diff --git a/source/core/mainloop.cpp b/source/core/mainloop.cpp
index 35abb5499..ee7554a9f 100644
--- a/source/core/mainloop.cpp
+++ b/source/core/mainloop.cpp
@@ -394,6 +394,7 @@ static void GameTicker()
 // Display
 //
 //==========================================================================
+EXTERN_CVAR(Bool, vid_renderer);
 
 void Display()
 {
@@ -456,7 +457,8 @@ void Display()
 	}
 	DrawRateStuff();
 
-	videoShowFrame(1);
+	if (vid_renderer == 0) videoShowFrame(1);
+	else screen->Update();
 }
 
 //==========================================================================
diff --git a/source/core/rendering/hw_entrypoint.cpp b/source/core/rendering/hw_entrypoint.cpp
index d5907242e..c855b5d69 100644
--- a/source/core/rendering/hw_entrypoint.cpp
+++ b/source/core/rendering/hw_entrypoint.cpp
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ EXTERN_CVAR(Bool, cl_capfps)
 PalEntry GlobalMapFog;
 float GlobalFogDensity = 350.f;
 TArray<PortalDesc> allPortals;
+void Draw2D(F2DDrawer* drawer, FRenderState& state);
 
 
 #if 0
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ void RenderViewpoint(FRenderViewpoint& mainvp, IntRect* bounds, float fov, float
 		vp = mainvp;
 
 		di->Set3DViewport(RenderState);
-		float flash = 1.f;
+		float flash = 8.f / (r_scenebrightness + 8.f);
 		di->Viewpoint.FieldOfView = fov;	// Set the real FOV for the current scene (it's not necessarily the same as the global setting in r_viewpoint)
 
 		// Stereo mode specific perspective projection
@@ -160,7 +161,9 @@ void RenderViewpoint(FRenderViewpoint& mainvp, IntRect* bounds, float fov, float
 				RenderState.EnableDrawBuffers(1);
 			}
 
-			screen->PostProcessScene(false, CM_DEFAULT, flash, [&]() { });
+			screen->PostProcessScene(false, CM_DEFAULT, flash, []() { 
+				Draw2D(&twodpsp, *screen->RenderState()); // draws the weapon sprites
+				});
 			PostProcess.Unclock();
 		}
 		di->EndDrawInfo();
diff --git a/source/games/blood/src/hudsprites.cpp b/source/games/blood/src/hudsprites.cpp
index 8cbd5035b..d1b595f25 100644
--- a/source/games/blood/src/hudsprites.cpp
+++ b/source/games/blood/src/hudsprites.cpp
@@ -108,8 +108,6 @@ void hudDraw(PLAYER* gView, sectortype* pSector, double bobx, double boby, doubl
 {
 	double look_anghalf = gView->angle.look_anghalf(smoothratio);
 
-	DrawCrosshair(kCrosshairTile, gView->actor->xspr.health >> 4, -look_anghalf, 0, 2);
-
 	if (gViewPos == 0)
 	{
 		double looking_arc = gView->angle.looking_arc(smoothratio);
@@ -174,16 +172,6 @@ void hudDraw(PLAYER* gView, sectortype* pSector, double bobx, double boby, doubl
 		drawElement(0, 237, 2358, 1, 0, 1, -1);
 		drawElement(320, 237, 2358, 1, 1, 1, 1);
 	}
-
-#if 0 // This currently does not work. May have to be redone as a hardware effect.
-	if (v4 && gNetPlayers > 1)
-	{
-		DoLensEffect();
-		viewingRange = viewingrange;
-		r otatesprite(IntToFixed(280), IntToFixed(35), 53248, 512, 4077, v10, v14, 512 + 6, gViewX0, gViewY0, gViewX1, gViewY1);
-		r otatesprite(IntToFixed(280), IntToFixed(35), 53248, 0, 1683, v10, 0, 512 + 35, gViewX0, gViewY0, gViewX1, gViewY1);
-	}
-#endif
 }
 
