diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
index 022c0262e0..627c42ffa8 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/Avatar.cpp
@@ -313,7 +313,6 @@ void Avatar::removeFromScene(AvatarSharedPointer self, std::shared_ptr<render::S
     for (auto attachmentModel : _attachmentModels) {
         attachmentModel->removeFromScene(scene, pendingChanges);
     }
-
 }
 
 void Avatar::render(RenderArgs* renderArgs, const glm::vec3& cameraPosition, bool postLighting) {
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
index 49a8012cd9..f16173b79e 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ AvatarManager::AvatarManager(QObject* parent) :
     _avatarFades() {
     // register a meta type for the weak pointer we'll use for the owning avatar mixer for each avatar
     qRegisterMetaType<QWeakPointer<Node> >("NodeWeakPointer");
-    _myAvatar = std::shared_ptr<MyAvatar>(new MyAvatar());
+    _myAvatar = std::make_shared<MyAvatar>();
 }
 
 void AvatarManager::init() {
@@ -97,9 +97,9 @@ void AvatarManager::updateOtherAvatars(float deltaTime) {
     // simulate avatars
     AvatarHash::iterator avatarIterator = _avatarHash.begin();
     while (avatarIterator != _avatarHash.end()) {
-        Avatar* avatar = reinterpret_cast<Avatar*>(avatarIterator.value().get());
+        auto avatar = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Avatar>(avatarIterator.value());
         
-        if (avatar == _myAvatar.get() || !avatar->isInitialized()) {
+        if (avatar == _myAvatar || !avatar->isInitialized()) {
             // DO NOT update _myAvatar!  Its update has already been done earlier in the main loop.
             // DO NOT update or fade out uninitialized Avatars
             ++avatarIterator;
@@ -121,26 +121,30 @@ void AvatarManager::simulateAvatarFades(float deltaTime) {
     
     const float SHRINK_RATE = 0.9f;
     const float MIN_FADE_SCALE = 0.001f;
-
+    
+    render::ScenePointer scene = Application::getInstance()->getMain3DScene();
+    render::PendingChanges pendingChanges;
     while (fadingIterator != _avatarFades.end()) {
-        Avatar* avatar = static_cast<Avatar*>(fadingIterator->get());
+        auto avatar = std::static_pointer_cast<Avatar>(*fadingIterator);
         avatar->setTargetScale(avatar->getScale() * SHRINK_RATE, true);
         if (avatar->getTargetScale() < MIN_FADE_SCALE) {
+            avatar->removeFromScene(*fadingIterator, scene, pendingChanges);
             fadingIterator = _avatarFades.erase(fadingIterator);
         } else {
             avatar->simulate(deltaTime);
             ++fadingIterator;
         }
     }
+    scene->enqueuePendingChanges(pendingChanges);
 }
 
 AvatarSharedPointer AvatarManager::newSharedAvatar() {
-    return AvatarSharedPointer(new Avatar());
+    return AvatarSharedPointer(std::make_shared<Avatar>());
 }
 
 // virtual 
 AvatarSharedPointer AvatarManager::addAvatar(const QUuid& sessionUUID, const QWeakPointer<Node>& mixerWeakPointer) {
-    std::shared_ptr<Avatar> avatar = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Avatar>(AvatarHashMap::addAvatar(sessionUUID, mixerWeakPointer));
+    auto avatar = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Avatar>(AvatarHashMap::addAvatar(sessionUUID, mixerWeakPointer));
     render::ScenePointer scene = Application::getInstance()->getMain3DScene();
     render::PendingChanges pendingChanges;
     avatar->addToScene(avatar, scene, pendingChanges);    
@@ -171,10 +175,6 @@ void AvatarManager::removeAvatar(const QUuid& sessionUUID) {
             _avatarFades.push_back(avatarIterator.value());
             _avatarHash.erase(avatarIterator);
         }
-        render::ScenePointer scene = Application::getInstance()->getMain3DScene();
-        render::PendingChanges pendingChanges;
-        avatar->removeFromScene(avatar, scene, pendingChanges);
-        scene->enqueuePendingChanges(pendingChanges);
     }
 }
 
