Likewise. I spent a lot of time trying to come up with a very simple way of doing things, using basic layer styles like 'screen' and 'multiply'. For a while i had sabers looking good, but not good enough, Something that would look good live action was not emphasised enough in the cartoon with low detail backgrounds.

I was actual woring on compositing something else and thought, hang on this simple masking might be the answer i'm looking for, and it turned out to be. The upshot is that is also saves a lot of work when overlaying the existing sabers. My major concern is changing the look too much, But so far they seem to look good.

In regards to the end result, I just hope everyone keeps in mind that i'm not necessarily trying to make clone wars 'better' just 'different'. I'm not of the opinion that the show needs improving, aside from a handful of bloopers.

I also hope people find interest in what I'm sharing on the long road to completion.