diff --git a/interface/src/models/ModelTreeRenderer.cpp b/interface/src/models/ModelTreeRenderer.cpp
index 9c4b08fd99..78107db699 100644
--- a/interface/src/models/ModelTreeRenderer.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/models/ModelTreeRenderer.cpp
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ void ModelTreeRenderer::renderElement(OctreeElement* element, RenderArgs* args)
     args->_elementsTouched++;
     // actually render it here...
     // we need to iterate the actual modelItems of the element
-    ModelTreeElement* modelTreeElement = (ModelTreeElement*)element;
+    ModelTreeElement* modelTreeElement = static_cast<ModelTreeElement*>(element);
 
     QList<ModelItem>& modelItems = modelTreeElement->getModels();
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..40de565155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+//
+//  BillboardOverlay.cpp
+//
+//
+//  Created by Clement on 7/1/14.
+//  Copyright 2014 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 "../../Application.h"
+
+#include "BillboardOverlay.h"
+
+BillboardOverlay::BillboardOverlay()
+: _manager(NULL),
+  _scale(1.0f),
+  _isFacingAvatar(true) {
+}
+
+void BillboardOverlay::render() {
+    if (_billboard.isEmpty()) {
+        return;
+    }
+    if (!_billboardTexture) {
+        QImage image = QImage::fromData(_billboard);
+        if (image.format() != QImage::Format_ARGB32) {
+            image = image.convertToFormat(QImage::Format_ARGB32);
+        }
+        _size = image.size();
+        _billboardTexture.reset(new Texture());
+        glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, _billboardTexture->getID());
+        glTexImage2D(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL_RGBA, _size.width(), _size.height(), 0,
+                     GL_BGRA, GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, image.constBits());
+        glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_LINEAR);
+        
+    } else {
+        glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, _billboardTexture->getID());
+    }
+    
+    glEnable(GL_ALPHA_TEST);
+    glAlphaFunc(GL_GREATER, 0.5f);
+    
+    glEnable(GL_TEXTURE_2D);
+    glDisable(GL_LIGHTING);
+    
+    glPushMatrix(); {
+        glTranslatef(_position.x, _position.y, _position.z);
+        if (_isFacingAvatar) {
+            // rotate about vertical to face the camera
+            glm::quat rotation = Application::getInstance()->getCamera()->getRotation();
+            rotation *= glm::angleAxis(glm::pi<float>(), glm::vec3(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f));
+            glm::vec3 axis = glm::axis(rotation);
+            glRotatef(glm::degrees(glm::angle(rotation)), axis.x, axis.y, axis.z);
+        } else {
+            glm::vec3 axis = glm::axis(_rotation);
+            glRotatef(glm::degrees(glm::angle(_rotation)), axis.x, axis.y, axis.z);
+        }
+        glScalef(_scale, _scale, _scale);
+        
+        float maxSize = glm::max(_size.width(), _size.height());
+        float x = _size.width() / (2.0f * maxSize);
+        float y = -_size.height() / (2.0f * maxSize);
+        
+        glColor3f(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f);
+        glBegin(GL_QUADS); {
+            glTexCoord2f(0.0f, 0.0f);
+            glVertex2f(-x, -y);
+            glTexCoord2f(1.0f, 0.0f);
+            glVertex2f(x, -y);
+            glTexCoord2f(1.0f, 1.0f);
+            glVertex2f(x, y);
+            glTexCoord2f(0.0f, 1.0f);
+            glVertex2f(-x, y);
+        } glEnd();
+        
+    } glPopMatrix();
+    
+    glDisable(GL_TEXTURE_2D);
+    glEnable(GL_LIGHTING);
+    glDisable(GL_ALPHA_TEST);
+    
+    glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
+}
+
+void BillboardOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue &properties) {
+    Base3DOverlay::setProperties(properties);
+    
+    QScriptValue urlValue = properties.property("url");
+    if (urlValue.isValid()) {
+        _url = urlValue.toVariant().toString();
+        
+        setBillboardURL(_url);
+    }
+    
+    QScriptValue scaleValue = properties.property("scale");
+    if (scaleValue.isValid()) {
+        _scale = scaleValue.toVariant().toFloat();
+    }
+    
+    QScriptValue rotationValue = properties.property("rotation");
+    if (rotationValue.isValid()) {
+        QScriptValue x = rotationValue.property("x");
+        QScriptValue y = rotationValue.property("y");
+        QScriptValue z = rotationValue.property("z");
+        QScriptValue w = rotationValue.property("w");
+        if (x.isValid() && y.isValid() && z.isValid() && w.isValid()) {
+            _rotation.x = x.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.y = y.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.z = z.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.w = w.toVariant().toFloat();
+        }
+    }
+    
+    QScriptValue isFacingAvatarValue = properties.property("isFacingAvatar");
+    if (isFacingAvatarValue.isValid()) {
+        _isFacingAvatar = isFacingAvatarValue.toVariant().toBool();
+    }
+}
+
+// TODO: handle setting image multiple times, how do we manage releasing the bound texture?
+void BillboardOverlay::setBillboardURL(const QUrl url) {
+    // TODO: are we creating too many QNetworkAccessManager() when multiple calls to setImageURL are made?
+    _manager->deleteLater();
+    _manager = new QNetworkAccessManager();
+    connect(_manager, SIGNAL(finished(QNetworkReply*)), this, SLOT(replyFinished(QNetworkReply*)));
+    _manager->get(QNetworkRequest(url));
+}
+
+void BillboardOverlay::replyFinished(QNetworkReply* reply) {
+    // replace our byte array with the downloaded data
+    _billboard = reply->readAll();
+    _manager->deleteLater();
+    _manager = NULL;
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..473e8a066f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/BillboardOverlay.h
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+//
+//  BillboardOverlay.h
+//
+//
+//  Created by Clement on 7/1/14.
+//  Copyright 2014 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_BillboardOverlay_h
+#define hifi_BillboardOverlay_h
+
+#include <QScopedPointer>
+#include <QUrl>
+
+#include "Base3DOverlay.h"
+#include "../../renderer/TextureCache.h"
+
+class BillboardOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    BillboardOverlay();
+    
+    virtual void render();
+    virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
+
+private slots:
+    void replyFinished(QNetworkReply* reply);
+
+private:
+    void setBillboardURL(const QUrl url);
+    
+    QNetworkAccessManager* _manager;
+    QUrl _url;
+    QByteArray _billboard;
+    QSize _size;
+    QScopedPointer<Texture> _billboardTexture;
+    
+    glm::quat _rotation;
+    float _scale;
+    bool _isFacingAvatar;
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_BillboardOverlay_h
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
index aa4766488a..79b1b23de5 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ImageOverlay.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 #include "ImageOverlay.h"
 
