diff --git a/examples/grab.js b/examples/grab.js
index c6b1b884b7..f64aaa30ee 100644
--- a/examples/grab.js
+++ b/examples/grab.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 //  Created by Eric Levin on May 1, 2015
 //  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
 //
-//  Grab's physically moveable entities with the mouse, by applying a spring force. 
+//  Grab's physically moveable entities with the mouse, by applying a spring force.
 //
 //  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ var ANGULAR_DAMPING_RATE = 0.40;
 // NOTE: to improve readability global variable names start with 'g'
 var gIsGrabbing = false;
 var gGrabbedEntity = null;
-var gPrevMouse = {x: 0, y: 0};
+var gActionID = null;
 var gEntityProperties;
 var gStartPosition;
 var gStartRotation;
@@ -31,20 +31,20 @@ var gPlaneNormal = ZERO_VEC3;
 // gMaxGrabDistance is a function of the size of the object.
 var gMaxGrabDistance;
 
-// gGrabMode defines the degrees of freedom of the grab target positions 
-// relative to gGrabStartPosition options include: 
+// gGrabMode defines the degrees of freedom of the grab target positions
+// relative to gGrabStartPosition options include:
 //     xzPlane  (default)
 //     verticalCylinder  (SHIFT)
 //     rotate  (CONTROL)
 // Modes to eventually support?:
-//     xyPlane 
-//     yzPlane 
+//     xyPlane
+//     yzPlane
 //     polar
 //     elevationAzimuth
-var gGrabMode = "xzplane"; 
+var gGrabMode = "xzplane";
 
-// gGrabOffset allows the user to grab an object off-center.  It points from ray's intersection 
-// with the move-plane to object center (at the moment the grab is initiated).  Future target positions 
+// gGrabOffset allows the user to grab an object off-center.  It points from ray's intersection
+// with the move-plane to object center (at the moment the grab is initiated).  Future target positions
 // are relative to the ray's intersection by the same offset.
 var gGrabOffset = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 };
 
@@ -53,13 +53,14 @@ var gTargetRotation;
 var gLiftKey = false; // SHIFT
 var gRotateKey = false; // CONTROL
 
+var gInitialMouse = { x: 0, y: 0 };
 var gPreviousMouse = { x: 0, y: 0 };
 var gMouseCursorLocation = { x: 0, y: 0 };
 var gMouseAtRotateStart = { x: 0, y: 0 };
 
 var gBeaconHeight = 0.10;
 
-var gAngularVelocity = ZERO_VEC3;
+// var gAngularVelocity = ZERO_VEC3;
 
 // TODO: play sounds again when we aren't leaking AudioInjector threads
 // var grabSound = SoundCache.getSound("https://hifi-public.s3.amazonaws.com/eric/sounds/CloseClamp.wav");
@@ -166,7 +167,7 @@ function computeNewGrabPlane() {
     var xzOffset = Vec3.subtract(gPointOnPlane, Camera.getPosition());
     xzOffset.y = 0;
     gXzDistanceToGrab = Vec3.length(xzOffset);
-    
+
     if (gGrabMode !== "rotate" && maybeResetMousePosition) {
         // we reset the mouse position whenever we stop rotating
         Window.setCursorPosition(gMouseAtRotateStart.x, gMouseAtRotateStart.y);
@@ -177,6 +178,7 @@ function mousePressEvent(event) {
     if (!event.isLeftButton) {
         return;
     }
+    gInitialMouse = {x: event.x, y: event.y };
     gPreviousMouse = {x: event.x, y: event.y };
 
     var pickRay = Camera.computePickRay(event.x, event.y);
@@ -193,12 +195,13 @@ function mousePressEvent(event) {
 
     var clickedEntity = pickResults.entityID;
     var entityProperties = Entities.getEntityProperties(clickedEntity)
-    var objectPosition = entityProperties.position;
+    gStartPosition = entityProperties.position;
+    gStartRotation = entityProperties.rotation;
     var cameraPosition = Camera.getPosition();
 
     gBeaconHeight = Vec3.length(entityProperties.dimensions);
     gMaxGrabDistance = gBeaconHeight / MAX_SOLID_ANGLE;
-    if (Vec3.distance(objectPosition, cameraPosition) > gMaxGrabDistance) {
+    if (Vec3.distance(gStartPosition, cameraPosition) > gMaxGrabDistance) {
         // don't allow grabs of things far away
         return;
     }
@@ -209,20 +212,20 @@ function mousePressEvent(event) {
     gGrabbedEntity = clickedEntity;
     gCurrentPosition = entityProperties.position;
     gOriginalGravity = entityProperties.gravity;
-    gTargetPosition = objectPosition;
+    gTargetPosition = gStartPosition;
 
     // compute the grab point
-    var nearestPoint = Vec3.subtract(objectPosition, cameraPosition);
+    var nearestPoint = Vec3.subtract(gStartPosition, cameraPosition);
     var distanceToGrab = Vec3.dot(nearestPoint, pickRay.direction);
     nearestPoint = Vec3.multiply(distanceToGrab, pickRay.direction);
     gPointOnPlane = Vec3.sum(cameraPosition, nearestPoint);
 
     // compute the grab offset
-    gGrabOffset = Vec3.subtract(objectPosition, gPointOnPlane);
+    gGrabOffset = Vec3.subtract(gStartPosition, gPointOnPlane);
 
     computeNewGrabPlane();
 
-    updateDropLine(objectPosition);
+    updateDropLine(gStartPosition);
 
     // TODO: play sounds again when we aren't leaking AudioInjector threads
     //Audio.playSound(grabSound, { position: entityProperties.position, volume: VOLUME });
@@ -235,6 +238,8 @@ function mouseReleaseEvent() {
         }
 
         gIsGrabbing = false
+        Entities.deleteAction(gGrabbedEntity, gActionID);
+        gActionID = null;
 
         Overlays.editOverlay(gBeacon, { visible: false });
 
