diff --git a/assignment-client/src/avatars/AvatarMixerSlave.cpp b/assignment-client/src/avatars/AvatarMixerSlave.cpp
index 8d9a5e6951..dd25aa4c4b 100644
--- a/assignment-client/src/avatars/AvatarMixerSlave.cpp
+++ b/assignment-client/src/avatars/AvatarMixerSlave.cpp
@@ -384,18 +384,20 @@ void AvatarMixerSlave::broadcastAvatarData(const SharedNodePointer& node) {
             if (includeThisAvatar) {
                 numAvatarDataBytes += avatarPacketList->write(otherNode->getUUID().toRfc4122());
                 numAvatarDataBytes += avatarPacketList->write(bytes);
-                _stats.numOthersIncluded++;
 
-                // increment the number of avatars sent to this reciever
-                nodeData->incrementNumAvatarsSentLastFrame();
+                if (detail != AvatarData::NoData) {
+                    _stats.numOthersIncluded++;
 
-                // set the last sent sequence number for this sender on the receiver
-                nodeData->setLastBroadcastSequenceNumber(otherNode->getUUID(),
-                    otherNodeData->getLastReceivedSequenceNumber());
+                    // increment the number of avatars sent to this reciever
+                    nodeData->incrementNumAvatarsSentLastFrame();
 
-                // remember the last time we sent details about this other node to the receiver
-                nodeData->setLastBroadcastTime(otherNode->getUUID(), start);
+                    // set the last sent sequence number for this sender on the receiver
+                    nodeData->setLastBroadcastSequenceNumber(otherNode->getUUID(), 
+                                    otherNodeData->getLastReceivedSequenceNumber());
 
+                    // remember the last time we sent details about this other node to the receiver
+                    nodeData->setLastBroadcastTime(otherNode->getUUID(), start);
+                }
             }
 
             avatarPacketList->endSegment();
diff --git a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/Pal.qml b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/Pal.qml
index c1fea7c09b..cf5ea98b81 100644
--- a/interface/resources/qml/hifi/Pal.qml
+++ b/interface/resources/qml/hifi/Pal.qml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 
 import QtQuick 2.5
 import QtQuick.Controls 1.4
+import Qt.labs.settings 1.0
 import "../styles-uit"
 import "../controls-uit" as HifiControls
 
@@ -29,7 +30,9 @@ Rectangle {
     property int myCardHeight: 90
     property int rowHeight: 70
     property int actionButtonWidth: 55
-    property int nameCardWidth: palContainer.width - actionButtonWidth*(iAmAdmin ? 4 : 2) - 4 - hifi.dimensions.scrollbarBackgroundWidth
+    property int actionButtonAllowance: actionButtonWidth * 2
+    property int minNameCardWidth: palContainer.width - (actionButtonAllowance * 2) - 4 - hifi.dimensions.scrollbarBackgroundWidth
+    property int nameCardWidth: minNameCardWidth + (iAmAdmin ? 0 : actionButtonAllowance)
     property var myData: ({displayName: "", userName: "", audioLevel: 0.0, admin: true}) // valid dummy until set
     property var ignored: ({}); // Keep a local list of ignored avatars & their data. Necessary because HashMap is slow to respond after ignoring.
     property var userModelData: [] // This simple list is essentially a mirror of the userModel listModel without all the extra complexities.
@@ -52,6 +55,16 @@ Rectangle {
         letterboxMessage.visible = true
         letterboxMessage.popupRadius = 0
     }
+    Settings {
+        id: settings
+        category: "pal"
+        property bool filtered: false
+        property int nearDistance: 30
+    }
+    function refreshWithFilter() {
+        // We should just be able to set settings.filtered to filter.checked, but see #3249, so send to .js for saving.
+        pal.sendToScript({method: 'refresh', params: {filter: filter.checked && {distance: settings.nearDistance}}});
+    }
 
