diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/desktop/Desktop.qml b/interface/resources/qml/desktop/Desktop.qml
index 000e310a66..bb23148ec6 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/desktop/Desktop.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/desktop/Desktop.qml
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ FocusScope {
                 return;
             }
             var oldRecommendedRect = recommendedRect;
-            var newRecommendedRectJS = (typeof Controller === "undefined") ? Qt.rect(0,0,0,0) : Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+            var newRecommendedRectJS = (typeof Controller === "undefined") ? Qt.rect(0,0,0,0) : Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
             var newRecommendedRect = Qt.rect(newRecommendedRectJS.x, newRecommendedRectJS.y,
                                     newRecommendedRectJS.width,
                                     newRecommendedRectJS.height);
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ FocusScope {
 
             var oldRecommendedRect = recommendedRect;
             var oldRecommendedDimmensions = { x: oldRecommendedRect.width, y: oldRecommendedRect.height };
-            var newRecommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+            var newRecommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
             var newRecommendedDimmensions = { x: newRecommendedRect.width, y: newRecommendedRect.height };
             var windows = d.getTopLevelWindows();
             for (var i = 0; i < windows.length; ++i) {
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ FocusScope {
             return;
         }
 
-        var newRecommendedRectJS = (typeof Controller === "undefined") ? Qt.rect(0,0,0,0) : Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var newRecommendedRectJS = (typeof Controller === "undefined") ? Qt.rect(0,0,0,0) : Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var newRecommendedRect = Qt.rect(newRecommendedRectJS.x, newRecommendedRectJS.y,
                                 newRecommendedRectJS.width,
                                 newRecommendedRectJS.height);
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ FocusScope {
 
         var oldRecommendedRect = recommendedRect;
         var oldRecommendedDimmensions = { x: oldRecommendedRect.width, y: oldRecommendedRect.height };
-        var newRecommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var newRecommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var newRecommendedDimmensions = { x: newRecommendedRect.width, y: newRecommendedRect.height };
         repositionWindow(targetWindow, false, oldRecommendedRect, oldRecommendedDimmensions, newRecommendedRect, newRecommendedDimmensions);
     }
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ FocusScope {
             return;
         }
 
-        var recommended = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var recommended = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var maxX = recommended.x + recommended.width;
         var maxY = recommended.y + recommended.height;
         var newPosition = Qt.vector2d(targetWindow.x, targetWindow.y);
diff --git a/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.frag b/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.frag
deleted file mode 100644
index 5341ab575d..0000000000
--- a/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.frag
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-//
-//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2016/07/11
-//  Copyright 2013-2016 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
-//
-
-uniform sampler2D sampler;
-
-struct OverlayData {
-    mat4 mvp;
-    float alpha;
-};
-
-layout(std140) uniform overlayBuffer {
-    OverlayData overlay;
-};
-
-in vec2 vTexCoord;
-
-out vec4 FragColor;
-
-void main() {
-    FragColor = texture(sampler, vTexCoord);
-    FragColor.a *= overlay.alpha;
-    if (FragColor.a <= 0.0) {
-        discard;
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.vert b/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.vert
deleted file mode 100644
index 41b9b3666f..0000000000
--- a/interface/resources/shaders/hmd_ui.vert
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-//
-//  Created by Bradley Austin Davis on 2016/07/11
-//  Copyright 2013-2016 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
-//
-
-struct OverlayData {
-    mat4 mvp;
-    float alpha;
-};
-
-layout(std140) uniform overlayBuffer {
-    OverlayData overlay;
-};
-
-mat4 mvp = overlay.mvp;
-
-layout(location = 0) in vec3 Position;
-layout(location = 3) in vec2 TexCoord;
-
-out vec2 vTexCoord;
-
-void main() {
-  gl_Position = mvp * vec4(Position, 1);
-  vTexCoord = TexCoord;
-}
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 5dafbc039e..30390c007b 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -5051,6 +5051,7 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
 
         float sensorToWorldScale = getMyAvatar()->getSensorToWorldScale();
         appRenderArgs._sensorToWorldScale = sensorToWorldScale;
+        appRenderArgs._sensorToWorld = getMyAvatar()->getSensorToWorldMatrix();
         {
             PROFILE_RANGE(render, "/buildFrustrumAndArgs");
             {
@@ -5092,6 +5093,7 @@ void Application::update(float deltaTime) {
             ipdScale *= sensorToWorldScale;
 
             auto baseProjection = appRenderArgs._renderArgs.getViewFrustum().getProjection();
+
             if (getActiveDisplayPlugin()->isStereo()) {
                 // Stereo modes will typically have a larger projection matrix overall,
                 // so we ask for the 'mono' projection matrix, which for stereo and HMD
@@ -7022,11 +7024,11 @@ glm::uvec2 Application::getUiSize() const {
     return result;
 }
 
-QRect Application::getRecommendedOverlayRect() const {
+QRect Application::getRecommendedHUDRect() const {
     auto uiSize = getUiSize();
     QRect result(0, 0, uiSize.x, uiSize.y);
     if (_displayPlugin) {
-        result = getActiveDisplayPlugin()->getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        result = getActiveDisplayPlugin()->getRecommendedHUDRect();
     }
     return result;
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index 478642e2da..772646f379 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ public:
     QRect getRenderingGeometry() const;
 
     glm::uvec2 getUiSize() const;
-    QRect getRecommendedOverlayRect() const;
+    QRect getRecommendedHUDRect() const;
     QSize getDeviceSize() const;
     bool hasFocus() const;
 
diff --git a/interface/src/Application_render.cpp b/interface/src/Application_render.cpp
index bbcd8266d7..541197a660 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application_render.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application_render.cpp
@@ -126,28 +126,18 @@ void Application::paintGL() {
             renderArgs._context->setStereoViews(stereoEyeOffsets);
         }
 
+        renderArgs._hudOperator = displayPlugin->getHUDOperator();
+        renderArgs._hudTexture = _applicationOverlay.getOverlayTexture();
         renderArgs._blitFramebuffer = finalFramebuffer;
         runRenderFrame(&renderArgs);
     }
 
-    gpu::Batch postCompositeBatch;
-    {
-        PROFILE_RANGE(render, "/postComposite");
-        PerformanceTimer perfTimer("postComposite");
-        renderArgs._batch = &postCompositeBatch;
-        renderArgs._batch->setViewportTransform(ivec4(0, 0, finalFramebufferSize.width(), finalFramebufferSize.height()));
-        renderArgs._batch->setViewTransform(renderArgs.getViewFrustum().getView());
-        _overlays.render3DHUDOverlays(&renderArgs);
-    }
-
     auto frame = _gpuContext->endFrame();
     frame->frameIndex = _renderFrameCount;
     frame->framebuffer = finalFramebuffer;
     frame->framebufferRecycler = [](const gpu::FramebufferPointer& framebuffer) {
         DependencyManager::get<FramebufferCache>()->releaseFramebuffer(framebuffer);
     };
-    frame->overlay = _applicationOverlay.getOverlayTexture();
-    frame->postCompositeBatch = postCompositeBatch;
     // deliver final scene rendering commands to the display plugin
     {
         PROFILE_RANGE(render, "/pluginOutput");
diff --git a/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.cpp b/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.cpp
index 9fbd01817a..5c55e2094b 100644
--- a/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -91,8 +91,8 @@ glm::vec2 ControllerScriptingInterface::getViewportDimensions() const {
     return qApp->getUiSize();
 }
 
-QVariant ControllerScriptingInterface::getRecommendedOverlayRect() const {
-    auto rect = qApp->getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+QVariant ControllerScriptingInterface::getRecommendedHUDRect() const {
+    auto rect = qApp->getRecommendedHUDRect();
     return qRectToVariant(rect);
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.h b/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.h
index 6d197477bb..8c825a17de 100644
--- a/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.h
+++ b/interface/src/scripting/ControllerScriptingInterface.h
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ public slots:
     virtual void releaseEntityClickEvents();
 
     virtual glm::vec2 getViewportDimensions() const;
-    virtual QVariant getRecommendedOverlayRect() const;
+    virtual QVariant getRecommendedHUDRect() const;
 
 signals:
     void keyPressEvent(const KeyEvent& event);
diff --git a/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.cpp b/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.cpp
index efab178798..34f196ac70 100644
--- a/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ int DesktopScriptingInterface::getHeight() {
     return size.height();
 }
 
