CompuServe Messages

I am building a model of a home, from scratch in 3DS (not importing from AutoCAD). When finished, I want to be able create a walk-throughs and fly-arounds as well as stills. The model is getting pretty big and messy, and I spend a lot of time Hiding and Freezing. I am wondering how folks organize such architectural models. I have already grouped similar details by color so I can easily hide-delete-merge "all windows" or "all bedroom furniture," etc., but I'm a bit uneasy about how to handle the overall structure of the building. It's two stories, with, of course, a stairway joining the floors. Do I create a _single_ mesh for the whole building? Keep separate meshes for the floors? For the individual rooms? I began by Shaping and Lofting the floor plan of the upper story, and working on just that. The living room (upper floor) has a cathedral ceiling. But the adjoining rooms do not–thus have differing wall heights. Seems like I should have Shaped and Lofted those two rooms separately, huh? Do I now "stick on" two triangular wall extensions in the living room to meet the high ceiling? Whew, makes me want to go model a bed, covered by a thick, billowy down comforter–created by Displace.pxp, of course! zzzz…