lol! looking at the maps you've posted, I expect I'll be asking you that question before long!

If you're not familiar with UV mapping, then you might want to learn how to do that. With it, you will be able to use your photoshop skills to superimpose a map on top of a mesh rather than using Bryce procedurals.

But that's about it from me in terms of how I approach it.

Ravs