Join multiple objects into 1 object without combining the vertices? is there a way to combine multiple objects without actually attaching them to each other?

I tried parenting them to a empty axis but I can't switch modes from the parent.
I would have to go through and select each child object to do it. :&lt;
Try using lattice modifier.

To get the modifier to all objects select them with box selection and after this click in any of them, add the lattice modifier and press ctrl-l>modifiers to give all of them the lattice modifier.

here's an example of this: