Right now, I am testing out a bunch of shaders to use in a large game with seamless level loading made from models only (not level geometry).

For using normal mapping / bumpmapping, you need 2-3 textures for each model. This is going to make the file quite large by the time you complete your game.

Is there a better way?

I do have Sphere (which I really love, btw), but the splash screen will "break" the seamless level loading and since this game is an rpg with quite a few models. I won't be able to use Sphere with this game, unfortunately.