diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
index 94533137ad..8f2149f02d 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ const bool DEFAULT_IS_SOLID = false;
 const bool DEFAULT_IS_DASHED_LINE = false;
 
 Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay() :
+    SpatiallyNestable(NestableType::Overlay, QUuid::createUuid()),
     _lineWidth(DEFAULT_LINE_WIDTH),
     _isSolid(DEFAULT_IS_SOLID),
     _isDashedLine(DEFAULT_IS_DASHED_LINE),
@@ -31,15 +32,85 @@ Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay() :
 
 Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay(const Base3DOverlay* base3DOverlay) :
     Overlay(base3DOverlay),
-    _transform(base3DOverlay->_transform),
+    SpatiallyNestable(NestableType::Overlay, QUuid::createUuid()),
     _lineWidth(base3DOverlay->_lineWidth),
     _isSolid(base3DOverlay->_isSolid),
     _isDashedLine(base3DOverlay->_isDashedLine),
     _ignoreRayIntersection(base3DOverlay->_ignoreRayIntersection),
     _drawInFront(base3DOverlay->_drawInFront)
 {
+    setTransform(base3DOverlay->getTransform());
 }
-void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
+
+QVariantMap convertOverlayLocationFromScriptSemantics(const QVariantMap& properties) {
+    // the position and rotation in _transform are relative to the parent (aka local).  The versions coming from
+    // scripts are in world-frame, unless localPosition or localRotation are used.  Patch up the properties
+    // so that "position" and "rotation" are relative-to-parent values.
+    QVariantMap result = properties;
+    QUuid parentID = result["parentID"].isValid() ? QUuid(result["parentID"].toString()) : QUuid();
+    int parentJointIndex = result["parentJointIndex"].isValid() ? result["parentJointIndex"].toInt() : -1;
+    bool success;
+
+    // make "position" and "orientation" be relative-to-parent
+    if (result["localPosition"].isValid()) {
+        result["position"] = result["localPosition"];
+    } else if (result["position"].isValid()) {
+        glm::vec3 localPosition = SpatiallyNestable::worldToLocal(vec3FromVariant(result["position"]),
+                                                                  parentID, parentJointIndex, success);
+        result["position"] = vec3toVariant(localPosition);
+    }
+
+    if (result["localOrientation"].isValid()) {
+        result["orientation"] = result["localOrientation"];
+    } else if (result["orientation"].isValid()) {
+        glm::quat localOrientation = SpatiallyNestable::worldToLocal(quatFromVariant(result["orientation"]),
+                                                                  parentID, parentJointIndex, success);
+        result["orientation"] = quatToVariant(localOrientation);
+    }
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& originalProperties) {
+    QVariantMap properties = originalProperties;
+
+    // carry over some legacy keys
+    if (!properties["position"].isValid() && !properties["localPosition"].isValid()) {
+        if (properties["p1"].isValid()) {
+            properties["position"] = properties["p1"];
+        } else if (properties["point"].isValid()) {
+            properties["position"] = properties["point"];
+        } else if (properties["start"].isValid()) {
+            properties["position"] = properties["start"];
+        }
+    }
+    if (!properties["orientation"].isValid() && properties["rotation"].isValid()) {
+        properties["orientation"] = properties["rotation"];
+    }
+    if (!properties["localOrientation"].isValid() && properties["localRotation"].isValid()) {
+        properties["localOrientation"] = properties["localRotation"];
+    }
+
+    // All of parentID, parentJointIndex, position, orientation are needed to make sense of any of them.
+    // If any of these changed, pull any missing properties from the overlay.
+    if (properties["parentID"].isValid() || properties["parentJointIndex"].isValid() ||
+        properties["position"].isValid() || properties["localPosition"].isValid() ||
+        properties["orientation"].isValid() || properties["localOrientation"].isValid()) {
+        if (!properties["parentID"].isValid()) {
+            properties["parentID"] = getParentID();
+        }
+        if (!properties["parentJointIndex"].isValid()) {
+            properties["parentJointIndex"] = getParentJointIndex();
+        }
+        if (!properties["position"].isValid() && !properties["localPosition"].isValid()) {
+            properties["position"] = vec3toVariant(getPosition());
+        }
+        if (!properties["orientation"].isValid() && !properties["localOrientation"].isValid()) {
+            properties["orientation"] = quatToVariant(getOrientation());
+        }
+    }
+
+    properties = convertOverlayLocationFromScriptSemantics(properties);
     Overlay::setProperties(properties);
 
     bool needRenderItemUpdate = false;
@@ -52,17 +123,12 @@ void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
         needRenderItemUpdate = true;
     }
 
