Part of my changes was switching to 16-bit floating-point for some textures and I think it does actually improve things, but might just be placebo. Anyway the reason was out of necessity for my additions, not trying to make anything look better.
Another thing is I know both BGFX and D3D renderers much better now so perhaps I can help fix bugs in the future, though I also have a real job, I suspect it's not as intense as MooglyGuy's.*
Anyway I'm sorry to have derailed the original thread. I'll get some screenshots and start a new thread talking in more detail about what I'm actually doing.
*Getting married is another story but that is still a whiles away.