@@ -182,12 +182,12 @@ void AvatarManager::clearOtherAvatars() {
     // clear any avatars that came from an avatar-mixer
     AvatarHash::iterator avatarIterator =  _avatarHash.begin();
     while (avatarIterator != _avatarHash.end()) {
-        Avatar* avatar = reinterpret_cast<Avatar*>(avatarIterator.value().get());
-        if (avatar == _myAvatar.get() || !avatar->isInitialized()) {
+        auto avatar = std::static_pointer_cast<Avatar>(avatarIterator.value());
+        if (avatar == _myAvatar || !avatar->isInitialized()) {
             // don't remove myAvatar or uninitialized avatars from the list
             ++avatarIterator;
         } else {
-            removeAvatarMotionState(avatar);
+            removeAvatarMotionState(avatar.get());
             _avatarFades.push_back(avatarIterator.value());
             avatarIterator = _avatarHash.erase(avatarIterator);
         }
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ void AvatarManager::handleCollisionEvents(CollisionEvents& collisionEvents) {
 void AvatarManager::updateAvatarPhysicsShape(const QUuid& id) {
     AvatarHash::iterator avatarItr = _avatarHash.find(id);
     if (avatarItr != _avatarHash.end()) {
-        Avatar* avatar = static_cast<Avatar*>(avatarItr.value().get());
+        auto avatar = std::static_pointer_cast<Avatar>(avatarItr.value());
         AvatarMotionState* motionState = avatar->_motionState;
         if (motionState) {
             motionState->addDirtyFlags(EntityItem::DIRTY_SHAPE);
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ void AvatarManager::updateAvatarPhysicsShape(const QUuid& id) {
             avatar->computeShapeInfo(shapeInfo);
             btCollisionShape* shape = ObjectMotionState::getShapeManager()->getShape(shapeInfo);
             if (shape) {
-                AvatarMotionState* motionState = new AvatarMotionState(avatar, shape);
+                AvatarMotionState* motionState = new AvatarMotionState(avatar.get(), shape);
                 avatar->_motionState = motionState;
                 _motionStatesToAdd.insert(motionState);
                 _avatarMotionStates.insert(motionState);
diff --git a/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp b/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
index 76108730e8..de8f53c503 100644
--- a/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
+++ b/libraries/fbx/src/FBXReader.cpp
@@ -1902,8 +1902,8 @@ FBXGeometry extractFBXGeometry(const FBXNode& node, const QVariantHash& mapping,
                     } else {
                         material._material->setDiffuse(material.diffuse); 
                     }
-                    material._material->setSpecular(material.specular); 
-                    material._material->setShininess(material.shininess); 
+                    material._material->setMetallic(glm::length(material.specular)); 
+                    material._material->setGloss(material.shininess); 
 
                     if (material.opacity <= 0.0f) {
                         material._material->setOpacity(1.0f); 
diff --git a/libraries/fbx/src/OBJReader.cpp b/libraries/fbx/src/OBJReader.cpp
index f0d3ecf517..b7fea218d8 100644
--- a/libraries/fbx/src/OBJReader.cpp
+++ b/libraries/fbx/src/OBJReader.cpp
@@ -134,8 +134,8 @@ void setMeshPartDefaults(FBXMeshPart& meshPart, QString materialID) {
     meshPart._material = model::MaterialPointer(new model::Material());
     meshPart._material->setDiffuse(glm::vec3(1.0, 1.0, 1.0));
     meshPart._material->setOpacity(1.0);
-    meshPart._material->setSpecular(glm::vec3(1.0, 1.0, 1.0));
-    meshPart._material->setShininess(96.0);
+    meshPart._material->setMetallic(0.0);
+    meshPart._material->setGloss(96.0);
     meshPart._material->setEmissive(glm::vec3(0.0, 0.0, 0.0));
 }
 
@@ -481,8 +481,8 @@ FBXGeometry OBJReader::readOBJ(QIODevice* device, const QVariantHash& mapping, Q
                 meshPart.specularTexture.filename = material->specularTextureFilename;
                 // ... and some things are set in the underlying material.
                 meshPart._material->setDiffuse(material->diffuseColor);
-                meshPart._material->setSpecular(material->specularColor);
-                meshPart._material->setShininess(material->shininess);
+                meshPart._material->setMetallic(glm::length(material->specularColor));
+                meshPart._material->setGloss(material->shininess);
                 meshPart._material->setOpacity(material->opacity);
             }
             // qCDebug(modelformat) << "OBJ Reader part:" << meshPartCount << "name:" << leadFace.groupName << "material:" << groupMaterialName << "diffuse:" << meshPart._material->getDiffuse() << "faces:" << faceGroup.count() << "triangle indices will start with:" << mesh.vertices.count();
@@ -566,10 +566,10 @@ void fbxDebugDump(const FBXGeometry& fbxgeo) {
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        quadIndices.count() =" << meshPart.quadIndices.count();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        triangleIndices.count() =" << meshPart.triangleIndices.count();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        diffuseColor =" << meshPart.diffuseColor << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getDiffuse();
-            qCDebug(modelformat) << "        specularColor =" << meshPart.specularColor << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getSpecular();
+            qCDebug(modelformat) << "        specularColor =" << meshPart.specularColor << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getMetallic();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        emissiveColor =" << meshPart.emissiveColor << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getEmissive();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        emissiveParams =" << meshPart.emissiveParams;
-            qCDebug(modelformat) << "        shininess =" << meshPart.shininess << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getShininess();
+            qCDebug(modelformat) << "        gloss =" << meshPart.shininess << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getGloss();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        opacity =" << meshPart.opacity << "mat =" << meshPart._material->getOpacity();
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        materialID =" << meshPart.materialID;
             qCDebug(modelformat) << "        diffuse texture =" << meshPart.diffuseTexture.filename;
diff --git a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
index 9036f0f6db..d5c3635816 100755
--- a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
+++ b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Texture.h
@@ -437,6 +437,8 @@ public:
 
     explicit operator bool() const { return bool(_texture); }
     bool operator !() const { return (!_texture); }
+
+    bool isValid() const { return bool(_texture); }
 };
 typedef std::vector<TextureView> TextureViews;
 
