diff --git a/shaders/gbuffer.frag b/shaders/gbuffer.frag
index 8dff01a..c82a4a1 100644
--- a/shaders/gbuffer.frag
+++ b/shaders/gbuffer.frag
@@ -36,7 +36,15 @@ layout(push_constant) uniform constants
 
 void main() {
     // Apply baseColor texture and baseColorFactor once
-    vec3 albedo = inColor * texture(colorTex, inUV).rgb * materialData.colorFactors.rgb;
+    vec4 baseTex = texture(colorTex, inUV);
+    // Alpha from baseColor texture and factor, used for cutouts on MASK materials.
+    float alpha = clamp(baseTex.a * materialData.colorFactors.a, 0.0, 1.0);
+    float alphaCutoff = materialData.extra[2].x;
+    if (alphaCutoff > 0.0 && alpha < alphaCutoff)
+    {
+        discard;
+    }
+    vec3 albedo = inColor * baseTex.rgb * materialData.colorFactors.rgb;
 
     // glTF metallic-roughness in G (roughness) and B (metallic)
     vec2 mrTex = texture(metalRoughTex, inUV).gb;
diff --git a/shaders/mesh.frag b/shaders/mesh.frag
index b6565c7..707d4bc 100644
--- a/shaders/mesh.frag
+++ b/shaders/mesh.frag
@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ void main()
 {
     // Base color with material factor and texture
     vec4 baseTex = texture(colorTex, inUV);
+    // Alpha from baseColor texture and factor (glTF spec)
+    float alpha = clamp(baseTex.a * materialData.colorFactors.a, 0.0, 1.0);
+    // Optional alpha-cutout support for MASK materials (alphaCutoff > 0)
+    float alphaCutoff = materialData.extra[2].x;
+    if (alphaCutoff > 0.0 && alpha < alphaCutoff)
+    {
+        discard;
+    }
     vec3 albedo = inColor * baseTex.rgb * materialData.colorFactors.rgb;
     // glTF: metallicRoughnessTexture uses G=roughness, B=metallic
     vec2 mrTex = texture(metalRoughTex, inUV).gb;
@@ -74,7 +82,5 @@ void main()
     vec3 indirect = diffIBL + specIBL;
     vec3 color = direct + indirect * ao + emissive;
 