-    auto position = properties["position"];
-
-    // if "position" property was not there, check to see if they included aliases: point, p1
-    if (!position.isValid()) {
-        position = properties["p1"];
-        if (!position.isValid()) {
-            position = properties["point"];
-        }
+    if (properties["position"].isValid()) {
+        setLocalPosition(vec3FromVariant(properties["position"]));
+        needRenderItemUpdate = true;
     }
-    if (position.isValid()) {
-        setPosition(vec3FromVariant(position));
+    if (properties["orientation"].isValid()) {
+        setLocalOrientation(quatFromVariant(properties["orientation"]));
         needRenderItemUpdate = true;
     }
 
@@ -71,13 +137,6 @@ void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
         needRenderItemUpdate = true;
     }
 
-    auto rotation = properties["rotation"];
-
-    if (rotation.isValid()) {
-        setRotation(quatFromVariant(rotation));
-        needRenderItemUpdate = true;
-    }
-
     if (properties["isSolid"].isValid()) {
         setIsSolid(properties["isSolid"].toBool());
     }
@@ -107,6 +166,15 @@ void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
         setIgnoreRayIntersection(properties["ignoreRayIntersection"].toBool());
     }
 
+    if (properties["parentID"].isValid()) {
+        setParentID(QUuid(properties["parentID"].toString()));
+        needRenderItemUpdate = true;
+    }
+    if (properties["parentJointIndex"].isValid()) {
+        setParentJointIndex(properties["parentJointIndex"].toInt());
+        needRenderItemUpdate = true;
+    }
+
     // Communicate changes to the renderItem if needed
     if (needRenderItemUpdate) {
         auto itemID = getRenderItemID();
@@ -123,12 +191,18 @@ QVariant Base3DOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     if (property == "position" || property == "start" || property == "p1" || property == "point") {
         return vec3toVariant(getPosition());
     }
+    if (property == "localPosition") {
+        return vec3toVariant(getLocalPosition());
+    }
+    if (property == "rotation" || property == "orientation") {
+        return quatToVariant(getOrientation());
+    }
+    if (property == "localRotation" || property == "localOrientation") {
+        return quatToVariant(getLocalOrientation());
+    }
     if (property == "lineWidth") {
         return _lineWidth;
     }
-    if (property == "rotation") {
-        return quatToVariant(getRotation());
-    }
     if (property == "isSolid" || property == "isFilled" || property == "solid" || property == "filed") {
         return _isSolid;
     }
@@ -144,6 +218,12 @@ QVariant Base3DOverlay::getProperty(const QString& property) {
     if (property == "drawInFront") {
         return _drawInFront;
     }
+    if (property == "parentID") {
+        return getParentID();
+    }
+    if (property == "parentJointIndex") {
+        return getParentJointIndex();
+    }
 
     return Overlay::getProperty(property);
 }
@@ -152,3 +232,19 @@ bool Base3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3
                                                         float& distance, BoxFace& face, glm::vec3& surfaceNormal) {
     return false;
 }
+
+void Base3DOverlay::locationChanged(bool tellPhysics) {
+    auto itemID = getRenderItemID();
+    if (render::Item::isValidID(itemID)) {
+        render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
+        render::PendingChanges pendingChanges;
+        pendingChanges.updateItem(itemID);
+        scene->enqueuePendingChanges(pendingChanges);
+    }
+    // Overlays can't currently have children.
+    // SpatiallyNestable::locationChanged(tellPhysics); // tell all the children, also
+}
+
+void Base3DOverlay::parentDeleted() {
+    qApp->getOverlays().deleteOverlay(getOverlayID());
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
index e602dec48c..1860af4e85 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
@@ -12,10 +12,11 @@
 #define hifi_Base3DOverlay_h
 
 #include <Transform.h>
+#include <SpatiallyNestable.h>
 
 #include "Overlay.h"
 
-class Base3DOverlay : public Overlay {
+class Base3DOverlay : public Overlay, public SpatiallyNestable {
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
@@ -24,12 +25,9 @@ public:
 
     // getters
     virtual bool is3D() const override { return true; }
-    const glm::vec3& getPosition() const { return _transform.getTranslation(); }
-    const glm::quat& getRotation() const { return _transform.getRotation(); }
-    const glm::vec3& getScale() const { return _transform.getScale(); }
 
