The method I use that has some advantages, but still needs a seperate document/version of the model, is to use Digital Carvers Guild's Shaders Plus, that offers the 'flat' and 'mask' shader.

That shading model creates flat renders, so it is easy to shade the whole scene black and the parts you want masked white. You can more or less use drag and drop on scene elements, or in the tray. It is a bit easier than making elements invisible (especially if it concerns shading domains or parts of models).

Good luck!

Link to Shaders Plus