Yep, I've found it easier to use layers. I suppose it's all in how one likes to work. For instance, the water in this image is a mixed materials in order to get 2 levels of edge shore. The mountain is a 5 layer single material. While I agree with Monsoon about the 'world' vs 'object' orientation, I do use the top snow layer as 'world' as well as the bottom 'foam water' layer as 'world'. You can see in the distance the snow on the far mountain, but the mountain on the left has no snow as it is not as tall.  --Chipp

BTW, does anyone know how to 'save' an individual layer from a single material-- other than deleting all the other layers?