     // TODO: consider implementing registration points in this class
-    const glm::vec3& getCenter() const { return getPosition(); }
+    glm::vec3 getCenter() const { return getPosition(); }
 
     float getLineWidth() const { return _lineWidth; }
     bool getIsSolid() const { return _isSolid; }
@@ -38,12 +36,6 @@ public:
     bool getIgnoreRayIntersection() const { return _ignoreRayIntersection; }
     bool getDrawInFront() const { return _drawInFront; }
 
-    // setters
-    void setPosition(const glm::vec3& value) { _transform.setTranslation(value); }
-    void setRotation(const glm::quat& value) { _transform.setRotation(value); }
-    void setScale(float value) { _transform.setScale(value); }
-    void setScale(const glm::vec3& value) { _transform.setScale(value); }
-
     void setLineWidth(float lineWidth) { _lineWidth = lineWidth; }
     void setIsSolid(bool isSolid) { _isSolid = isSolid; }
     void setIsDashedLine(bool isDashedLine) { _isDashedLine = isDashedLine; }
@@ -64,7 +56,8 @@ public:
     }
 
 protected:
-    Transform _transform;
+    virtual void locationChanged(bool tellPhysics = true) override;
+    virtual void parentDeleted() override;
 
     float _lineWidth;
     bool _isSolid;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
index 6ebfd5c71c..e9ee997aac 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -69,17 +69,17 @@ void Circle3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
 
     // FIXME: THe line width of _lineWidth is not supported anymore, we ll need a workaround
 
-    auto transform = _transform;
+    auto transform = getTransform();
     transform.postScale(glm::vec3(getDimensions(), 1.0f));
     batch.setModelTransform(transform);
-    
+
     // for our overlay, is solid means we draw a ring between the inner and outer radius of the circle, otherwise
     // we just draw a line...
     if (getIsSolid()) {
         if (!_quadVerticesID) {
             _quadVerticesID = geometryCache->allocateID();
         }
-        
+
         if (geometryChanged) {
             QVector<glm::vec2> points;
             QVector<glm::vec4> colors;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
index d59e552779..a384c992ad 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -37,7 +37,11 @@ Image3DOverlay::Image3DOverlay(const Image3DOverlay* image3DOverlay) :
 }
 
 void Image3DOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
-    applyTransformTo(_transform);
+    if (usecTimestampNow() > _transformExpiry) {
+        Transform transform = getTransform();
+        applyTransformTo(transform);
+        setTransform(transform);
+    }
 }
 
 void Image3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
@@ -86,13 +90,14 @@ void Image3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     xColor color = getColor();
     float alpha = getAlpha();
 
-    applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
-    Transform transform = _transform;
+    Transform transform = getTransform();
+    applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+    setTransform(transform);
     transform.postScale(glm::vec3(getDimensions(), 1.0f));
 
     batch->setModelTransform(transform);
     batch->setResourceTexture(0, _texture->getGPUTexture());
-    
+
     DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->renderQuad(
         *batch, topLeft, bottomRight, texCoordTopLeft, texCoordBottomRight,
         glm::vec4(color.red / MAX_COLOR, color.green / MAX_COLOR, color.blue / MAX_COLOR, alpha)
@@ -187,7 +192,10 @@ bool Image3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec
                                             float& distance, BoxFace& face, glm::vec3& surfaceNormal) {
     if (_texture && _texture->isLoaded()) {
         // Make sure position and rotation is updated.
-        applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
+        Transform transform = getTransform();
+        // XXX this code runs too often for this...
+        // applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+        // setTransform(transform);
 
         // Produce the dimensions of the overlay based on the image's aspect ratio and the overlay's scale.
         bool isNull = _fromImage.isNull();
@@ -197,7 +205,10 @@ bool Image3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec
         glm::vec2 dimensions = _dimensions * glm::vec2(width / maxSize, height / maxSize);
 
         // FIXME - face and surfaceNormal not being set
-        return findRayRectangleIntersection(origin, direction, getRotation(), getPosition(), dimensions, distance);
+        return findRayRectangleIntersection(origin, direction,
+                                            transform.getRotation(),
+                                            transform.getTranslation(),
+                                            dimensions, distance);
     }
 
     return false;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
index a05783fea2..6b46b5b884 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Line3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ AABox Line3DOverlay::getBounds() const {
     auto extents = Extents{};
     extents.addPoint(_start);
     extents.addPoint(_end);
-    extents.transform(_transform);
-    
+    extents.transform(getTransform());
+
     return AABox(extents);
 }
 
