**DarkEdge, the group tool in max doesn't divide a poly, it only adds separate mesh objects together (unless I am missing something, which is not terribly unlikely lol), as I say the only tool I know in max that can divide a mesh and that poser 'sees' in obj file is with the material editor, but that would mean I would have like 40 material settings on the reins..

when I 'group' in poser it doesn't add to the materials, but then I export to obj (to see if I can figure this out) and look at it in max which shows just one mesh with no groups.. does this mean max can't do grouping for poser? ..or that it can but only through materials?**