-    // Alpha from baseColor texture and factor (glTF spec)
-    float alpha = clamp(baseTex.a * materialData.colorFactors.a, 0.0, 1.0);
     outFragColor = vec4(color, alpha);
 }
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 3e9a3e1..0dfc1d4 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ add_executable (vulkan_engine
   core/assets/locator.cpp
   core/assets/manager.h
   core/assets/manager.cpp
+  core/assets/async_loader.h
+  core/assets/async_loader.cpp
   core/assets/texture_cache.h
   core/assets/texture_cache.cpp
   core/assets/ktx_loader.h
diff --git a/src/core/assets/async_loader.cpp b/src/core/assets/async_loader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e8926ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/assets/async_loader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,298 @@
+#include "async_loader.h"
+
+#include <utility>
+
+#include "manager.h"
+#include "core/engine.h"
+#include "scene/vk_scene.h"
+
+AsyncAssetLoader::AsyncAssetLoader() = default;
+
+AsyncAssetLoader::~AsyncAssetLoader()
+{
+    shutdown();
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::init(VulkanEngine *engine, AssetManager *assets, TextureCache *textures, uint32_t worker_count)
+{
+    _engine = engine;
+    _assets = assets;
+    _textures = textures;
+
+    if (worker_count == 0)
+    {
+        worker_count = 1;
+    }
+    start_workers(worker_count);
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::shutdown()
+{
+    stop_workers();
+
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+    _jobs.clear();
+    _queue.clear();
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::start_workers(uint32_t count)
+{
+    if (_running.load(std::memory_order_acquire))
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    _running.store(true, std::memory_order_release);
+    _workers.reserve(count);
+    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < count; ++i)
+    {
+        _workers.emplace_back([this]() { worker_loop(); });
+    }
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::stop_workers()
+{
+    if (!_running.exchange(false, std::memory_order_acq_rel))
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    _jobs_cv.notify_all();
+    for (auto &t : _workers)
+    {
+        if (t.joinable())
+        {
+            t.join();
+        }
+    }
+    _workers.clear();
+}
+
+AsyncAssetLoader::JobID AsyncAssetLoader::load_gltf_async(const std::string &scene_name,
+                                                          const std::string &model_relative_path,
+                                                          const glm::mat4 &transform)
+{
+    if (!_assets)
+    {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    JobID id = _next_id.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    std::unique_ptr<Job> job = std::make_unique<Job>(/*args...*/);
+    job->id = id;
+    job->scene_name = scene_name;
+    job->model_relative_path = model_relative_path;
+    job->transform = transform;
+    job->progress.store(0.0f, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+    job->state.store(JobState::Pending, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+
+    // Prefetch textures on the main thread and remember handles for progress.
+    if (_textures)
+    {
+        AssetManager::GLTFTexturePrefetchResult pref = _assets->prefetchGLTFTexturesWithHandles(model_relative_path);
+        job->texture_handles = std::move(pref.handles);
+    }
+
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+        _jobs.emplace(id, std::move(job));
+        _queue.push_back(id);
+    }
+    _jobs_cv.notify_one();
+    return id;
+}
+
+bool AsyncAssetLoader::get_job_status(JobID id, JobState &out_state, float &out_progress, std::string *out_error)
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+    auto it = _jobs.find(id);
+    if (it == _jobs.end())
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    Job &job = *it->second;
+    JobState state = job.state.load(std::memory_order_acquire);
+    float gltf_progress = job.progress.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+
+    float tex_fraction = 0.0f;
+    if (_textures && !job.texture_handles.empty())
+    {
+        size_t total = job.texture_handles.size();
+        size_t resident = 0;
+        for (TextureCache::TextureHandle h : job.texture_handles)
+        {
+            if (h == TextureCache::InvalidHandle)
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            auto st = _textures->state(h);
+            if (st == TextureCache::EntryState::Resident)
+            {
+                resident++;
+            }
+        }
+        if (total > 0)
+        {
+            tex_fraction = static_cast<float>(resident) / static_cast<float>(total);
+        }
+    }
+
+    float combined = gltf_progress;
+    if (tex_fraction > 0.0f)
+    {
+        combined = 0.7f * gltf_progress + 0.3f * tex_fraction;
+    }
+    if (state == JobState::Completed || state == JobState::Failed)
+    {
+        combined = 1.0f;
+    }
+
+    out_state = state;
+    out_progress = combined;
+    if (out_error)
+    {
+        *out_error = job.error;
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::debug_snapshot(std::vector<DebugJob> &out_jobs)
+{
+    out_jobs.clear();
+
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+    out_jobs.reserve(_jobs.size());
+
+    for (auto &[id, jobPtr] : _jobs)
+    {
+        const Job &job = *jobPtr;
+
+        float gltf_progress = job.progress.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+        JobState state = job.state.load(std::memory_order_acquire);
+
+        float tex_fraction = 0.0f;
+        size_t tex_total = job.texture_handles.size();
+        size_t tex_resident = 0;
+        if (_textures && tex_total > 0)
+        {
+            for (TextureCache::TextureHandle h : job.texture_handles)
+            {
+                if (h == TextureCache::InvalidHandle)
+                {
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if (_textures->state(h) == TextureCache::EntryState::Resident)
+                {
+                    tex_resident++;
+                }
+            }
+            if (tex_total > 0)
+            {
+                tex_fraction = static_cast<float>(tex_resident) / static_cast<float>(tex_total);
+            }
+        }
+
+        float combined = gltf_progress;
+        if (tex_fraction > 0.0f)
+        {
+            combined = 0.7f * gltf_progress + 0.3f * tex_fraction;
+        }
+        if (state == JobState::Completed || state == JobState::Failed)
+        {
+            combined = 1.0f;
+        }
+
+        DebugJob dbg{};
+        dbg.id = job.id;
+        dbg.state = state;
+        dbg.progress = combined;
+        dbg.scene_name = job.scene_name;
+        dbg.model_relative_path = job.model_relative_path;
+        dbg.texture_count = tex_total;
+        dbg.textures_resident = tex_resident;
+
+        out_jobs.push_back(std::move(dbg));
+    }
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::pump_main_thread(SceneManager &scene)
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+
+    for (auto &[id, job] : _jobs)
+    {
+        JobState state = job->state.load(std::memory_order_acquire);
+        if (state == JobState::Completed && !job->committed_to_scene)
+        {
+            if (job->scene)
+            {
+                if (job->scene->debugName.empty())
+                {
+                    job->scene->debugName = job->model_relative_path;
+                }
+                scene.addGLTFInstance(job->scene_name, job->scene, job->transform);
+            }
+            job->committed_to_scene = true;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void AsyncAssetLoader::worker_loop()
+{
+    while (true)
+    {
+        JobID id = 0;
+        {
+            std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+            _jobs_cv.wait(lock, [this]() { return !_queue.empty() || !_running.load(std::memory_order_acquire); });
+            if (!_running.load(std::memory_order_acquire) && _queue.empty())
+            {
+                return;
+            }
+            if (_queue.empty())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            id = _queue.front();
+            _queue.pop_front();
+        }
+
+        Job *job = nullptr;
+        {
+            std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_jobs_mutex);
+            auto it = _jobs.find(id);
+            if (it == _jobs.end())
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            job = it->second.get();
+        }
+
+        job->state.store(JobState::Running, std::memory_order_release);
+        job->progress.store(0.01f, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+
+        GLTFLoadCallbacks cb{};
+        cb.on_progress = [job](float v)
+        {
+            job->progress.store(v, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+        };
+        cb.is_cancelled = [job]() -> bool
+        {
+            return job->state.load(std::memory_order_acquire) == JobState::Cancelled;
+        };
+
+        std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loaded = _assets->loadGLTF(job->model_relative_path, &cb);
+        if (!loaded.has_value() || !loaded.value())
+        {
+            job->error = "loadGLTF failed or returned empty scene";
+            job->state.store(JobState::Failed, std::memory_order_release);
+            job->progress.store(1.0f, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        job->scene = loaded.value();
+        job->progress.store(1.0f, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+        job->state.store(JobState::Completed, std::memory_order_release);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/core/assets/async_loader.h b/src/core/assets/async_loader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e82d08
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/assets/async_loader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <atomic>
+#include <condition_variable>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <deque>
+#include <mutex>
+#include <string>
+#include <unordered_map>
+#include <vector>
+#include <thread>
+
+#include <glm/mat4x4.hpp>
+
+#include "scene/vk_loader.h"
+#include "core/assets/texture_cache.h"
+
+class VulkanEngine;
+class AssetManager;
+class SceneManager;
+
+// Small orchestrator for asynchronous glTF asset jobs.
+// - CPU work (file I/O, fastgltf parsing, mesh/BVH build) runs on worker threads.
+// - GPU uploads are still deferred through ResourceManager and the Render Graph.
+// - Texture streaming and residency are tracked via TextureCache for progress.
+class AsyncAssetLoader
+{
+public:
+    using JobID = uint32_t;
+
+    enum class JobState { Pending, Running, Completed, Failed, Cancelled };
+
+    AsyncAssetLoader();
+    ~AsyncAssetLoader();
+
+    void init(VulkanEngine *engine, AssetManager *assets, TextureCache *textures, uint32_t worker_count = 1);
+    void shutdown();
+
+    JobID load_gltf_async(const std::string &scene_name,
+                          const std::string &model_relative_path,
+                          const glm::mat4 &transform);
+
+    bool get_job_status(JobID id, JobState &out_state, float &out_progress, std::string *out_error = nullptr);
+
+    // Main-thread integration: commit completed jobs into the SceneManager.
+    void pump_main_thread(SceneManager &scene);
+
+    struct DebugJob
+    {
+        JobID id{0};
+        JobState state{JobState::Pending};
+        float progress{0.0f};
+        std::string scene_name;
+        std::string model_relative_path;
+        size_t texture_count{0};
+        size_t textures_resident{0};
+    };
+    // Debug-only snapshot of current jobs for UI/tools (main-thread only).
+    void debug_snapshot(std::vector<DebugJob> &out_jobs);
+
+private:
+    struct Job
+    {
+        JobID id{0};
+        std::string scene_name;
+        std::string model_relative_path;
+        glm::mat4 transform{1.0f};
+
+        std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> scene;
+
+        std::atomic<float> progress{0.0f};
+        std::atomic<JobState> state{JobState::Pending};
+
+        std::string error;
+        bool committed_to_scene{false};
+
+        // Texture handles associated with this glTF (prefetched via TextureCache).
+        std::vector<TextureCache::TextureHandle> texture_handles;
+    };
+
+    void start_workers(uint32_t count);
+    void stop_workers();
+    void worker_loop();
+
+    VulkanEngine *_engine{nullptr};
+    AssetManager *_assets{nullptr};
+    TextureCache *_textures{nullptr};
+
+    std::atomic<bool> _running{false};
+    std::vector<std::thread> _workers;
+
+    std::mutex _jobs_mutex;
+    std::condition_variable _jobs_cv;
+    std::unordered_map<JobID, std::unique_ptr<Job>> _jobs;
+    std::deque<JobID> _queue;
+    std::atomic<JobID> _next_id{1};
+};
diff --git a/src/core/assets/manager.cpp b/src/core/assets/manager.cpp
index 7eac8a4..3d67e3b 100644
--- a/src/core/assets/manager.cpp
+++ b/src/core/assets/manager.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,10 @@ void AssetManager::cleanup()
     _meshCache.clear();
     _meshMaterialBuffers.clear();
     _meshOwnedImages.clear();
-    _gltfCacheByPath.clear();
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_gltfMutex);
+        _gltfCacheByPath.clear();
+    }
 }
 
 std::string AssetManager::shaderPath(std::string_view name) const
@@ -71,6 +74,12 @@ std::string AssetManager::modelPath(std::string_view name) const
 }
 
 std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > AssetManager::loadGLTF(std::string_view nameOrPath)
+{
+    return loadGLTF(nameOrPath, nullptr);
+}
+
+std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > AssetManager::loadGLTF(std::string_view nameOrPath,
+                                                                   const GLTFLoadCallbacks *cb)
 {
     if (!_engine) return {};
     if (nameOrPath.empty()) return {};
@@ -82,18 +91,22 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > AssetManager::loadGLTF(std::string_v
     keyPath = std::filesystem::weakly_canonical(keyPath, ec);
     std::string key = (ec ? resolved : keyPath.string());
 
-    if (auto it = _gltfCacheByPath.find(key); it != _gltfCacheByPath.end())
     {
-        if (auto sp = it->second.lock())
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_gltfMutex);
+        if (auto it = _gltfCacheByPath.find(key); it != _gltfCacheByPath.end())
         {
-            fmt::println("[AssetManager] loadGLTF cache hit key='{}' path='{}' ptr={}", key, resolved,
-                         static_cast<const void *>(sp.get()));
-            return sp;
+            if (auto sp = it->second.lock())
+            {
+                fmt::println("[AssetManager] loadGLTF cache hit key='{}' path='{}' ptr={}", key, resolved,
+                             static_cast<const void *>(sp.get()));
+                return sp;
+            }
+            fmt::println("[AssetManager] loadGLTF cache expired key='{}' path='{}' (reloading)", key, resolved);
+            _gltfCacheByPath.erase(it);
         }
-        fmt::println("[AssetManager] loadGLTF cache expired key='{}' path='{}' (reloading)", key, resolved);
     }
 
-    auto loaded = loadGltf(_engine, resolved);
+    auto loaded = loadGltf(_engine, resolved, cb);
     if (!loaded.has_value()) return {};
 
     if (loaded.value())
@@ -106,7 +119,10 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > AssetManager::loadGLTF(std::string_v
         fmt::println("[AssetManager] loadGLTF got empty scene for key='{}' path='{}'", key, resolved);
     }
 
-    _gltfCacheByPath[key] = loaded.value();
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_gltfMutex);
+        _gltfCacheByPath[key] = loaded.value();
+    }
     return loaded;
 }
 
@@ -336,10 +352,11 @@ std::shared_ptr<MeshAsset> AssetManager::createMesh(const MeshCreateInfo &info)
     return mesh;
 }
 