@@ -254,18 +259,24 @@ function mouseMoveEvent(event) {
         gOriginalGravity = entityProperties.gravity;
     }
 
+    var actionArgs = {};
+
     if (gGrabMode === "rotate") {
         var deltaMouse = { x: 0, y: 0 };
-        var dx = event.x - gPreviousMouse.x;
-        var dy = event.y - gPreviousMouse.y;
-
+        var dx = event.x - gInitialMouse.x;
+        var dy = event.y - gInitialMouse.y;
         var orientation = Camera.getOrientation();
         var dragOffset = Vec3.multiply(dx, Quat.getRight(orientation));
         dragOffset = Vec3.sum(dragOffset, Vec3.multiply(-dy, Quat.getUp(orientation)));
         var axis = Vec3.cross(dragOffset, Quat.getFront(orientation));
-        var axis = Vec3.normalize(axis);
-        var ROTATE_STRENGTH = 8.0; // magic number tuned by hand
-        gAngularVelocity = Vec3.multiply(ROTATE_STRENGTH, axis);
+        axis = Vec3.normalize(axis);
+        var ROTATE_STRENGTH = 0.4; // magic number tuned by hand
+        var angle = ROTATE_STRENGTH * Math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy));
+        var deltaQ = Quat.angleAxis(angle, axis);
+        // var qZero = entityProperties.rotation;
+        var qZero = gStartRotation;
+        var qOne = Quat.multiply(deltaQ, qZero);
+        actionArgs = {targetRotation: qOne, angularTimeScale: 0.1};
     } else {
         var newTargetPosition;
         if (gGrabMode === "verticalCylinder") {
@@ -288,9 +299,18 @@ function mouseMoveEvent(event) {
             }
         }
         gTargetPosition = Vec3.sum(newTargetPosition, gGrabOffset);
+        actionArgs = {targetPosition: gTargetPosition, linearTimeScale: 0.1};
     }
     gPreviousMouse = { x: event.x, y: event.y };
     gMouseCursorLocation = { x: Window.getCursorPositionX(), y: Window.getCursorPositionY() };
+
+    if (!gActionID) {
+        gActionID = Entities.addAction("spring", gGrabbedEntity, actionArgs);
+    } else {
+        Entities.updateAction(gGrabbedEntity, gActionID, actionArgs);
+    }
+
+    updateDropLine(gTargetPosition);
 }
 
 function keyReleaseEvent(event) {
@@ -313,38 +333,8 @@ function keyPressEvent(event) {
     computeNewGrabPlane();
 }
 
-function update(deltaTime) {
-    if (!gIsGrabbing) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    var entityProperties = Entities.getEntityProperties(gGrabbedEntity);
-    gCurrentPosition = entityProperties.position;
-    if (gGrabMode === "rotate") {
-        gAngularVelocity = Vec3.subtract(gAngularVelocity, Vec3.multiply(gAngularVelocity, ANGULAR_DAMPING_RATE));
-        Entities.editEntity(gGrabbedEntity, { angularVelocity: gAngularVelocity, });
-    } 
-
-    // always push toward linear grab position, even when rotating
-    var newVelocity = ZERO_VEC3;
-    var dPosition = Vec3.subtract(gTargetPosition, gCurrentPosition);
-    var delta = Vec3.length(dPosition);
-    if (delta > CLOSE_ENOUGH) {
-        var MAX_POSITION_DELTA = 4.0;
-        if (delta > MAX_POSITION_DELTA) {
-            dPosition = Vec3.multiply(dPosition, MAX_POSITION_DELTA / delta);
-        }
-        // desired speed is proportional to displacement by the inverse of timescale
-        // (for critically damped motion)
-        newVelocity = Vec3.multiply(dPosition, INV_MOVE_TIMESCALE);
-    }
-    Entities.editEntity(gGrabbedEntity, { velocity: newVelocity, });
-    updateDropLine(gTargetPosition);
-}
-
 Controller.mouseMoveEvent.connect(mouseMoveEvent);
 Controller.mousePressEvent.connect(mousePressEvent);
 Controller.mouseReleaseEvent.connect(mouseReleaseEvent);
 Controller.keyPressEvent.connect(keyPressEvent);
 Controller.keyReleaseEvent.connect(keyReleaseEvent);
-Script.update.connect(update);
diff --git a/examples/stick.js b/examples/stick.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ea1f3439a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/stick.js
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+//  stick.js
+//  examples
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves on 2015-6-10
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Allow avatar to hold a stick
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+var hand = "left";
+var nullActionID = "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000";
+var controllerID;
+var controllerActive;
+var stickID = null;
+var actionID = nullActionID;
+// sometimes if this is run immediately the stick doesn't get created?  use a timer.
+Script.setTimeout(function() {
+    stickID = Entities.addEntity({
+        type: "Model",
+        modelURL: "https://hifi-public.s3.amazonaws.com/eric/models/stick.fbx",
+        compoundShapeURL: "https://hifi-public.s3.amazonaws.com/eric/models/stick.obj",
+        dimensions: {x: .11, y: .11, z: .59},
+        position: MyAvatar.getRightPalmPosition(), // initial position doesn't matter, as long as it's close
+        rotation: MyAvatar.orientation,
+        damping: .1,
+        collisionsWillMove: true
+    });
+    actionID = Entities.addAction("hold", stickID, {relativePosition: {x: 0.0, y: 0.0, z: -0.9},
+                                                    hand: hand,
+                                                    timeScale: 0.15});
+}, 3000);
+
+
+function cleanUp() {
+    Entities.deleteEntity(stickID);
+}
+
+
+function positionStick(stickOrientation) {
+    var baseOffset = {x: 0.0, y: 0.0, z: -0.9};
+    var offset = Vec3.multiplyQbyV(stickOrientation, baseOffset);
+    Entities.updateAction(stickID, actionID, {relativePosition: offset,
+                                              relativeRotation: stickOrientation});
+}
+
+
+function mouseMoveEvent(event) {
+    if (!stickID || actionID == nullActionID) {
+        return;
+    }
+    var windowCenterX = Window.innerWidth / 2;
+    var windowCenterY = Window.innerHeight / 2;
+    var mouseXCenterOffset = event.x - windowCenterX;
+    var mouseYCenterOffset = event.y - windowCenterY;
+    var mouseXRatio = mouseXCenterOffset / windowCenterX;
+    var mouseYRatio = mouseYCenterOffset / windowCenterY;
+
+    var stickOrientation = Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(mouseYRatio * -90, mouseXRatio * -90, 0);
+    positionStick(stickOrientation);
+}
+
+
+function initControls(){
+    if (hand == "right") {
+        controllerID = 3; // right handed
+    } else {
+        controllerID = 4; // left handed
+    }
+}
+
+
+function update(deltaTime){
+    var palmPosition = Controller.getSpatialControlPosition(controllerID);
+    controllerActive = (Vec3.length(palmPosition) > 0);
+    if(!controllerActive){
+        return;
+    }
+
+    stickOrientation = Controller.getSpatialControlRawRotation(controllerID);
+    var adjustment = Quat.fromPitchYawRollDegrees(180, 0, 0);
+    stickOrientation = Quat.multiply(stickOrientation, adjustment);
+
+    positionStick(stickOrientation);
+}
+
+
+Script.scriptEnding.connect(cleanUp);
+Controller.mouseMoveEvent.connect(mouseMoveEvent);
+Script.update.connect(update);
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 3e993450c3..750955dc6a 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@
 #include "ModelPackager.h"
 #include "Util.h"
 #include "InterfaceLogging.h"
+#include "InterfaceActionFactory.h"
 