-void DesktopScriptingInterface::setOverlayAlpha(float alpha) {
+void DesktopScriptingInterface::setHUDAlpha(float alpha) {
     qApp->getApplicationCompositor().setAlpha(alpha);
 }
 
diff --git a/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.h b/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.h
index 2825065e90..e62a3584d6 100644
--- a/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.h
+++ b/interface/src/scripting/DesktopScriptingInterface.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class DesktopScriptingInterface : public QObject, public Dependency {
     Q_PROPERTY(int height READ getHeight)  // Physical height of screen(s) including task bars and system menus
 
 public:
-    Q_INVOKABLE void setOverlayAlpha(float alpha);
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setHUDAlpha(float alpha);
     Q_INVOKABLE void show(const QString& path, const QString&  title);
 
     int getWidth();
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
index 4210e76097..a34240483b 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay() :
     _isSolid(DEFAULT_IS_SOLID),
     _isDashedLine(DEFAULT_IS_DASHED_LINE),
     _ignoreRayIntersection(false),
-    _drawInFront(false)
+    _drawInFront(false),
+    _drawHUDLayer(false)
 {
 }
 
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ Base3DOverlay::Base3DOverlay(const Base3DOverlay* base3DOverlay) :
     _isDashedLine(base3DOverlay->_isDashedLine),
     _ignoreRayIntersection(base3DOverlay->_ignoreRayIntersection),
     _drawInFront(base3DOverlay->_drawInFront),
+    _drawHUDLayer(base3DOverlay->_drawHUDLayer),
     _isGrabbable(base3DOverlay->_isGrabbable)
 {
     setTransform(base3DOverlay->getTransform());
@@ -125,13 +127,19 @@ void Base3DOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& originalProperties) {
     bool needRenderItemUpdate = false;
 
     auto drawInFront = properties["drawInFront"];
-
     if (drawInFront.isValid()) {
         bool value = drawInFront.toBool();
         setDrawInFront(value);
         needRenderItemUpdate = true;
     }
 
+    auto drawHUDLayer = properties["drawHUDLayer"];
+    if (drawHUDLayer.isValid()) {
+        bool value = drawHUDLayer.toBool();
+        setDrawHUDLayer(value);
+        needRenderItemUpdate = true;
+    }
+
     auto isGrabbable = properties["grabbable"];
     if (isGrabbable.isValid()) {
         setIsGrabbable(isGrabbable.toBool());
@@ -269,10 +277,10 @@ void Base3DOverlay::update(float duration) {
     // then the correct transform used for rendering is computed in the update transaction and assigned.
     if (_renderTransformDirty) {
         auto itemID = getRenderItemID();
-        // Capture the render transform value in game loop before 
-        auto latestTransform = evalRenderTransform();
-        _renderTransformDirty = false;
         if (render::Item::isValidID(itemID)) {
+            // Capture the render transform value in game loop before
+            auto latestTransform = evalRenderTransform();
+            _renderTransformDirty = false;
             render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
             render::Transaction transaction;
             transaction.updateItem<Overlay>(itemID, [latestTransform](Overlay& data) {
@@ -282,8 +290,6 @@ void Base3DOverlay::update(float duration) {
                 }
             });
             scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
-        } else {
-            setRenderTransform(latestTransform);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
index 3e65f163e2..d90caf5c4d 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.h
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ public:
     bool getIsSolidLine() const { return !_isDashedLine; }
     bool getIgnoreRayIntersection() const { return _ignoreRayIntersection; }
     bool getDrawInFront() const { return _drawInFront; }
+    bool getDrawHUDLayer() const { return _drawHUDLayer; }
     bool getIsGrabbable() const { return _isGrabbable; }
 
     void setLineWidth(float lineWidth) { _lineWidth = lineWidth; }
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ public:
     void setIsDashedLine(bool isDashedLine) { _isDashedLine = isDashedLine; }
     void setIgnoreRayIntersection(bool value) { _ignoreRayIntersection = value; }
     virtual void setDrawInFront(bool value) { _drawInFront = value; }
+    virtual void setDrawHUDLayer(bool value) { _drawHUDLayer = value; }
     void setIsGrabbable(bool value) { _isGrabbable = value; }
 
     virtual AABox getBounds() const override = 0;
@@ -81,6 +83,7 @@ protected:
     bool _isDashedLine;
     bool _ignoreRayIntersection;
     bool _drawInFront;
+    bool _drawHUDLayer;
     bool _isGrabbable { false };
     mutable bool _renderTransformDirty{ true };
 
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
index 4e51844d21..536b2c764f 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Circle3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ const render::ShapeKey Circle3DOverlay::getShapeKey() {
     if (isTransparent()) {
         builder.withTranslucent();
     }
-    if (!getIsSolid() || shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (!getIsSolid()) {
         builder.withUnlit().withDepthBias();
     }
     return builder.build();
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
index 0ac9dba34b..b6df1dbc31 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Cube3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ const render::ShapeKey Cube3DOverlay::getShapeKey() {
     if (isTransparent()) {
         builder.withTranslucent();
     }
-    if (!getIsSolid() || shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (!getIsSolid()) {
         builder.withUnlit().withDepthBias();
     }
     return builder.build();
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
index 998cc312eb..d0024d9710 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Image3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void Image3DOverlay::render(RenderArgs* args) {
 
 const render::ShapeKey Image3DOverlay::getShapeKey() {
     auto builder = render::ShapeKey::Builder().withoutCullFace().withDepthBias();
-    if (_emissive || shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (_emissive) {
         builder.withUnlit();
     }
     if (isTransparent()) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
index 4f5ea2042f..2a13249958 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.cpp
@@ -87,6 +87,10 @@ void ModelOverlay::update(float deltatime) {
         _drawInFrontDirty = false;
         _model->setLayeredInFront(getDrawInFront(), scene);
     }
+    if (_drawInHUDDirty) {
+        _drawInHUDDirty = false;
+        _model->setLayeredInHUD(getDrawHUDLayer(), scene);
+    }
     scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
 }
 
@@ -111,6 +115,11 @@ void ModelOverlay::setDrawInFront(bool drawInFront) {
     _drawInFrontDirty = true;
 }
 
+void ModelOverlay::setDrawHUDLayer(bool drawHUDLayer) {
+    Base3DOverlay::setDrawHUDLayer(drawHUDLayer);
+    _drawInHUDDirty = true;
+}
+
 void ModelOverlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
     auto origPosition = getPosition();
     auto origRotation = getRotation();
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
index 93deebac43..ea0eff170c 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/ModelOverlay.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ public:
 
     void setVisible(bool visible) override;
     void setDrawInFront(bool drawInFront) override;
+    void setDrawHUDLayer(bool drawHUDLayer) override;
 
 protected:
     Transform evalRenderTransform() override;
@@ -78,8 +79,6 @@ private:
     bool _scaleToFit = { false };
     float _loadPriority { 0.0f };
 
-    bool _visibleDirty { false };
-    bool _drawInFrontDirty { false };
     AnimationPointer _animation;
 
     QUrl _animationURL;
@@ -97,6 +96,11 @@ private:
     QUrl _jointMappingURL;
     bool _jointMappingCompleted { false };
     QVector<int> _jointMapping; // domain is index into model-joints, range is index into animation-joints
+
+    bool _visibleDirty { false };
+    bool _drawInFrontDirty { false };
+    bool _drawInHUDDirty { false };
+
 };
 
 #endif // hifi_ModelOverlay_h
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
index 8b88d1e963..01ad56f20e 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ Overlay::Overlay() :
     _colorPulse(0.0f),
     _color(DEFAULT_OVERLAY_COLOR),
     _visible(true),
-    _drawHUDLayer(false),
     _anchor(NO_ANCHOR)
 {
 }
@@ -51,7 +50,6 @@ Overlay::Overlay(const Overlay* overlay) :
     _colorPulse(overlay->_colorPulse),
     _color(overlay->_color),
     _visible(overlay->_visible),
-    _drawHUDLayer(overlay->_drawHUDLayer),
     _anchor(overlay->_anchor)
 {
 }
@@ -90,11 +88,6 @@ void Overlay::setProperties(const QVariantMap& properties) {
         setColorPulse(properties["colorPulse"].toFloat());
     }
 
-    if (properties["drawHUDLayer"].isValid()) {
-        bool drawHUDLayer = properties["drawHUDLayer"].toBool();
-        setDrawHUDLayer(drawHUDLayer);
-    }
-
     if (properties["visible"].isValid()) {
         bool visible = properties["visible"].toBool();
         setVisible(visible);
@@ -170,13 +163,6 @@ float Overlay::getAlpha() {
     return (_alphaPulse >= 0.0f) ? _alpha * pulseLevel : _alpha * (1.0f - pulseLevel);
 }
 
-void Overlay::setDrawHUDLayer(bool drawHUDLayer) {
-    if (drawHUDLayer != _drawHUDLayer) {
-        qApp->getOverlays().setOverlayDrawHUDLayer(getOverlayID(), drawHUDLayer);
-        _drawHUDLayer = drawHUDLayer;
-    }
-}
-
 // pulse travels from min to max, then max to min in one period.
 float Overlay::updatePulse() {
     if (_pulsePeriod <= 0.0f) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
index 775c597397..39208f01a0 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlay.h
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ public:
     virtual bool is3D() const = 0;
     bool isLoaded() { return _isLoaded; }
     bool getVisible() const { return _visible; }
-    bool shouldDrawHUDLayer() const { return _drawHUDLayer; }
     virtual bool isTransparent() { return getAlphaPulse() != 0.0f || getAlpha() != 1.0f; };
     xColor getColor();
     float getAlpha();
@@ -117,7 +116,6 @@ protected:
 
     xColor _color;
     bool _visible; // should the overlay be drawn at all
-    bool _drawHUDLayer; // should the overlay be drawn on the HUD layer
     Anchor _anchor;
 
     unsigned int _stackOrder { 0 };
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
index c93d225718..0280cf2038 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.cpp
@@ -37,29 +37,22 @@
 #include "Web3DOverlay.h"
 #include <QtQuick/QQuickWindow>
 