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Material.cpp b/libraries/model/src/model/Material.cpp
index 55572a5122..a3448889b0 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Material.cpp
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Material.cpp
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ using namespace model;
 using namespace gpu;
 
 Material::Material() :
-    _flags(0),
+    _key(0),
     _schemaBuffer(),
     _textureMap() {
        
@@ -26,13 +26,13 @@ Material::Material() :
 }
 
 Material::Material(const Material& material) :
-    _flags(material._flags),
+    _key(material._key),
     _schemaBuffer(material._schemaBuffer),
     _textureMap(material._textureMap) {
 }
 
 Material& Material::operator= (const Material& material) {
-    _flags = (material._flags);
+    _key = (material._key);
     _schemaBuffer = (material._schemaBuffer);
     _textureMap = (material._textureMap);
 
@@ -43,52 +43,32 @@ Material::~Material() {
 }
 
 void Material::setDiffuse(const Color& diffuse) {
-    if (glm::any(glm::greaterThan(diffuse, Color(0.0f)))) {
-        _flags.set(DIFFUSE_BIT);
-    } else {
-        _flags.reset(DIFFUSE_BIT);
-    }
+    _key.setDiffuse(glm::any(glm::greaterThan(diffuse, Color(0.0f))));
     _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._diffuse = diffuse;
 }
 
-void Material::setSpecular(const Color& specular) {
-    if (glm::any(glm::greaterThan(specular, Color(0.0f)))) {
-        _flags.set(SPECULAR_BIT);
-    } else {
-        _flags.reset(SPECULAR_BIT);
-    }
-    _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._specular = specular;
+void Material::setMetallic(float metallic) {
+    _key.setMetallic(metallic > 0.0f);
+    _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._metallic = glm::vec3(metallic);
 }
 
 void Material::setEmissive(const Color&  emissive) {
-    if (glm::any(glm::greaterThan(emissive, Color(0.0f)))) {
-        _flags.set(EMISSIVE_BIT);
-    } else {
-        _flags.reset(EMISSIVE_BIT);
-    }
+    _key.setEmissive(glm::any(glm::greaterThan(emissive, Color(0.0f))));
     _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._emissive = emissive;
 }
 
-void Material::setShininess(float shininess) {
-    if (shininess > 0.0f) {
-        _flags.set(SHININESS_BIT);
-    } else {
-        _flags.reset(SHININESS_BIT);
-    }
-    _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._shininess = shininess;
+void Material::setGloss(float gloss) {
+    _key.setGloss((gloss > 0.0f));
+    _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._gloss = gloss;
 }
 
 void Material::setOpacity(float opacity) {
-    if (opacity >= 1.0f) {
-        _flags.reset(TRANSPARENT_BIT);
-    } else {
-        _flags.set(TRANSPARENT_BIT);
-    }
+    _key.setTransparent((opacity < 1.0f));
     _schemaBuffer.edit<Schema>()._opacity = opacity;
 }
 
 void Material::setTextureView(MapChannel channel, const gpu::TextureView& view) {
-    _flags.set(DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT + channel);
+    _key.setMapChannel(channel, (view.isValid()));
     _textureMap[channel] = view;
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Material.h b/libraries/model/src/model/Material.h
index ea0ab808e9..392fd918a1 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Material.h
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Material.h
@@ -23,6 +23,177 @@
 
