY_CUTOFF;
     void setOpacityCutoff(float opacityCutoff);
-    float getOpacityCutoff() const { return _opacityCutoff; }
+    virtual float getOpacityCutoff() const { return _opacityCutoff; }
 
     static const MaterialKey::CullFaceMode DEFAULT_CULL_FACE_MODE;
     void setCullFaceMode(MaterialKey::CullFaceMode cullFaceMode) { _cullFaceMode = cullFaceMode; }
-    MaterialKey::CullFaceMode getCullFaceMode() const { return _cullFaceMode; }
+    virtual MaterialKey::CullFaceMode getCullFaceMode() const { return _cullFaceMode; }
 
     void setUnlit(bool value);
-    bool isUnlit() const { return _key.isUnlit(); }
+    virtual bool isUnlit() const { return _key.isUnlit(); }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_ALBEDO;
     void setAlbedo(const glm::vec3& albedo, bool isSRGB = true);
-    glm::vec3 getAlbedo(bool SRGB = true) const { return (SRGB ? ColorUtils::tosRGBVec3(_albedo) : _albedo); }
+    virtual glm::vec3 getAlbedo(bool SRGB = true) const { return (SRGB ? ColorUtils::tosRGBVec3(_albedo) : _albedo); }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_METALLIC;
     void setMetallic(float metallic);
-    float getMetallic() const { return _metallic; }
+    virtual float getMetallic() const { return _metallic; }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_ROUGHNESS;
     void setRoughness(float roughness);
-    float getRoughness() const { return _roughness; }
+    virtual float getRoughness() const { return _roughness; }
 
     static const float DEFAULT_SCATTERING;
     void setScattering(float scattering);
-    float getScattering() const { return _scattering; }
+    virtual float getScattering() const { return _scattering; }
 
     // The texture map to channel association
     static const int NUM_TEXCOORD_TRANSFORMS { 2 };
     void setTextureMap(MapChannel channel, const TextureMapPointer& textureMap);
-    const TextureMaps& getTextureMaps() const { return _textureMaps; } // FIXME - not thread safe... 
+    virtual const TextureMaps& getTextureMaps() const { return _textureMaps; } // FIXME - not thread safe...
     const TextureMapPointer getTextureMap(MapChannel channel) const;
 
     // Albedo maps cannot have opacity detected until they are loaded
     // This method allows const changing of the key/schemaBuffer without touching the map
     // return true if the opacity changed, flase otherwise
-    bool resetOpacityMap() const;
+    virtual bool resetOpacityMap() const;
 
     // conversion from legacy material properties to PBR equivalent
     static float shininessToRoughness(float shininess) { return 1.0f - shininess / 100.0f; }
@@ -404,12 +404,12 @@ public:
     const std::string& getModel() const { return _model; }
     void setModel(const std::string& model) { _model = model; }
 
-    glm::mat4 getTexCoordTransform(uint i) const { return _texcoordTransforms[i]; }
+    virtual glm::mat4 getTexCoordTransform(uint i) const { return _texcoordTransforms[i]; }
     void setTexCoordTransform(uint i, const glm::mat4& mat4) { _texcoordTransforms[i] = mat4; }
-    glm::vec2 getLightmapParams() const { return _lightmapParams; }
-    glm::vec2 getMaterialParams() const { return _materialParams; }
+    virtual glm::vec2 getLightmapParams() const { return _lightmapParams; }
+    virtual glm::vec2 getMaterialParams() const { return _materialParams; }
 
-    bool getDefaultFallthrough() const { return _defaultFallthrough; }
+    virtual bool getDefaultFallthrough() const { return _defaultFallthrough; }
     void setDefaultFallthrough(bool defaultFallthrough) { _defaultFallthrough = defaultFallthrough; }
 
     enum ExtraFlagBit {
@@ -547,12 +547,15 @@ public:
     void setTexturesLoading(bool value) { _texturesLoading = value; }
     void setInitialized() { _initialized = true; }
 
-    bool shouldUpdate() const { return !_initialized || _needsUpdate || _texturesLoading; }
+    bool shouldUpdate() const { return !_initialized || _needsUpdate || _texturesLoading || anyReferenceMaterialsOrTexturesChanged(); }
 
     int getTextureCount() const { calculateMaterialInfo(); return _textureCount; }
     size_t getTextureSize()  const { calculateMaterialInfo(); return _textureSize; }
     bool hasTextureInfo() const { return _hasCalculatedTextureInfo; }
 
