@itstheshawnp - no need to have physical sections. What you're talking about is quite simple to do I believe. 

1) get all files in the group (get by container_guid)

2) sort them into individual arrays by mimetype (foreach $files as $file etc.)

3) create dynamic tabs for each array if it's not empty

Ok, there's a bit more too it than that, with a couple of checks etc. but it's not too difficult. No need to worry about different upload forms or setting more metadata. 

P.S. For those who ask about "What happens when the mimetype doesn't get saved properly?", my solution would be to have an array of accepted mimetypes to create these individual arrays from. Any types that aren't listed in said array go into a special 'Misc' array. That way you don't lose files if the system hiccups while uploading.

how would i go about doing that?  would you have an example code to test?  especially since i have been looking into editing the tabs at the top of the site.

I don't work with 1.8 so I've not got any code example. On further thought you might wanna think about organizing by simpletype instead of mimetype, because you'll have less tabs to deal with.

thanks elgg community, you're the best!

i too just posted this question.  i want the same thing...files for misc docs and files, gallery for photos, and video for videos.  basically the same plugin, but each rewritten to show as either files, photos, or videos...and each with their own seperate file restrictions so people dont upload vids to the photo gallery etc...  i am with you on this...would make elgg much much better!  i am trying!