Yes and no. My recent graphic art uses Vue Easel 5 software, which relies on pre-generated images and effects (though they're easy to modify and one's own graphics/images can be imported). My older graphic art uses self-made imagery.
Interesting ... just some of the places you brightened you have brightened to much .. I should get back into playing with graphic arts .. just have to find the time .. :) what program are you using for this ~T~
I used Vue Easel 5 by e-on software. Actually, I wanted greater brightness but the conversion of the bitmaps to jpeg slightly compromised the glow quality (the surface detail's only interesting on the large cubes).