-#include "render/ShapePipeline.h"
-
 Q_LOGGING_CATEGORY(trace_render_overlays, "trace.render.overlays")
 
 extern void initOverlay3DPipelines(render::ShapePlumber& plumber, bool depthTest = false);
 
 void Overlays::cleanupAllOverlays() {
     QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> overlaysHUD;
-    QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> overlays3DHUD;
     QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> overlaysWorld;
     {
         QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
         overlaysHUD.swap(_overlaysHUD);
-        overlays3DHUD.swap(_overlays3DHUD);
         overlaysWorld.swap(_overlaysWorld);
     }
 
     foreach(Overlay::Pointer overlay, overlaysHUD) {
         _overlaysToDelete.push_back(overlay);
     }
-    foreach(Overlay::Pointer overlay, overlays3DHUD) {
-        _overlaysToDelete.push_back(overlay);
-    }
     foreach(Overlay::Pointer overlay, overlaysWorld) {
         _overlaysToDelete.push_back(overlay);
     }
@@ -73,8 +66,6 @@ void Overlays::init() {
 #if OVERLAY_PANELS
     _scriptEngine = new QScriptEngine();
 #endif
-    _shapePlumber = std::make_shared<render::ShapePlumber>();
-    initOverlay3DPipelines(*_shapePlumber, true);
 }
 
 void Overlays::update(float deltatime) {
@@ -83,9 +74,6 @@ void Overlays::update(float deltatime) {
         foreach(const auto& thisOverlay, _overlaysHUD) {
             thisOverlay->update(deltatime);
         }
-        foreach(const auto& thisOverlay, _overlays3DHUD) {
-            thisOverlay->update(deltatime);
-        }
         foreach(const auto& thisOverlay, _overlaysWorld) {
             thisOverlay->update(deltatime);
         }
@@ -142,23 +130,6 @@ void Overlays::renderHUD(RenderArgs* renderArgs) {
     }
 }
 
-void Overlays::render3DHUDOverlays(RenderArgs* renderArgs) {
-    PROFILE_RANGE(render_overlays, __FUNCTION__);
-    gpu::Batch& batch = *renderArgs->_batch;
-
-    auto textureCache = DependencyManager::get<TextureCache>();
-
-    QMutexLocker lock(&_mutex);
-    foreach(Overlay::Pointer thisOverlay, _overlays3DHUD) {
-        // Reset necessary batch pipeline settings between overlays
-        batch.setResourceTexture(0, textureCache->getWhiteTexture()); // FIXME - do we really need to do this??
-        batch.setModelTransform(Transform());
-
-        renderArgs->_shapePipeline = _shapePlumber->pickPipeline(renderArgs, thisOverlay->getShapeKey());
-        thisOverlay->render(renderArgs);
-    }
-}
-
 void Overlays::disable() {
     _enabled = false;
 }
@@ -173,8 +144,6 @@ Overlay::Pointer Overlays::getOverlay(OverlayID id) const {
     QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
     if (_overlaysHUD.contains(id)) {
         return _overlaysHUD[id];
-    } else if (_overlays3DHUD.contains(id)) {
-        return _overlays3DHUD[id];
     } else if (_overlaysWorld.contains(id)) {
         return _overlaysWorld[id];
     }
@@ -232,7 +201,7 @@ OverlayID Overlays::addOverlay(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
     OverlayID thisID = OverlayID(QUuid::createUuid());
     overlay->setOverlayID(thisID);
     overlay->setStackOrder(_stackOrder++);
-    if (overlay->is3D() && !overlay->shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (overlay->is3D()) {
         {
             QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
             _overlaysWorld[thisID] = overlay;
@@ -242,9 +211,6 @@ OverlayID Overlays::addOverlay(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
         render::Transaction transaction;
         overlay->addToScene(overlay, scene, transaction);
         scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
-    } else if (overlay->is3D() && overlay->shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
-        QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
-        _overlays3DHUD[thisID] = overlay;
     } else {
         QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
         _overlaysHUD[thisID] = overlay;
@@ -253,28 +219,6 @@ OverlayID Overlays::addOverlay(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
     return thisID;
 }
 
-void Overlays::setOverlayDrawHUDLayer(const OverlayID& id, const bool drawHUDLayer) {
-    QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
-    if (drawHUDLayer && _overlaysWorld.contains(id)) {
-        std::shared_ptr<Overlay> overlay = _overlaysWorld.take(id);
-        render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
-        render::Transaction transaction;
-        auto itemID = overlay->getRenderItemID();
-        if (render::Item::isValidID(itemID)) {
-            overlay->removeFromScene(overlay, scene, transaction);
-            scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
-        }
-        _overlays3DHUD[id] = overlay;
-    } else if (!drawHUDLayer && _overlays3DHUD.contains(id)) {
-        std::shared_ptr<Overlay> overlay = _overlays3DHUD.take(id);
-        render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
-        render::Transaction transaction;
-        overlay->addToScene(overlay, scene, transaction);
-        scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
-        _overlaysWorld[id] = overlay;
-    }
-}
-
 OverlayID Overlays::cloneOverlay(OverlayID id) {
     if (QThread::currentThread() != thread()) {
         OverlayID result;
@@ -361,8 +305,6 @@ void Overlays::deleteOverlay(OverlayID id) {
         QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
         if (_overlaysHUD.contains(id)) {
             overlayToDelete = _overlaysHUD.take(id);
-        } else if (_overlays3DHUD.contains(id)) {
-            overlayToDelete = _overlays3DHUD.take(id);
         } else if (_overlaysWorld.contains(id)) {
             overlayToDelete = _overlaysWorld.take(id);
         } else {
@@ -771,7 +713,7 @@ bool Overlays::isAddedOverlay(OverlayID id) {
     }
 
     QMutexLocker locker(&_mutex);
-    return _overlaysHUD.contains(id) || _overlays3DHUD.contains(id) || _overlaysWorld.contains(id);
+    return _overlaysHUD.contains(id) || _overlaysWorld.contains(id);
 }
 
 void Overlays::sendMousePressOnOverlay(const OverlayID& overlayID, const PointerEvent& event) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
index 1e85562485..732a437eae 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Overlays.h
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ public:
     void init();
     void update(float deltatime);
     void renderHUD(RenderArgs* renderArgs);
-    void render3DHUDOverlays(RenderArgs* renderArgs);
     void disable();
     void enable();
 
@@ -103,8 +102,6 @@ public:
     OverlayID addOverlay(Overlay* overlay) { return addOverlay(Overlay::Pointer(overlay)); }
     OverlayID addOverlay(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay);
 
-    void setOverlayDrawHUDLayer(const OverlayID& id, const bool drawHUDLayer);
-
     bool mousePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event);
     bool mouseDoublePressEvent(QMouseEvent* event);
     bool mouseReleaseEvent(QMouseEvent* event);
@@ -334,11 +331,8 @@ private:
 
     mutable QMutex _mutex { QMutex::Recursive };
     QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> _overlaysHUD;
-    QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> _overlays3DHUD;
     QMap<OverlayID, Overlay::Pointer> _overlaysWorld;
 
