So, apparently it is possible to shell just a single element of an object, but for some reason when I select an element of an object (with several elements) in "element mode", and then shell, it shells the whole object. I can't get Max to shell just a selection of element(s). A friend did the same procedure on in his 3ds…
That is a good question, I think he has 2014, but I will have to check; I won't be able to do so for a week however, b/c we won't be back in touch for a week. This is very strange, he did it over screenshare, maybe he cloned to object and didn't realize it.