For the top view, try selecting the object then do a freeze transformations on it under the modify menu.
That should make it work for you.
also keep in mind that if the object is grouped under another object that has a different rotation axis, then it won't work. You'll need to ungroup it before you freeze transformations. There's a couple of ways to ungroup if you need help with that.
Edit: I have an idea for duplicating like the bottom view, but I'll have to try it out when I get home from work. Not sure I could explain it without maya in front of me.
Don't be satisfied with what you can do but rather strive to do the things you can't do!
Exceed Expectations!
Last edited by Perfecto; 01-06-2007 at 01:14 PM.