 END_BLD_NS
diff --git a/source/games/blood/src/view.cpp b/source/games/blood/src/view.cpp
index f74c49d11..f1463f2aa 100644
--- a/source/games/blood/src/view.cpp
+++ b/source/games/blood/src/view.cpp
@@ -768,6 +768,7 @@ void viewDrawScreen(bool sceneonly)
 
 		if (vid_renderer)
 		{
+			if (!sceneonly) hudDraw(gView, pSector, shakeX, shakeY, zDelta, basepal, gInterpolate);
 			fixedhoriz deliriumPitchI = q16horiz(interpolatedvalue(IntToFixed(deliriumPitchO), IntToFixed(deliriumPitch), gInterpolate));
 			auto bakCstat = gView->actor->spr.cstat;
 			gView->actor->spr.cstat |= (gViewPos == 0) ? CSTAT_SPRITE_INVISIBLE : CSTAT_SPRITE_TRANSLUCENT | CSTAT_SPRITE_TRANS_FLIP;
@@ -778,6 +779,7 @@ void viewDrawScreen(bool sceneonly)
 		{
 			renderSetRollAngle((float)rotscrnang.asbuildf());
 			render3DViewPolymost(sectnum(pSector), cX, cY, cZ, cA, cH);
+			if (!sceneonly) hudDraw(gView, pSector, shakeX, shakeY, zDelta, basepal, gInterpolate);
 		}
 		bDeliriumOld = bDelirium && gDeliriumBlur;
 
@@ -786,6 +788,18 @@ void viewDrawScreen(bool sceneonly)
 		Collision c1, c2;
 		GetZRange(gView->actor, &vf4, &c1, &vec, &c2, nClipDist, 0);
 		if (sceneonly) return;
+		double look_anghalf = gView->angle.look_anghalf(gInterpolate);
+		DrawCrosshair(kCrosshairTile, gView->actor->xspr.health >> 4, -look_anghalf, 0, 2);
+#if 0 // This currently does not work. May have to be redone as a hardware effect.
+		if (v4 && gNetPlayers > 1)
+		{
+			DoLensEffect();
+			viewingRange = viewingrange;
+			r otatesprite(IntToFixed(280), IntToFixed(35), 53248, 512, 4077, v10, v14, 512 + 6, gViewX0, gViewY0, gViewX1, gViewY1);
+			r otatesprite(IntToFixed(280), IntToFixed(35), 53248, 0, 1683, v10, 0, 512 + 35, gViewX0, gViewY0, gViewX1, gViewY1);
+		}
+#endif
+
 #if 0
 		int tmpSect = nSectnum;
 		if ((vf0 & 0xc000) == 0x4000)
@@ -806,7 +820,6 @@ void viewDrawScreen(bool sceneonly)
 			}
 		}
 #endif
-		hudDraw(gView, pSector, shakeX, shakeY, zDelta, basepal, gInterpolate);
 	}
 	UpdateDacs(0, true);    // keep the view palette active only for the actual 3D view and its overlays.
 	if (automapMode != am_off)
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/funct.h b/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
index 8431d2819..ef2e8ba29 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
@@ -218,9 +218,10 @@ void OffBoat(player_struct *pl);
 void cameratext(DDukeActor* i);
 void dobonus(int bonusonly, const CompletionFunc& completion);
 
+void drawweapon(double smoothratio);
 void drawoverlays(double smoothratio);
 void drawbackground(void);
-void displayrooms(int32_t playerNum, double smoothratio);
+void displayrooms(int32_t playerNum, double smoothratio, bool sceneonly);
 void setgamepalette(int palid);
 void resetmys();
 void resettimevars();
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
index bde0c3bbf..14d4f2b9b 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
@@ -207,6 +207,26 @@ void V_AddBlend (float r, float g, float b, float a, float v_blend[4])
 	videoSetPalette(palid);
 }
 
