Bloodsong, thank you! You da man, so to speak ;-> Post extensive deliberation, we decided to solve the whole shebang with a series of poses for the model in question, which is a character file, not a prop. The dials will remain at the values they are, but the poses will handle the open and other functions of the character file. I think I finally understand the issue - fortunately, out of the large collection of props in the series we are working on, only a very few will be poseable character files. I have copy/pasted your advice into for reference purposes a month down the road, when I know a model in this series will be needing it! Again, thank you for answering! Elusion