 #include "avatar/AvatarManager.h"
 
@@ -257,6 +258,7 @@ bool setupEssentials(int& argc, char** argv) {
 
     DependencyManager::registerInheritance<LimitedNodeList, NodeList>();
     DependencyManager::registerInheritance<AvatarHashMap, AvatarManager>();
+    DependencyManager::registerInheritance<EntityActionFactoryInterface, InterfaceActionFactory>();
 
     Setting::init();
 
@@ -293,7 +295,8 @@ bool setupEssentials(int& argc, char** argv) {
     auto discoverabilityManager = DependencyManager::set<DiscoverabilityManager>();
     auto sceneScriptingInterface = DependencyManager::set<SceneScriptingInterface>();
     auto offscreenUi = DependencyManager::set<OffscreenUi>();
-    auto pathUtils =  DependencyManager::set<PathUtils>();
+    auto pathUtils = DependencyManager::set<PathUtils>();
+    auto actionFactory = DependencyManager::set<InterfaceActionFactory>();
 
     return true;
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.cpp b/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..08afc3581c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+//
+//  InterfaceActionFactory.cpp
+//  libraries/entities/src
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves on 2015-6-2
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+
+
+#include <avatar/AvatarActionHold.h>
+#include <ObjectActionPullToPoint.h>
+#include <ObjectActionSpring.h>
+
+#include "InterfaceActionFactory.h"
+
+
+EntityActionPointer InterfaceActionFactory::factory(EntitySimulation* simulation,
+                                                    EntityActionType type,
+                                                    QUuid id,
+                                                    EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
+                                                    QVariantMap arguments) {
+    EntityActionPointer action = nullptr;
+    switch (type) {
+        case ACTION_TYPE_NONE:
+            return nullptr;
+        case ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT:
+            action = (EntityActionPointer) new ObjectActionPullToPoint(id, ownerEntity);
+            break;
+        case ACTION_TYPE_SPRING:
+            action = (EntityActionPointer) new ObjectActionSpring(id, ownerEntity);
+            break;
+        case ACTION_TYPE_HOLD:
+            action = (EntityActionPointer) new AvatarActionHold(id, ownerEntity);
+            break;
+    }
+
+    bool ok = action->updateArguments(arguments);
+    if (ok) {
+        ownerEntity->addAction(simulation, action);
+        return action;
+    }
+
+    action = nullptr;
+    return action;
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.h b/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5848df4635
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/InterfaceActionFactory.h
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+//
+//  InterfaceActionFactory.cpp
+//  interface/src/
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves on 2015-6-10
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_InterfaceActionFactory_h
+#define hifi_InterfaceActionFactory_h
+
+#include "EntityActionFactoryInterface.h"
+
+class InterfaceActionFactory : public EntityActionFactoryInterface {
+public:
+    InterfaceActionFactory() : EntityActionFactoryInterface() { }
+    virtual ~InterfaceActionFactory() { }
+    virtual EntityActionPointer factory(EntitySimulation* simulation,
+                                        EntityActionType type,
+                                        QUuid id,
+                                        EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
+                                        QVariantMap arguments);
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_InterfaceActionFactory_h
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1fbb01beb3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+//
+//  AvatarActionHold.cpp
+//  interface/src/avatar/
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves 2015-6-9
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "avatar/MyAvatar.h"
+#include "avatar/AvatarManager.h"
+
+#include "AvatarActionHold.h"
+
+AvatarActionHold::AvatarActionHold(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity) :
+    ObjectActionSpring(id, ownerEntity) {
+    #if WANT_DEBUG
+    qDebug() << "AvatarActionHold::AvatarActionHold";
+    #endif
+}
+
+AvatarActionHold::~AvatarActionHold() {
+    #if WANT_DEBUG
+    qDebug() << "AvatarActionHold::~AvatarActionHold";
+    #endif
+}
+
+void AvatarActionHold::updateActionWorker(float deltaTimeStep) {
+    auto myAvatar = DependencyManager::get<AvatarManager>()->getMyAvatar();
+    glm::vec3 palmPosition;
+    if (_hand == "right") {
+        palmPosition = myAvatar->getRightPalmPosition();
+    } else {
+        palmPosition = myAvatar->getLeftPalmPosition();
+    }
+
+    auto rotation = myAvatar->getWorldAlignedOrientation();
+    auto offset = rotation * _relativePosition;
+    auto position = palmPosition + offset;
+    rotation *= _relativeRotation;
+
+    lockForWrite();
+    _positionalTarget = position;
+    _rotationalTarget = rotation;
+    unlock();
+
+    ObjectActionSpring::updateActionWorker(deltaTimeStep);
+}
+
+
+bool AvatarActionHold::updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments) {
+    bool rPOk = true;
+    glm::vec3 relativePosition =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractVec3Argument("hold", arguments, "relativePosition", rPOk, false);
+    bool rROk = true;
+    glm::quat relativeRotation =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractQuatArgument("hold", arguments, "relativeRotation", rROk, false);
+    bool tSOk = true;
+    float timeScale =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractFloatArgument("hold", arguments, "timeScale", tSOk, false);
+    bool hOk = true;
+    QString hand =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractStringArgument("hold", arguments, "hand", hOk, false);
+
+    lockForWrite();
+    if (rPOk) {
+        _relativePosition = relativePosition;
+    } else if (!_parametersSet) {
