@the default shape question:
You have to have all the gear teeth or other objects in separate groups INSIDE the default group that you have at the moment. Imagine this:[]=group;^=gear tooth. This:[^^^^] doesn't work when set to default. This:[[^][^][^][^]] does work when set to default. Make sure to make the base of the gear a group, also. If that doesn't work, then post the model and we will have a look at it.