That's an interesting idea. Haven't really worked with weight painting. However, if I am using a cr2 with rigged bones is there a reason I can't add weights now? W/O going thru all of that. Altho,...don't I have to convert to a vertex obj or is there a way to keep it native....will have to see if I can find some info there. I remember something about that.Thomas had a great tut on rigging, maybe that has some information there. The whole weight painting area doesn't appear to be as well covered as others.

No need to think outside the box....
    Just make it invisible.