+        _relativePosition = glm::vec3(0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+    }
+
+    if (rROk) {
+        _relativeRotation = relativeRotation;
+    } else if (!_parametersSet) {
+        _relativeRotation = glm::quat(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+    }
+
+    if (tSOk) {
+        _linearTimeScale = timeScale;
+        _angularTimeScale = timeScale;
+    } else if (!_parametersSet) {
+        _linearTimeScale = 0.2;
+        _angularTimeScale = 0.2;
+    }
+
+    if (hOk) {
+        hand = hand.toLower();
+        if (hand == "left") {
+            _hand = "left";
+        } else if (hand == "right") {
+            _hand = "right";
+        } else {
+            qDebug() << "hold action -- invalid hand argument:" << hand;
+            _hand = "right";
+        }
+    } else if (!_parametersSet) {
+        _hand = "right";
+    }
+
+    _parametersSet = true;
+    _positionalTargetSet = true;
+    _rotationalTargetSet = true;
+    _active = true;
+    unlock();
+    return true;
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.h b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..705c751029
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarActionHold.h
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+//
+//  AvatarActionHold.h
+//  interface/src/avatar/
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves 2015-6-9
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_AvatarActionHold_h
+#define hifi_AvatarActionHold_h
+
+#include <QUuid>
+
+#include <EntityItem.h>
+#include <ObjectActionSpring.h>
+
+class AvatarActionHold : public ObjectActionSpring {
+public:
+    AvatarActionHold(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity);
+    virtual ~AvatarActionHold();
+
+    virtual bool updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments);
+    virtual void updateActionWorker(float deltaTimeStep);
+
+private:
+    glm::vec3 _relativePosition;
+    glm::quat _relativeRotation;
+    QString _hand;
+    bool _parametersSet = false;
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_AvatarActionHold_h
diff --git a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
index 98cbc1f845..3e83c6f559 100644
--- a/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities-renderer/src/EntityTreeRenderer.cpp
@@ -1012,7 +1012,9 @@ void EntityTreeRenderer::deletingEntity(const EntityItemID& entityID) {
 void EntityTreeRenderer::addingEntity(const EntityItemID& entityID) {
     checkAndCallPreload(entityID);
     auto entity = static_cast<EntityTree*>(_tree)->findEntityByID(entityID);
-    addEntityToScene(entity);
+    if (entity) {
+        addEntityToScene(entity);
+    }
 }
 
 void EntityTreeRenderer::addEntityToScene(EntityItemPointer entity) {
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionFactoryInterface.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionFactoryInterface.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9820313aae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionFactoryInterface.h
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+//
+//  EntityActionFactoryInterface.cpp
+//  libraries/entities/src
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves on 2015-6-2
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_EntityActionFactoryInterface_h
+#define hifi_EntityActionFactoryInterface_h
+
+#include <DependencyManager.h>
+
+#include "EntityActionInterface.h"
+
+class EntityActionFactoryInterface : public QObject, public Dependency {
+    Q_OBJECT
+    SINGLETON_DEPENDENCY
+
+ public:
+    EntityActionFactoryInterface() { }
+    virtual ~EntityActionFactoryInterface() { }
+    virtual EntityActionPointer factory(EntitySimulation* simulation,
+                                        EntityActionType type,
+                                        QUuid id,
+                                        EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
+                                        QVariantMap arguments) { assert(false); return nullptr; }
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_EntityActionFactoryInterface_h
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.cpp
index f26dd006ff..e97669686c 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ EntityActionType EntityActionInterface::actionTypeFromString(QString actionTypeS
     if (normalizedActionTypeString == "pulltopoint") {
         return ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT;
     }
+    if (normalizedActionTypeString == "spring") {
+        return ACTION_TYPE_SPRING;
+    }
+    if (normalizedActionTypeString == "hold") {
+        return ACTION_TYPE_HOLD;
+    }
 
     qDebug() << "Warning -- EntityActionInterface::actionTypeFromString got unknown action-type name" << actionTypeString;
     return ACTION_TYPE_NONE;
@@ -33,31 +39,37 @@ QString EntityActionInterface::actionTypeToString(EntityActionType actionType) {
             return "none";
         case ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT:
             return "pullToPoint";
+        case ACTION_TYPE_SPRING:
+            return "spring";
+        case ACTION_TYPE_HOLD:
+            return "hold";
     }
     assert(false);
     return "none";
 }
 
 glm::vec3 EntityActionInterface::extractVec3Argument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
-                                                     QString argumentName, bool& ok) {
+                                                     QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required) {
     if (!arguments.contains(argumentName)) {
-        qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        if (required) {
+            qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        }
         ok = false;
-        return vec3();
+        return glm::vec3();
     }
 
     QVariant resultV = arguments[argumentName];
     if (resultV.type() != (QVariant::Type) QMetaType::QVariantMap) {
         qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName << "must be a map";
         ok = false;
-        return vec3();
+        return glm::vec3();
     }
 
