Is there a way to take an .obj with several meshes, ungroup it, move the meshes apart, apply mats to the separated meshes, and then push some 'magic' button to make the model and it's meshes snap back together as it was originally aligned?

I have some models that are SO complicated that it's very difficult to see which mesh I'm actually applying the mat to.

I have B5.5. I hope this question makes sense.

there is no such magic snap button. however, you can ctrl+click on your wireframe to get a list of all objects that are at the tip of your mouse at that moment so you can select whichever object you want. Also you can give objects good recognizable names so you can easily find them back later, it's easier searching for "spaceship2_cockpit_frontwindow" then "sphere73" out of a list with "sphere01" to "sphere473"

I'd avoid it if possible..;) By all means use the ctrl+click, it's bunches easier.. You can seperate the way you want, but it's a #$%^ getting them back together right..;)

Import the model first. Set the family color by click on the "color icon" under the "A" for the object properties. Select a color that you can remember (don't used the solid blue -- it's the camera and grouping the camera with your model will be a problem.). Click on the "A" and give it a object name. Now, un-group your model. Use the TAB key to cycle through the different meshes and set the desired materials. When finished, select either your object name or the family color and re-group the model. If you want, add the model to the object library. You can work several models this way and then add them to your scene later.

There is a button that will hide all the unselected objects in the scene. So select the object you want to set materials up on, then click the Solo Button. ( Bottom select tool palette, center VCR type button ).

Yeah, on big models or big scenes, it's all about keeping organized. There are Families for multi-selection and texturing purposes, Groups for spacialization, and of course name EVERYTHING, it'll come in handy later! Stephen, thanks for the heads up on "Solo"! And here I thought I knew what all the buttons did...! Also, if you're using Mesh objects, the little tab near the Solo button (on the Selection palette, at the bottom of the Bryce UI) will pull up lists of Groups, Meshes, and "None"... Stuff like that. It can come in handy, especially for isolating stray or hidden mesh parts.

Use either the ctrl-click option on the model or in the lower right corner next to the family selection icon is a little grey upside-down triangle, click that and you can select the meshes by name. Then once selected do as Stephen said and go to solo mode (green button in the middle of the forward object/back object icon which is to the right of the triangle descibed above). This way there is no reason to ungroup the model and go through the hassel of regrouping it all again.

yep Go Solo! I use it all the time. And name things.

Well, I didn't exactly find my 'magic' button, but I sure learned a lot. Thanks all!

I haven't found out how to name an object like a sphere or whatever?? I can name a family, but not a single object? What did I miss??

Ek-Art, click the little "A" for Attributes, when your object is selected... Name box right at the top.