diff --git a/plugins/PreviewStage/PreviewMain.qml b/plugins/PreviewStage/PreviewMain.qml
index 4ef10e5dbb..0b93dea0af 100644
--- a/plugins/PreviewStage/PreviewMain.qml
+++ b/plugins/PreviewStage/PreviewMain.qml
@@ -12,14 +12,26 @@ import Cura 1.0 as Cura
 Item
 {
 
+    // An Item whose bounds are guaranteed to be safe for overlays to be placed.
+    // Defaults to parent, ie. the entire available area
+    property var safeArea: parent
+
     // Subtract the actionPanel from the safe area. This way the view won't draw interface elements under/over it
-    Item {
-        id: safeArea
-        visible: false
-        anchors.left: parent.left
-        anchors.right: actionPanelWidget.left
-        anchors.top: parent.top
-        anchors.bottom: actionPanelWidget.top
+    Rectangle
+    {
+        id: childSafeArea
+        x: safeArea.x - parent.x
+        y: safeArea.y - parent.y
+        width: actionPanelWidget.x - x
+        height: actionPanelWidget.y - y
+        visible: true // true for debug only
+        color:"#800000FF"
+
+        Component.onCompleted: {
+            print("parent", parent.x, parent.y)
+            print("parent safe", safeArea.x, safeArea.y)
+            print("previewmain safe", childSafeArea.x, childSafeArea.y, childSafeArea.width, childSafeArea.height)
+        }
     }
 
     Loader
@@ -29,9 +41,10 @@ Item
 
         source: UM.Controller.activeView != null && UM.Controller.activeView.mainComponent != null ? UM.Controller.activeView.mainComponent : ""
 
-        onLoaded: {
+        onLoaded:
+        {
             if (previewMain.item.safeArea !== undefined){
-               previewMain.item.safeArea = Qt.binding(function() { return safeArea });
+               previewMain.item.safeArea = Qt.binding(function() { return childSafeArea });
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/plugins/SimulationView/SimulationViewMainComponent.qml b/plugins/SimulationView/SimulationViewMainComponent.qml
index cd7d108370..0cd2027dfa 100644
--- a/plugins/SimulationView/SimulationViewMainComponent.qml
+++ b/plugins/SimulationView/SimulationViewMainComponent.qml
@@ -18,7 +18,10 @@ Item
 
 
     property bool isSimulationPlaying: false
+    readonly property var layerSliderSafeYMin: safeArea.y
     readonly property var layerSliderSafeYMax: safeArea.y + safeArea.height
+    readonly property var pathSliderSafeXMin: safeArea.x + playButton.width //todo playbutton margin or group button + slider in an item?
+    readonly property var pathSliderSafeXMax: safeArea.x + safeArea.width
 
     visible: UM.SimulationView.layerActivity && CuraApplication.platformActivity
 
@@ -26,13 +29,21 @@ Item
     PathSlider
     {
         id: pathSlider
+        
+        readonly property var preferredWidth: UM.Theme.getSize("slider_layerview_size").height // not a typo, should be as long as layerview slider
+        readonly property var margin: UM.Theme.getSize("default_margin").width
+        readonly property var pathSliderSafeWidth: pathSliderSafeXMax - pathSliderSafeXMin
+
         height: UM.Theme.getSize("slider_handle").width
-        width: UM.Theme.getSize("slider_layerview_size").height
+        width: preferredWidth + margin * 2 < pathSliderSafeWidth ? preferredWidth : pathSliderSafeWidth - margin * 2
+ 
 
         anchors.bottom: parent.bottom
-        anchors.bottomMargin: UM.Theme.getSize("default_margin").height
+        anchors.bottomMargin: margin
 
         anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
+        anchors.horizontalCenterOffset: -(parent.width - pathSliderSafeXMax - pathSliderSafeXMin) / 2 // center between parent top and layerSliderSafeYMax
+
 
         visible: !UM.SimulationView.compatibilityMode
 
@@ -184,16 +195,19 @@ Item
     {
         property var preferredHeight: UM.Theme.getSize("slider_layerview_size").height
         property double heightMargin: UM.Theme.getSize("default_margin").height
+        property double layerSliderSafeHeight: layerSliderSafeYMax - layerSliderSafeYMin
+        //todo incorporate margins in safeHeight?
+
         id: layerSlider
 
         width: UM.Theme.getSize("slider_handle").width
-        height: preferredHeight + heightMargin * 2 < layerSliderSafeYMax ? preferredHeight : layerSliderSafeYMax - heightMargin * 2
+        height: preferredHeight + heightMargin * 2 < layerSliderSafeHeight ? preferredHeight : layerSliderSafeHeight - heightMargin * 2
 
         anchors
         {
             right: parent.right
             verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
-            verticalCenterOffset: -(parent.height - layerSliderSafeYMax) / 2 // center between parent top and layerSliderSafeYMax
+            verticalCenterOffset: -(parent.height - layerSliderSafeYMax - layerSliderSafeYMin) / 2 // center between parent top and layerSliderSafeYMax
             rightMargin: UM.Theme.getSize("default_margin").width
             bottomMargin: heightMargin
             topMargin: heightMargin
diff --git a/resources/qml/Cura.qml b/resources/qml/Cura.qml
index 828d8854dd..023072ddd3 100644
--- a/resources/qml/Cura.qml
+++ b/resources/qml/Cura.qml
@@ -301,6 +301,17 @@ UM.MainWindow
                 }
             }
 
+            // A hint for the loaded content view. Overlay items / controls can safely be placed in this area
+            Rectangle {
+                id: mainSafeArea
+                anchors.left: viewOrientationControls.right
+                anchors.right: main.right
+                anchors.top: main.top
+                anchors.bottom: main.bottom
+                visible: true // set to true for debugging only
+                color:"#8000FF00"
+            }
+
             Loader
             {
                 // A stage can control this area. If nothing is set, it will therefore show the 3D view.
@@ -316,6 +327,12 @@ UM.MainWindow
                 }
 
                 source: UM.Controller.activeStage != null ? UM.Controller.activeStage.mainComponent : ""
+
+                onLoaded: {
+                    if (main.item.safeArea !== undefined){
+                       main.item.safeArea = Qt.binding(function() { return mainSafeArea });
+                    }
+                }
             }
 
             Loader