     QVariantMap resultVM = resultV.toMap();
     if (!resultVM.contains("x") || !resultVM.contains("y") || !resultVM.contains("z")) {
         qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName << "must be a map with keys of x, y, z";
         ok = false;
-        return vec3();
+        return glm::vec3();
     }
 
     QVariant xV = resultVM["x"];
@@ -73,17 +85,65 @@ glm::vec3 EntityActionInterface::extractVec3Argument(QString objectName, QVarian
     if (!xOk || !yOk || !zOk) {
         qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName << "must be a map with keys of x, y, z and values of type float.";
         ok = false;
-        return vec3();
+        return glm::vec3();
     }
 
-    return vec3(x, y, z);
+    return glm::vec3(x, y, z);
 }
 
+glm::quat EntityActionInterface::extractQuatArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                                     QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required) {
+    if (!arguments.contains(argumentName)) {
+        if (required) {
+            qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        }
+        ok = false;
+        return glm::quat();
+    }
+
+    QVariant resultV = arguments[argumentName];
+    if (resultV.type() != (QVariant::Type) QMetaType::QVariantMap) {
+        qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName << "must be a map, not" << resultV.typeName();
+        ok = false;
+        return glm::quat();
+    }
+
+    QVariantMap resultVM = resultV.toMap();
+    if (!resultVM.contains("x") || !resultVM.contains("y") || !resultVM.contains("z")) {
+        qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName << "must be a map with keys of x, y, z";
+        ok = false;
+        return glm::quat();
+    }
+
+    QVariant xV = resultVM["x"];
+    QVariant yV = resultVM["y"];
+    QVariant zV = resultVM["z"];
+    QVariant wV = resultVM["w"];
+
+    bool xOk = true;
+    bool yOk = true;
+    bool zOk = true;
+    bool wOk = true;
+    float x = xV.toFloat(&xOk);
+    float y = yV.toFloat(&yOk);
+    float z = zV.toFloat(&zOk);
+    float w = wV.toFloat(&wOk);
+    if (!xOk || !yOk || !zOk || !wOk) {
+        qDebug() << objectName << "argument" << argumentName
+                 << "must be a map with keys of x, y, z, w and values of type float.";
+        ok = false;
+        return glm::quat();
+    }
+
+    return glm::quat(w, x, y, z);
+}
 
 float EntityActionInterface::extractFloatArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
-                                                  QString argumentName, bool& ok) {
+                                                  QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required) {
     if (!arguments.contains(argumentName)) {
-        qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        if (required) {
+            qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        }
         ok = false;
         return 0.0f;
     }
@@ -99,3 +159,18 @@ float EntityActionInterface::extractFloatArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMa
 
     return v;
 }
+
+QString EntityActionInterface::extractStringArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                                     QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required) {
+    if (!arguments.contains(argumentName)) {
+        if (required) {
+            qDebug() << objectName << "requires argument:" << argumentName;
+        }
+        ok = false;
+        return "";
+    }
+
+    QVariant vV = arguments[argumentName];
+    QString v = vV.toString();
+    return v;
+}
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.h
index 74efae3239..486d3f5948 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityActionInterface.h
@@ -14,12 +14,16 @@
 
 #include <QUuid>
 
+#include "EntityItem.h"
+
 class EntitySimulation;
 
 enum EntityActionType {
     // keep these synchronized with actionTypeFromString and actionTypeToString
     ACTION_TYPE_NONE,
-    ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT
+    ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT,
+    ACTION_TYPE_SPRING,
+    ACTION_TYPE_HOLD
 };
 
 
@@ -32,18 +36,35 @@ public:
     virtual const EntityItemPointer& getOwnerEntity() const = 0;
     virtual void setOwnerEntity(const EntityItemPointer ownerEntity) = 0;
     virtual bool updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments) = 0;
-    // virtual QByteArray serialize() = 0;
-    // static EntityActionPointer deserialize(EntityItemPointer ownerEntity, QByteArray data);
 
     static EntityActionType actionTypeFromString(QString actionTypeString);
     static QString actionTypeToString(EntityActionType actionType);
 
 protected:
+    virtual glm::vec3 getPosition() = 0;
+    virtual void setPosition(glm::vec3 position) = 0;
+    virtual glm::quat getRotation() = 0;
+    virtual void setRotation(glm::quat rotation) = 0;
+    virtual glm::vec3 getLinearVelocity() = 0;
+    virtual void setLinearVelocity(glm::vec3 linearVelocity) = 0;
+    virtual glm::vec3 getAngularVelocity() = 0;
+    virtual void setAngularVelocity(glm::vec3 angularVelocity) = 0;
+
+    // these look in the arguments map for a named argument.  if it's not found or isn't well formed,
+    // ok will be set to false (note that it's never set to true -- set it to true before calling these).
+    // if required is true, failure to extract an argument will cause a warning to be printed.
+    static glm::vec3 extractVec3Argument (QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                          QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required = true);
+    static glm::quat extractQuatArgument (QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                          QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required = true);
+    static float extractFloatArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                      QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required = true);
+    static QString extractStringArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments,
+                                         QString argumentName, bool& ok, bool required = true);
 
-    static glm::vec3 extractVec3Argument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments, QString argumentName, bool& ok);
-    static float extractFloatArgument(QString objectName, QVariantMap arguments, QString argumentName, bool& ok);
 };
 
+
 typedef std::shared_ptr<EntityActionInterface> EntityActionPointer;
 
 #endif // hifi_EntityActionInterface_h
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
index a145c4c236..73f9127361 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
@@ -28,13 +28,16 @@
 #include "EntityItemID.h"
 #include "EntityItemProperties.h"
 #include "EntityItemPropertiesDefaults.h"
-#include "EntityActionInterface.h"
 #include "EntityTypes.h"
 
 class EntitySimulation;
 class EntityTreeElement;
 class EntityTreeElementExtraEncodeData;
 
