Hi Burr - re: Glow - the glow effect is something that works along a 2D path, it only applies to curve rendering, not face rendering. So unfortunately it would not help for this particular purpose.
That's cool Burr, I like thread input from other users on the forum it makes more interesting reading, some of the ideas are great and it's better to say it than think it.
Plus we can't allow Michael to get bored :)