+ //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ //
+ // draws the weapon sprite and other 2D content that's part of the scene.
+ //
+ //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+ void drawweapon(double smoothratio)
+ {
+	 auto pp = &ps[screenpeek];
+	 if (!isRR() && pp->newOwner != nullptr)
+		 cameratext(pp->newOwner);
+	 else
+	 {
+		 fi.displayweapon(screenpeek, smoothratio);
+		 if (pp->over_shoulder_on == 0)
+			 fi.displaymasks(screenpeek, pp->GetActor()->spr.pal == 1 || !pp->insector() ? 1 : pp->cursector->floorpal, smoothratio);
+	 }
+
+ }
+
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 //
 // draws everything not part of the 3D scene and its weapon sprite.
@@ -242,20 +262,6 @@ void drawoverlays(double smoothratio)
 
 	if (ud.cameraactor == nullptr)
 	{
-		if (automapMode != am_full)
-		{
-			if (!isRR() && pp->newOwner != nullptr)
-				cameratext(pp->newOwner);
-			else
-			{
-				fi.displayweapon(screenpeek, smoothratio);
-				if (pp->over_shoulder_on == 0)
-					fi.displaymasks(screenpeek, pp->GetActor()->spr.pal == 1 || !pp->insector() ? 1 : pp->cursector->floorpal, smoothratio);
-			}
-			if (!isRR())
-				moveclouds(smoothratio);
-		}
-
 		if (automapMode != am_off)
 		{
 			DoInterpolations(smoothratio / 65536.);
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
index cb2be5f9a..4166fe83f 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/gameloop.cpp
@@ -127,9 +127,13 @@ void GameInterface::Render()
 {
 	drawtime.Reset();
 	drawtime.Clock();
+
 	videoSetBrightness(thunder_brightness);
 	double const smoothRatio = !playrunning() || !cl_interpolate || cl_capfps ? MaxSmoothRatio : I_GetTimeFrac() * MaxSmoothRatio;
-	displayrooms(screenpeek, smoothRatio);
+	if (!isRR())
+		moveclouds(smoothRatio);
+
+	displayrooms(screenpeek, smoothRatio, false);
 	drawoverlays(smoothRatio);
 	drawtime.Unclock();
 }
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
index d9c436cf2..e50840e72 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ BEGIN_DUKE_NS
 //
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void renderView(DDukeActor* playersprite, sectortype* sect, int x, int y, int z, binangle a, fixedhoriz h, binangle rotscrnang, int smoothratio)
+void renderView(DDukeActor* playersprite, sectortype* sect, int x, int y, int z, binangle a, fixedhoriz h, binangle rotscrnang, double smoothratio, bool sceneonly)
 {
 	if (!vid_renderer)
 	{
@@ -75,10 +75,12 @@ void renderView(DDukeActor* playersprite, sectortype* sect, int x, int y, int z,
 		renderMirror(x, y, z, a, h, smoothratio);
 		renderDrawRoomsQ16(x, y, z, a.asq16(), h.asq16(), sect, false);
 		fi.animatesprites(pm_tsprite, pm_spritesortcnt, x, y, a.asbuild(), smoothratio);
+		if (!sceneonly) drawweapon(smoothratio);
 		renderDrawMasks();
 	}
 	else
 	{
+		if (!sceneonly) drawweapon(smoothratio);
 		render_drawrooms(playersprite, { x, y, z }, sectnum(sect), a, h, rotscrnang, smoothratio);
 	}
 }
@@ -250,7 +252,7 @@ static int getdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 //
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio)
+void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio, bool sceneonly)
 {
 	int cposx, cposy, cposz, fz, cz;
 	binangle cang, rotscrnang;
@@ -295,7 +297,7 @@ void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio)
 		auto bh = buildhoriz(act->spr.yvel);
 		auto cstat = act->spr.cstat;
 		act->spr.cstat = CSTAT_SPRITE_INVISIBLE;
-		renderView(act, act->sector(), act->spr.pos.X, act->spr.pos.Y, act->spr.pos.Z - (4 << 8), cang, bh, buildang(0), (int)smoothratio);
+		renderView(act, act->sector(), act->spr.pos.X, act->spr.pos.Y, act->spr.pos.Z - (4 << 8), cang, bh, buildang(0), smoothratio, sceneonly);
 		act->spr.cstat = cstat;
 
