EXCELLENT!!! thanks... I use ATI's "TGAtoDOT3",
commented out the bmap_to_normals line,and replace the name of the targa being called... I edited the above code in case anyone wanted to copy&paste it without the need to edit..

works great!! seems to be a real bump map!
A good way to test is to use the object as a player, switch to orbit mode (F7), and rotate around the player. You really get to see the Skin change as the light rolls across the surface.

whats the best way to control the amount? tweaking the contrast of the texture or in code?