 ImageOverlay::ImageOverlay() :
-    _manager(0),
+    _manager(NULL),
     _textureID(0),
     _renderImage(false),
     _textureBound(false),
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ ImageOverlay::~ImageOverlay() {
 // TODO: handle setting image multiple times, how do we manage releasing the bound texture?
 void ImageOverlay::setImageURL(const QUrl& url) {
     // TODO: are we creating too many QNetworkAccessManager() when multiple calls to setImageURL are made?
+    _manager->deleteLater();
     _manager = new QNetworkAccessManager();
     connect(_manager, SIGNAL(finished(QNetworkReply*)), this, SLOT(replyFinished(QNetworkReply*)));
     _manager->get(QNetworkRequest(url));
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ void ImageOverlay::replyFinished(QNetworkReply* reply) {
     _textureImage.loadFromData(rawData);
     _renderImage = true;
     _manager->deleteLater();
+    _manager = NULL;
 }
 
 void ImageOverlay::render() {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bc0cc720c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+//
+//  ModelOverlay.cpp
+//
+//
+//  Created by Clement on 6/30/14.
+//  Copyright 2014 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 "../../Menu.h"
+
+#include "ModelOverlay.h"
+
+ModelOverlay::ModelOverlay()
+    : _model(),
+      _scale(1.0f),
+      _updateModel(false) {
+    _model.init();
+}
+
+void ModelOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
+    if (_updateModel) {
+        _updateModel = false;
+        
+        _model.setScaleToFit(true, _scale);
+        _model.setSnapModelToCenter(true);
+        _model.setRotation(_rotation);
+        _model.setTranslation(_position);
+        _model.setURL(_url);
+        _model.simulate(deltatime, true);
+    } else {
+        _model.simulate(deltatime);
+    }
+}
+
+void ModelOverlay::render() {
+    if (_model.isActive()) {
+        
+        if (_model.isRenderable()) {
+            _model.render(_alpha);
+        }
+        bool displayModelBounds = Menu::getInstance()->isOptionChecked(MenuOption::DisplayModelBounds);
+        if (displayModelBounds) {
+            glm::vec3 unRotatedMinimum = _model.getUnscaledMeshExtents().minimum;
+            glm::vec3 unRotatedMaximum = _model.getUnscaledMeshExtents().maximum;
+            glm::vec3 unRotatedExtents = unRotatedMaximum - unRotatedMinimum;
+            
+            float width = unRotatedExtents.x;
+            float height = unRotatedExtents.y;
+            float depth = unRotatedExtents.z;
+            
+            Extents rotatedExtents = _model.getUnscaledMeshExtents();
+            calculateRotatedExtents(rotatedExtents, _rotation);
+            
+            glm::vec3 rotatedSize = rotatedExtents.maximum - rotatedExtents.minimum;
+            
+            const glm::vec3& modelScale = _model.getScale();
+            
+            glPushMatrix(); {
+                glTranslatef(_position.x, _position.y, _position.z);
+                
+                // draw the rotated bounding cube
+                glColor4f(0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f);
+                glPushMatrix(); {
+                    glScalef(rotatedSize.x * modelScale.x, rotatedSize.y * modelScale.y, rotatedSize.z * modelScale.z);
+                    glutWireCube(1.0);
+                } glPopMatrix();
+                
+                // draw the model relative bounding box
+                glm::vec3 axis = glm::axis(_rotation);
+                glRotatef(glm::degrees(glm::angle(_rotation)), axis.x, axis.y, axis.z);