-size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
+AssetManager::GLTFTexturePrefetchResult AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTexturesWithHandles(std::string_view nameOrPath)
 {
-    if (!_engine || !_engine->_context || !_engine->_context->textures) return 0;
-    if (nameOrPath.empty()) return 0;
+    GLTFTexturePrefetchResult result{};
+    if (!_engine || !_engine->_context || !_engine->_context->textures) return result;
+    if (nameOrPath.empty()) return result;
 
     std::string resolved = assetPath(nameOrPath);
     std::filesystem::path path = resolved;
@@ -348,28 +365,28 @@ size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
     constexpr auto gltfOptions = fastgltf::Options::DontRequireValidAssetMember | fastgltf::Options::AllowDouble |
                                  fastgltf::Options::LoadGLBBuffers | fastgltf::Options::LoadExternalBuffers;
     fastgltf::GltfDataBuffer data;
-    if (!data.loadFromFile(path)) return 0;
+    if (!data.loadFromFile(path)) return result;
 
     fastgltf::Asset gltf;
-    size_t scheduled = 0;
 
     auto type = fastgltf::determineGltfFileType(&data);
     if (type == fastgltf::GltfType::glTF)
     {
         auto load = parser.loadGLTF(&data, path.parent_path(), gltfOptions);
-        if (load) gltf = std::move(load.get()); else return 0;
+        if (load) gltf = std::move(load.get()); else return result;
     }
     else if (type == fastgltf::GltfType::GLB)
     {
         auto load = parser.loadBinaryGLTF(&data, path.parent_path(), gltfOptions);
-        if (load) gltf = std::move(load.get()); else return 0;
+        if (load) gltf = std::move(load.get()); else return result;
     }
     else
     {
-        return 0;
+        return result;
     }
 
     TextureCache *cache = _engine->_context->textures;
+    const std::filesystem::path baseDir = path.parent_path();
 
     auto enqueueTex = [&](size_t imgIndex, bool srgb)
     {
@@ -382,10 +399,15 @@ size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
         std::visit(fastgltf::visitor{
             [&](fastgltf::sources::URI &filePath)
             {
-                const std::string p(filePath.uri.path().begin(), filePath.uri.path().end());
+                const std::string rel(filePath.uri.path().begin(), filePath.uri.path().end());
+                std::filesystem::path resolvedImg = std::filesystem::path(rel);
+                if (resolvedImg.is_relative())
+                {
+                    resolvedImg = baseDir / resolvedImg;
+                }
                 key.kind = TextureCache::TextureKey::SourceKind::FilePath;
-                key.path = p;
-                std::string id = std::string("GLTF-PREF:") + p + (srgb ? "#sRGB" : "#UNORM");
+                key.path = resolvedImg.string();
+                std::string id = std::string("GLTF:") + key.path + (srgb ? "#sRGB" : "#UNORM");
                 key.hash = texcache::fnv1a64(id);
             },
             [&](fastgltf::sources::Vector &vector)
@@ -418,8 +440,9 @@ size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
         if (key.hash != 0)
         {
             VkSampler samp = _engine->_samplerManager->defaultLinear();
-            cache->request(key, samp);
-            scheduled++;
+            TextureCache::TextureHandle handle = cache->request(key, samp);
+            result.handles.push_back(handle);
+            result.scheduled++;
         }
     };
 
@@ -443,7 +466,12 @@ size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
         }, buf.data);
     }
 
-    return scheduled;
+    return result;
+}
+
+size_t AssetManager::prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath)
+{
+    return prefetchGLTFTexturesWithHandles(nameOrPath).scheduled;
 }
 
 static Bounds compute_bounds(std::span<Vertex> vertices)
diff --git a/src/core/assets/manager.h b/src/core/assets/manager.h
index 95929f7..42e0b7e 100644
--- a/src/core/assets/manager.h
+++ b/src/core/assets/manager.h
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <vector>
 #include <utility>
+#include <mutex>
 
 #include <scene/vk_loader.h>
 #include <core/types.h>
+#include <core/assets/texture_cache.h>
 
 #include "render/materials.h"
 #include "locator.h"
@@ -82,6 +84,8 @@ public:
     std::string assetPath(std::string_view name) const;
 
     std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGLTF(std::string_view nameOrPath);
+    std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGLTF(std::string_view nameOrPath,
+                                                         const GLTFLoadCallbacks *cb);
 
     // Queue texture loads for a glTF file ahead of time. This parses the glTF,
     // builds TextureCache keys for referenced images (both external URIs and
@@ -89,6 +93,12 @@ public:
     // Actual uploads happen via the normal per-frame pump.
     // Returns number of textures scheduled.
     size_t prefetchGLTFTextures(std::string_view nameOrPath);
+    struct GLTFTexturePrefetchResult
+    {
+        size_t scheduled = 0;
+        std::vector<TextureCache::TextureHandle> handles;
+    };
+    GLTFTexturePrefetchResult prefetchGLTFTexturesWithHandles(std::string_view nameOrPath);
 
     std::shared_ptr<MeshAsset> createMesh(const MeshCreateInfo &info);
 
@@ -116,6 +126,7 @@ private:
     AssetLocator _locator;
 
     std::unordered_map<std::string, std::weak_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > _gltfCacheByPath;
+    mutable std::mutex _gltfMutex;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, std::shared_ptr<MeshAsset> > _meshCache;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, AllocatedBuffer> _meshMaterialBuffers;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, std::vector<AllocatedImage> > _meshOwnedImages;
diff --git a/src/core/assets/texture_cache.cpp b/src/core/assets/texture_cache.cpp
index 127c89a..ee8d922 100644
--- a/src/core/assets/texture_cache.cpp
+++ b/src/core/assets/texture_cache.cpp
@@ -941,3 +941,10 @@ void TextureCache::debug_snapshot(std::vector<DebugRow> &outRows, DebugStats &ou
         return a.bytes > b.bytes;
     });
 }
+
+TextureCache::EntryState TextureCache::state(TextureHandle handle) const
+{
+    if (handle == InvalidHandle) return EntryState::Unloaded;
+    if (handle >= _entries.size()) return EntryState::Unloaded;
+    return _entries[handle].state;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/assets/texture_cache.h b/src/core/assets/texture_cache.h
index 089fddd..06bd84f 100644
--- a/src/core/assets/texture_cache.h
+++ b/src/core/assets/texture_cache.h
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ public:
     using TextureHandle = uint32_t;
     static constexpr TextureHandle InvalidHandle = 0xFFFFFFFFu;
 