 namespace model {
 
+// Material Key is a coarse trait description of a material used to classify the materials
+class MaterialKey {
+public:
+   enum FlagBit {
+        EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT = 0,
+        DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT,
+        METALLIC_VAL_BIT,
+        GLOSS_VAL_BIT,
+        TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT,
+
+        EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT,
+        DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT,
+        METALLIC_MAP_BIT,
+        GLOSS_MAP_BIT,
+        TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT,
+        NORMAL_MAP_BIT,
+
+        NUM_FLAGS,
+    };
+    typedef std::bitset<NUM_FLAGS> Flags;
+
+    enum MapChannel {
+        EMISSIVE_MAP = 0,
+        DIFFUSE_MAP,
+        METALLIC_MAP,
+        GLOSS_MAP,
+        TRANSPARENT_MAP,
+        NORMAL_MAP,
+
+        NUM_MAP_CHANNELS,
+    };
+
+    // The signature is the Flags
+    Flags _flags;
+
+    MaterialKey() : _flags(0) {}
+    MaterialKey(const Flags& flags) : _flags(flags) {}
+
+    class Builder {
+        Flags _flags{ 0 };
+    public:
+        Builder() {}
+
+        MaterialKey build() const { return MaterialKey(_flags); }
+
+        Builder& withEmissive() { _flags.set(EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withDiffuse() { _flags.set(DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withMetallic() { _flags.set(METALLIC_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withGloss() { _flags.set(GLOSS_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withTransparent() { _flags.set(TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withEmissiveMap() { _flags.set(EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withDiffuseMap() { _flags.set(DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withMetallicMap() { _flags.set(METALLIC_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withGlossMap() { _flags.set(GLOSS_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withTransparentMap() { _flags.set(TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withNormalMap() { _flags.set(NORMAL_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        // Convenient standard keys that we will keep on using all over the place
+        static MaterialKey opaqueDiffuse() { return Builder().withDiffuse().build(); }
+    };
+
+    void setEmissive(bool value) { _flags.set(EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT, value); }
+    bool isEmissive() const { return _flags[EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT]; }
+
+    void setEmissiveMap(bool value) { _flags.set(EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isEmissiveMap() const { return _flags[EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT]; }
+ 
+    void setDiffuse(bool value) { _flags.set(DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT, value); }
+    bool isDiffuse() const { return _flags[DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT]; }
+
+    void setDiffuseMap(bool value) { _flags.set(DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isDiffuseMap() const { return _flags[DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT]; }
+
+    void setMetallic(bool value) { _flags.set(METALLIC_VAL_BIT, value); }
+    bool isMetallic() const { return _flags[METALLIC_VAL_BIT]; }
+
+    void setMetallicMap(bool value) { _flags.set(METALLIC_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isMetallicMap() const { return _flags[METALLIC_MAP_BIT]; }
+
+    void setGloss(bool value) { _flags.set(GLOSS_VAL_BIT, value); }
+    bool isGloss() const { return _flags[GLOSS_VAL_BIT]; }
+
+    void setGlossMap(bool value) { _flags.set(GLOSS_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isGlossMap() const { return _flags[GLOSS_MAP_BIT]; }
+
+    void setTransparent(bool value) { _flags.set(TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT, value); }
+    bool isTransparent() const { return _flags[TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT]; }
+    bool isOpaque() const { return !_flags[TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT]; }
+
+    void setTransparentMap(bool value) { _flags.set(TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isTransparentMap() const { return _flags[TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT]; }
+
+    void setNormalMap(bool value) { _flags.set(NORMAL_MAP_BIT, value); }
+    bool isNormalMap() const { return _flags[NORMAL_MAP_BIT]; }
+
+    void setMapChannel(MapChannel channel, bool value) { _flags.set(EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT + channel, value); }
+    bool isMapChannel(MapChannel channel) const { return _flags[EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT + channel]; }
+
+};
+
+
+class MaterialFilter {
+public:
+    MaterialKey::Flags _value{ 0 };
+    MaterialKey::Flags _mask{ 0 };
+
+
+    MaterialFilter(const MaterialKey::Flags& value = MaterialKey::Flags(0), const MaterialKey::Flags& mask = MaterialKey::Flags(0)) : _value(value), _mask(mask) {}
+
+    class Builder {
+        MaterialKey::Flags _value{ 0 };
+        MaterialKey::Flags _mask{ 0 };
+    public:
+        Builder() {}
+
+        MaterialFilter build() const { return MaterialFilter(_value, _mask); }
+
+        Builder& withoutEmissive()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withEmissive()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutEmissiveMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withEmissiveMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutDiffuse()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withDiffuse()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutDiffuseMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withDiffuseMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutMetallic()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::METALLIC_VAL_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withMetallic()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_VAL_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutMetallicMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withMetallicMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::METALLIC_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutGloss()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::GLOSS_VAL_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withGloss()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_VAL_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutGlossMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::GLOSS_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withGlossMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::GLOSS_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutTransparent()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withTransparent()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_VAL_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutTransparentMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withTransparentMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::TRANSPARENT_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        Builder& withoutNormalMap()       { _value.reset(MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP_BIT); _mask.set(MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+        Builder& withNormalMap()        { _value.set(MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP_BIT);  _mask.set(MaterialKey::NORMAL_MAP_BIT); return (*this); }
+
+        // Convenient standard keys that we will keep on using all over the place
+        static MaterialFilter opaqueDiffuse() { return Builder().withDiffuse().withoutTransparent().build(); }
+    };
+
+    // Item Filter operator testing if a key pass the filter
+    bool test(const MaterialKey& key) const { return (key._flags & _mask) == (_value & _mask); }
+
+    class Less {
+    public:
+        bool operator() (const MaterialFilter& left, const MaterialFilter& right) const {
+            if (left._value.to_ulong() == right._value.to_ulong()) {
+                return left._mask.to_ulong() < right._mask.to_ulong();
+            } else {
+                return left._value.to_ulong() < right._value.to_ulong();
+            }
+        }
+    };
+};
+
 class Material {
 public:
     typedef gpu::BufferView UniformBufferView;
@@ -30,52 +201,27 @@ public:
 
     typedef glm::vec3 Color;
 