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ void Line3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
 
     auto batch = args->_batch;
     if (batch) {
-        batch->setModelTransform(_transform);
+        batch->setModelTransform(getTransform());
 
         auto geometryCache = DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>();
         if (getIsDashedLine()) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
index 9c203c0129..0a89268f6b 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
@@ -178,3 +178,12 @@ bool ModelOverlay::findRayIntersectionExtraInfo(const glm::vec3& origin, const g
 ModelOverlay* ModelOverlay::createClone() const {
     return new ModelOverlay(this);
 }
+
+void ModelOverlay::locationChanged(bool tellPhysics) {
+    Base3DOverlay::locationChanged(tellPhysics);
+
+    if (_model && _model->isActive()) {
+        _model->setRotation(getRotation());
+        _model->setTranslation(getPosition());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
index 091cab44c9..d5f709c2db 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ public:
     virtual bool addToScene(Overlay::Pointer overlay, std::shared_ptr<render::Scene> scene, render::PendingChanges& pendingChanges) override;
     virtual void removeFromScene(Overlay::Pointer overlay, std::shared_ptr<render::Scene> scene, render::PendingChanges& pendingChanges) override;
 
+    void locationChanged(bool tellPhysics) override;
+
 private:
 
     ModelPointer _model;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
index 5d2c315a92..82b90d228c 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void Overlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
     if (properties["pulsePeriod"].isValid()) {
         setPulsePeriod(properties["pulsePeriod"].toFloat());
     }
-    
+
     if (properties["alphaPulse"].isValid()) {
         setAlphaPulse(properties["alphaPulse"].toFloat());
     }
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ void Overlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
         bool visible = properties["visible"].toBool();
         setVisible(visible);
     }
-    
+
     if (properties["anchor"].isValid()) {
         QString property = properties["anchor"].toString();
         if (property == "MyAvatar") {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
index 466ec0e913..51792b24b3 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 
 class Overlay : public QObject {
     Q_OBJECT
-    
+
 public:
     enum Anchor {
         NO_ANCHOR,
@@ -31,9 +31,13 @@ public:
     Overlay();
     Overlay(const Overlay* overlay);
     ~Overlay();
+
+    unsigned int getOverlayID() { return _overlayID; }
+    void setOverlayID(unsigned int overlayID) { _overlayID = overlayID; }
+
     virtual void update(float deltatime) {}
     virtual void render(RenderArgs* args) = 0;
-    
+
     virtual AABox getBounds() const = 0;
     virtual bool supportsGetProperty() const { return true; }
 
@@ -85,6 +89,8 @@ protected:
 
     render::ItemID _renderItemID{ render::Item::INVALID_ITEM_ID };
 
+    unsigned int _overlayID; // what Overlays.cpp knows this instance as
+
     bool _isLoaded;
     float _alpha;
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
index 0b4bcc8652..2c1f7552cd 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ unsigned int Overlays::addOverlay(const QString& type, const QVariant& propertie
 unsigned int Overlays::addOverlay(Overlay::Pointer overlay) {
     QWriteLocker lock(&_lock);
     unsigned int thisID = _nextOverlayID;
+    overlay->setOverlayID(thisID);
     _nextOverlayID++;
     if (overlay->is3D()) {
         _overlaysWorld[thisID] = overlay;
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
index c580464e16..58d72b100b 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Planar3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ Planar3DOverlay::Planar3DOverlay(const Planar3DOverlay* planar3DOverlay) :
 
 AABox Planar3DOverlay::getBounds() const {
     auto halfDimensions = glm::vec3{_dimensions / 2.0f, 0.01f};
-    
+
     auto extents = Extents{-halfDimensions, halfDimensions};
-    extents.transform(_transform);
-    
+    extents.transform(getTransform());
+
     return AABox(extents);
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
index 774237d334..07c2861f16 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ void Sphere3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     auto batch = args->_batch;
 
     if (batch) {
-        Transform transform = _transform;
+        Transform transform = getTransform();
         transform.postScale(getDimensions() * SPHERE_OVERLAY_SCALE);
         batch->setModelTransform(transform);
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
index 0ae1c306ba..153f787fc7 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Text3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -65,44 +65,49 @@ xColor Text3DOverlay::getBackgroundColor() {
 }
 