+                glScalef(width * modelScale.x, height * modelScale.y, depth * modelScale.z);
+                glColor3f(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f);
+                glutWireCube(1.0);
+                
+            } glPopMatrix();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void ModelOverlay::setProperties(const QScriptValue &properties) {
+    Base3DOverlay::setProperties(properties);
+    
+    QScriptValue urlValue = properties.property("url");
+    if (urlValue.isValid()) {
+        _url = urlValue.toVariant().toString();
+        _updateModel = true;
+    }
+    
+    QScriptValue scaleValue = properties.property("scale");
+    if (scaleValue.isValid()) {
+        _scale = scaleValue.toVariant().toFloat();
+        _updateModel = true;
+    }
+    
+    QScriptValue rotationValue = properties.property("rotation");
+    if (rotationValue.isValid()) {
+        QScriptValue x = rotationValue.property("x");
+        QScriptValue y = rotationValue.property("y");
+        QScriptValue z = rotationValue.property("z");
+        QScriptValue w = rotationValue.property("w");
+        if (x.isValid() && y.isValid() && z.isValid() && w.isValid()) {
+            _rotation.x = x.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.y = y.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.z = z.toVariant().toFloat();
+            _rotation.w = w.toVariant().toFloat();
+        }
+        _updateModel = true;
+    }
+    
+    if (properties.property("position").isValid()) {
+        _updateModel = true;
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e0f979676f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+//
+//  ModelOverlay.h
+//
+//
+//  Created by Clement on 6/30/14.
+//  Copyright 2014 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_ModelOverlay_h
+#define hifi_ModelOverlay_h
+
+#include "Base3DOverlay.h"
+
+#include "../../renderer/Model.h"
+
+class ModelOverlay : public Base3DOverlay {
+    Q_OBJECT
+public:
+    ModelOverlay();
+    
+    virtual void update(float deltatime);
+    virtual void render();
+    virtual void setProperties(const QScriptValue& properties);
+private:
+    
+    Model _model;
+    
+    QUrl _url;
+    glm::quat _rotation;
+    float _scale;
+    
+    bool _updateModel;
+};
+
+#endif // hifi_ModelOverlay_h
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
index 95f4f2b2fe..dd483da27a 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
@@ -10,13 +10,15 @@
 
 #include <Application.h>
 
+#include "BillboardOverlay.h"
 #include "Cube3DOverlay.h"
 #include "ImageOverlay.h"
 #include "Line3DOverlay.h"
+#include "LocalVoxelsOverlay.h"
+#include "ModelOverlay.h"
 #include "Overlays.h"
 #include "Sphere3DOverlay.h"
 #include "TextOverlay.h"
-#include "LocalVoxelsOverlay.h"
 
 Overlays::Overlays() : _nextOverlayID(1) {
 }
@@ -156,6 +158,18 @@ unsigned int Overlays::addOverlay(const QString& type, const QScriptValue& prope
         thisOverlay->setProperties(properties);
         created = true;
         is3D = true;
+    } else if (type == "model") {
+        thisOverlay = new ModelOverlay();
+        thisOverlay->init(_parent);
+        thisOverlay->setProperties(properties);
+        created = true;
+        is3D = true;
+    } else if (type == "billboard") {
+        thisOverlay = new BillboardOverlay();
+        thisOverlay->init(_parent);
+        thisOverlay->setProperties(properties);
+        created = true;
+        is3D = true;
     }
 
     if (created) {