Hope to see someone who knows what they are doing try this too. I thought that I was getting quite close in the render I posted above. But as soon as I learned that there was no way to export (only works at render time) I had to find a different way. But the best way I have to do it is the way that won't export. I suppose that I could import a terrain into maya and do it there, but that obviously does not serve this thread.
Thanks guys.