diff --git a/config.cpp b/config.cpp
index 28f80651..d872ae27 100644
--- a/config.cpp
+++ b/config.cpp
@@ -1974,11 +1974,7 @@ EX void showCustomizeChar() {
   int firsty = dialog::items[0].position / 2;
   int scale = firsty - 2 * vid.fsize;
   
-  dynamicval<eModel> pm(pmodel, flat_model());
-  glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
-  dynamicval<ld> va(pconf.alpha, 1);
-  dynamicval<ld> vs(pconf.scale, 1);
-  dynamicval<ld> vc(pconf.camera_angle, 0);
+  flat_model_enabler fme;
 
   initquickqueue();
   transmatrix V = atscreenpos(vid.xres/2, firsty, scale);
diff --git a/hud.cpp b/hud.cpp
index fcdf1887..ba3a0adf 100644
--- a/hud.cpp
+++ b/hud.cpp
@@ -401,20 +401,12 @@ EX void drawStats() {
   if(geometry == gRotSpace || geometry == gProduct) rots::draw_underlying(!cornermode);
   
   {
-  dynamicval<eModel> pm(pmodel, flat_model());
-  glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
-  // dynamicval<videopar> v(vid, vid);
-  // pconf.alpha = vid.scale = 1;
-  dynamicval<ld> va(pconf.alpha, 1);
-  dynamicval<ld> vs(pconf.scale, 1);
-  dynamicval<ld> vc(pconf.camera_angle, 0);
-  if(prod) pconf.alpha = 30, pconf.scale = 30;
   
   auto& cd = current_display;
   auto xc = cd->xcenter;
   auto yc = cd->ycenter;
 
-  calcparam();
+  flat_model_enabler fme;
 
   if(crosshair_color && crosshair_size > 0) {
     initquickqueue();
diff --git a/hypgraph.cpp b/hypgraph.cpp
index d1fdd783..231648e3 100644
--- a/hypgraph.cpp
+++ b/hypgraph.cpp
@@ -1518,6 +1518,27 @@ transmatrix screenpos(ld x, ld y) {
 
 EX eModel flat_model() { return MDIM == 4 ? mdPixel : mdDisk; }
 
+/** \brief enable the 'flat' model for drawing HUD. See hr::flat_model_enabler */
+EX void enable_flat_model() {
+  glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
+  pmodel = flat_model();
+  pconf.alpha = 1;
+  pconf.scale = 1;
+  pconf.camera_angle = 0;
+  pconf.stretch = 1;
+  if(prod) pconf.alpha = 30, pconf.scale = 30;
+  calcparam();
+  }
+
+#if HDR
+/** \brief enable the 'flat' model for drawing HUD. Use RAII so it will be switched back later */
+struct flat_model_enabler {
+  projection_configuration bak;
+  flat_model_enabler() { bak = pconf; enable_flat_model(); }
+  ~flat_model_enabler() { pconf = bak; calcparam(); }
+  };
+#endif
+
 EX transmatrix atscreenpos(ld x, ld y, ld size) {
   transmatrix V = Id;
   
diff --git a/inventory.cpp b/inventory.cpp
index d5cd770f..436e6e5e 100644
--- a/inventory.cpp
+++ b/inventory.cpp
@@ -513,14 +513,7 @@ EX namespace inv {
     int j = 0, oc = 6;
 
     if(1) {
-    dynamicval<eModel> pm(pmodel, flat_model());
-    glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
-    // dynamicval<videopar> v(vid, vid);
-    // pconf.alpha = vid.scale = 1;
-    dynamicval<ld> va(pconf.alpha, 1);
-    dynamicval<ld> vs(pconf.scale, 1);
-    dynamicval<ld> vc(pconf.camera_angle, 0);
-    calcparam();
+    flat_model_enabler fme;
 
     for(int i=0; i<ittypes; i++) {
       eItem o = eItem(i);
diff --git a/racing.cpp b/racing.cpp
index 5ae870cf..72824ba4 100644
--- a/racing.cpp
+++ b/racing.cpp
@@ -1381,8 +1381,7 @@ EX void drawStats() {
 
   if(!racing::on) return;
   
-  dynamicval<eModel> pm(pmodel, flat_model());
-  glClear(GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
+  flat_model_enabler fme;
   initquickqueue();
   
   int bsize = vid.fsize * 2;