 	}
@@ -419,7 +421,7 @@ void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio)
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			renderView(viewer, sect, cposx, cposy, cposz, cang, choriz, rotscrnang, (int)smoothratio);
+			renderView(viewer, sect, cposx, cposy, cposz, cang, choriz, rotscrnang, smoothratio, sceneonly);
 		}
 		viewer->spr.cstat = cstat;
 	}
@@ -439,7 +441,7 @@ void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio)
 
 bool GameInterface::GenerateSavePic()
 {
-	displayrooms(myconnectindex, MaxSmoothRatio);
+	displayrooms(myconnectindex, MaxSmoothRatio, true);
 	return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumed.h b/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumed.h
index d08ee030e..06046282d 100644
--- a/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumed.h
+++ b/source/games/exhumed/src/exhumed.h
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ struct GameInterface : public ::GameInterface
     void Ticker() override;
     void DrawBackground() override;
     void Render() override;
+    //void DrawWeapons() override;
     void GetInput(ControlInfo* const hidInput, double const scaleAdjust, InputPacket* packet = nullptr) override;
     void Startup() override;
     const char* GenericCheat(int player, int cheat) override;
diff --git a/source/games/exhumed/src/view.cpp b/source/games/exhumed/src/view.cpp
index b279e72ce..93ba52474 100644
--- a/source/games/exhumed/src/view.cpp
+++ b/source/games/exhumed/src/view.cpp
@@ -363,9 +363,13 @@ void DrawView(double smoothRatio, bool sceneonly)
             renderDrawRoomsQ16(nCamerax, nCameray, viewz, nCameraa.asq16(), nCamerapan.asq16(), sectnum(pSector), false);
             analyzesprites(pm_tsprite, pm_spritesortcnt, nCamerax, nCameray, viewz, smoothRatio);
             renderDrawMasks();
+            if (!nFreeze && !sceneonly)
+                DrawWeapons(smoothRatio);
         }
         else
         {
+            if (!nFreeze && !sceneonly)
+                DrawWeapons(smoothRatio);
             render_drawrooms(nullptr, { nCamerax, nCameray, viewz }, sectnum(pSector), nCameraa, nCamerapan, rotscrnang, smoothRatio);
         }
 
@@ -432,7 +436,6 @@ void DrawView(double smoothRatio, bool sceneonly)
         {
             if (nSnakeCam < 0)
             {
-                DrawWeapons(smoothRatio);
                 DrawMap(smoothRatio);
             }
             else
diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/_polymost.cpp b/source/games/sw/src/_polymost.cpp
index 01647ea4d..8b109beab 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/_polymost.cpp
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/_polymost.cpp
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ void polymost_drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, int tx, int ty, int tz, binangle tang, fixe
     DrawOverlapRoom(tx, ty, tz, tang.asq16(), thoriz.asq16(), tsect);
     OverlapDraw = false;
 
-    if (automapMode != am_full)// && !ScreenSavePic)
+    if (automapMode != am_full)
     {
         // TEST this! Changed to camerapp
         //JS_DrawMirrors(camerapp, tx, ty, tz, tang.asq16(), thoriz.asq16());
diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/draw.cpp b/source/games/sw/src/draw.cpp
index ccb7be48e..934c607c4 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/draw.cpp
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/draw.cpp
@@ -1283,8 +1283,6 @@ void PreDrawStackedWater(void)
 }
 
 
-short ScreenSavePic = false;
-
 void DoPlayerDiveMeter(PLAYER* pp);
 
 void polymost_drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, int tx, int ty, int tz, binangle tang, fixedhoriz thoriz, sectortype* tsect);
@@ -1372,7 +1370,7 @@ void RestorePortalState()
     }
 }
 
-void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio)
+void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio, bool sceneonly)
 {
     extern bool CameraTestMode;
     int tx, ty, tz;
@@ -1395,7 +1393,7 @@ void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio)
     int sr = (int)smoothratio;
     pm_smoothratio = sr;
 