 void Text3DOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
-    applyTransformTo(_transform);
+    if (usecTimestampNow() > _transformExpiry) {
+        Transform transform = getTransform();
+        applyTransformTo(transform);
+        setTransform(transform);
+    }
 }
 
 void Text3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     if (!_visible || !getParentVisible()) {
         return; // do nothing if we're not visible
     }
-    
+
     Q_ASSERT(args->_batch);
     auto& batch = *args->_batch;
-    
-    applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
-    batch.setModelTransform(_transform);
+
+    Transform transform = getTransform();
+    applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+    setTransform(transform);
+    batch.setModelTransform(transform);
 
     const float MAX_COLOR = 255.0f;
     xColor backgroundColor = getBackgroundColor();
     glm::vec4 quadColor(backgroundColor.red / MAX_COLOR, backgroundColor.green / MAX_COLOR,
                         backgroundColor.blue / MAX_COLOR, getBackgroundAlpha());
-    
+
     glm::vec2 dimensions = getDimensions();
     glm::vec2 halfDimensions = dimensions * 0.5f;
-    
+
     const float SLIGHTLY_BEHIND = -0.001f;
-    
+
     glm::vec3 topLeft(-halfDimensions.x, -halfDimensions.y, SLIGHTLY_BEHIND);
     glm::vec3 bottomRight(halfDimensions.x, halfDimensions.y, SLIGHTLY_BEHIND);
     DependencyManager::get<GeometryCache>()->renderQuad(batch, topLeft, bottomRight, quadColor);
-    
+
     // Same font properties as textSize()
     float maxHeight = (float)_textRenderer->computeExtent("Xy").y * LINE_SCALE_RATIO;
-    
+
     float scaleFactor =  (maxHeight / FIXED_FONT_SCALING_RATIO) * _lineHeight;
-    
+
     glm::vec2 clipMinimum(0.0f, 0.0f);
     glm::vec2 clipDimensions((dimensions.x - (_leftMargin + _rightMargin)) / scaleFactor,
                              (dimensions.y - (_topMargin + _bottomMargin)) / scaleFactor);
 
-    Transform transform = _transform;
     transform.postTranslate(glm::vec3(-(halfDimensions.x - _leftMargin),
                                       halfDimensions.y - _topMargin, 0.001f));
     transform.setScale(scaleFactor);
@@ -222,6 +227,8 @@ QSizeF Text3DOverlay::textSize(const QString& text) const {
 
 bool Text3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3 &origin, const glm::vec3 &direction, float &distance, 
                                             BoxFace &face, glm::vec3& surfaceNormal) {
-    applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
+    Transform transform = getTransform();
+    applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+    setTransform(transform);
     return Billboard3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(origin, direction, distance, face, surfaceNormal);
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
index 563198c976..ad61e28bc7 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Volume3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ bool Volume3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::ve
                                             float& distance, BoxFace& face, glm::vec3& surfaceNormal) {
     // extents is the entity relative, scaled, centered extents of the entity
     glm::mat4 worldToEntityMatrix;
-    _transform.getInverseMatrix(worldToEntityMatrix);
+    getTransform().getInverseMatrix(worldToEntityMatrix);
 
     glm::vec3 overlayFrameOrigin = glm::vec3(worldToEntityMatrix * glm::vec4(origin, 1.0f));
     glm::vec3 overlayFrameDirection = glm::vec3(worldToEntityMatrix * glm::vec4(direction, 0.0f));
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Web3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Web3DOverlay.cpp
index 1c84e71fa7..6ca3e49569 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Web3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Web3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Web3DOverlay::~Web3DOverlay() {
         _webSurface->disconnect(_connection);
         // The lifetime of the QML surface MUST be managed by the main thread
         // Additionally, we MUST use local variables copied by value, rather than
-        // member variables, since they would implicitly refer to a this that 
+        // member variables, since they would implicitly refer to a this that
         // is no longer valid
         auto webSurface = _webSurface;
         AbstractViewStateInterface::instance()->postLambdaEvent([webSurface] {
@@ -57,7 +57,11 @@ Web3DOverlay::~Web3DOverlay() {
 }
 
 void Web3DOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
-    applyTransformTo(_transform);
+    if (usecTimestampNow() > _transformExpiry) {
+        Transform transform = getTransform();
+        applyTransformTo(transform);
+        setTransform(transform);
+    }
 }
 
 void Web3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
@@ -85,8 +89,9 @@ void Web3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
     vec2 halfSize = size / 2.0f;
     vec4 color(toGlm(getColor()), getAlpha());
 