+    enum class EntryState : uint8_t { Unloaded = 0, Loading = 1, Resident = 2, Evicted = 3 };
+
     void init(EngineContext *ctx);
     void cleanup();
 
@@ -83,6 +85,8 @@ public:
         size_t countUnloaded{0};
     };
     void debug_snapshot(std::vector<DebugRow>& outRows, DebugStats& outStats) const;
+    // Read-only per-handle state query (main-thread only).
+    EntryState state(TextureHandle handle) const;
     size_t resident_bytes() const { return _residentBytes; }
     // CPU-side source bytes currently retained (compressed image payloads kept
     // for potential re-decode). Only applies to entries created with Bytes keys.
@@ -126,8 +130,6 @@ private:
         VkImageView fallbackView{VK_NULL_HANDLE};
     };
 
-    enum class EntryState : uint8_t { Unloaded, Loading, Resident, Evicted };
-
     struct Entry
     {
         TextureKey key{};
diff --git a/src/core/device/resource.cpp b/src/core/device/resource.cpp
index 48cbeeb..889d275 100644
--- a/src/core/device/resource.cpp
+++ b/src/core/device/resource.cpp
@@ -221,7 +221,10 @@ AllocatedImage ResourceManager::create_image(const void *data, VkExtent3D size,
         ? static_cast<uint32_t>(std::floor(std::log2(std::max(size.width, size.height)))) + 1
         : 1;
 
-    _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    }
 
     if (!_deferUploads)
     {
@@ -258,7 +261,10 @@ AllocatedImage ResourceManager::create_image(const void *data, VkExtent3D size,
     pending.mipLevels = (mipmapped && mipLevelsOverride > 0) ? mipLevelsOverride
                         : (mipmapped ? static_cast<uint32_t>(std::floor(std::log2(std::max(size.width, size.height)))) + 1 : 1);
 
-    _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    }
 
     if (!_deferUploads)
     {
@@ -340,7 +346,10 @@ GPUMeshBuffers ResourceManager::uploadMesh(std::span<uint32_t> indices, std::spa
         .stagingOffset = vertexBufferSize,
     });
 
-    _pendingBufferUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        _pendingBufferUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    }
 
     if (!_deferUploads)
     {
@@ -352,29 +361,43 @@ GPUMeshBuffers ResourceManager::uploadMesh(std::span<uint32_t> indices, std::spa
 
 bool ResourceManager::has_pending_uploads() const
 {
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
     return !_pendingBufferUploads.empty() || !_pendingImageUploads.empty();
 }
 
 void ResourceManager::clear_pending_uploads()
 {
-    for (auto &upload : _pendingBufferUploads)
+    std::vector<PendingBufferUpload> buffers;
+    std::vector<PendingImageUpload> images;
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        buffers.swap(_pendingBufferUploads);
+        images.swap(_pendingImageUploads);
+    }
+
+    for (auto &upload : buffers)
     {
         destroy_buffer(upload.staging);
     }
-    for (auto &upload : _pendingImageUploads)
+    for (auto &upload : images)
     {
         destroy_buffer(upload.staging);
     }
-    _pendingBufferUploads.clear();
-    _pendingImageUploads.clear();
 }
 
 void ResourceManager::process_queued_uploads_immediate()
 {
-    if (!has_pending_uploads()) return;
+    std::vector<PendingBufferUpload> buffers;
+    std::vector<PendingImageUpload> images;
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        if (_pendingBufferUploads.empty() && _pendingImageUploads.empty()) return;
+        buffers.swap(_pendingBufferUploads);
+        images.swap(_pendingImageUploads);
+    }
 
     immediate_submit([&](VkCommandBuffer cmd) {
-        for (auto &bufferUpload : _pendingBufferUploads)
+        for (auto &bufferUpload : buffers)
         {
             for (const auto &copy : bufferUpload.copies)
             {
@@ -386,7 +409,7 @@ void ResourceManager::process_queued_uploads_immediate()
             }
         }
 
-        for (auto &imageUpload : _pendingImageUploads)
+        for (auto &imageUpload : images)
         {
             vkutil::transition_image(cmd, imageUpload.image, imageUpload.initialLayout,
                                      VK_IMAGE_LAYOUT_TRANSFER_DST_OPTIMAL);
@@ -434,15 +457,26 @@ void ResourceManager::process_queued_uploads_immediate()
         }
     });
 
-    clear_pending_uploads();
+    for (auto &upload : buffers)
+    {
+        destroy_buffer(upload.staging);
+    }
+    for (auto &upload : images)
+    {
+        destroy_buffer(upload.staging);
+    }
 }
 
 void ResourceManager::register_upload_pass(RenderGraph &graph, FrameResources &frame)
 {
-    if (_pendingBufferUploads.empty() && _pendingImageUploads.empty()) return;
-
-    auto bufferUploads = std::make_shared<std::vector<PendingBufferUpload>>(std::move(_pendingBufferUploads));
-    auto imageUploads = std::make_shared<std::vector<PendingImageUpload>>(std::move(_pendingImageUploads));
+    std::shared_ptr<std::vector<PendingBufferUpload>> bufferUploads;
+    std::shared_ptr<std::vector<PendingImageUpload>> imageUploads;
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        if (_pendingBufferUploads.empty() && _pendingImageUploads.empty()) return;
+        bufferUploads = std::make_shared<std::vector<PendingBufferUpload>>(std::move(_pendingBufferUploads));
+        imageUploads = std::make_shared<std::vector<PendingImageUpload>>(std::move(_pendingImageUploads));
+    }
 
     struct BufferBinding
     {
@@ -680,7 +714,10 @@ AllocatedImage ResourceManager::create_image_compressed(const void* bytes, size_
         pending.copies.push_back(region);
     }
 