+    void resetReferenceTexturesAndMaterials();
+    void addReferenceTexture(const std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()>& textureOperator);
+
 private:
     gpu::BufferView _schemaBuffer;
     graphics::MaterialKey::CullFaceMode _cullFaceMode { graphics::Material::DEFAULT_CULL_FACE_MODE };
@@ -565,6 +568,10 @@ private:
     mutable int _textureCount { 0 };
     mutable bool _hasCalculatedTextureInfo { false };
     void calculateMaterialInfo() const;
+
+    bool anyReferenceMaterialsOrTexturesChanged() const;
+
+    std::vector<std::pair<std::function<gpu::TexturePointer()>, gpu::TexturePointer>> _referenceTextures;
 };
 
 };
diff --git a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/TextureMap.cpp b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/TextureMap.cpp
index 69e182fc9d..0590203907 100755
--- a/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/TextureMap.cpp
+++ b/libraries/graphics/src/graphics/TextureMap.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ bool TextureMap::isDefined() const {
 
 gpu::TextureView TextureMap::getTextureView() const {
     if (_textureSource) {
-        return gpu::TextureView(_textureSource->getGPUTexture(), 0);
+        return gpu::TextureView(_textureSource->getGPUTexture(), 0, _textureSource->getTextureOperator());
     } else {
         return gpu::TextureView();
     }
diff --git a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/Procedural.h b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/Procedural.h
index d70477429d..a198017a99 100644
--- a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/Procedural.h
+++ b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/Procedural.h
@@ -212,26 +212,26 @@ public:
     ProceduralMaterial() : NetworkMaterial() { initializeProcedural(); }
     ProceduralMaterial(const NetworkMaterial& material) : NetworkMaterial(material) { initializeProcedural(); }
 
-    bool isProcedural() const override { return true; }
-    bool isEnabled() const override { return _procedural.isEnabled(); }
-    bool isReady() const override { return _procedural.isReady(); }
-    QString getProceduralString() const override { return _proceduralString; }
+    virtual bool isProcedural() const override { return true; }
+    virtual bool isEnabled() const override { return _procedural.isEnabled(); }
+    virtual bool isReady() const override { return _procedural.isReady(); }
+    virtual QString getProceduralString() const override { return _proceduralString; }
 
     void setProceduralData(const QString& data) {
         _proceduralString = data;
         _procedural.setProceduralData(ProceduralData::parse(data));
     }
-    glm::vec4 getColor(const glm::vec4& color) const { return _procedural.getColor(color); }
-    bool isFading() const { return _procedural.isFading(); }
+    virtual glm::vec4 getColor(const glm::vec4& color) const { return _procedural.getColor(color); }
+    virtual bool isFading() const { return _procedural.isFading(); }
     void setIsFading(bool isFading) { _procedural.setIsFading(isFading); }
-    uint64_t getFadeStartTime() const { return _procedural.getFadeStartTime(); }
-    bool hasVertexShader() const { return _procedural.hasVertexShader(); }
-    void prepare(gpu::Batch& batch, const glm::vec3& position, const glm::vec3& size, const glm::quat& orientation,
+    virtual uint64_t getFadeStartTime() const { return _procedural.getFadeStartTime(); }
+    virtual bool hasVertexShader() const { return _procedural.hasVertexShader(); }
+    virtual void prepare(gpu::Batch& batch, const glm::vec3& position, const glm::vec3& size, const glm::quat& orientation,
                  const uint64_t& created, const ProceduralProgramKey key = ProceduralProgramKey()) {
         _procedural.prepare(batch, position, size, orientation, created, key);
     }
 
-    void initializeProcedural();
+    virtual void initializeProcedural();
 
     void setBoundOperator(const std::function<AABox(RenderArgs*)>& boundOperator) { _procedural.setBoundOperator(boundOperator); }
     bool hasBoundOperator() const { return _procedural.hasBoundOperator(); }
@@ -243,4 +243,4 @@ private:
 };
 typedef std::shared_ptr<ProceduralMaterial> ProceduralMaterialPointer;
 
