Yep, that's how I did it too once...
Anyway, it's a good question though Brian, I also like to know more about the compute normal and normal terrain functions.
Especially when to use them en when not.
At the moment when I create a terrain, using a heightfield load for example, I attach the first compute terrain. Then I'm displacing the terrain with some surface layers and strata/outcrops, followed by another compute terrain.
After that I'm connectig the surface shaders and when they're all finished I also connect a compute terrain which is then connected to the planet01 shader.
Probably terribly wrong all, but I believe wihout all te compute terrains the displacements aren't accurate and sometimes aren't even working.
Can't tell why, don't know haha
So a little explanation on this matter would indeed be very very useful
Martin