-    _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    }
 
     if (!_deferUploads)
     {
@@ -756,7 +793,10 @@ AllocatedImage ResourceManager::create_image_compressed_layers(const void* bytes
     pending.mipLevels = mipLevels;
     pending.copies.assign(regions.begin(), regions.end());
 
-    _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lk(_pendingMutex);
+        _pendingImageUploads.push_back(std::move(pending));
+    }
 
     if (!_deferUploads)
     {
diff --git a/src/core/device/resource.h b/src/core/device/resource.h
index 6e67eaf..61b6d77 100644
--- a/src/core/device/resource.h
+++ b/src/core/device/resource.h
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <core/types.h>
 #include <functional>
 #include <vector>
+#include <mutex>
 
 class DeviceManager;
 class RenderGraph;
@@ -96,8 +97,6 @@ public:
     void immediate_submit(std::function<void(VkCommandBuffer)> &&function) const;
 
     bool has_pending_uploads() const;
-    const std::vector<PendingBufferUpload> &pending_buffer_uploads() const { return _pendingBufferUploads; }
-    const std::vector<PendingImageUpload> &pending_image_uploads() const { return _pendingImageUploads; }
     void clear_pending_uploads();
     void process_queued_uploads_immediate();
 
@@ -119,4 +118,6 @@ private:
     bool _deferUploads = false;
 
     DeletionQueue _deletionQueue;
+
+    mutable std::mutex _pendingMutex;
 };
diff --git a/src/core/engine.cpp b/src/core/engine.cpp
index 33a4342..dc10928 100644
--- a/src/core/engine.cpp
+++ b/src/core/engine.cpp
@@ -204,6 +204,10 @@ void VulkanEngine::init()
     _textureCache->set_max_bytes_per_pump(128ull * 1024ull * 1024ull); // 128 MiB/frame
     _textureCache->set_max_upload_dimension(4096);
 
+    // Async asset loader for background glTF + texture jobs
+    _asyncLoader = std::make_unique<AsyncAssetLoader>();
+    _asyncLoader->init(this, _assetManager.get(), _textureCache.get(), 1);
+
     // Optional ray tracing manager if supported and extensions enabled
     if (_deviceManager->supportsRayQuery() && _deviceManager->supportsAccelerationStructure())
     {
@@ -375,8 +379,26 @@ bool VulkanEngine::addGLTFInstance(const std::string &instanceName,
     return true;
 }
 
+uint32_t VulkanEngine::loadGLTFAsync(const std::string &sceneName,
+                                     const std::string &modelRelativePath,
+                                     const glm::mat4 &transform)
+{
+    if (!_asyncLoader || !_assetManager || !_sceneManager)
+    {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    return _asyncLoader->load_gltf_async(sceneName, modelRelativePath, transform);
+}
+
 void VulkanEngine::cleanup()
 {
+    if (_asyncLoader)
+    {
+        _asyncLoader->shutdown();
+        _asyncLoader.reset();
+    }
+
     vkDeviceWaitIdle(_deviceManager->device());
 
     print_vma_stats(_deviceManager.get(), "begin");
@@ -481,6 +503,12 @@ void VulkanEngine::cleanup()
 
 void VulkanEngine::draw()
 {
+    // Integrate any completed async asset jobs into the scene before updating.
+    if (_asyncLoader && _sceneManager)
+    {
+        _asyncLoader->pump_main_thread(*_sceneManager);
+    }
+
     _sceneManager->update_scene();
 
     // Update IBL based on camera position and user-defined reflection volumes.
diff --git a/src/core/engine.h b/src/core/engine.h
index 4539ac7..fc3078e 100644
--- a/src/core/engine.h
+++ b/src/core/engine.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include "core/context.h"
 #include "core/pipeline/manager.h"
 #include "core/assets/manager.h"
+#include "core/assets/async_loader.h"
 #include "render/graph/graph.h"
 #include "core/raytracing/raytracing.h"
 #include "core/assets/texture_cache.h"
@@ -70,6 +71,7 @@ public:
     std::unique_ptr<SceneManager> _sceneManager;
     std::unique_ptr<PipelineManager> _pipelineManager;
     std::unique_ptr<AssetManager> _assetManager;
+    std::unique_ptr<AsyncAssetLoader> _asyncLoader;
     std::unique_ptr<RenderGraph> _renderGraph;
     std::unique_ptr<RayTracingManager> _rayManager;
     std::unique_ptr<TextureCache> _textureCache;
@@ -202,6 +204,12 @@ public:
                          const std::string &modelRelativePath,
                          const glm::mat4 &transform = glm::mat4(1.f));
 
+    // Asynchronous glTF load that reports progress via AsyncAssetLoader.
+    // Returns a JobID that can be queried via AsyncAssetLoader.
+    uint32_t loadGLTFAsync(const std::string &sceneName,
+                           const std::string &modelRelativePath,
+                           const glm::mat4 &transform = glm::mat4(1.f));
+
 	bool resize_requested{false};
 	bool freeze_rendering{false};
 
diff --git a/src/core/engine_ui.cpp b/src/core/engine_ui.cpp
index 8fa292c..a82b320 100644
--- a/src/core/engine_ui.cpp
+++ b/src/core/engine_ui.cpp
@@ -379,6 +379,97 @@ namespace
         }
     }
 
