container vs. xref max 2011

[themaxxer]

we are thinking about changing our work flow for repetitive projects.
I am thinking about containers or xref, but I don't know which is better and stable and faster. in max 2010 container are not usable and extremely slow.
what's in max 2011 are they faster?
how do you work, if you use xref or container?
what are the pros/cons of the two systems?
the other is also the layers, but the layer manager is horrible simple...

thanks for you suggestions.

best regards
themaxxer

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

for the layers management, use Outliner, you can find it on the Script Spot i cant work without it now

[peterguthrie]

thanks for the outliner tip, its brilliant! now max is almost as good as sketchup

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

haha
i love the instant selecting when you click on the layer or within a group...it opens the group for you altomatically and selects the subobject...really cool script...love it

[kimgar]

i could also use some insight into the whole xref/container thing, didn't try it in 2010, but have just converted a large scene from xrefs to containers in 2011 and containers seems good so far, massive objects are put in proxy containers and my scene is alive and well again.

i miss is the ability to access proxy container's content and a 'do not use in render checkbox' though

but if rendering goes well, i think i am converted