Thank you David for your detailed feedback. [:)]
I'm glad that you succeeded to get a rendering with version 3.2 similar to your version of the Advanced rendering plugin (and faster if I follow you correctly).
I know you would prefer light sources that are always shown in the 3D view. If you really want such lights, I (or you) can prepare a furniture library file containing them. Just have to use a 3D model based on lightSource.obj with the g line that doesn't start with sweethome3d_light_source and use a properties file defining the light sources similar to the ones in DefaultFurnitureCatalog.properties (note the new deformable#, texturable# and lightSourceDiameter# properties introduced in version 3).