+class EntityActionInterface;
+typedef std::shared_ptr<EntityActionInterface> EntityActionPointer;
+
+
 namespace render {
     class Scene;
     class PendingChanges;
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
index 836e7f5225..a091c786b7 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 #include "ZoneEntityItem.h"
 #include "EntitiesLogging.h"
 #include "EntitySimulation.h"
+#include "EntityActionInterface.h"
+#include "EntityActionFactoryInterface.h"
 
 #include "EntityScriptingInterface.h"
 
@@ -491,12 +493,19 @@ QUuid EntityScriptingInterface::addAction(const QString& actionTypeString,
                                           const QUuid& entityID,
                                           const QVariantMap& arguments) {
     QUuid actionID = QUuid::createUuid();
+    auto actionFactory = DependencyManager::get<EntityActionFactoryInterface>();
     bool success = actionWorker(entityID, [&](EntitySimulation* simulation, EntityItemPointer entity) {
+            // create this action even if the entity doesn't have physics info.  it will often be the
+            // case that a script adds an action immediately after an object is created, and the physicsInfo
+            // is computed asynchronously.
+            // if (!entity->getPhysicsInfo()) {
+            //     return false;
+            // }
             EntityActionType actionType = EntityActionInterface::actionTypeFromString(actionTypeString);
             if (actionType == ACTION_TYPE_NONE) {
                 return false;
             }
-            if (simulation->actionFactory(actionType, actionID, entity, arguments)) {
+            if (actionFactory->factory(simulation, actionType, actionID, entity, arguments)) {
                 return true;
             }
             return false;
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntitySimulation.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntitySimulation.h
index 0c9b3efee6..7d244086e5 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntitySimulation.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntitySimulation.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 #include <PerfStat.h>
 
+#include "EntityActionInterface.h"
 #include "EntityItem.h"
 #include "EntityTree.h"
 
@@ -56,10 +57,6 @@ public:
 
     friend class EntityTree;
 
-    virtual EntityActionPointer actionFactory(EntityActionType type,
-                                                 QUuid id,
-                                                 EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
-                                                 QVariantMap arguments) { return nullptr; }
     virtual void addAction(EntityActionPointer action) { _actionsToAdd += action; }
     virtual void removeAction(const QUuid actionID) { _actionsToRemove += actionID; }
     virtual void removeActions(QList<QUuid> actionIDsToRemove) { _actionsToRemove += actionIDsToRemove; }
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.cpp b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.cpp
index 6ff4098ba8..ee7ba9ce7c 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.cpp
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,14 @@ ObjectAction::~ObjectAction() {
 }
 
 void ObjectAction::updateAction(btCollisionWorld* collisionWorld, btScalar deltaTimeStep) {
-    qDebug() << "ObjectAction::updateAction called";
+    if (!_active) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if (!_ownerEntity) {
+        qDebug() << "ObjectActionPullToPoint::updateAction no owner entity";
+        return;
+    }
+    updateActionWorker(deltaTimeStep);
 }
 
 void ObjectAction::debugDraw(btIDebugDraw* debugDrawer) {
@@ -33,3 +40,87 @@ void ObjectAction::debugDraw(btIDebugDraw* debugDrawer) {
 void ObjectAction::removeFromSimulation(EntitySimulation* simulation) const {
     simulation->removeAction(_id);
 }
+
+btRigidBody* ObjectAction::getRigidBody() {
+    if (!_ownerEntity) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    void* physicsInfo = _ownerEntity->getPhysicsInfo();
+    if (!physicsInfo) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    ObjectMotionState* motionState = static_cast<ObjectMotionState*>(physicsInfo);
+    return motionState->getRigidBody();
+}
+
+glm::vec3 ObjectAction::getPosition() {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return glm::vec3(0.0f);
+    }
+    return bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getCenterOfMassPosition());
+}
+
+void ObjectAction::setPosition(glm::vec3 position) {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return;
+    }
+    // XXX
+    // void setWorldTransform (const btTransform &worldTrans)
+    assert(false);
+    rigidBody->activate();
+}
+
+glm::quat ObjectAction::getRotation() {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return glm::quat(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+    }
+    return bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getOrientation());
+}
+
+void ObjectAction::setRotation(glm::quat rotation) {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return;
+    }
+    // XXX
+    // void setWorldTransform (const btTransform &worldTrans)
+    assert(false);
+    rigidBody->activate();
+}
+
+glm::vec3 ObjectAction::getLinearVelocity() {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return glm::vec3(0.0f);
+    }
+    return bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getLinearVelocity());
+}
+
+void ObjectAction::setLinearVelocity(glm::vec3 linearVelocity) {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return;
+    }
+    rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(glm::vec3(0.0f)));
+    rigidBody->activate();
+}
+
+glm::vec3 ObjectAction::getAngularVelocity() {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return glm::vec3(0.0f);
+    }
+    return bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getAngularVelocity());
+}
+
+void ObjectAction::setAngularVelocity(glm::vec3 angularVelocity) {
+    auto rigidBody = getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        return;
+    }
+    rigidBody->setAngularVelocity(glmToBullet(angularVelocity));
+    rigidBody->activate();
+}
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.h b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.h
index 10b086c07d..0fd7383e6f 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.h
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectAction.h
@@ -13,12 +13,17 @@
 #ifndef hifi_ObjectAction_h
 #define hifi_ObjectAction_h
 
-#include <btBulletDynamicsCommon.h>
-
 #include <QUuid>
 
+#include <btBulletDynamicsCommon.h>
+
 #include <EntityItem.h>
 
+#include "ObjectMotionState.h"
+#include "BulletUtil.h"
+#include "EntityActionInterface.h"
+
+
 class ObjectAction : public btActionInterface, public EntityActionInterface {
 public:
     ObjectAction(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity);
@@ -30,6 +35,9 @@ public:
     virtual void setOwnerEntity(const EntityItemPointer ownerEntity) { _ownerEntity = ownerEntity; }
     virtual bool updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments) { return false; }
 
