Or better yet, if easier to do in python (tho I haven't figured out how to translate sets -e -forceElement initialShadingGroup into python yet..) import maya.cmds as cmds import maya.mel as mel cmds.select("*hg*"); models = cmds.ls(sl=True) for m in models: cmds.polySoftEdge( a=180 ); cmds.delete(all=True, ch=True);…
(Don't have access to Maya atm to test) but you can just select each mesh in your for loop. Also, you don't need semicolons in Python, FYI. for m in models: cmds.select(m) cmds.polySoftEdge(a=180)