You can also bind "sub-object selection toggle" to a key and it will always exit sub-object mode, provided there isn't a conflicting shortcut. If you press it again it will re-enter the last sub-object level you where in, which is why its a toggle. I don't think this is bound to a key by default, but I bind mine to 6. It…
EDIT: ah yeah, the toggle works, except i can't stand it. Switching between 2 groups of keyboard shortcuts gives me headaches. don't change the macro through the customize UI as i told before go to C: \Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2012\UI\MacroScripts\Macro_SubObjectLevels.mcr and there On Execute do ( If SubObjectLevel…