Hi Al
This can be a real issue sometimes. It caused me a lot of problems when I first started using master pages. Let me make a couple of comments that might help.
1.
Nesting. If you have a complex MP, you can break it into several separate MPs, with objects logically grouped in separate pages. Opus lets you "nest" MPs. For example, You set up MP1 and mark it as MP1. Then you set up another page with more objects, and on the Page Properties, mark it as being MP2.
You also mark MP2 as being able to be a MP. When you set up another page (not a MP this time) if you assign this page to use MP2, you effectively get both MP1 and MP2. As far as I know, there is no limit to this nesting. The most I have done is 11 nestings. It just takes some planning
2.
Save objects to a gallery. If you need to use and re-use an object repeatedly on different pages, I suggest that you do this:
a) Set up a new page using the MP that is appropriate. Place the object
exactly where you want it to be. Assign the properties (including repeated text) that you want to apply to this object. Give this object a meaningful name.
b) Go to the Components Menu, and click New Gallery. Give this a unique meaningful name.
c) Right-click on the object, click Copy To Gallery and choose the appropriate Gallery.
This object is now stored in that gallery. Anytime you need to use that objects again, you
paste it onto the target page. It is placed in exactly the same positions as the original.
I suggest you read the Help Files for more info on copying and pasting to and from galleries.
I find this one of the more useful features in Opus.
HTH