-    render::ShapePlumberPointer _shapePlumber;
-
 #if OVERLAY_PANELS
     QMap<OverlayID, OverlayPanel::Pointer> _panels;
 #endif
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
index 887bf7ff8e..194c530df0 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ namespace render {
     template <> const ItemKey payloadGetKey(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
         auto builder = ItemKey::Builder().withTypeShape();
         if (overlay->is3D()) {
-            if (std::static_pointer_cast<Base3DOverlay>(overlay)->getDrawInFront()) {
+            auto overlay3D = std::static_pointer_cast<Base3DOverlay>(overlay);
+            if (overlay3D->getDrawInFront() || overlay3D->getDrawHUDLayer()) {
                 builder.withLayered();
             }
             if (overlay->isTransparent()) {
@@ -49,20 +50,17 @@ namespace render {
         return overlay->getBounds();
     }
     template <> int payloadGetLayer(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
-        // Magic number while we are defining the layering mechanism:
-        const int LAYER_2D = 2;
-        const int LAYER_3D_FRONT = 1;
-        const int LAYER_3D = 0;
-
         if (overlay->is3D()) {
             auto overlay3D = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Base3DOverlay>(overlay);
             if (overlay3D->getDrawInFront()) {
-                return LAYER_3D_FRONT;
+                return Item::LAYER_3D_FRONT;
+            } else if (overlay3D->getDrawHUDLayer()) {
+                return Item::LAYER_3D_HUD;
             } else {
-                return LAYER_3D;
+                return Item::LAYER_3D;
             }
         } else {
-            return LAYER_2D;
+            return Item::LAYER_2D;
         }
     }
     template <> void payloadRender(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay, RenderArgs* args) {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Shape3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Shape3DOverlay.cpp
index 2c1df478f6..a3b51d40bf 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Shape3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Shape3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ const render::ShapeKey Shape3DOverlay::getShapeKey() {
     if (isTransparent()) {
         builder.withTranslucent();
     }
-    if (!getIsSolid() || shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (!getIsSolid()) {
         builder.withUnlit().withDepthBias();
     }
     return builder.build();
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
index f2c9968687..c9fc25b252 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Sphere3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const render::ShapeKey Sphere3DOverlay::getShapeKey() {
     if (isTransparent()) {
         builder.withTranslucent();
     }
-    if (!getIsSolid() || shouldDrawHUDLayer()) {
+    if (!getIsSolid()) {
         builder.withUnlit().withDepthBias();
     }
     return builder.build();
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/CompositorHelper.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/CompositorHelper.h
index b1d2815f65..f448375f0d 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/CompositorHelper.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/CompositorHelper.h
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ public:
 
     void setModelTransform(const Transform& transform) { _modelTransform = transform; }
     const Transform& getModelTransform() const { return _modelTransform; }
+    glm::mat4 getUiTransform() const;
 
     float getAlpha() const { return _alpha; }
     void setAlpha(float alpha) { if (alpha != _alpha) { emit alphaChanged();  _alpha = alpha; } }
@@ -122,7 +123,6 @@ protected slots:
     void sendFakeMouseEvent();
 
 private:
-    glm::mat4 getUiTransform() const;
     void updateTooltips();
 
     DisplayPluginPointer _currentDisplayPlugin;
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 98f4e04492..88aa56cccf 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ bool OpenGLDisplayPlugin::activate() {
     auto compositorHelper = DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
     connect(compositorHelper.data(), &CompositorHelper::alphaChanged, [this] {
         auto compositorHelper = DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
-        auto animation = new QPropertyAnimation(this, "overlayAlpha");
+        auto animation = new QPropertyAnimation(this, "hudAlpha");
         animation->setDuration(200);
         animation->setEndValue(compositorHelper->getAlpha());
         animation->start();
@@ -415,7 +415,7 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::customizeContext() {
             state->setBlendFunction(true,
                 gpu::State::SRC_ALPHA, gpu::State::BLEND_OP_ADD, gpu::State::INV_SRC_ALPHA,
                 gpu::State::FACTOR_ALPHA, gpu::State::BLEND_OP_ADD, gpu::State::ONE);
-            _overlayPipeline = gpu::Pipeline::create(program, state);
+            _hudPipeline = gpu::Pipeline::create(program, state);
         }
 
         {
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::customizeContext() {
 void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::uncustomizeContext() {
     _presentPipeline.reset();
     _cursorPipeline.reset();
-    _overlayPipeline.reset();
+    _hudPipeline.reset();
     _compositeFramebuffer.reset();
     withPresentThreadLock([&] {
         _currentFrame.reset();
@@ -562,22 +562,23 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::updateFrameData() {
     });
 }
 
-void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::compositeOverlay() {
-    render([&](gpu::Batch& batch){
-        batch.enableStereo(false);
-        batch.setFramebuffer(_compositeFramebuffer);
-        batch.setPipeline(_overlayPipeline);
-        batch.setResourceTexture(0, _currentFrame->overlay);
-        if (isStereo()) {
-            for_each_eye([&](Eye eye) {
-                batch.setViewportTransform(eyeViewport(eye));
+std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> OpenGLDisplayPlugin::getHUDOperator() {
+    return [this](gpu::Batch& batch, const gpu::TexturePointer& hudTexture) {
+        if (_hudPipeline) {
+            batch.enableStereo(false);
+            batch.setPipeline(_hudPipeline);
+            batch.setResourceTexture(0, hudTexture);
+            if (isStereo()) {
+                for_each_eye([&](Eye eye) {
+                    batch.setViewportTransform(eyeViewport(eye));
+                    batch.draw(gpu::TRIANGLE_STRIP, 4);
+                });
+            } else {
+                batch.setViewportTransform(ivec4(uvec2(0), _compositeFramebuffer->getSize()));
                 batch.draw(gpu::TRIANGLE_STRIP, 4);
-            });
-        } else {
-            batch.setViewportTransform(ivec4(uvec2(0), _compositeFramebuffer->getSize()));
-            batch.draw(gpu::TRIANGLE_STRIP, 4);
+            }
         }
-    });
+    };
 }
 
 void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::compositePointer() {
@@ -626,29 +627,15 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::compositeLayers() {
         compositeScene();
     }
 
-    // Clear the depth framebuffer after drawing the scene so that the HUD elements can depth test against each other
-    render([&](gpu::Batch& batch) {
-        batch.enableStereo(false);
-        batch.setFramebuffer(_compositeFramebuffer);
-        batch.clearDepthFramebuffer((float) UINT32_MAX);
-    });
-
 #ifdef HIFI_ENABLE_NSIGHT_DEBUG
-    if (false) // do not compositeoverlay if running nsight debug
+    if (false) // do not draw the HUD if running nsight debug
 #endif
     {
-        PROFILE_RANGE_EX(render_detail, "compositeOverlay", 0xff0077ff, (uint64_t)presentCount())
-        compositeOverlay();
-    }
-
-    // Only render HUD layer 3D overlays in HMD mode
-    if (isHmd()) {
-        PROFILE_RANGE_EX(render_detail, "compositeHUDOverlays", 0xff0077ff, (uint64_t)presentCount())
-        render([&](gpu::Batch& batch) {
-            batch.enableStereo(false);
-            batch.setFramebuffer(_compositeFramebuffer);
+        PROFILE_RANGE_EX(render_detail, "handleHUDBatch", 0xff0077ff, (uint64_t)presentCount())
+        auto hudOperator = getHUDOperator();
+        withPresentThreadLock([&] {
+            _hudOperator = hudOperator;
         });
-        _gpuContext->executeBatch(_currentFrame->postCompositeBatch);
     }
 
     {
@@ -656,13 +643,7 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::compositeLayers() {
         compositeExtra();
     }
 
-    // Clear the depth buffer again and draw the pointer last so it's on top of everything
-    render([&](gpu::Batch& batch) {
-        batch.enableStereo(false);
-        batch.setFramebuffer(_compositeFramebuffer);
-        batch.clearDepthFramebuffer((float) UINT32_MAX);
-    });
-
+    // Draw the pointer last so it's on top of everything
     auto compositorHelper = DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
     if (compositorHelper->getReticleVisible()) {
         PROFILE_RANGE_EX(render_detail, "compositePointer", 0xff0077ff, (uint64_t)presentCount())
@@ -844,7 +825,7 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::assertIsPresentThread() const {
 
 bool OpenGLDisplayPlugin::beginFrameRender(uint32_t frameIndex) {
     withNonPresentThreadLock([&] {
-        _compositeOverlayAlpha = _overlayAlpha;
+        _compositeHUDAlpha = _hudAlpha;
     });
     return Parent::beginFrameRender(frameIndex);
 }
@@ -887,8 +868,7 @@ OpenGLDisplayPlugin::~OpenGLDisplayPlugin() {
 void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::updateCompositeFramebuffer() {
     auto renderSize = getRecommendedRenderSize();
     if (!_compositeFramebuffer || _compositeFramebuffer->getSize() != renderSize) {
-        auto depthFormat = gpu::Element(gpu::SCALAR, gpu::UINT32, gpu::DEPTH_STENCIL);
-        _compositeFramebuffer = gpu::FramebufferPointer(gpu::Framebuffer::create("OpenGLDisplayPlugin::composite", gpu::Element::COLOR_RGBA_32, depthFormat, renderSize.x, renderSize.y));
+        _compositeFramebuffer = gpu::FramebufferPointer(gpu::Framebuffer::create("OpenGLDisplayPlugin::composite", gpu::Element::COLOR_RGBA_32, renderSize.x, renderSize.y));
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
index 51f4a33bbd..ec775aed4c 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 #include <SimpleMovingAverage.h>
 #include <shared/RateCounter.h>
 