-    applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
-    Transform transform = _transform;
+    Transform transform = getTransform();
+    applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+    setTransform(transform);
     if (glm::length2(getDimensions()) != 1.0f) {
         transform.postScale(vec3(getDimensions(), 1.0f));
     }
@@ -165,7 +170,10 @@ bool Web3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3&
     // FIXME - face and surfaceNormal not being returned
 
     // Make sure position and rotation is updated.
-    applyTransformTo(_transform, true);
+    Transform transform;
+    applyTransformTo(transform, true);
+    setTransform(transform);
+
     vec2 size = _resolution / _dpi * INCHES_TO_METERS * vec2(getDimensions());
     // Produce the dimensions of the overlay based on the image's aspect ratio and the overlay's scale.
     return findRayRectangleIntersection(origin, direction, getRotation(), getPosition(), size, distance);
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h b/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
index f12075d191..3677a0bbc8 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityItem.h
@@ -322,10 +322,6 @@ public:
     /// return preferred shape type (actual physical shape may differ)
     virtual ShapeType getShapeType() const { return SHAPE_TYPE_NONE; }
 
-    // these are only needed because the names don't match
-    virtual const glm::quat getRotation() const { return getOrientation(); }
-    virtual void setRotation(glm::quat orientation) { setOrientation(orientation); }
-
     // updateFoo() methods to be used when changes need to be accumulated in the _dirtyFlags
     virtual void updateRegistrationPoint(const glm::vec3& value);
     void updatePosition(const glm::vec3& value);
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.cpp b/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.cpp
index 2a3cb4af47..c3dbafa0d9 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.cpp
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ SpatiallyNestable::SpatiallyNestable(NestableType nestableType, QUuid id) :
     _transform.setRotation(glm::quat());
 }
 
+SpatiallyNestable::~SpatiallyNestable() {
+    forEachChild([&](SpatiallyNestablePointer object) {
+        object->parentDeleted();
+    });
+}
+
 const QUuid SpatiallyNestable::getID() const {
     QUuid result;
     _idLock.withReadLock([&] {
@@ -35,6 +41,10 @@ const QUuid SpatiallyNestable::getID() const {
 }
 
 void SpatiallyNestable::setID(const QUuid& id) {
+    // adjust the parentID of any children
+    forEachChild([&](SpatiallyNestablePointer object) {
+        object->setParentID(id);
+    });
     _idLock.withWriteLock([&] {
         _id = id;
     });
@@ -313,17 +323,20 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setPosition(const glm::vec3& position, bool& success, bo
         success = false;
         return;
     }
+
+    bool changed = false;
     Transform parentTransform = getParentTransform(success);
     Transform myWorldTransform;
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
         Transform::mult(myWorldTransform, parentTransform, _transform);
-        myWorldTransform.setTranslation(position);
-        Transform::inverseMult(_transform, parentTransform, myWorldTransform);
+        if (myWorldTransform.getTranslation() != position) {
+            changed = true;
+            myWorldTransform.setTranslation(position);
+            Transform::inverseMult(_transform, parentTransform, myWorldTransform);
+        }
     });
-    if (success) {
+    if (success && changed) {
         locationChanged(tellPhysics);
-    } else {
-        qDebug() << "setPosition failed for" << getID();
     }
 }
 
@@ -363,14 +376,18 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setOrientation(const glm::quat& orientation, bool& succe
         return;
     }
 
+    bool changed = false;
     Transform parentTransform = getParentTransform(success);
     Transform myWorldTransform;
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
         Transform::mult(myWorldTransform, parentTransform, _transform);
-        myWorldTransform.setRotation(orientation);
-        Transform::inverseMult(_transform, parentTransform, myWorldTransform);
+        if (myWorldTransform.getRotation() != orientation) {
+            changed = true;
+            myWorldTransform.setRotation(orientation);
+            Transform::inverseMult(_transform, parentTransform, myWorldTransform);
+        }
     });
-    if (success) {
+    if (success && changed) {
         locationChanged(tellPhysics);
     }
 }
@@ -513,6 +530,15 @@ const Transform SpatiallyNestable::getTransform(bool& success, int depth) const
     return result;
 }
 