     // This is the container for the PAL
     Rectangle {
@@ -88,11 +101,32 @@ Rectangle {
             audioLevel: myData.audioLevel
             isMyCard: true
             // Size
-            width: nameCardWidth
+            width: minNameCardWidth
             height: parent.height
             // Anchors
             anchors.left: parent.left
         }
+        Row {
+            HifiControls.CheckBox {
+                id: filter
+                checked: settings.filtered
+                text: "in view"
+                boxSize: reload.height * 0.70
+                onCheckedChanged: refreshWithFilter()
+            }
+            HifiControls.GlyphButton {
+                id: reload
+                glyph: hifi.glyphs.reload
+                width: reload.height
+                onClicked: refreshWithFilter()
+            }
+            spacing: 50
+            anchors {
+                right: parent.right
+                top: parent.top
+                topMargin: 10
+            }
+        }
     }
     // Rectangles used to cover up rounded edges on bottom of MyInfo Rectangle
     Rectangle {
@@ -306,45 +340,7 @@ Rectangle {
             }
         }
     }
-    // Refresh button
-    Rectangle {
-        // Size
-        width: hifi.dimensions.tableHeaderHeight-1
-        height: hifi.dimensions.tableHeaderHeight-1
-        // Anchors
-        anchors.left: table.left
-        anchors.leftMargin: 4
-        anchors.top: table.top
-        // Style
-        color: hifi.colors.tableBackgroundLight
-        // Actual refresh icon
-        HiFiGlyphs {
-            id: reloadButton
-            text: hifi.glyphs.reloadSmall
-            // Size
-            size: parent.width*1.5
-            // Anchors
-            anchors.fill: parent
-            // Style
-            horizontalAlignment: Text.AlignHCenter
-            color: hifi.colors.darkGray
-        }
-        MouseArea {
-            id: reloadButtonArea
-            // Anchors
-            anchors.fill: parent
-            hoverEnabled: true
-            // Everyone likes a responsive refresh button!
-            // So use onPressed instead of onClicked
-            onPressed: {
-                reloadButton.color = hifi.colors.lightGrayText
-                pal.sendToScript({method: 'refresh'})
-            }
-            onReleased: reloadButton.color = (containsMouse ? hifi.colors.baseGrayHighlight : hifi.colors.darkGray)
-            onEntered: reloadButton.color = hifi.colors.baseGrayHighlight
-            onExited: reloadButton.color = (pressed ?  hifi.colors.lightGrayText: hifi.colors.darkGray)
-        }
-    }
+
     // Separator between user and admin functions
     Rectangle {
         // Size
@@ -501,7 +497,7 @@ Rectangle {
                 if (alreadyRefreshed === true) {
                     letterbox('', '', 'The last editor of this object is either you or not among this list of users.');
                 } else {
-                    pal.sendToScript({method: 'refresh', params: message.params});
+                    pal.sendToScript({method: 'refresh', params: {selected: message.params}});
                 }
             } else {
                 // If we've already refreshed the PAL and found the avatar in the model
diff --git a/interface/src/Camera.cpp b/interface/src/Camera.cpp
index f930424569..cf3261ee88 100644
--- a/interface/src/Camera.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Camera.cpp
@@ -192,6 +192,8 @@ QVariantMap Camera::getViewFrustum() {
     result["orientation"].setValue(frustum.getOrientation());
     result["projection"].setValue(frustum.getProjection());
     result["centerRadius"].setValue(frustum.getCenterRadius());
+    result["fieldOfView"].setValue(frustum.getFieldOfView());
+    result["aspectRatio"].setValue(frustum.getAspectRatio());
 
     return result;
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
index b1a09b46ce..d806c042b9 100644
--- a/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/avatar/AvatarManager.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ AvatarManager::AvatarManager(QObject* parent) :
     // immediately remove that avatar instead of waiting for the absence of packets from avatar mixer
     connect(nodeList.data(), &NodeList::ignoredNode, this, [=](const QUuid& nodeID, bool enabled) {
         if (enabled) {
-            removeAvatar(nodeID);
+            removeAvatar(nodeID, KillAvatarReason::AvatarIgnored);
         }
     });
 }
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
index 10378ff858..70b1fa4b71 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/Base3DOverlay.cpp
@@ -259,6 +259,8 @@ bool Base3DOverlay::findRayIntersection(const glm::vec3& origin, const glm::vec3
 }
 