+    static const char *job_state_name(AsyncAssetLoader::JobState s)
+    {
+        using JS = AsyncAssetLoader::JobState;
+        switch (s)
+        {
+            case JS::Pending:   return "Pending";
+            case JS::Running:   return "Running";
+            case JS::Completed: return "Completed";
+            case JS::Failed:    return "Failed";
+            case JS::Cancelled: return "Cancelled";
+            default:            return "?";
+        }
+    }
+
+    static void ui_async_assets(VulkanEngine *eng)
+    {
+        if (!eng || !eng->_asyncLoader)
+        {
+            ImGui::TextUnformatted("AsyncAssetLoader not available");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        std::vector<AsyncAssetLoader::DebugJob> jobs;
+        eng->_asyncLoader->debug_snapshot(jobs);
+
+        ImGui::Text("Active jobs: %zu", jobs.size());
+        ImGui::Separator();
+
+        if (!jobs.empty())
+        {
+            if (ImGui::BeginTable("async_jobs", 5, ImGuiTableFlags_RowBg | ImGuiTableFlags_SizingStretchProp))
+            {
+                ImGui::TableSetupColumn("ID", ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthFixed, 40);
+                ImGui::TableSetupColumn("Scene");
+                ImGui::TableSetupColumn("Model");
+                ImGui::TableSetupColumn("State", ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthFixed, 90);
+                ImGui::TableSetupColumn("Progress", ImGuiTableColumnFlags_WidthFixed, 180);
+                ImGui::TableHeadersRow();
+
+                for (const auto &j : jobs)
+                {
+                    ImGui::TableNextRow();
+                    ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(0);
+                    ImGui::Text("%u", j.id);
+                    ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(1);
+                    ImGui::TextUnformatted(j.scene_name.c_str());
+                    ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(2);
+                    ImGui::TextUnformatted(j.model_relative_path.c_str());
+                    ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(3);
+                    ImGui::TextUnformatted(job_state_name(j.state));
+                    ImGui::TableSetColumnIndex(4);
+                    float p = j.progress;
+                    ImGui::ProgressBar(p, ImVec2(-FLT_MIN, 0.0f));
+                    if (j.texture_count > 0)
+                    {
+                        ImGui::SameLine();
+                        ImGui::Text("(%zu/%zu tex)", j.textures_resident, j.texture_count);
+                    }
+                }
+                ImGui::EndTable();
+            }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            ImGui::TextUnformatted("No async asset jobs currently running.");
+        }
+
+        ImGui::Separator();
+        ImGui::TextUnformatted("Spawn async glTF instance");
+        static char gltfPath[256] = "mirage2000/scene.gltf";
+        static char gltfName[128] = "async_gltf_01";
+        static float gltfPos[3] = {0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f};
+        static float gltfRot[3] = {0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f};
+        static float gltfScale[3] = {1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f};
+        ImGui::InputText("Model path (assets/models/...)", gltfPath, IM_ARRAYSIZE(gltfPath));
+        ImGui::InputText("Instance name", gltfName, IM_ARRAYSIZE(gltfName));
+        ImGui::InputFloat3("Position", gltfPos);
+        ImGui::InputFloat3("Rotation (deg XYZ)", gltfRot);
+        ImGui::InputFloat3("Scale", gltfScale);
+        if (ImGui::Button("Load glTF async"))
+        {
+            glm::mat4 T = glm::translate(glm::mat4(1.0f), glm::vec3(gltfPos[0], gltfPos[1], gltfPos[2]));
+            glm::mat4 R = glm::eulerAngleXYZ(glm::radians(gltfRot[0]),
+                                             glm::radians(gltfRot[1]),
+                                             glm::radians(gltfRot[2]));
+            glm::mat4 S = glm::scale(glm::mat4(1.0f), glm::vec3(gltfScale[0], gltfScale[1], gltfScale[2]));
+            glm::mat4 M = T * R * S;
+            eng->loadGLTFAsync(gltfName, gltfPath, M);
+        }
+    }
+
     // Shadows / Ray Query controls
     static void ui_shadows(VulkanEngine *eng)
     {
@@ -1164,6 +1255,11 @@ void vk_engine_draw_debug_ui(VulkanEngine *eng)
                 ui_scene(eng);
                 ImGui::EndTabItem();
             }
+            if (ImGui::BeginTabItem("Async Assets"))
+            {
+                ui_async_assets(eng);
+                ImGui::EndTabItem();
+            }
             if (ImGui::BeginTabItem("Textures"))
             {
                 ui_textures(eng);
diff --git a/src/scene/vk_loader.cpp b/src/scene/vk_loader.cpp
index df642be..5fc450b 100644
--- a/src/scene/vk_loader.cpp
+++ b/src/scene/vk_loader.cpp
@@ -161,7 +161,9 @@ VkSamplerMipmapMode extract_mipmap_mode(fastgltf::Filter filter)
 
 //< filters
 
-std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::string_view filePath)
+std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine,
+                                                     std::string_view filePath,
+                                                     const GLTFLoadCallbacks *cb)
 {
     //> load_1
     fmt::println("[GLTF] loadGltf begin: '{}'", filePath);
@@ -216,6 +218,24 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
         return {};
     }
     //< load_1
+    // Simple helpers for progress/cancellation callbacks (if provided)
+    auto report_progress = [&](float v)
+    {
+        if (cb && cb->on_progress)
+        {
+            float clamped = std::clamp(v, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+            cb->on_progress(clamped);
+        }
+    };
+    auto is_cancelled = [&]() -> bool
+    {
+        if (cb && cb->is_cancelled)
+        {
+            return cb->is_cancelled();
+        }
+        return false;
+    };
+
     //> load_2
     // we can stimate the descriptors we will need accurately
     fmt::println("[GLTF] loadGltf: materials={} meshes={} images={} samplers={} (creating descriptor pool)",
@@ -235,6 +255,8 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
     fmt::println("[GLTF] loadGltf: descriptor pool initialized for '{}' (materials={})",
                  filePath,
                  gltf.materials.size());
+
+    report_progress(0.1f);
     //< load_2
     //> load_samplers
 