+const Transform SpatiallyNestable::getTransform() const {
+    bool success;
+    Transform result = getTransform(success);
+    if (!success) {
+        qDebug() << "getTransform failed for" << getID();
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
 const Transform SpatiallyNestable::getTransform(int jointIndex, bool& success, int depth) const {
     // this returns the world-space transform for this object.  It finds its parent's transform (which may
     // cause this object's parent to query its parent, etc) and multiplies this object's local transform onto it.
@@ -549,15 +575,27 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setTransform(const Transform& transform, bool& success)
         success = false;
         return;
     }
+
+    bool changed = false;
     Transform parentTransform = getParentTransform(success);
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
+        Transform beforeTransform = _transform;
         Transform::inverseMult(_transform, parentTransform, transform);
+        if (_transform != beforeTransform) {
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
-    if (success) {
+    if (success && changed) {
         locationChanged();
     }
 }
 
+bool SpatiallyNestable::setTransform(const Transform& transform) {
+    bool success;
+    setTransform(transform, success);
+    return success;
+}
+
 glm::vec3 SpatiallyNestable::getScale() const {
     // TODO: scale
     glm::vec3 result;
@@ -575,14 +613,43 @@ glm::vec3 SpatiallyNestable::getScale(int jointIndex) const {
 void SpatiallyNestable::setScale(const glm::vec3& scale) {
     // guard against introducing NaN into the transform
     if (isNaN(scale)) {
-        qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setLocalScale -- scale contains NaN";
+        qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setScale -- scale contains NaN";
         return;
     }
+
+    bool changed = false;
     // TODO: scale
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform.setScale(scale);
+        if (_transform.getScale() != scale) {
+            _transform.setScale(scale);
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
-    dimensionsChanged();
+    if (changed) {
+        dimensionsChanged();
+    }
+}
+
+void SpatiallyNestable::setScale(float value) {
+    // guard against introducing NaN into the transform
+    if (value <= 0.0f) {
+        qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setScale -- scale is zero or negative value";
+        return;
+    }
+
+    bool changed = false;
+    // TODO: scale
+    _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
+        glm::vec3 beforeScale = _transform.getScale();
+        _transform.setScale(value);
+        if (_transform.getScale() != beforeScale) {
+            changed = true;
+        }
+    });
+
+    if (changed) {
+        dimensionsChanged();
+    }
 }
 
 const Transform SpatiallyNestable::getLocalTransform() const {
@@ -599,10 +666,18 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalTransform(const Transform& transform) {
         qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setLocalTransform -- transform contains NaN";
         return;
     }
+
+    bool changed = false;
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform = transform;
+        if (_transform != transform) {
+            _transform = transform;
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
-    locationChanged();
+
+    if (changed) {
+        locationChanged();
+    }
 }
 
 glm::vec3 SpatiallyNestable::getLocalPosition() const {
@@ -619,10 +694,16 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalPosition(const glm::vec3& position, bool tellPhy
         qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setLocalPosition -- position contains NaN";
         return;
     }
+    bool changed = false;
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform.setTranslation(position);
+        if (_transform.getTranslation() != position) {
+            _transform.setTranslation(position);
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
-    locationChanged(tellPhysics);
+    if (changed) {
+        locationChanged(tellPhysics);
+    }
 }
 
 glm::quat SpatiallyNestable::getLocalOrientation() const {
@@ -639,10 +720,16 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalOrientation(const glm::quat& orientation) {
         qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setLocalOrientation -- orientation contains NaN";
         return;
     }
+    bool changed = false;
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform.setRotation(orientation);
+        if (_transform.getRotation() != orientation) {
+            _transform.setRotation(orientation);
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
-    locationChanged();
+    if (changed) {
+        locationChanged();
+    }
 }
 
 glm::vec3 SpatiallyNestable::getLocalVelocity() const {
@@ -688,9 +775,14 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalScale(const glm::vec3& scale) {
         qDebug() << "SpatiallyNestable::setLocalScale -- scale contains NaN";
         return;
     }
+
+    bool changed = false;
     // TODO: scale
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform.setScale(scale);
+        if (_transform.getScale() != scale) {
+            _transform.setScale(scale);
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
     dimensionsChanged();
 }
@@ -886,12 +978,18 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::getLocalTransformAndVelocities(
 }
 