 void Base3DOverlay::locationChanged(bool tellPhysics) {
+    SpatiallyNestable::locationChanged(tellPhysics);
+
     auto itemID = getRenderItemID();
     if (render::Item::isValidID(itemID)) {
         render::ScenePointer scene = qApp->getMain3DScene();
@@ -266,8 +268,6 @@ void Base3DOverlay::locationChanged(bool tellPhysics) {
         pendingChanges.updateItem(itemID);
         scene->enqueuePendingChanges(pendingChanges);
     }
-    // Overlays can't currently have children.
-    // SpatiallyNestable::locationChanged(tellPhysics); // tell all the children, also
 }
 
 void Base3DOverlay::parentDeleted() {
diff --git a/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp b/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
index 277a86e93f..aa06741638 100644
--- a/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/ui/overlays/OverlaysPayload.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ namespace render {
         return overlay->getBounds();
     }
     template <> int payloadGetLayer(const Overlay::Pointer& overlay) {
-        // MAgic number while we are defining the layering mechanism:
+        // Magic number while we are defining the layering mechanism:
         const int LAYER_NO_AA = 3;
         const int LAYER_2D = 2;
         const int LAYER_3D_FRONT = 1;
diff --git a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
index cdbf5f2a85..48e5d673c9 100644
--- a/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
+++ b/libraries/avatars/src/AvatarHashMap.cpp
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ void AvatarHashMap::removeAvatar(const QUuid& sessionUUID, KillAvatarReason remo
 
 void AvatarHashMap::handleRemovedAvatar(const AvatarSharedPointer& removedAvatar, KillAvatarReason removalReason) {
     qCDebug(avatars) << "Removed avatar with UUID" << uuidStringWithoutCurlyBraces(removedAvatar->getSessionUUID())
-        << "from AvatarHashMap";
+        << "from AvatarHashMap" << removalReason;
     emit avatarRemovedEvent(removedAvatar->getSessionUUID());
 }
 
diff --git a/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp b/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
index cd7f1235bb..a5bd0135e4 100644
--- a/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/libraries/entities/src/EntityScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -1419,8 +1419,7 @@ QVector<QUuid> EntityScriptingInterface::getChildrenIDsOfJoint(const QUuid& pare
             return;
         }
         parent->forEachChild([&](SpatiallyNestablePointer child) {
-            if (child->getParentJointIndex() == jointIndex &&
-                child->getNestableType() != NestableType::Overlay) {
+            if (child->getParentJointIndex() == jointIndex) {
                 result.push_back(child->getID());
             }
         });
diff --git a/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.h b/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.h
index adef3ce2b5..2cd96a84c7 100644
--- a/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.h
+++ b/libraries/model-networking/src/model-networking/ModelCache.h
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ public:
     // Mutable, but must retain structure of vector
     using NetworkMaterials = std::vector<std::shared_ptr<NetworkMaterial>>;
 
+    bool isGeometryLoaded() const { return (bool)_fbxGeometry; }
+
     const FBXGeometry& getFBXGeometry() const { return *_fbxGeometry; }
     const GeometryMeshes& getMeshes() const { return *_meshes; }
     const std::shared_ptr<const NetworkMaterial> getShapeMaterial(int shapeID) const;
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
index 2042a16801..7c373274e4 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/Model.h
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public:
     void setBlendedVertices(int blendNumber, const Geometry::WeakPointer& geometry,
         const QVector<glm::vec3>& vertices, const QVector<glm::vec3>& normals);
 
