Models in maya

[josemassacre]

Hello I am new to this site and messing with models in general. Ive had some success in making models work in maya but ive noticed some models will be one solid mesh but have multiple images that it needs, i was just wondering how i would add multiple images to one solid object because splitting it in the mesh tab at the top split it ALL the way down, it had 618 selectable pieces.
Thanks in advance