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.cpp b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.cpp
index 049246b4fc..7e1a769c61 100644
--- a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.cpp
+++ b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "RegisteredMetaTypes.h"
 
 #include "Procedural.h"
+#include "ReferenceMaterial.h"
 
 NetworkMaterialResource::NetworkMaterialResource(const QUrl& url) :
     Resource(url) {}
@@ -92,14 +93,14 @@ NetworkMaterialResource::ParsedMaterials NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMater
                 if (materialsValue.isArray()) {
                     QJsonArray materials = materialsValue.toArray();
                     for (auto material : materials) {
-                        if (!material.isNull() && material.isObject()) {
-                            auto parsedMaterial = parseJSONMaterial(material.toObject(), baseUrl);
+                        if (!material.isNull() && (material.isObject() || material.isString())) {
+                            auto parsedMaterial = parseJSONMaterial(material, baseUrl);
                             toReturn.networkMaterials[parsedMaterial.first] = parsedMaterial.second;
                             toReturn.names.push_back(parsedMaterial.first);
                         }
                     }
-                } else if (materialsValue.isObject()) {
-                    auto parsedMaterial = parseJSONMaterial(materialsValue.toObject(), baseUrl);
+                } else if (materialsValue.isObject() || materialsValue.isString()) {
+                    auto parsedMaterial = parseJSONMaterial(materialsValue, baseUrl);
                     toReturn.networkMaterials[parsedMaterial.first] = parsedMaterial.second;
                     toReturn.names.push_back(parsedMaterial.first);
                 }
@@ -211,10 +212,22 @@ NetworkMaterialResource::ParsedMaterials NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMater
  * @property {ProceduralData} procedural - The definition of a procedural shader material.  <code>"hifi_shader_simple"</code> model only.
  */
 // Note: See MaterialEntityItem.h for default values used in practice.
-std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>> NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMaterial(const QJsonObject& materialJSON, const QUrl& baseUrl) {
+std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>> NetworkMaterialResource::parseJSONMaterial(const QJsonValue& materialJSONValue, const QUrl& baseUrl) {
     std::string name = "";
     std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial> networkMaterial;
 
+    if (materialJSONValue.isString()) {
+        QString uuidString = materialJSONValue.toString();
+        name = uuidString.toStdString();
+        QUuid uuid = QUuid(uuidString);
+        if (!uuid.isNull()) {
+            networkMaterial = std::make_shared<ReferenceMaterial>(uuid);
+        }
+        return std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>>(name, networkMaterial);
+    }
+
+    QJsonObject materialJSON = materialJSONValue.toObject();
+
     std::string modelString = graphics::Material::HIFI_PBR;
     auto modelJSONIter = materialJSON.find("model");
     if (modelJSONIter != materialJSON.end() && modelJSONIter.value().isString()) {
diff --git a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.h b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.h
index 0a44ccf0ef..7b71438898 100644
--- a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.h
+++ b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ProceduralMaterialCache.h
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ public:
     void setScatteringMap(const QUrl& url);
     void setLightMap(const QUrl& url);
 
-    bool isMissingTexture();
-    bool checkResetOpacityMap();
+    virtual bool isMissingTexture();
+    virtual bool checkResetOpacityMap();
 
     class Texture {
     public:
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ public:
     ParsedMaterials parsedMaterials;
 
     static ParsedMaterials parseJSONMaterials(const QJsonDocument& materialJSON, const QUrl& baseUrl);
-    static std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>> parseJSONMaterial(const QJsonObject& materialJSON, const QUrl& baseUrl);
+    static std::pair<std::string, std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>> parseJSONMaterial(const QJsonValue& materialJSONValue, const QUrl& baseUrl);
 
