Thanks for the reply. I think I need to explain a little more what I am trying to achieve. After modifying a figure, normally with conforming figures attached, I export it as an .obj file for further tidying up and modification in a modelling application (usually Metasequoia, Wings or Rhino). To work on the figure as a whole I edit the .obj file and remove the group lines so that it imports as one figure. That way deformers work across joins, on the figure as a whole. Once I am satisfied I save it, and regroup it by cutting and pasting the original face data into the file. At the moment I have to reimport the file into Wings and then export each individual group, not so bad if it is only dealing with a single torso but a bit tedious once fingers start getting involved! What I hope to do is automate this process.