The 'relighting' technique that was being demonstrated is fairly standard - I guess most architects already do this (or should do?) when rendering 3D visualisations.
The rpf file format export was very clever indeed - shame it locks you down to using just 3DS Max and Combustion (yuck). Never been a big fan of Combustion, but that's kind of a 'given' working in a VFX studio - where it is very much looked down on.
Apple's Shake is now only $500, and is much, much more powerful. I've been using Digital Fusion a lot recently, too, which is great - direct import of fbx and obj meshes, including textures, to your compositing package. Woo!