Creating a mesh on any object, duplicating the mesh and editing faces Id like to create an atomic model of a nanoparticle, a truncated octahedron to be precise. I know I can use the "set parent" function using small spheres to superimpose on an octahedron (itself created after bevelling a cube). Like I have shown in the picture.

I am facing a problem in making the new structure (truncated octahedron made of small spheres) independently editable. For example, id like to change its orientation wrt to the camera and also colour/texture different faces differently.

Thanks in advance!
So, assuming your problem is getting actual geometry out of the Dupli-Objects that you generate in the vertex-positions of your octahedron:






Create the object to be duplicated. In this example: the octahedron
Create the object whose vertices indicate the positions of the Dupli-Objects. In this example: the cube
Parent the octahedron to the cube
Set the Duplication Mode in the Object Tab to Verts
Select the object whose vertices position the clones (the cube)
Create actual geometry from the clones by using the Make Duplicates Real function