[answering my own question, and then asking another :-)] On Sun, 4 Jul 1999 17:55:14 -0600 (MDT), Alex Rice <alrice@swcp.com> said: Alex> I still cannot create ZClasses with an external method (using Alex> aquisition) Since I can do it with ZPublisher.Client and by typing Alex> in a URL into my browser, but not via an external method, this is Alex> really seeming like a bug. Should I report this to Collector? <snip> It looks so easy in retrospect :-) This method below works a like a charm. I adapted this from Brian Lloyd's post today to zope-dev (subject: ZClasses instances become detached from class). def addFoo(self, id='a_obj', REQUEST=None): """ """ # Get the actual destination object, using the this() # method, to be sure we get it in the right context.. self=self.this() # Create the new instance newob=self.Control_Panel.Products.Foo.foo(id) # redundant? newob.id=id # Set properties based on the contents of the Add form newob.propertysheets.info.manage_changeProperties(REQUEST) # Add the new instance to the target object self._setObject(id, newob) return 'OK!' Question: why the heck does one need to call self=self.this()? In what cases does it make a difference? That's just weird. Is this() def'd in SimpleItem.py? Alex Rice