 private:
     static bool parseJSONColor(const QJsonValue& array, glm::vec3& color, bool& isSRGB);
diff --git a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.cpp b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..389224c60b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+//
+//  Created by HifiExperiments on 3/14/2021
+//  Copyright 2021 Vircadia contributors.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "ReferenceMaterial.h"
+
+std::function<graphics::MaterialPointer(QUuid)> ReferenceMaterial::_materialForUUIDOperator = nullptr;
+
+// Material
+const graphics::MaterialKey& ReferenceMaterial::getKey() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getKey() : Parent::getKey();
+}
+
+glm::vec3 ReferenceMaterial::getEmissive(bool SRGB) const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getEmissive(SRGB) : glm::vec3(DEFAULT_EMISSIVE);
+}
+
+float ReferenceMaterial::getOpacity() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getOpacity() : DEFAULT_OPACITY;
+}
+
+graphics::MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode ReferenceMaterial::getOpacityMapMode() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getOpacityMapMode() : DEFAULT_OPACITY_MAP_MODE;
+}
+
+float ReferenceMaterial::getOpacityCutoff() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getOpacityCutoff() : DEFAULT_OPACITY_CUTOFF;
+}
+
+graphics::MaterialKey::CullFaceMode ReferenceMaterial::getCullFaceMode() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getCullFaceMode() : DEFAULT_CULL_FACE_MODE;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isUnlit() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isUnlit() : false;
+}
+
+glm::vec3 ReferenceMaterial::getAlbedo(bool SRGB) const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getAlbedo(SRGB) : glm::vec3(DEFAULT_ALBEDO);
+}
+
+float ReferenceMaterial::getMetallic() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getMetallic() : DEFAULT_METALLIC;
+}
+
+float ReferenceMaterial::getRoughness() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getRoughness() : DEFAULT_ROUGHNESS;
+}
+
+float ReferenceMaterial::getScattering() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getScattering() : DEFAULT_SCATTERING;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::resetOpacityMap() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->resetOpacityMap() : false;
+}
+
+const graphics::Material::TextureMaps& ReferenceMaterial::getTextureMaps() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getTextureMaps() : Parent::getTextureMaps();
+}
+
+glm::vec2 ReferenceMaterial::getLightmapParams() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getLightmapParams() : glm::vec2(0.0f, 1.0f);
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::getDefaultFallthrough() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getDefaultFallthrough() : false;
+}
+
+// NetworkMaterial
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isMissingTexture() {
+    auto material = getNetworkMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isMissingTexture() : false;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::checkResetOpacityMap() {
+    auto material = getNetworkMaterial();
+    return material ? material->checkResetOpacityMap() : false;
+}
+
+// ProceduralMaterial
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isProcedural() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isProcedural() : false;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isEnabled() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isEnabled() : false;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isReady() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isReady() : false;
+}
+
+QString ReferenceMaterial::getProceduralString() const {
+    auto material = getMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getProceduralString() : false;
+}
+
+glm::vec4 ReferenceMaterial::getColor(const glm::vec4& color) const {
+    auto material = getProceduralMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getColor(color) : glm::vec4();
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::isFading() const {
+    auto material = getProceduralMaterial();
+    return material ? material->isFading() : false;
+}
+
+uint64_t ReferenceMaterial::getFadeStartTime() const {
+    auto material = getProceduralMaterial();
+    return material ? material->getFadeStartTime() : 0;
+}
+
+bool ReferenceMaterial::hasVertexShader() const {
+    auto material = getProceduralMaterial();
+    return material ? material->hasVertexShader() : false;
+}
+
+void ReferenceMaterial::prepare(gpu::Batch& batch, const glm::vec3& position, const glm::vec3& size, const glm::quat& orientation,
+                const uint64_t& created, const ProceduralProgramKey key) {
+    if (auto material = getProceduralMaterial()) {
+        material->prepare(batch, position, size, orientation, created, key);
+    }
+}
+
+void ReferenceMaterial::initializeProcedural() {
+    if (auto material = getProceduralMaterial()) {
+        material->initializeProcedural();
+    }
+}
+
+graphics::MaterialPointer ReferenceMaterial::getMaterial() const {
+    if (_materialForUUIDOperator) {
+        return _materialForUUIDOperator(_uuid);
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial> ReferenceMaterial::getNetworkMaterial() const {
+    if (_materialForUUIDOperator) {
+        auto material = _materialForUUIDOperator(_uuid);
+        if (material && material->isProcedural()) {
+            return std::static_pointer_cast<NetworkMaterial>(material);
+        }
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+graphics::ProceduralMaterialPointer ReferenceMaterial::getProceduralMaterial() const {