-    bool isLoaded() const { return (bool)_renderGeometry; }
+    bool isLoaded() const { return (bool)_renderGeometry && _renderGeometry->isGeometryLoaded(); }
 
     void setIsWireframe(bool isWireframe) { _isWireframe = isWireframe; }
     bool isWireframe() const { return _isWireframe; }
diff --git a/libraries/script-engine/src/UsersScriptingInterface.h b/libraries/script-engine/src/UsersScriptingInterface.h
index 76b98c6217..608fa937c8 100644
--- a/libraries/script-engine/src/UsersScriptingInterface.h
+++ b/libraries/script-engine/src/UsersScriptingInterface.h
@@ -150,7 +150,6 @@ signals:
 private:
     bool getRequestsDomainListData();
     void setRequestsDomainListData(bool requests);
-    bool _requestsDomainListData;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
index 86f080ae8d..701bc35ce3 100644
--- a/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
+++ b/scripts/system/controllers/handControllerGrab.js
@@ -3231,9 +3231,13 @@ function MyController(hand) {
                     }
                     _this.previouslyUnhooked[childID] = now;
 
+                    // we don't know if it's an entity or an overlay
                     Entities.editEntity(childID, { parentID: previousParentID, parentJointIndex: previousParentJointIndex });
+                    Overlays.editOverlay(childID, { parentID: previousParentID, parentJointIndex: previousParentJointIndex });
+
                 } else {
                     Entities.editEntity(childID, { parentID: NULL_UUID });
+                    Overlays.editOverlay(childID, { parentID: NULL_UUID });
                 }
             }
         });
diff --git a/scripts/system/libraries/WebTablet.js b/scripts/system/libraries/WebTablet.js
index c4b41bcab5..1768d475a7 100644
--- a/scripts/system/libraries/WebTablet.js
+++ b/scripts/system/libraries/WebTablet.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ var TABLET_NATURAL_DIMENSIONS = {x: 33.797, y: 50.129, z: 2.269};
 var HOME_BUTTON_TEXTURE = "http://hifi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/alan/dev/tablet-with-home-button.fbx/tablet-with-home-button.fbm/button-close.png";
 // var HOME_BUTTON_TEXTURE = Script.resourcesPath() + "meshes/tablet-with-home-button.fbx/tablet-with-home-button.fbm/button-close.png";
 var TABLET_MODEL_PATH = "http://hifi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/alan/dev/tablet-with-home-button.fbx";
-// var TABLET_MODEL_PATH = Script.resourcesPath() + "meshes/tablet-with-home-button.fbx";
+var LOCAL_TABLET_MODEL_PATH = Script.resourcesPath() + "meshes/tablet-with-home-button.fbx";
 
 // returns object with two fields:
 //    * position - position in front of the user
@@ -112,11 +112,18 @@ WebTablet = function (url, width, dpi, hand, clientOnly) {
         this.dpi = DEFAULT_DPI * (DEFAULT_WIDTH / this.width);
     }
 
+    var modelURL;
+    if (Settings.getValue("tabletVisibleToOthers")) {
+        modelURL = TABLET_MODEL_PATH;
+    } else {
+        modelURL = LOCAL_TABLET_MODEL_PATH;
+    }
+
     var tabletProperties = {
         name: "WebTablet Tablet",
         type: "Model",
-        modelURL: TABLET_MODEL_PATH,
-        url: TABLET_MODEL_PATH, // for overlay
+        modelURL: modelURL,
+        url: modelURL, // for overlay
         grabbable: true, // for overlay
         userData: JSON.stringify({
             "grabbableKey": {"grabbable": true}
diff --git a/scripts/system/pal.js b/scripts/system/pal.js
index 36ecc1f084..9df4b2df92 100644
--- a/scripts/system/pal.js
+++ b/scripts/system/pal.js
@@ -37,6 +37,15 @@ var conserveResources = true;
 
 Script.include("/~/system/libraries/controllers.js");
 