+    // this is called from updateAction and should be overridden by subclasses
+    virtual void updateActionWorker(float deltaTimeStep) {}
+
     // these are from btActionInterface
     virtual void updateAction(btCollisionWorld* collisionWorld, btScalar deltaTimeStep);
     virtual void debugDraw(btIDebugDraw* debugDrawer);
@@ -39,6 +47,16 @@ private:
     QReadWriteLock _lock;
 
 protected:
+    virtual btRigidBody* getRigidBody();
+    virtual glm::vec3 getPosition();
+    virtual void setPosition(glm::vec3 position);
+    virtual glm::quat getRotation();
+    virtual void setRotation(glm::quat rotation);
+    virtual glm::vec3 getLinearVelocity();
+    virtual void setLinearVelocity(glm::vec3 linearVelocity);
+    virtual glm::vec3 getAngularVelocity();
+    virtual void setAngularVelocity(glm::vec3 angularVelocity);
+
     bool tryLockForRead() { return _lock.tryLockForRead(); }
     void lockForWrite() { _lock.lockForWrite(); }
     void unlock() { _lock.unlock(); }
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.cpp b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.cpp
index 78f202a24f..053bef6a03 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.cpp
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.cpp
@@ -9,9 +9,6 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
-#include "ObjectMotionState.h"
-#include "BulletUtil.h"
-
 #include "ObjectActionPullToPoint.h"
 
 ObjectActionPullToPoint::ObjectActionPullToPoint(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity) :
@@ -27,28 +24,34 @@ ObjectActionPullToPoint::~ObjectActionPullToPoint() {
     #endif
 }
 
-void ObjectActionPullToPoint::updateAction(btCollisionWorld* collisionWorld, btScalar deltaTimeStep) {
+void ObjectActionPullToPoint::updateActionWorker(btScalar deltaTimeStep) {
     if (!tryLockForRead()) {
         // don't risk hanging the thread running the physics simulation
         return;
     }
-    void* physicsInfo = _ownerEntity->getPhysicsInfo();
 
-    if (_active && physicsInfo) {
-        ObjectMotionState* motionState = static_cast<ObjectMotionState*>(physicsInfo);
-        btRigidBody* rigidBody = motionState->getRigidBody();
-        if (rigidBody) {
-            glm::vec3 offset = _target - bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getCenterOfMassPosition());
-            float offsetLength = glm::length(offset);
-            if (offsetLength > IGNORE_POSITION_DELTA) {
-                glm::vec3 newVelocity = glm::normalize(offset) * _speed;
-                rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(newVelocity));
-                rigidBody->activate();
-            } else {
-                rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(glm::vec3()));
-            }
-        }
+    void* physicsInfo = _ownerEntity->getPhysicsInfo();
+    if (!physicsInfo) {
+        unlock();
+        return;
     }
+    ObjectMotionState* motionState = static_cast<ObjectMotionState*>(physicsInfo);
+    btRigidBody* rigidBody = motionState->getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        unlock();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    glm::vec3 offset = _target - bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getCenterOfMassPosition());
+    float offsetLength = glm::length(offset);
+    if (offsetLength > IGNORE_POSITION_DELTA) {
+        glm::vec3 newVelocity = glm::normalize(offset) * _speed;
+        rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(newVelocity));
+        rigidBody->activate();
+    } else {
+        rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(glm::vec3()));
+    }
+
     unlock();
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.h b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.h
index 3aca70d640..2596f13515 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.h
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionPullToPoint.h
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ public:
     virtual ~ObjectActionPullToPoint();
 
     virtual bool updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments);
-    virtual void updateAction(btCollisionWorld* collisionWorld, btScalar deltaTimeStep);
+    virtual void updateActionWorker(float deltaTimeStep);
 
 private:
 