+    if (_materialForUUIDOperator) {
+        auto material = _materialForUUIDOperator(_uuid);
+        if (material && material->isProcedural()) {
+            return std::static_pointer_cast<graphics::ProceduralMaterial>(material);
+        }
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
diff --git a/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.h b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fcefac8407
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/procedural/src/procedural/ReferenceMaterial.h
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+//
+//  Created by HifiExperiments on 3/14/2021
+//  Copyright 2021 Vircadia contributors.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "Procedural.h"
+
+class ReferenceMaterial : public graphics::ProceduralMaterial {
+public:
+    using Parent = graphics::ProceduralMaterial;
+
+    ReferenceMaterial() {}
+    ReferenceMaterial(QUuid uuid) : graphics::ProceduralMaterial(), _uuid(uuid) {}
+
+    // Material
+    const graphics::MaterialKey& getKey() const override;
+    glm::vec3 getEmissive(bool SRGB = true) const override;
+    float getOpacity() const override;
+    graphics::MaterialKey::OpacityMapMode getOpacityMapMode() const override;
+    float getOpacityCutoff() const override;
+    graphics::MaterialKey::CullFaceMode getCullFaceMode() const override;
+    bool isUnlit() const override;
+    glm::vec3 getAlbedo(bool SRGB = true) const override;
+    float getMetallic() const override;
+    float getRoughness() const override;
+    float getScattering() const override;
+    bool resetOpacityMap() const override;
+    const graphics::Material::TextureMaps& getTextureMaps() const override;
+    //glm::mat4 getTexCoordTransform(uint i) const override; // use my actual transform, instead of the original
+    glm::vec2 getLightmapParams() const override;
+    //glm::vec2 getMaterialParams() const override; // use my actual params, instead of the original
+    bool getDefaultFallthrough() const override;
+
+    // NetworkMaterial
+    bool isMissingTexture() override;
+    bool checkResetOpacityMap() override;
+
+    // ProceduralMaterial
+    bool isProcedural() const override;
+    bool isEnabled() const override;
+    bool isReady() const override;
+    QString getProceduralString() const override;
+
+    glm::vec4 getColor(const glm::vec4& color) const override;
+    bool isFading() const override;
+    uint64_t getFadeStartTime() const override;
+    bool hasVertexShader() const override;
+    void prepare(gpu::Batch& batch, const glm::vec3& position, const glm::vec3& size, const glm::quat& orientation,
+                 const uint64_t& created, const ProceduralProgramKey key = ProceduralProgramKey()) override;
+    void initializeProcedural() override;
+
+    static void setMaterialForUUIDOperator(std::function<graphics::MaterialPointer(QUuid)> materialForUUIDOperator) { _materialForUUIDOperator = materialForUUIDOperator; }
+
+private:
+    static std::function<graphics::MaterialPointer(QUuid)> _materialForUUIDOperator;
+    QUuid _uuid;
+
+    graphics::MaterialPointer getMaterial() const;
+    std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial> getNetworkMaterial() const;
+    graphics::ProceduralMaterialPointer getProceduralMaterial() const;
+};
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderPipelines.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderPipelines.cpp
index fe42cc1d0e..b1c927761e 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderPipelines.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderPipelines.cpp
@@ -378,6 +378,7 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
 
     auto& drawMaterialTextures = multiMaterial.getTextureTable();
     multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(false);
+    multiMaterial.resetReferenceTexturesAndMaterials();
 
     // The total list of things we need to look for
     static std::set<uint> allFlags;
@@ -482,6 +483,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 material->resetOpacityMap();
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialAlbedo, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -501,6 +505,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialMetallic, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -518,6 +525,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialRoughness, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -535,6 +545,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialNormal, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -552,6 +565,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialOcclusion, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -569,6 +585,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialScattering, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -587,6 +606,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialEmissiveLightmap, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);
@@ -607,6 +629,9 @@ void RenderPipelines::updateMultiMaterial(graphics::MultiMaterial& multiMaterial
                         if (itr != textureMaps.end()) {
                             if (itr->second->isDefined()) {
                                 drawMaterialTextures->setTexture(gr::Texture::MaterialEmissiveLightmap, itr->second->getTextureView());
+                                if (itr->second->getTextureView().isReference()) {
+                                    multiMaterial.addReferenceTexture(itr->second->getTextureView().getTextureOperator());
+                                }
                                 wasSet = true;
                             } else {
                                 multiMaterial.setTexturesLoading(true);