-    enum MapChannel {
-        DIFFUSE_MAP = 0,
-        SPECULAR_MAP,
-        SHININESS_MAP,
-        EMISSIVE_MAP,
-        OPACITY_MAP,
-        NORMAL_MAP,
-
-        NUM_MAPS,
-    };
+    typedef MaterialKey::MapChannel MapChannel;
     typedef std::map<MapChannel, TextureView> TextureMap;
-    typedef std::bitset<NUM_MAPS> MapFlags;
-
-    enum FlagBit {
-        DIFFUSE_BIT = 0,
-        SPECULAR_BIT,
-        SHININESS_BIT,
-        EMISSIVE_BIT,
-        TRANSPARENT_BIT,
-
-        DIFFUSE_MAP_BIT,
-        SPECULAR_MAP_BIT,
-        SHININESS_MAP_BIT,
-        EMISSIVE_MAP_BIT,
-        OPACITY_MAP_BIT,
-        NORMAL_MAP_BIT,
-
-        NUM_FLAGS,
-    };
-    typedef std::bitset<NUM_FLAGS> Flags;
+    typedef std::bitset<MaterialKey::NUM_MAP_CHANNELS> MapFlags;
 
     Material();
     Material(const Material& material);
     Material& operator= (const Material& material);
     virtual ~Material();
 
+    const MaterialKey& getKey() const { return _key; }
+     
     const Color& getEmissive() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._emissive; }
     const Color& getDiffuse() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._diffuse; }
-    const Color& getSpecular() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._specular; }
-    float getShininess() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._shininess; }
+    float getMetallic() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._metallic.x; }
+    float getGloss() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._gloss; }
     float getOpacity() const { return _schemaBuffer.get<Schema>()._opacity; }
 
-    void setDiffuse(const Color& diffuse);
-    void setSpecular(const Color& specular);
     void setEmissive(const Color& emissive);
-    void setShininess(float shininess);
+    void setDiffuse(const Color& diffuse);
+    void setMetallic(float metallic);
+    void setGloss(float gloss);
     void setOpacity(float opacity);
 
     // Schema to access the attribute values of the material
@@ -84,8 +230,8 @@ public:
         
         Color _diffuse{0.5f};
         float _opacity{1.f};
-        Color _specular{0.03f};
-        float _shininess{0.1f};
+        Color _metallic{0.03f};
+        float _gloss{0.1f};
         Color _emissive{0.0f};
         float _spare0{0.0f};
         glm::vec4  _spareVec4{0.0f}; // for alignment beauty, Material size == Mat4x4
@@ -100,7 +246,7 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 
-    Flags _flags;
+    MaterialKey _key;
     UniformBufferView _schemaBuffer;
     TextureMap _textureMap;
 
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Skybox.cpp b/libraries/model/src/model/Skybox.cpp
index a34a3be3fd..933c737b83 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Skybox.cpp
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Skybox.cpp
@@ -44,70 +44,73 @@ void Skybox::setCubemap(const gpu::TexturePointer& cubemap) {
 
 void Skybox::render(gpu::Batch& batch, const ViewFrustum& viewFrustum, const Skybox& skybox) {
 
-    if (skybox.getCubemap() && skybox.getCubemap()->isDefined()) {
+    if (skybox.getCubemap()) {
+        if (skybox.getCubemap()->isDefined()) {
 
-        static gpu::PipelinePointer thePipeline;
-        static gpu::BufferPointer theBuffer;
-        static gpu::Stream::FormatPointer theFormat;
-        static gpu::BufferPointer theConstants;
-        int SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = 0; // need to be defined by the compilation of the shader
-        if (!thePipeline) {
-            auto skyVS = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createVertex(std::string(Skybox_vert)));
-            auto skyFS = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createPixel(std::string(Skybox_frag)));
-            auto skyShader = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createProgram(skyVS, skyFS));
+            static gpu::PipelinePointer thePipeline;
+            static gpu::BufferPointer theBuffer;
+            static gpu::Stream::FormatPointer theFormat;
+            static gpu::BufferPointer theConstants;
+            int SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = 0; // need to be defined by the compilation of the shader
+            if (!thePipeline) {
+                auto skyVS = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createVertex(std::string(Skybox_vert)));
+                auto skyFS = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createPixel(std::string(Skybox_frag)));
+                auto skyShader = gpu::ShaderPointer(gpu::Shader::createProgram(skyVS, skyFS));
 
-            gpu::Shader::BindingSet bindings;
-            bindings.insert(gpu::Shader::Binding(std::string("cubeMap"), 0));
-            if (!gpu::Shader::makeProgram(*skyShader, bindings)) {
+                gpu::Shader::BindingSet bindings;
+                bindings.insert(gpu::Shader::Binding(std::string("cubeMap"), 0));
+                if (!gpu::Shader::makeProgram(*skyShader, bindings)) {
 
