Alright, so I have two separate projects I’d like to combine together, objects and all, but I don’t know how, I thought I saw how to do it on a vid tut but can’t seem to find it. Any advice is appreciated.
append (shift f1) should do the trick. click on your second file and choose the things you want to append. selecting the sub-“file” object should append the objects you select, and their materials, IPOs, etc. To select all of them ctrl a or to select more than one, right click each you want to append.
thanks a lot egan! 
also, on managing large, multi-file projects, or large projects in general, there was a thread a while back called managing large projects or something along those lines.
started by halfgaar. you may search for that and see if you can use any of the information. I posted a somewhat long ramble there. I’ll try to dig it up later, or you can just do a forum search for it.
appending is not always the best way to manage large projects.
though, if you’re just wanting to import files, that is what you should be doing.
@zdk1 - what i’m doing right now is fairly simple. i was unable to find the post you are in refference to, can you post a link?
http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=99153&highlight=complex+animations
here. ummm, I kind of ramble there barely coherently. If you want me to clarify any of my thoughts I’d be happy to.
you’re right, zdk1, it is a bit of a long post. one question though. if i make a file, say, doodad1.blend, and append it to file doodad2.blend, and then go back into doodad1.blend, make changes, will the changes reflect in doodad2.blend?
if i make a file, say, doodad1.blend, and append it to file doodad2.blend, and then go back into doodad1.blend, make changes, will the changes reflect in doodad2.blend?
It won’t unless you link them. To do this. press the link button on the bottom of the file browser after you click append.
Thanks again egan!