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.cpp b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8eb4f7f652
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+//
+//  ObjectActionSpring.cpp
+//  libraries/physics/src
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves 2015-6-5
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#include "ObjectActionSpring.h"
+
+ObjectActionSpring::ObjectActionSpring(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity) :
+    ObjectAction(id, ownerEntity) {
+    #if WANT_DEBUG
+    qDebug() << "ObjectActionSpring::ObjectActionSpring";
+    #endif
+}
+
+ObjectActionSpring::~ObjectActionSpring() {
+    #if WANT_DEBUG
+    qDebug() << "ObjectActionSpring::~ObjectActionSpring";
+    #endif
+}
+
+void ObjectActionSpring::updateActionWorker(btScalar deltaTimeStep) {
+    if (!tryLockForRead()) {
+        // don't risk hanging the thread running the physics simulation
+        qDebug() << "ObjectActionSpring::updateActionWorker lock failed";
+        return;
+    }
+
+    void* physicsInfo = _ownerEntity->getPhysicsInfo();
+    if (!physicsInfo) {
+        unlock();
+        return;
+    }
+    ObjectMotionState* motionState = static_cast<ObjectMotionState*>(physicsInfo);
+    btRigidBody* rigidBody = motionState->getRigidBody();
+    if (!rigidBody) {
+        unlock();
+        qDebug() << "ObjectActionSpring::updateActionWorker no rigidBody";
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // handle the linear part
+    if (_positionalTargetSet) {
+        glm::vec3 offset = _positionalTarget - bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getCenterOfMassPosition());
+        float offsetLength = glm::length(offset);
+        float speed = offsetLength / _linearTimeScale;
+
+        if (offsetLength > IGNORE_POSITION_DELTA) {
+            glm::vec3 newVelocity = glm::normalize(offset) * speed;
+            rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(newVelocity));
+            rigidBody->activate();
+        } else {
+            rigidBody->setLinearVelocity(glmToBullet(glm::vec3(0.0f)));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // handle rotation
+    if (_rotationalTargetSet) {
+        glm::quat bodyRotation = bulletToGLM(rigidBody->getOrientation());
+        // if qZero and qOne are too close to each other, we can get NaN for angle.
+        auto alignmentDot = glm::dot(bodyRotation, _rotationalTarget);
+        const float almostOne = 0.99999f;
+        if (glm::abs(alignmentDot) < almostOne) {
+            glm::quat target = _rotationalTarget;
+            if (alignmentDot < 0) {
+                target = -target;
+            }
+            glm::quat qZeroInverse = glm::inverse(bodyRotation);
+            glm::quat deltaQ = target * qZeroInverse;
+            glm::vec3 axis = glm::axis(deltaQ);
+            float angle = glm::angle(deltaQ);
+            assert(!isNaN(angle));
+            glm::vec3 newAngularVelocity = (angle / _angularTimeScale) * glm::normalize(axis);
+            rigidBody->setAngularVelocity(glmToBullet(newAngularVelocity));
+            rigidBody->activate();
+        } else {
+            rigidBody->setAngularVelocity(glmToBullet(glm::vec3(0.0f)));
+        }
+    }
+
+    unlock();
+}
+
+
+bool ObjectActionSpring::updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments) {
+    // targets are required, spring-constants are optional
+    bool ptOk = true;
+    glm::vec3 positionalTarget =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractVec3Argument("spring action", arguments, "targetPosition", ptOk, false);
+    bool pscOk = true;
+    float linearTimeScale =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractFloatArgument("spring action", arguments, "linearTimeScale", pscOk, false);
+    if (ptOk && pscOk && linearTimeScale <= 0.0f) {
+        qDebug() << "spring action -- linearTimeScale must be greater than zero.";
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    bool rtOk = true;
+    glm::quat rotationalTarget =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractQuatArgument("spring action", arguments, "targetRotation", rtOk, false);
+    bool rscOk = true;
+    float angularTimeScale =
+        EntityActionInterface::extractFloatArgument("spring action", arguments, "angularTimeScale", rscOk, false);
+
+    if (!ptOk && !rtOk) {
+        qDebug() << "spring action requires either targetPosition or targetRotation argument";
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    lockForWrite();
+
+    _positionalTargetSet = _rotationalTargetSet = false;
+
+    if (ptOk) {
+        _positionalTarget = positionalTarget;
+        _positionalTargetSet = true;
+
+        if (pscOk) {
+            _linearTimeScale = linearTimeScale;
+        } else {
+            _linearTimeScale = 0.1f;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (rtOk) {
+        _rotationalTarget = rotationalTarget;
+        _rotationalTargetSet = true;
+
+        if (rscOk) {
+            _angularTimeScale = angularTimeScale;
+        } else {
+            _angularTimeScale = 0.1f;
+        }
+    }
+
+    _active = true;
+    unlock();
+    return true;
+}
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.h b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9f3df0fdf8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/ObjectActionSpring.h
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+//
+//  ObjectActionSpring.h
+//  libraries/physics/src
+//
+//  Created by Seth Alves 2015-6-5
+//  Copyright 2015 High Fidelity, Inc.
+//
+//  Distributed under the Apache License, Version 2.0.
+//  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
+//
+
+#ifndef hifi_ObjectActionSpring_h
+#define hifi_ObjectActionSpring_h
+
+#include <QUuid>
+
+#include <EntityItem.h>
+#include "ObjectAction.h"
+
+class ObjectActionSpring : public ObjectAction {
+public:
+    ObjectActionSpring(QUuid id, EntityItemPointer ownerEntity);
+    virtual ~ObjectActionSpring();
+
+    virtual bool updateArguments(QVariantMap arguments);
+    virtual void updateActionWorker(float deltaTimeStep);
+
+protected:
+
+    glm::vec3 _positionalTarget;
+    float _linearTimeScale;
+    bool _positionalTargetSet;
+
+    glm::quat _rotationalTarget;
+    float _angularTimeScale;
+    bool _rotationalTargetSet;
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_ObjectActionSpring_h
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.cpp b/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.cpp
index 711c5e49da..c68b993fe2 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.cpp
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.cpp
@@ -9,10 +9,11 @@
 //  See the accompanying file LICENSE or http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html
 //
 
+
+
 #include "PhysicsHelpers.h"
 #include "PhysicsLogging.h"
 #include "ShapeManager.h"
-#include "ObjectActionPullToPoint.h"
 
 #include "PhysicalEntitySimulation.h"
 
@@ -234,29 +235,6 @@ void PhysicalEntitySimulation::handleCollisionEvents(CollisionEvents& collisionE
     }
 }
 
-EntityActionPointer PhysicalEntitySimulation::actionFactory(EntityActionType type,
-                                                               QUuid id,
-                                                               EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
-                                                               QVariantMap arguments) {
-    EntityActionPointer action = nullptr;
-    switch (type) {
-        case ACTION_TYPE_NONE:
-            return nullptr;
-        case ACTION_TYPE_PULL_TO_POINT:
-            action = (EntityActionPointer) new ObjectActionPullToPoint(id, ownerEntity);
-            break;
-    }
-
-    bool ok = action->updateArguments(arguments);
-    if (ok) {
-        ownerEntity->addAction(this, action);
-        return action;
-    }
-
-    action = nullptr;
-    return action;
-}
-
 void PhysicalEntitySimulation::applyActionChanges() {
     if (_physicsEngine) {
         foreach (EntityActionPointer actionToAdd, _actionsToAdd) {
diff --git a/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.h b/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.h
index 82b0f8ad51..81ab9f5cce 100644
--- a/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.h
+++ b/libraries/physics/src/PhysicalEntitySimulation.h
@@ -32,10 +32,6 @@ public:
 
     void init(EntityTree* tree, PhysicsEngine* engine, EntityEditPacketSender* packetSender);
 
-    virtual EntityActionPointer actionFactory(EntityActionType type,
-                                              QUuid id,
-                                              EntityItemPointer ownerEntity,
-                                              QVariantMap arguments);
     virtual void applyActionChanges();
 
 protected: // only called by EntitySimulation