-            }
+                }
 
-            SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = skyShader->getBuffers().findLocation("skyboxBuffer");
-            if (SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT == gpu::Shader::INVALID_LOCATION) {
-                SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = skyShader->getUniforms().findLocation("skyboxBuffer");
-            }
+                SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = skyShader->getBuffers().findLocation("skyboxBuffer");
+                if (SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT == gpu::Shader::INVALID_LOCATION) {
+                    SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT = skyShader->getUniforms().findLocation("skyboxBuffer");
+                }
             
-            auto skyState = gpu::StatePointer(new gpu::State());
+                auto skyState = gpu::StatePointer(new gpu::State());
 
-            thePipeline = gpu::PipelinePointer(gpu::Pipeline::create(skyShader, skyState));
+                thePipeline = gpu::PipelinePointer(gpu::Pipeline::create(skyShader, skyState));
         
-            const float CLIP = 1.0;
-            const glm::vec2 vertices[4] = { {-CLIP, -CLIP}, {CLIP, -CLIP}, {-CLIP, CLIP}, {CLIP, CLIP}};
-            theBuffer.reset(new gpu::Buffer(sizeof(vertices), (const gpu::Byte*) vertices));
+                const float CLIP = 1.0;
+                const glm::vec2 vertices[4] = { {-CLIP, -CLIP}, {CLIP, -CLIP}, {-CLIP, CLIP}, {CLIP, CLIP}};
+                theBuffer.reset(new gpu::Buffer(sizeof(vertices), (const gpu::Byte*) vertices));
         
-            theFormat.reset(new gpu::Stream::Format());
-            theFormat->setAttribute(gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Element(gpu::VEC2, gpu::FLOAT, gpu::XYZ));
+                theFormat.reset(new gpu::Stream::Format());
+                theFormat->setAttribute(gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Element(gpu::VEC2, gpu::FLOAT, gpu::XYZ));
         
-            auto color = glm::vec4(1.0f);
-            theConstants.reset(new gpu::Buffer(sizeof(color), (const gpu::Byte*) &color));
+                auto color = glm::vec4(1.0f);
+                theConstants.reset(new gpu::Buffer(sizeof(color), (const gpu::Byte*) &color));
+            }
+
+            glm::mat4 projMat;
+            viewFrustum.evalProjectionMatrix(projMat);
+
+            Transform viewTransform;
+            viewFrustum.evalViewTransform(viewTransform);
+
+            if (glm::all(glm::equal(skybox.getColor(), glm::vec3(0.0f)))) { 
+                auto color = glm::vec4(1.0f);
+                theConstants->setSubData(0, sizeof(color), (const gpu::Byte*) &color);
+            } else {
+                theConstants->setSubData(0, sizeof(Color), (const gpu::Byte*) &skybox.getColor());
+            }
+
+            batch.setProjectionTransform(projMat);
+            batch.setViewTransform(viewTransform);
+            batch.setModelTransform(Transform()); // only for Mac
+            batch.setPipeline(thePipeline);
+            batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::POSITION, theBuffer, 0, 8);
+            batch.setUniformBuffer(SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT, theConstants, 0, theConstants->getSize());
+            batch.setInputFormat(theFormat);
+            batch.setUniformTexture(0, skybox.getCubemap());
+            batch.draw(gpu::TRIANGLE_STRIP, 4);
         }
 
-        glm::mat4 projMat;
-        viewFrustum.evalProjectionMatrix(projMat);
-
-        Transform viewTransform;
-        viewFrustum.evalViewTransform(viewTransform);
-
-        if (glm::all(glm::equal(skybox.getColor(), glm::vec3(0.0f)))) { 
-            auto color = glm::vec4(1.0f);
-            theConstants->setSubData(0, sizeof(color), (const gpu::Byte*) &color);
-        } else {
-            theConstants->setSubData(0, sizeof(Color), (const gpu::Byte*) &skybox.getColor());
-        }
-
-        batch.setProjectionTransform(projMat);
-        batch.setViewTransform(viewTransform);
-        batch.setModelTransform(Transform()); // only for Mac
-        batch.setPipeline(thePipeline);
-        batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::POSITION, theBuffer, 0, 8);
-        batch.setUniformBuffer(SKYBOX_CONSTANTS_SLOT, theConstants, 0, theConstants->getSize());
-        batch.setInputFormat(theFormat);
-        batch.setUniformTexture(0, skybox.getCubemap());
-        batch.draw(gpu::TRIANGLE_STRIP, 4);
     } else {
         // skybox has no cubemap, just clear the color buffer
         auto color = skybox.getColor();
-        batch.clearFramebuffer(gpu::Framebuffer::BUFFER_COLOR0, glm::vec4(color, 1.0f), 0.f, 0); 
+        batch.clearFramebuffer(gpu::Framebuffer::BUFFER_COLOR0, glm::vec4(color, 0.0f), 0.f, 0); 
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/TextureStorage.h b/libraries/model/src/model/TextureStorage.h
index ebc027298b..a6752d21b2 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/TextureStorage.h
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/TextureStorage.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ typedef glm::vec3 Color;
 class TextureUsage {
 public:
     gpu::Texture::Type _type{ gpu::Texture::TEX_2D };
-    Material::MapFlags _materialUsage{ Material::DIFFUSE_MAP };
+    Material::MapFlags _materialUsage{ MaterialKey::DIFFUSE_MAP };
 