+#include <gpu/Batch.h>
+
 namespace gpu {
     namespace gl {
         class GLBackend;
@@ -30,7 +32,7 @@ namespace gpu {
 
 class OpenGLDisplayPlugin : public DisplayPlugin {
     Q_OBJECT
-    Q_PROPERTY(float overlayAlpha MEMBER _overlayAlpha)
+    Q_PROPERTY(float hudAlpha MEMBER _hudAlpha)
     using Parent = DisplayPlugin;
 protected:
     using Mutex = std::mutex;
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ protected:
     virtual QThread::Priority getPresentPriority() { return QThread::HighPriority; }
     virtual void compositeLayers();
     virtual void compositeScene();
-    virtual void compositeOverlay();
+    virtual std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> getHUDOperator();
     virtual void compositePointer();
     virtual void compositeExtra() {};
 
@@ -137,12 +139,12 @@ protected:
     gpu::FramePointer _currentFrame;
     gpu::Frame* _lastFrame { nullptr };
     gpu::FramebufferPointer _compositeFramebuffer;
-    gpu::PipelinePointer _overlayPipeline;
+    gpu::PipelinePointer _hudPipeline;
     gpu::PipelinePointer _simplePipeline;
     gpu::PipelinePointer _presentPipeline;
     gpu::PipelinePointer _cursorPipeline;
     gpu::TexturePointer _displayTexture{};
-    float _compositeOverlayAlpha { 1.0f };
+    float _compositeHUDAlpha { 1.0f };
 
     struct CursorData {
         QImage image;
@@ -176,6 +178,6 @@ protected:
     // Any resource shared by the main thread and the presentation thread must
     // be serialized through this mutex
     mutable Mutex _presentMutex;
-    float _overlayAlpha{ 1.0f };
+    float _hudAlpha{ 1.0f };
 };
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 88ec94eefb..0785226836 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@
 #include "../Logging.h"
 #include "../CompositorHelper.h"
 
+#include "render-utils/hmd_ui_vert.h"
+#include "render-utils/hmd_ui_frag.h"
+
 static const QString MONO_PREVIEW = "Mono Preview";
 static const QString DISABLE_PREVIEW = "Disable Preview";
 static const QString FRAMERATE = DisplayPlugin::MENU_PATH() + ">Framerate";
@@ -46,19 +49,11 @@ static const glm::mat4 IDENTITY_MATRIX;
 //#define LIVE_SHADER_RELOAD 1
 extern glm::vec3 getPoint(float yaw, float pitch);
 
-static QString readFile(const QString& filename) {
-    QFile file(filename);
-    file.open(QFile::Text | QFile::ReadOnly);
-    QString result;
-    result.append(QTextStream(&file).readAll());
-    return result;
-}
-
 glm::uvec2 HmdDisplayPlugin::getRecommendedUiSize() const {
     return CompositorHelper::VIRTUAL_SCREEN_SIZE;
 }
 
-QRect HmdDisplayPlugin::getRecommendedOverlayRect() const {
+QRect HmdDisplayPlugin::getRecommendedHUDRect() const {
     return CompositorHelper::VIRTUAL_SCREEN_RECOMMENDED_OVERLAY_RECT;
 }
 
@@ -108,7 +103,7 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::internalDeactivate() {
 
 void HmdDisplayPlugin::customizeContext() {
     Parent::customizeContext();
-    _overlayRenderer.build();
+    _hudRenderer.build();
 }
 
 void HmdDisplayPlugin::uncustomizeContext() {
@@ -121,7 +116,7 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::uncustomizeContext() {
         batch.setFramebuffer(_compositeFramebuffer);
         batch.clearColorFramebuffer(gpu::Framebuffer::BUFFER_COLOR0, vec4(0));
     });
-    _overlayRenderer = OverlayRenderer();
+    _hudRenderer = HUDRenderer();
     _previewTexture.reset();
     Parent::uncustomizeContext();
 }
@@ -171,7 +166,7 @@ float HmdDisplayPlugin::getLeftCenterPixel() const {
 void HmdDisplayPlugin::internalPresent() {
     PROFILE_RANGE_EX(render, __FUNCTION__, 0xff00ff00, (uint64_t)presentCount())
 
-    // Composite together the scene, overlay and mouse cursor
+    // Composite together the scene, hud and mouse cursor
     hmdPresent();
 
     if (_displayTexture) {
@@ -344,17 +339,9 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::updateFrameData() {
         auto correction = glm::inverse(batchPose) * currentPose;
         getGLBackend()->setCameraCorrection(correction);
     }
-
-    auto compositorHelper = DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
-    glm::mat4 modelMat = compositorHelper->getModelTransform().getMatrix();
-
-    for_each_eye([&](Eye eye) {
-        auto modelView = glm::inverse(_currentPresentFrameInfo.presentPose * getEyeToHeadTransform(eye)) * modelMat;
-        _overlayRenderer.mvps[eye] = _eyeProjections[eye] * modelView;
-    });
 }
 
-void HmdDisplayPlugin::OverlayRenderer::build() {
+void HmdDisplayPlugin::HUDRenderer::build() {
     vertices = std::make_shared<gpu::Buffer>();
     indices = std::make_shared<gpu::Buffer>();
 
@@ -410,38 +397,20 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::OverlayRenderer::build() {
     format = std::make_shared<gpu::Stream::Format>(); // 1 for everyone
     format->setAttribute(gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Stream::POSITION, gpu::Element(gpu::VEC3, gpu::FLOAT, gpu::XYZ), 0);
     format->setAttribute(gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD, gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD, gpu::Element(gpu::VEC2, gpu::FLOAT, gpu::UV));
-    uniformBuffers[0] = std::make_shared<gpu::Buffer>(sizeof(Uniforms), nullptr);
-    uniformBuffers[1] = std::make_shared<gpu::Buffer>(sizeof(Uniforms), nullptr);
+    uniformsBuffer = std::make_shared<gpu::Buffer>(sizeof(Uniforms), nullptr);
     updatePipeline();
 }
 
-void HmdDisplayPlugin::OverlayRenderer::updatePipeline() {
-    static const QString vsFile = PathUtils::resourcesPath() + "/shaders/hmd_ui.vert";
-    static const QString fsFile = PathUtils::resourcesPath() + "/shaders/hmd_ui.frag";
-
-#if LIVE_SHADER_RELOAD
-    static qint64 vsBuiltAge = 0;
-    static qint64 fsBuiltAge = 0;
-    QFileInfo vsInfo(vsFile);
-    QFileInfo fsInfo(fsFile);
-    auto vsAge = vsInfo.lastModified().toMSecsSinceEpoch();
-    auto fsAge = fsInfo.lastModified().toMSecsSinceEpoch();
-    if (!pipeline || vsAge > vsBuiltAge || fsAge > fsBuiltAge) {
-        vsBuiltAge = vsAge;
-        fsBuiltAge = fsAge;
-#else
+void HmdDisplayPlugin::HUDRenderer::updatePipeline() {
     if (!pipeline) {
-#endif
-        QString vsSource = readFile(vsFile);
-        QString fsSource = readFile(fsFile);
-        auto vs = gpu::Shader::createVertex(vsSource.toLocal8Bit().toStdString());
-        auto ps = gpu::Shader::createPixel(fsSource.toLocal8Bit().toStdString());
+        auto vs = gpu::Shader::createVertex(std::string(hmd_ui_vert));
+        auto ps = gpu::Shader::createPixel(std::string(hmd_ui_frag));
         auto program = gpu::Shader::createProgram(vs, ps);
         gpu::gl::GLBackend::makeProgram(*program, gpu::Shader::BindingSet());
-        this->uniformsLocation = program->getUniformBuffers().findLocation("overlayBuffer");
+        uniformsLocation = program->getUniformBuffers().findLocation("hudBuffer");
 
         gpu::StatePointer state = gpu::StatePointer(new gpu::State());
-        state->setDepthTest(gpu::State::DepthTest(false, false, gpu::LESS_EQUAL));
+        state->setDepthTest(gpu::State::DepthTest(true, true, gpu::LESS_EQUAL));
         state->setBlendFunction(true,
             gpu::State::SRC_ALPHA, gpu::State::BLEND_OP_ADD, gpu::State::INV_SRC_ALPHA,
             gpu::State::FACTOR_ALPHA, gpu::State::BLEND_OP_ADD, gpu::State::ONE);
@@ -450,30 +419,29 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::OverlayRenderer::updatePipeline() {
     }
 }
 
