I'm thinking that SM would do well to change the IDL algorithm such that you don't need such high ambient values to cast a reasonable amount of light;  i.e., the amount of light cast should -ideally- match the brightness of the object.

     A lampshade should not need to be searingly white-hot.  It should be a warm gentle beige.

     A computer monitor screen should cast a soft light, yet it obviously should also be readable.  If you crank the ambient to 9, it will cast sufficient light, but then you can't show the screen because it is blank hyper-white.

     This is why I use separate emitters in addition to the visible glowy prop.  It is a workaround needed because the IDL sensitivity to ambient doesn't match reality very well.  I hope this will be changed in the next Poser version.

paper lanterns...

 

glowing jewels and reflective metallics...

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Poser 12, in feet.  

OSes:  Win7Prox64, Win7Ultx64

Silo Pro 2.5.6 64bit, Vue Infinite 2014.7, Genetica 4.0 Studio, UV Mapper Pro, UV Layout Pro, PhotoImpact X3, GIF Animator 5