 void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalTransformAndVelocities(
-        const Transform& localTransform,
-        const glm::vec3& localVelocity,
-        const glm::vec3& localAngularVelocity) {
+    const Transform& localTransform,
+    const glm::vec3& localVelocity,
+    const glm::vec3& localAngularVelocity) {
+
+    bool changed = false;
+
     // transform
     _transformLock.withWriteLock([&] {
-        _transform = localTransform;
+        if (_transform != localTransform) {
+            _transform = localTransform;
+            changed = true;
+        }
     });
     // linear velocity
     _velocityLock.withWriteLock([&] {
@@ -901,5 +999,8 @@ void SpatiallyNestable::setLocalTransformAndVelocities(
     _angularVelocityLock.withWriteLock([&] {
         _angularVelocity = localAngularVelocity;
     });
-    locationChanged(false);
+
+    if (changed) {
+        locationChanged(false);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.h b/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.h
index c2563a1188..391f13cc27 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/SpatiallyNestable.h
@@ -28,13 +28,14 @@ using SpatiallyNestableConstPointer = std::shared_ptr<const SpatiallyNestable>;
 
 enum class NestableType {
     Entity,
-    Avatar
+    Avatar,
+    Overlay
 };
 
 class SpatiallyNestable : public std::enable_shared_from_this<SpatiallyNestable> {
 public:
     SpatiallyNestable(NestableType nestableType, QUuid id);
-    virtual ~SpatiallyNestable() { }
+    virtual ~SpatiallyNestable();
 
     virtual const QUuid getID() const;
     virtual void setID(const QUuid& id);
@@ -53,7 +54,9 @@ public:
 
     // world frame
     virtual const Transform getTransform(bool& success, int depth = 0) const;
+    virtual const Transform getTransform() const;
     virtual void setTransform(const Transform& transform, bool& success);
+    virtual bool setTransform(const Transform& transform);
 
     virtual Transform getParentTransform(bool& success, int depth = 0) const;
 
@@ -68,6 +71,10 @@ public:
     virtual void setOrientation(const glm::quat& orientation, bool& success, bool tellPhysics = true);
     virtual void setOrientation(const glm::quat& orientation);
 
+    // these are here because some older code uses rotation rather than orientation
+    virtual const glm::quat getRotation() const { return getOrientation(); }
+    virtual void setRotation(glm::quat orientation) { setOrientation(orientation); }
+
     virtual glm::vec3 getVelocity(bool& success) const;
     virtual glm::vec3 getVelocity() const;
     virtual void setVelocity(const glm::vec3& velocity, bool& success);
@@ -91,6 +98,7 @@ public:
 
     virtual glm::vec3 getScale() const;
     virtual void setScale(const glm::vec3& scale);
+    virtual void setScale(float value);
 
     // get world-frame values for a specific joint
     virtual const Transform getTransform(int jointIndex, bool& success, int depth = 0) const;
@@ -123,10 +131,10 @@ public:
 
     // this object's frame
     virtual const Transform getAbsoluteJointTransformInObjectFrame(int jointIndex) const;
-    virtual glm::quat getAbsoluteJointRotationInObjectFrame(int index) const = 0;
-    virtual glm::vec3 getAbsoluteJointTranslationInObjectFrame(int index) const = 0;
-    virtual bool setAbsoluteJointRotationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::quat& rotation) = 0;
-    virtual bool setAbsoluteJointTranslationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::vec3& translation) = 0;
+    virtual glm::quat getAbsoluteJointRotationInObjectFrame(int index) const { return glm::quat(); }
+    virtual glm::vec3 getAbsoluteJointTranslationInObjectFrame(int index) const { return glm::vec3(); }
+    virtual bool setAbsoluteJointRotationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::quat& rotation) { return false; }
+    virtual bool setAbsoluteJointTranslationInObjectFrame(int index, const glm::vec3& translation) {return false; }
 
     SpatiallyNestablePointer getThisPointer() const;
 
@@ -170,6 +178,7 @@ protected:
 
     virtual void locationChanged(bool tellPhysics = true); // called when a this object's location has changed
     virtual void dimensionsChanged() { } // called when a this object's dimensions have changed
+    virtual void parentDeleted() { } // called on children of a deleted parent
 
     // _queryAACube is used to decide where something lives in the octree
     mutable AACube _queryAACube;
diff --git a/libraries/shared/src/Transform.h b/libraries/shared/src/Transform.h
index 1e1d10c54b..38d47695f7 100644
--- a/libraries/shared/src/Transform.h
+++ b/libraries/shared/src/Transform.h
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ public:
         return _rotation == other._rotation && _scale == other._scale && _translation == other._translation;
     }
 
+    bool operator!=(const Transform& other) const {
+        return _rotation != other._rotation || _scale != other._scale || _translation != other._translation;
+    }
+
     Transform& setIdentity();
 
     const Vec3& getTranslation() const;