Holy bajeezus, but it's really impressive what some people can accomplish with texture work, using 3-D ray tracing.
By creating textures off-line and simulating light and shadows, Johanna Hyacinth has really impressive "before" and "after" views of a lecture hall she designed for Rockcliffe University in Second Life. I just love the way the corners of the rooms get dark, and how the shadows fall under the chairs. Very much worth taking a peek at.
I hope she doesn't mind that I'll post two thumbnails here...