-    if (!ScreenSavePic)
+    if (!sceneonly)
     {
         DoInterpolations(smoothratio / 65536.);                      // Stick at beginning of drawscreen
         if (cl_sointerpolation)
@@ -1499,7 +1497,7 @@ void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio)
         thoriz = q16horiz(clamp(thoriz.asq16() + interpolatedvalue(pp->recoil_ohorizoff, pp->recoil_horizoff, smoothratio), gi->playerHorizMin(), gi->playerHorizMax()));
     }
 
-    if (automapMode != am_full)// && !ScreenSavePic)
+    if (automapMode != am_full)
     {
         // Cameras must be done before the main loop.
         if (!vid_renderer) JS_DrawCameras(pp, tx, ty, tz, smoothratio);
@@ -1510,24 +1508,24 @@ void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio)
     {
         renderSetRollAngle((float)trotscrnang.asbuildf());
         polymost_drawscreen(pp, tx, ty, tz, tang, thoriz, tsect);
+        if (!sceneonly) UpdatePanel(smoothratio);
     }
     else
     {
+        if (!sceneonly) UpdatePanel(smoothratio);
         UpdateWallPortalState();
         render_drawrooms(pp->actor, { tx, ty, tz }, sectnum(tsect), tang, thoriz, trotscrnang, smoothratio);
         RestorePortalState();
     }
 
-
-    if (!ScreenSavePic) UpdatePanel(smoothratio);
-
-    // if doing a screen save don't need to process the rest
-    if (ScreenSavePic)
+    if (sceneonly)
     {
         DrawScreen = false;
         return;
     }
 
+    // if doing a screen save don't need to process the rest
+
 
     MarkSectorSeen(pp->cursector);
 
@@ -1601,9 +1599,7 @@ void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio)
 
 bool GameInterface::GenerateSavePic()
 {
-    ScreenSavePic = true;
-    drawscreen(Player + myconnectindex, 65536);
-    ScreenSavePic = false;
+    drawscreen(Player + myconnectindex, 65536, true);
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/game.cpp b/source/games/sw/src/game.cpp
index 2b76d6a20..6feaf5455 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/game.cpp
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/game.cpp
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ void GameInterface::Render()
 
     drawtime.Reset();
     drawtime.Clock();
-    drawscreen(Player + screenpeek, smoothratio);
+    drawscreen(Player + screenpeek, smoothratio, false);
     drawtime.Unclock();
 }
 
diff --git a/source/games/sw/src/game.h b/source/games/sw/src/game.h
index bf7426197..d0b658a0e 100644
--- a/source/games/sw/src/game.h
+++ b/source/games/sw/src/game.h
@@ -1806,7 +1806,6 @@ void DebugWriteString(char *string);    // game.c
 void getsyncstat(void); // sync.c
 void SyncStatMessage(void); // sync.c
 
-void drawscreen(PLAYER* pp, double smoothratio);    // draw.c
 int COVERsetgamemode(int mode, int xdim, int ydim, int bpp);    // draw.c
 void ScreenCaptureKeys(void);   // draw.c
 
@@ -1908,6 +1907,7 @@ struct GameInterface : public ::GameInterface
     void DrawBackground(void) override;
     void Ticker(void) override;
     void Render() override;
+    //void DrawWeapons() override;
     void Startup() override;
     const char *CheckCheatMode() override;
     const char* GenericCheat(int player, int cheat) override;
diff --git a/source/glbackend/glbackend.cpp b/source/glbackend/glbackend.cpp
index 225c3ffcf..5b35bb658 100644
--- a/source/glbackend/glbackend.cpp
+++ b/source/glbackend/glbackend.cpp
@@ -437,8 +437,6 @@ void videoShowFrame(int32_t w)
 	screen->mVertexData->Reset();
 	screen->mViewpoints->Clear();
 
-	videoSetBrightness(0);	// immediately reset this after rendering so that the value doesn't stick around in the backend.
-
 							// After finishing the frame, reset everything for the next frame. This needs to be done better.
 	if (!w)
 	{