I agree, the result is what counts. I might even agree that getting the result using the FE is more satisfying because it is a challenge, but for me it would require more effort. You cant edit models in vue (except by using booleans) but if it has a volumetric material you can edit the density in the FE exactly the way you demonstrated for the lenticular cloud. I attached a (very non-wow) image where I started from a vue primitive sphere, made the material volumetric, copied the content of the FE of the Lenticular cloud and pasted it in the FE for the sphere. It only uses part of the volume of the sphere because I havnt changed the parameters I had for the scales/multiplies in the cloud but I'm sure it can be adjusted. Doesnt look that great becuase (a) I did it in 2 minutes flat and didnt play with what can be adjusted (b) As I said, you I dont have all the extra parameters a spectral cloud has. I dont think it is impossible to allow spectral cloud material to a regular object, just e-on didnt think about it. Same could be done for an imported object -If I started with a modeled 'hat' shape I would just need to assign the volumetric(or spectral) material, and/or I could further adjust it in the FE. I like this better conceptually becuase the shape and the density are different aspects and I would have liked to treat them independently. I used the combination of an imported object/ volumetric material before, for example [ Ella in mid creation](http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1833673) and [ In need of change](http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1831873)

The general volume where I wanted the rocks & water chunks was modelled in Hexagon and imported to vue. I created a hypertexture material for these shapes to actually form the chunks within.

So in principle I wish I could create the shapes by modelling or mathematical functions and then assign the appropriate volumetric materials, and enhance them using the FE.
But I concede that in practice for the time being somethings are only achievable by using the FE.
I wish I was better at it:)

"I paint that which comes from the imagination or from dreams, or from an unconscious drive. I photograph the things that I do not wish to paint, the things which already have an existence."
Man Ray, modernist painter
http://artpearl.redbubble.com/