-void HmdDisplayPlugin::OverlayRenderer::render(HmdDisplayPlugin& plugin) {
+std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> HmdDisplayPlugin::HUDRenderer::render(HmdDisplayPlugin& plugin) {
     updatePipeline();
-    for_each_eye([&](Eye eye){
-        uniforms.mvp = mvps[eye];
-        uniformBuffers[eye]->setSubData(0, uniforms);
-    });
-    plugin.render([&](gpu::Batch& batch) {
-        batch.enableStereo(false);
-        batch.setFramebuffer(plugin._compositeFramebuffer);
-        batch.setPipeline(pipeline);
-        batch.setInputFormat(format);
-        gpu::BufferView posView(vertices, VERTEX_OFFSET, vertices->getSize(), VERTEX_STRIDE, format->getAttributes().at(gpu::Stream::POSITION)._element);
-        gpu::BufferView uvView(vertices, TEXTURE_OFFSET, vertices->getSize(), VERTEX_STRIDE, format->getAttributes().at(gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD)._element);
-        batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::POSITION, posView);
-        batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD, uvView);
-        batch.setIndexBuffer(gpu::UINT16, indices, 0);
-        batch.setResourceTexture(0, plugin._currentFrame->overlay);
-        // FIXME use stereo information input to set both MVPs in the uniforms
-        for_each_eye([&](Eye eye) {
-            batch.setUniformBuffer(uniformsLocation, uniformBuffers[eye]);
-            batch.setViewportTransform(plugin.eyeViewport(eye));
+    return [this](gpu::Batch& batch, const gpu::TexturePointer& hudTexture) {
+        if (pipeline) {
+            batch.setPipeline(pipeline);
+
+            batch.setInputFormat(format);
+            gpu::BufferView posView(vertices, VERTEX_OFFSET, vertices->getSize(), VERTEX_STRIDE, format->getAttributes().at(gpu::Stream::POSITION)._element);
+            gpu::BufferView uvView(vertices, TEXTURE_OFFSET, vertices->getSize(), VERTEX_STRIDE, format->getAttributes().at(gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD)._element);
+            batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::POSITION, posView);
+            batch.setInputBuffer(gpu::Stream::TEXCOORD, uvView);
+            batch.setIndexBuffer(gpu::UINT16, indices, 0);
+
+            uniformsBuffer->setSubData(0, uniforms);
+            batch.setUniformBuffer(uniformsLocation, uniformsBuffer);
+
+            auto compositorHelper = DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
+            batch.setModelTransform(compositorHelper->getUiTransform());
+            batch.setResourceTexture(0, hudTexture);
+
             batch.drawIndexed(gpu::TRIANGLES, indexCount);
-        });
-    });
+        }
+    };
 }
 
 void HmdDisplayPlugin::compositePointer() {
@@ -500,12 +468,8 @@ void HmdDisplayPlugin::compositePointer() {
     });
 }
 
-void HmdDisplayPlugin::compositeOverlay() {
-    if (!_currentFrame || !_currentFrame->overlay) {
-        return;
-    }
-
-    _overlayRenderer.render(*this);
+std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> HmdDisplayPlugin::getHUDOperator() {
+    return _hudRenderer.render(*this);
 }
 
 HmdDisplayPlugin::~HmdDisplayPlugin() {
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
index db4e0ff7a1..a7a6d2938d 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ public:
     glm::uvec2 getRecommendedRenderSize() const override final { return _renderTargetSize; }
     bool isDisplayVisible() const override { return isHmdMounted(); }
 
-    QRect getRecommendedOverlayRect() const override final;
+    QRect getRecommendedHUDRect() const override final;
 
     virtual glm::mat4 getHeadPose() const override;
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ protected:
 
     bool internalActivate() override;
     void internalDeactivate() override;
-    void compositeOverlay() override;
+    std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> getHUDOperator() override;
     void compositePointer() override;
     void internalPresent() override;
     void customizeContext() override;
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ private:
     gpu::TexturePointer _previewTexture;
     glm::vec2 _lastWindowSize;
 
-    struct OverlayRenderer {
+    struct HUDRenderer {
         gpu::Stream::FormatPointer format;
         gpu::BufferPointer vertices;
         gpu::BufferPointer indices;
@@ -99,12 +99,9 @@ private:
         gpu::PipelinePointer pipeline;
         int32_t uniformsLocation { -1 };
 
-        // FIXME this is stupid, use the built in transformation pipeline
-        std::array<gpu::BufferPointer, 2> uniformBuffers;
-        std::array<mat4, 2> mvps;
+        gpu::BufferPointer uniformsBuffer;
 
         struct Uniforms {
-            mat4 mvp;
             float alpha { 1.0f };
         } uniforms;
         
@@ -119,6 +116,6 @@ private:
 
         void build();
         void updatePipeline();
-        void render(HmdDisplayPlugin& plugin);
-    } _overlayRenderer;
+        std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> render(HmdDisplayPlugin& plugin);
+    } _hudRenderer;
 };
diff --git a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Batch.h b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Batch.h
index 77d22258b2..fca220c224 100644
--- a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Batch.h
+++ b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Batch.h
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ public:
     void captureNamedDrawCallInfo(std::string name);
 
     Batch();
-    explicit Batch(const Batch& batch);
+    Batch(const Batch& batch);
     ~Batch();
 
     void clear();
diff --git a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Frame.h b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Frame.h
index 69872906e3..1ed77a26b7 100644
--- a/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Frame.h
+++ b/libraries/gpu/src/gpu/Frame.h
@@ -32,14 +32,10 @@ namespace gpu {
         Mat4 pose;
         /// The collection of batches which make up the frame
         Batches batches;
-        /// Single batch containing overlays to be drawn in the composite framebuffer
-        Batch postCompositeBatch;
         /// The main thread updates to buffers that are applicable for this frame.
         BufferUpdates bufferUpdates;
         /// The destination framebuffer in which the results will be placed
         FramebufferPointer framebuffer;
-        /// The destination texture containing the 2D overlay
-        TexturePointer overlay;
         /// How to process the framebuffer when the frame dies.  MUST BE THREAD SAFE
         FramebufferRecycler framebufferRecycler;
 
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
index 20c72159c4..e43d5e76f3 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -33,4 +33,13 @@ void DisplayPlugin::waitForPresent() {
             break;
         }
     }
+}
+
+std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> DisplayPlugin::getHUDOperator() {
+    std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> hudOperator;
+    {
+        QMutexLocker locker(&_presentMutex);
+        hudOperator = _hudOperator;
+    }
+    return hudOperator;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
index d3054c9bd8..11ca6f754a 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
@@ -156,8 +156,8 @@ public:
         return aspect(getRecommendedRenderSize());
     }
 
-    // The recommended bounds for primary overlay placement
-    virtual QRect getRecommendedOverlayRect() const {
+    // The recommended bounds for primary HUD placement
+    virtual QRect getRecommendedHUDRect() const {
         const int DESKTOP_SCREEN_PADDING = 50;
         auto recommendedSize = getRecommendedUiSize() - glm::uvec2(DESKTOP_SCREEN_PADDING);
         return QRect(0, 0, recommendedSize.x, recommendedSize.y);
@@ -204,8 +204,9 @@ public:
 
     void waitForPresent();
 
-    static const QString& MENU_PATH();
+    std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> getHUDOperator();
 
+    static const QString& MENU_PATH();
 
 signals:
     void recommendedFramebufferSizeChanged(const QSize& size);
@@ -217,6 +218,8 @@ protected:
 
     gpu::ContextPointer _gpuContext;
 
+    std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> _hudOperator { std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)>() };
+
 private:
     QMutex _presentMutex;
     QWaitCondition _presentCondition;
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/MeshPartPayload.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/MeshPartPayload.cpp
index dc419c03c3..8b65c9f7ce 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/MeshPartPayload.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/MeshPartPayload.cpp
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ ItemKey ModelMeshPartPayload::getKey() const {
             builder.withInvisible();
         }
 
-        if (model->isLayeredInFront()) {
+        if (model->isLayeredInFront() || model->isLayeredInHUD()) {
             builder.withLayered();
         }
 
@@ -404,15 +404,15 @@ ItemKey ModelMeshPartPayload::getKey() const {
 }
 
 int ModelMeshPartPayload::getLayer() const {
-    // MAgic number while we are defining the layering mechanism:
-    const int LAYER_3D_FRONT = 1;
-    const int LAYER_3D = 0;
     ModelPointer model = _model.lock();
-    if (model && model->isLayeredInFront()) {
-        return LAYER_3D_FRONT;
-    } else {
-        return LAYER_3D;
+    if (model) {
+        if (model->isLayeredInFront()) {
+            return Item::LAYER_3D_FRONT;
+        } else if (model->isLayeredInHUD()) {
+            return Item::LAYER_3D_HUD;
+        }
     }
+    return Item::LAYER_3D;
 }
 
 ShapeKey ModelMeshPartPayload::getShapeKey() const {
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
index 6fa5c3fd56..4573b5aa78 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.cpp
@@ -603,6 +603,21 @@ void Model::setLayeredInFront(bool layered, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
     }
 }
 