     int _environmentUsage = 0;
 };
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
index 3026efceb2..3cea5c9777 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
@@ -875,6 +875,9 @@ namespace render {
             return payload->model->renderPart(args, payload->meshIndex, payload->partIndex, false);
         }
     }
+   /* template <> const model::MaterialKey& shapeGetMaterialKey(const OpaqueMeshPart::Pointer& payload) {
+        return payload->model->getPartMaterial(payload->meshIndex, payload->partIndex);
+    }*/
 }
 
 void Model::setVisibleInScene(bool newValue, std::shared_ptr<render::Scene> scene) {
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
index f9e78c69bb..777d9466a5 100755
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ template <> void render::jobRun(const ResolveDeferred& job, const SceneContextPo
 RenderDeferredTask::RenderDeferredTask() : Task() {
    _jobs.push_back(Job(PrepareDeferred()));
    _jobs.push_back(Job(DrawBackground()));
-   _jobs.push_back(Job(DrawOpaque()));
+   _jobs.push_back(Job(DrawOpaqueDeferred()));
    _jobs.push_back(Job(DrawLight()));
    _jobs.push_back(Job(ResetGLState()));
    _jobs.push_back(Job(RenderDeferred()));
@@ -78,6 +78,84 @@ void RenderDeferredTask::run(const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const Rend
 
 
 
+template <> void render::jobRun(const DrawOpaqueDeferred& job, const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext) {
+    PerformanceTimer perfTimer("DrawOpaqueDeferred");
+    assert(renderContext->args);
+    assert(renderContext->args->_viewFrustum);
+
+    // render opaques
+    auto& scene = sceneContext->_scene;
+    auto& items = scene->getMasterBucket().at(ItemFilter::Builder::opaqueShape());
+    auto& renderDetails = renderContext->args->_details;
+
+    ItemIDsBounds inItems;
+    inItems.reserve(items.size());
+    for (auto id : items) {
+        inItems.emplace_back(ItemIDAndBounds(id));
+    }
+    ItemIDsBounds& renderedItems = inItems;
+
+    renderContext->_numFeedOpaqueItems = renderedItems.size();
+
+    ItemIDsBounds culledItems;
+    culledItems.reserve(inItems.size());
+    if (renderContext->_cullOpaque) {
+        renderDetails.pointTo(RenderDetails::OPAQUE_ITEM);
+        cullItems(sceneContext, renderContext, renderedItems, culledItems);
+        renderDetails.pointTo(RenderDetails::OTHER_ITEM);
+        renderedItems = culledItems;
+    }
+
+    renderContext->_numDrawnOpaqueItems = renderedItems.size();
+
+
+    ItemIDsBounds sortedItems;
+    sortedItems.reserve(culledItems.size());
+    if (renderContext->_sortOpaque) {
+        depthSortItems(sceneContext, renderContext, true, renderedItems, sortedItems); // Sort Front to back opaque items!
+        renderedItems = sortedItems;
+    }
+
+   // ItemIDsBounds sortedItems;
+ /*   ItemMaterialBucketMap stateSortedItems;
+    stateSortedItems.allocateStandardMaterialBuckets();
+    if (true) {
+        for (auto& itemIDAndBound : renderedItems) {
+            stateSortedItems.insert(itemIDAndBound.id, scene->getItem(itemIDAndBound.id).getMaterialKey());
+        }
+    }
+*/
+
+    if (renderContext->_renderOpaque) {
+        RenderArgs* args = renderContext->args;
+        gpu::Batch batch;
+        args->_batch = &batch;
+
+        glm::mat4 projMat;
+        Transform viewMat;
+        args->_viewFrustum->evalProjectionMatrix(projMat);
+        args->_viewFrustum->evalViewTransform(viewMat);
+        batch.setProjectionTransform(projMat);
+        batch.setViewTransform(viewMat);
+
+        renderContext->args->_renderMode = RenderArgs::NORMAL_RENDER_MODE;
+        {
+            GLenum buffers[3];
+            int bufferCount = 0;
+            buffers[bufferCount++] = GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0;
+            buffers[bufferCount++] = GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT1;
+            buffers[bufferCount++] = GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT2;
+            batch._glDrawBuffers(bufferCount, buffers);
+        }
+
+        renderItems(sceneContext, renderContext, renderedItems, renderContext->_maxDrawnOpaqueItems);
+
+        args->_context->render((*args->_batch));
+        args->_batch = nullptr;
+    }
+}
+
+
 template <> void render::jobRun(const DrawTransparentDeferred& job, const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext) {
     PerformanceTimer perfTimer("DrawTransparentDeferred");
     assert(renderContext->args);
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
index 17971dbfac..e2cac53c0d 100755
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
@@ -35,6 +35,14 @@ namespace render {
 template <> void jobRun(const ResolveDeferred& job, const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext);
 }
 