+function projectVectorOntoPlane(normalizedVector, planeNormal) {
+    return Vec3.cross(planeNormal, Vec3.cross(normalizedVector, planeNormal));
+}
+function angleBetweenVectorsInPlane(from, to, normal) {
+    var projectedFrom = projectVectorOntoPlane(from, normal);
+    var projectedTo = projectVectorOntoPlane(to, normal);
+    return Vec3.orientedAngle(projectedFrom, projectedTo, normal);
+}
+
 //
 // Overlays.
 //
@@ -229,7 +238,11 @@ function fromQml(message) { // messages are {method, params}, like json-rpc. See
         break;
     case 'refresh':
         removeOverlays();
-        populateUserList(message.params);
+        // If filter is specified from .qml instead of through settings, update the settings.
+        if (message.params.filter !== undefined) {
+            Settings.setValue('pal/filtered', !!message.params.filter);
+        }
+        populateUserList(message.params.selected);
         UserActivityLogger.palAction("refresh", "");
         break;
     case 'updateGain':
@@ -271,13 +284,42 @@ function addAvatarNode(id) {
         color: color(selected, false, 0.0),
         ignoreRayIntersection: false}, selected, !conserveResources);
 }
+// Each open/refresh will capture a stable set of avatarsOfInterest, within the specified filter.
+var avatarsOfInterest = {};
 function populateUserList(selectData) {
+    var filter = Settings.getValue('pal/filtered') && {distance: Settings.getValue('pal/nearDistance')};
     var data = [], avatars = AvatarList.getAvatarIdentifiers();
-    conserveResources = avatars.length > 20;
+    avatarsOfInterest = {};
+    var myPosition = filter && Camera.position,
+        frustum = filter && Camera.frustum,
+        verticalHalfAngle = filter && (frustum.fieldOfView / 2),
+        horizontalHalfAngle = filter && (verticalHalfAngle * frustum.aspectRatio),
+        orientation = filter && Camera.orientation,
+        front = filter && Quat.getFront(orientation),
+        verticalAngleNormal = filter && Quat.getRight(orientation),
+        horizontalAngleNormal = filter && Quat.getUp(orientation);
     avatars.forEach(function (id) { // sorting the identifiers is just an aid for debugging
         var avatar = AvatarList.getAvatar(id);
+        var name = avatar.sessionDisplayName;
+        if (!name) {
+            // Either we got a data packet but no identity yet, or something is really messed up. In any case,
+            // we won't be able to do anything with this user, so don't include them.
+            // In normal circumstances, a refresh will bring in the new user, but if we're very heavily loaded,
+            // we could be losing and gaining people randomly.
+            print('No avatar identity data for', id);
+            return;
+        }
+        if (id && myPosition && (Vec3.distance(avatar.position, myPosition) > filter.distance)) {
+            return;
+        }
+        var normal = id && filter && Vec3.normalize(Vec3.subtract(avatar.position, myPosition));
+        var horizontal = normal && angleBetweenVectorsInPlane(normal, front, horizontalAngleNormal);
+        var vertical = normal && angleBetweenVectorsInPlane(normal, front, verticalAngleNormal);
+        if (id && filter && ((Math.abs(horizontal) > horizontalHalfAngle) || (Math.abs(vertical) > verticalHalfAngle))) {
+            return;
+        }
         var avatarPalDatum = {
-            displayName: avatar.sessionDisplayName,
+            displayName: name,
             userName: '',
             sessionId: id || '',
             audioLevel: 0.0,
@@ -289,10 +331,12 @@ function populateUserList(selectData) {
             addAvatarNode(id); // No overlay for ourselves
             // Everyone needs to see admin status. Username and fingerprint returns default constructor output if the requesting user isn't an admin.
             Users.requestUsernameFromID(id);
+            avatarsOfInterest[id] = true;
         }
         data.push(avatarPalDatum);
         print('PAL data:', JSON.stringify(avatarPalDatum));
     });
+    conserveResources = Object.keys(avatarsOfInterest).length > 20;
     sendToQml({ method: 'users', params: data });
     if (selectData) {
         selectData[2] = true;
@@ -317,8 +361,8 @@ var pingPong = true;
 function updateOverlays() {
     var eye = Camera.position;
     AvatarList.getAvatarIdentifiers().forEach(function (id) {
-        if (!id) {
-            return; // don't update ourself
+        if (!id || !avatarsOfInterest[id]) {
+            return; // don't update ourself, or avatars we're not interested in
         }
         var avatar = AvatarList.getAvatar(id);
         if (!avatar) {