Quote - This is called diffraction, the direct application of Huygens principle and wave nature of the light.

Yeah, I know, lol.  Couldn't think of the word.  Felt like I was spelling with wooden blocks and making choochoo sounds while I was writing "bending".  You're right about diffraction, maybe ambient occlusion is what I was going for.  And not the fake stuff like older versions used.  Even a quick render with default scanline settings in Max seems to have smoother light distribution.  I think if that were sorted out in Firefly it would become a lower end competitor for the other mainstream, non-bajillion dollar renderers out there, like Mental-Ray, C4D, etc.  Or maybe not, but I think it would make it a heck of a lot easier for those with less experience/Poser knowledge to produce better renders and avoid some frustration.