+void Model::setLayeredInHUD(bool layered, const render::ScenePointer& scene) {
+    if (_isLayeredInHUD != layered) {
+        _isLayeredInHUD = layered;
+
+        render::Transaction transaction;
+        foreach(auto item, _modelMeshRenderItemsMap.keys()) {
+            transaction.resetItem(item, _modelMeshRenderItemsMap[item]);
+        }
+        foreach(auto item, _collisionRenderItemsMap.keys()) {
+            transaction.resetItem(item, _collisionRenderItemsMap[item]);
+        }
+        scene->enqueueTransaction(transaction);
+    }
+}
+
 bool Model::addToScene(const render::ScenePointer& scene,
                        render::Transaction& transaction,
                        render::Item::Status::Getters& statusGetters) {
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
index a742b46d6a..0207a4871a 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ public:
     // new Scene/Engine rendering support
     void setVisibleInScene(bool newValue, const render::ScenePointer& scene);
     void setLayeredInFront(bool layered, const render::ScenePointer& scene);
+    void setLayeredInHUD(bool layered, const render::ScenePointer& scene);
     bool needsFixupInScene() const;
 
     bool needsReload() const { return _needsReload; }
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ public:
     bool isVisible() const { return _isVisible; }
 
     bool isLayeredInFront() const { return _isLayeredInFront; }
+    bool isLayeredInHUD() const { return _isLayeredInHUD; }
 
     virtual void updateRenderItems();
     void setRenderItemsNeedUpdate();
@@ -411,6 +413,7 @@ protected:
     int _renderInfoHasTransparent { false };
 
     bool _isLayeredInFront { false };
+    bool _isLayeredInHUD { false };
 
 private:
     float _loadingPriority { 0.0f };
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
index 85df1ee8de..45e6fd4ba4 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.cpp
@@ -186,15 +186,20 @@ void RenderDeferredTask::build(JobModel& task, const render::Varying& input, ren
         task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawZones", zones);
     }
 
-    // Overlays
-    const auto overlayOpaquesInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlayOpaques, lightingModel).asVarying();
-    const auto overlayTransparentsInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlayTransparents, lightingModel).asVarying();
-    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlay3DOpaque", overlayOpaquesInputs, true);
-    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlay3DTransparent", overlayTransparentsInputs, false);
+    // Layered Overlays
+    const auto filteredOverlaysOpaque = task.addJob<FilterLayeredItems>("FilterOverlaysLayeredOpaque", overlayOpaques, Item::LAYER_3D_FRONT);
+    const auto filteredOverlaysTransparent = task.addJob<FilterLayeredItems>("FilterOverlaysLayeredTransparent", overlayTransparents, Item::LAYER_3D_FRONT);
+    const auto overlaysInFrontOpaque =  filteredOverlaysOpaque.getN<FilterLayeredItems::Outputs>(0);
+    const auto overlaysInFrontTransparent = filteredOverlaysTransparent.getN<FilterLayeredItems::Outputs>(0);
 
-    { // Debug the bounds of the rendered Overlay items, still look at the zbuffer
-        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayOpaqueBounds", overlayOpaques);
-        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayTransparentBounds", overlayTransparents);
+    const auto overlayInFrontOpaquesInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlaysInFrontOpaque, lightingModel).asVarying();
+    const auto overlayInFrontTransparentsInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlaysInFrontTransparent, lightingModel).asVarying();
+    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlayInFrontOpaque", overlayInFrontOpaquesInputs, true);
+    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlayInFrontTransparent", overlayInFrontTransparentsInputs, false);
+
+    { // Debug the bounds of the rendered Overlay items that are marked drawInFront, still look at the zbuffer
+        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayInFrontOpaqueBounds", overlaysInFrontOpaque);
+        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayInFrontTransparentBounds", overlaysInFrontTransparent);
     }
 
      // Debugging stages
@@ -233,6 +238,22 @@ void RenderDeferredTask::build(JobModel& task, const render::Varying& input, ren
     // AA job to be revisited
     task.addJob<Antialiasing>("Antialiasing", primaryFramebuffer);
 
+    // Composite the HUD and HUD overlays
+    task.addJob<CompositeHUD>("HUD");
+
+    const auto overlaysHUDOpaque = filteredOverlaysOpaque.getN<FilterLayeredItems::Outputs>(1);
+    const auto overlaysHUDTransparent = filteredOverlaysTransparent.getN<FilterLayeredItems::Outputs>(1);
+
+    const auto overlayHUDOpaquesInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlaysHUDOpaque, lightingModel).asVarying();
+    const auto overlayHUDTransparentsInputs = DrawOverlay3D::Inputs(overlaysHUDTransparent, lightingModel).asVarying();
+    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlayHUDOpaque", overlayHUDOpaquesInputs, true);
+    task.addJob<DrawOverlay3D>("DrawOverlayHUDTransparent", overlayHUDTransparentsInputs, false);
+
+    { // Debug the bounds of the rendered Overlay items that are marked drawHUDLayer, still look at the zbuffer
+        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayHUDOpaqueBounds", overlaysHUDOpaque);
+        task.addJob<DrawBounds>("DrawOverlayHUDTransparentBounds", overlaysHUDTransparent);
+    }
+
     task.addJob<EndGPURangeTimer>("ToneAndPostRangeTimer", toneAndPostRangeTimer);
 
     // Blit!
@@ -407,6 +428,18 @@ void DrawOverlay3D::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const Inputs&
     }
 }
 
+void CompositeHUD::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext) {
+    assert(renderContext->args);
+    assert(renderContext->args->_context);
+
+    // Grab the HUD texture
+    gpu::doInBatch(renderContext->args->_context, [&](gpu::Batch& batch) {
+        if (renderContext->args->_hudOperator) {
+            renderContext->args->_hudOperator(batch, renderContext->args->_hudTexture);
+        }
+    });
+}
+
 void Blit::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const gpu::FramebufferPointer& srcFramebuffer) {
     assert(renderContext->args);
     assert(renderContext->args->_context);
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
index 865849b579..452420589b 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/RenderDeferredTask.h
@@ -155,6 +155,14 @@ protected:
     bool _opaquePass { true };
 };
 
+class CompositeHUD {
+public:
+    using JobModel = render::Job::Model<CompositeHUD>;
+
+    CompositeHUD() {}
+    void run(const render::RenderContextPointer& renderContext);
+};
+
 class Blit {
 public:
     using JobModel = render::Job::ModelI<Blit, gpu::FramebufferPointer>;
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slf b/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slf
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..959e8d733c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slf
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+<@include gpu/Config.slh@>
+<$VERSION_HEADER$>
+//  Generated on <$_SCRIBE_DATE$>
+//
+//  hmd_ui.frag
+//  fragment shader
+//
+//  Created by Sam Gondelman on 9/28/17.
+//  Copyright 2017 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
+//
+
+uniform sampler2D hudTexture;
+
+struct HUDData {
+    float alpha;
+};
+
+layout(std140) uniform hudBuffer {
+    HUDData hud;
+};
+
+in vec2 _texCoord0;
+
+out vec4 fragColor0;
+
+void main() {
+    vec4 color = texture(hudTexture, _texCoord0);
+    color.a *= hud.alpha;
+    if (color.a <= 0.0) {
+        discard;
+    }
+
+    fragColor0 = color;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slv b/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slv
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d6e02ff4cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/hmd_ui.slv
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+<@include gpu/Config.slh@>
+<$VERSION_HEADER$>
+//  Generated on <$_SCRIBE_DATE$>
+//
+//  hmd_ui.vert
+//  vertex shader
+//
+//  Created by Sam Gondelman on 9/28/17.
+//  Copyright 2017 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 gpu/Inputs.slh@>
+<@include gpu/Transform.slh@>
+<$declareStandardTransform()$>
+
+struct HUDData {
+    float alpha;
+};
+
+layout(std140) uniform hudBuffer {
+    HUDData hud;
+};
+
+out vec2 _texCoord0;
+
+void main() {
+  _texCoord0 = inTexCoord0.st;
+
+  // standard transform
+  TransformCamera cam = getTransformCamera();
+  TransformObject obj = getTransformObject();
+  <$transformModelToClipPos(cam, obj, inPosition, gl_Position)$>
+}
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/Args.h b/libraries/render/src/render/Args.h
index 7070a4def5..a76b60ffe6 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/Args.h
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/Args.h
@@ -121,6 +121,9 @@ namespace render {
         RenderDetails _details;
         render::ScenePointer _scene;
         int8_t _cameraMode { -1 };
+
+        std::function<void(gpu::Batch&, const gpu::TexturePointer&)> _hudOperator;
+        gpu::TexturePointer _hudTexture;
     };
 
 }
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.cpp b/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.cpp
index e0298c2a44..49a9ada91e 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.cpp
@@ -21,19 +21,24 @@
 
 using namespace render;
 
-void FilterLayeredItems::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemBounds& inItems, ItemBounds& outItems) {
+void FilterLayeredItems::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemBounds& inItems, Outputs& outputs) {
     auto& scene = renderContext->_scene;
 
-    // Clear previous values
-    outItems.clear();
+    ItemBounds matchedItems;
+    ItemBounds nonMatchItems;
 
