Jon, let me add another thanks to the list. I'll be doing some experimenting with your method versus my method, especially the normal maps. I hope to see some improvements!
I haven't tried to install the plug-in yet, since my computer is rendering at full at this moment, but do you know if the nivida plug-in can be transfered and used in Mac? If not, do you know of any other plugins that might be mac compatible?

Thanks