+
+class DrawOpaqueDeferred {
+public:
+};
+namespace render {
+template <> void jobRun(const DrawOpaqueDeferred& job, const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext);
+}
+
 class DrawTransparentDeferred {
 public:
 };
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.cpp b/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.cpp
index 41e36de37b..bfc888ea8a 100755
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.cpp
@@ -445,3 +445,18 @@ template <> void render::jobRun(const DrawBackground& job, const SceneContextPoi
     // Force the context sync
     args->_context->syncCache();
 }
+
+
+
+void ItemMaterialBucketMap::insert(const ItemID& id, const model::MaterialKey& key) {
+    // Insert the itemID in every bucket where it filters true
+    for (auto& bucket : (*this)) {
+        if (bucket.first.test(key)) {
+            bucket.second.push_back(id);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void ItemMaterialBucketMap::allocateStandardMaterialBuckets() {
+    (*this)[model::MaterialFilter::Builder::opaqueDiffuse()];
+}
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.h b/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.h
index 687287cd56..1f260583f2 100755
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.h
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/DrawTask.h
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ void depthSortItems(const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContext
 void renderItems(const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemIDsBounds& inItems, int maxDrawnItems = -1);
 
 
+
+void materialSortItems(const SceneContextPointer& sceneContext, const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemIDsBounds& inItems, ItemIDsBounds& outItems);
+
+
 class DrawOpaque {
 public:
 };
@@ -101,6 +105,20 @@ public:
 
 };
 
+
+// A map of ItemIDs allowing to create bucket lists of SHAPE type items which are filtered by their
+// Material 
+class ItemMaterialBucketMap : public std::map<model::MaterialFilter, ItemIDs, model::MaterialFilter::Less> {
+public:
+
+    ItemMaterialBucketMap() {}
+
+    void insert(const ItemID& id, const model::MaterialKey& key);
+
+    // standard builders allocating the main buckets
+    void allocateStandardMaterialBuckets();
+};
+
 }
 
 #endif // hifi_render_Task_h
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/Scene.h b/libraries/render/src/render/Scene.h
index 054fbeb602..8cb29609ba 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/Scene.h
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/Scene.h
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 #include <AABox.h>
 #include <RenderArgs.h>
 
+#include "model/Material.h"
+
 namespace render {
 
 class Context;
@@ -216,6 +218,8 @@ public:
 
         virtual void update(const UpdateFunctorPointer& functor) = 0;
 
+        virtual const model::MaterialKey getMaterialKey() const = 0;
+
         ~PayloadInterface() {}
     protected:
     };
@@ -240,6 +244,9 @@ public:
     void render(RenderArgs* args) { _payload->render(args); }
     void update(const UpdateFunctorPointer& updateFunctor)  { _payload->update(updateFunctor); }
 
+    // Shape Type Interface
+    const model::MaterialKey& getMaterialKey() const { return _payload->getMaterialKey(); }
+
 protected:
     PayloadPointer _payload;
     ItemKey _key;
@@ -275,16 +282,23 @@ template <class T> const ItemKey payloadGetKey(const std::shared_ptr<T>& payload
 template <class T> const Item::Bound payloadGetBound(const std::shared_ptr<T>& payloadData) { return Item::Bound(); }
 template <class T> void payloadRender(const std::shared_ptr<T>& payloadData, RenderArgs* args) { }
     
+// Shape type interface
+template <class T> const model::MaterialKey shapeGetMaterialKey(const std::shared_ptr<T>& payloadData) { return model::MaterialKey(); }
+
 template <class T> class Payload : public Item::PayloadInterface {
 public:
     typedef std::shared_ptr<T> DataPointer;
     typedef UpdateFunctor<T> Updater;
 
+    virtual void update(const UpdateFunctorPointer& functor) { static_cast<Updater*>(functor.get())->_func((*_data)); }
+
+    // Payload general interface
     virtual const ItemKey getKey() const { return payloadGetKey<T>(_data); }
     virtual const Item::Bound getBound() const { return payloadGetBound<T>(_data); }
-    virtual void render(RenderArgs* args) { payloadRender<T>(_data, args); }
- 
-    virtual void update(const UpdateFunctorPointer& functor) { static_cast<Updater*>(functor.get())->_func((*_data)); }
+    virtual void render(RenderArgs* args) { payloadRender<T>(_data, args); } 
+
+    // Shape Type interface
+    virtual const model::MaterialKey getMaterialKey() const { return shapeGetMaterialKey<T>(_data); }
 
     Payload(const DataPointer& data) : _data(data) {}
 protected: