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Quote - I want to make poser props with moving parts for Poser6+

Right now I have to edit the pp2 file which is a lot of work. Changing the texture lines from:/Users/robertthompson/Desktop/Cheetah/Prop name/

to: :Runtime:textures:uncle808us:Propname:

I'm not a Mac user, but you could make life easier for yourself, by putting the textures in the correct plase to start with. Namely:
 
Runtimetetexturesuncle808usPropname

You would still need to edit the lines, to replace "" with ":", and to delete anything proceeding "Runtime", but at least the changes needed would be more obvious, and you will be able to test the props to see if they work. If the props use external geometry, you need to use a similar format for the references as you did with the textures, except using the "Geometries" folder in place of "textures".

Replacing the incorrect references with the correct ones should be easy. Almost all text editors Have a "Search & Replace" function (sometimes named "Replace" or "Find & Replace"). Use the incorrect reference as the Search string, and the correct reference as the Replace String. Once you have typed the string, it only takes a couple of seconds to process the whole file. Some text editors even allow you to process multiple files in one operation (see top image above).

Quote - I also need to understand the hierarchy a bit better for the moving parts as well as the stationary bits and scaling the entire prop.

You can view and change the hierarchy in the Hierarchy Editor.

As nruddock pointed out the important thing is the position of the origin of each element. You can display the origin of the prop by selecting that option in the props Properties (see bottom left image), then selecting the GROUND plain, then reselecting the prop. You will then see three new dials in the prop that allow you to adjust its origin. After adjusting the origin, Memorize the prop to bake the changes in. Very important, only adjust the origin when the prop has all its translations and rotations at zero, and all its scale dials at 100%! Before saving the prop, turn off the origin display.

The origin is the point around which the prop will rotate, and when scaled it will scale outwards from the origin. The origin is also the place at which a child prop will be attached to its parent.

As for scaling, in the normal course of things a prop will use "propergatingscale" channels. In that case, scaling a prop will scale all its descendants. Remember, the scaling happens outwards from the origin.

To get a grasp of how it works, load three or four box props, separate them a bit, change the origins, then parent them together (see bottom right image). Experimenting is the best way to learn. Try things, and see what happens!