@@ -270,6 +292,8 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
         file.samplers.push_back(newSampler);
     }
     //< load_samplers
+
+    report_progress(0.2f);
     //> load_arrays
     // temporal arrays for all the objects to use while creating the GLTF data
     std::vector<std::shared_ptr<MeshAsset> > meshes;
@@ -349,6 +373,8 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
     //> load_material
     for (fastgltf::Material &mat: gltf.materials)
     {
+        if (is_cancelled()) return {};
+
         std::shared_ptr<GLTFMaterial> newMat = std::make_shared<GLTFMaterial>();
         materials.push_back(newMat);
         file.materials[mat.name.c_str()] = newMat;
@@ -361,11 +387,20 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
 
         constants.metal_rough_factors.x = mat.pbrData.metallicFactor;
         constants.metal_rough_factors.y = mat.pbrData.roughnessFactor;
+        // extra[0].x: normalScale (default 1.0)
         constants.extra[0].x = 1.0f;
+        // extra[0].y: occlusionStrength (0..1, default 1.0)
         constants.extra[0].y = mat.occlusionTexture.has_value() ? mat.occlusionTexture->strength : 1.0f;
+        // extra[1].rgb: emissiveFactor
         constants.extra[1].x = mat.emissiveFactor[0];
         constants.extra[1].y = mat.emissiveFactor[1];
         constants.extra[1].z = mat.emissiveFactor[2];
+        // extra[2].x: alphaCutoff for MASK materials (>0 enables alpha test)
+        constants.extra[2].x = 0.0f;
+        if (mat.alphaMode == fastgltf::AlphaMode::Mask)
+        {
+            constants.extra[2].x = static_cast<float>(mat.alphaCutoff);
+        }
         // write material parameters to buffer
         sceneMaterialConstants[data_index] = constants;
 
@@ -510,6 +545,12 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
     }
     //< load_material
 
+    // Rough progress after materials and texture requests
+    if (!gltf.meshes.empty())
+    {
+        report_progress(0.25f);
+    }
+
     // Flush material constants buffer so GPU sees updated data on non-coherent memory
     if (!gltf.materials.empty())
     {
@@ -522,8 +563,11 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
     std::vector<uint32_t> indices;
     std::vector<Vertex> vertices;
 
-    for (fastgltf::Mesh &mesh: gltf.meshes)
+    for (size_t meshIndex = 0; meshIndex < gltf.meshes.size(); ++meshIndex)
     {
+        if (is_cancelled()) return {};
+
+        fastgltf::Mesh &mesh = gltf.meshes[meshIndex];
         std::shared_ptr<MeshAsset> newmesh = std::make_shared<MeshAsset>();
         meshes.push_back(newmesh);
         file.meshes[mesh.name.c_str()] = newmesh;
@@ -704,11 +748,18 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
         };
         shrink_if_huge(indices, sizeof(uint32_t));
         shrink_if_huge(vertices, sizeof(Vertex));
+
+        // Update progress based on meshes built so far; meshes/BVH/uploads get 0.6 of the range.
+        float meshFrac = static_cast<float>(meshIndex + 1) / static_cast<float>(gltf.meshes.size());
+        report_progress(0.2f + meshFrac * 0.6f);
     }
     //> load_nodes
     // load all nodes and their meshes
-    for (fastgltf::Node &node: gltf.nodes)
+    for (size_t nodeIndex = 0; nodeIndex < gltf.nodes.size(); ++nodeIndex)
     {
+        if (is_cancelled()) return {};
+
+        fastgltf::Node &node = gltf.nodes[nodeIndex];
         std::shared_ptr<Node> newNode;
 
         // find if the node has a mesh, and if it does hook it to the mesh pointer and allocate it with the meshnode class
@@ -752,6 +803,14 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
                        }
                    },
                    node.transform);
+
+        // Node building and hierarchy wiring shares a small slice of progress.
+        if (!gltf.nodes.empty())
+        {
+            float nodeFrac = static_cast<float>(nodeIndex + 1) / static_cast<float>(gltf.nodes.size());
+            // Reserve 0.1 of the total range for nodes/animations/transforms.
+            report_progress(0.8f + nodeFrac * 0.1f);
+        }
     }
     //< load_nodes
     //> load_graph
@@ -892,6 +951,8 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
         // LoadedGLTF only stores shared animation clips.
     }
 
+    report_progress(0.95f);
+
     // We no longer need glTF-owned buffer payloads; free any large vectors
     for (auto &buf : gltf.buffers)
     {
@@ -918,6 +979,8 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::
                  file.samplers.size(),
                  file.animations.size(),
                  file.debugName.empty() ? "<none>" : file.debugName);
+
+    report_progress(1.0f);
     return scene;
     //< load_graph
 }
diff --git a/src/scene/vk_loader.h b/src/scene/vk_loader.h
index 1e87082..8cd67aa 100644
--- a/src/scene/vk_loader.h
+++ b/src/scene/vk_loader.h
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 #include "core/descriptor/descriptors.h"
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <filesystem>
+#include <functional>
 
 class VulkanEngine;
 
@@ -59,6 +60,12 @@ struct MeshAsset
     std::shared_ptr<MeshBVH> bvh;
 };
 
+struct GLTFLoadCallbacks
+{
+    std::function<void(float)> on_progress; // range 0..1
+    std::function<bool()> is_cancelled;     // optional, may be null
+};
+
 struct LoadedGLTF : public IRenderable
 {
     // storage for all the data on a given gltf file
@@ -133,4 +140,6 @@ private:
     void clearAll();
 };
 
-std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine, std::string_view filePath);
+std::optional<std::shared_ptr<LoadedGLTF> > loadGltf(VulkanEngine *engine,
+                                                     std::string_view filePath,
+                                                     const GLTFLoadCallbacks *cb = nullptr);