sawduster,
now that i look back on my post i can see that it was a little hard to follow what i was asking but the advice that you offered is just what i was looking for. make component, copy component, make unique, modify, add scene/update. rinse and repeat. i followed the link to wink and might be able to incorporate that into my project but if not, the printouts from my SU tut will satisfy the client needs and that's all that matters(sometimes)