     // For each item, filter it into one bucket
     for (auto& itemBound : inItems) {
         auto& item = scene->getItem(itemBound.id);
         if (item.getLayer() == _keepLayer) {
-            outItems.emplace_back(itemBound);
+            matchedItems.emplace_back(itemBound);
+        } else {
+            nonMatchItems.emplace_back(itemBound);
         }
     }
+
+    outputs.edit0() = matchedItems;
+    outputs.edit1() = nonMatchItems;
 }
 
 void SliceItems::run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemBounds& inItems, ItemBounds& outItems) {
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.h b/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.h
index 1e023a8bb9..a7180b6cde 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.h
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/FilterTask.h
@@ -65,15 +65,15 @@ namespace render {
     // Filter the items belonging to the job's keep layer
     class FilterLayeredItems {
     public:
-        using JobModel = Job::ModelIO<FilterLayeredItems, ItemBounds, ItemBounds>;
+        using Outputs = render::VaryingSet2<ItemBounds, ItemBounds>;
+        using JobModel = Job::ModelIO<FilterLayeredItems, ItemBounds, Outputs>;
 
-        FilterLayeredItems() {}
         FilterLayeredItems(int keepLayer) :
             _keepLayer(keepLayer) {}
 
-        int _keepLayer { 0 };
+        int _keepLayer;
 
-        void run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemBounds& inItems, ItemBounds& outItems);
+        void run(const RenderContextPointer& renderContext, const ItemBounds& inItems, Outputs& outputs);
     };
 
     // SliceItems job config defining the slice range
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/Item.cpp b/libraries/render/src/render/Item.cpp
index f0fbbb1973..036c7d3a99 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/Item.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/Item.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@ const float Item::Status::Value::CYAN = 180.0f;
 const float Item::Status::Value::BLUE = 240.0f;
 const float Item::Status::Value::MAGENTA = 300.0f;
 
+const int Item::LAYER_2D = 0;
+const int Item::LAYER_3D = 1;
+const int Item::LAYER_3D_FRONT = 2;
+const int Item::LAYER_3D_HUD = 3;
+
 void Item::Status::Value::setScale(float scale) {
     _scale = (std::numeric_limits<unsigned short>::max() -1) * 0.5f * (1.0f + std::max(std::min(scale, 1.0f), 0.0f));
  }
diff --git a/libraries/render/src/render/Item.h b/libraries/render/src/render/Item.h
index 96faf9719e..2b02db81f9 100644
--- a/libraries/render/src/render/Item.h
+++ b/libraries/render/src/render/Item.h
@@ -356,9 +356,14 @@ public:
     // Get the bound of the item expressed in world space (or eye space depending on the key.isWorldSpace())
     const Bound getBound() const { return _payload->getBound(); }
 
-    // Get the layer where the item belongs. 0 by default meaning NOT LAYERED
+    // Get the layer where the item belongs.
     int getLayer() const { return _payload->getLayer(); }
 
+    static const int LAYER_2D;
+    static const int LAYER_3D;
+    static const int LAYER_3D_FRONT;
+    static const int LAYER_3D_HUD;
+
     // Render call for the item
     void render(RenderArgs* args) const { _payload->render(args); }
 
diff --git a/scripts/developer/utilities/render/deferredLighting.qml b/scripts/developer/utilities/render/deferredLighting.qml
index 2254b6d95f..60929d75c0 100644
--- a/scripts/developer/utilities/render/deferredLighting.qml
+++ b/scripts/developer/utilities/render/deferredLighting.qml
@@ -178,15 +178,26 @@ Column {
             onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawTransparentBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
         }
         CheckBox {
-            text: "Overlay Opaques"
-            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayOpaqueBounds")["enabled"]
-            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayOpaqueBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
+            text: "Opaques in Front"
+            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayInFrontOpaqueBounds")["enabled"]
+            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayInFrontOpaqueBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
         }
         CheckBox {
-            text: "Overlay Transparents"
-            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayTransparentBounds")["enabled"]
-            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayTransparentBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
+            text: "Transparents in Front"
+            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayInFrontTransparentBounds")["enabled"]
+            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayInFrontTransparentBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
         }
+        CheckBox {
+            text: "Opaques in HUD"
+            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayHUDOpaqueBounds")["enabled"]
+            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayHUDOpaqueBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
+        }
+        CheckBox {
+            text: "Transparents in HUD"
+            checked: mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayHUDTransparentBounds")["enabled"]
+            onCheckedChanged: { mainViewTask.getConfig("DrawOverlayHUDTransparentBounds")["enabled"] = checked }
+        }
+
     }
     Column {
         CheckBox {
diff --git a/scripts/system/controllers/controllerModules/hudOverlayPointer.js b/scripts/system/controllers/controllerModules/hudOverlayPointer.js
index 912eeccadb..fe1dedefb8 100644
--- a/scripts/system/controllers/controllerModules/hudOverlayPointer.js
+++ b/scripts/system/controllers/controllerModules/hudOverlayPointer.js
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
         glow: 1.0,
         lineWidth: 5,
         ignoreRayIntersection: true, // always ignore this
-        drawHUDLayer: true, // Even when burried inside of something, show it.
+        drawHUDLayer: true,
         parentID: AVATAR_SELF_ID
     };
     var halfEnd = {
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
         color: COLORS_GRAB_SEARCHING_HALF_SQUEEZE,
         alpha: 0.9,
         ignoreRayIntersection: true,
-        drawHUDLayer: true, // Even when burried inside of something, show it.
+        drawHUDLayer: true,
         visible: true
     };
     var fullPath = {
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
         glow: 1.0,
         lineWidth: 5,
         ignoreRayIntersection: true, // always ignore this
-        drawHUDLayer: true, // Even when burried inside of something, show it.
+        drawHUDLayer: true,
         parentID: AVATAR_SELF_ID
     };
     var fullEnd = {
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
         color: COLORS_GRAB_SEARCHING_FULL_SQUEEZE,
         alpha: 0.9,
         ignoreRayIntersection: true,
-        drawHUDLayer: true, // Even when burried inside of something, show it.
+        drawHUDLayer: true,
         visible: true
     };
     var holdPath = {
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
         glow: 1.0,
         lineWidth: 5,
         ignoreRayIntersection: true, // always ignore this
-        drawHUDLayer: true, // Even when burried inside of something, show it.
+        drawHUDLayer: true,
         parentID: AVATAR_SELF_ID
     };
 
diff --git a/scripts/system/libraries/toolBars.js b/scripts/system/libraries/toolBars.js
index 351f10e7bd..058910940b 100644
--- a/scripts/system/libraries/toolBars.js
+++ b/scripts/system/libraries/toolBars.js
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ ToolBar = function(x, y, direction, optionalPersistenceKey, optionalInitialPosit
         return Math.min(Math.max(value, min), max);
     }
 
-    var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+    var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
     var recommendedDimmensions = { x: recommendedRect.width, y: recommendedRect.height };
     that.windowDimensions = recommendedDimmensions; // Controller.getViewportDimensions();
     that.origin = { x: recommendedRect.x, y: recommendedRect.y };
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ ToolBar = function(x, y, direction, optionalPersistenceKey, optionalInitialPosit
     // For example, maybe we want "keep the same percentage to whatever two edges are closest to the edge of screen".
     // If we change that, the places to do so are onResizeViewport, save (maybe), and the initial move based on Settings, below.
     that.onResizeViewport = function (newSize) { // Can be overridden or extended by clients.
-        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var recommendedDimmensions = { x: recommendedRect.width, y: recommendedRect.height };
         var originRelativeX = (that.x - that.origin.x - that.offset.x);
         var originRelativeY = (that.y - that.origin.y - that.offset.y);
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ ToolBar = function(x, y, direction, optionalPersistenceKey, optionalInitialPosit
         // code once the new toolbar position is well established with users.
         this.isNewPositionKey = optionalPersistenceKey + '.isNewPosition';
         this.save = function () {
-            var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+            var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
             var screenSize = { x: recommendedRect.width, y: recommendedRect.height };
             if (screenSize.x > 0 && screenSize.y > 0) {
                 // Guard against invalid screen size that can occur at shut-down.
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ ToolBar = function(x, y, direction, optionalPersistenceKey, optionalInitialPosit
         that.move(that.dragOffsetX + event.x, that.dragOffsetY + event.y);
     };
     that.checkResize = function () { // Can be overriden or extended, but usually not. See onResizeViewport.
-        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var currentWindowSize = { x: recommendedRect.width, y: recommendedRect.height };
 
         if ((currentWindowSize.x !== that.windowDimensions.x) || (currentWindowSize.y !== that.windowDimensions.y)) {
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ ToolBar = function(x, y, direction, optionalPersistenceKey, optionalInitialPosit
         var savedFraction = isNewPosition ? JSON.parse(Settings.getValue(this.fractionKey) || "0") : 0;
         Settings.setValue(this.isNewPositionKey, true);
 
-        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedOverlayRect();
+        var recommendedRect = Controller.getRecommendedHUDRect();
         var screenSize = { x: recommendedRect.width, y: recommendedRect.height };
         if (savedFraction) {
             // If we have saved data, keep the toolbar at the same proportion of the screen width/height.