Jabberwocky,
I have thought of doing that actually, specifically the last approach you suggested. I will add it, it shouldn't be too hard.
Cool.
Would you need multiple composition textures to support multiple lights?
Any other features you would like to see? I might actually run a kickstarter for this, depending on how many features I end up adding.
My best guess, you are going to have 2 kinds of users:
1. Users who want per-pixel lighting with normal maps.
2. Users who don't.
I am (1), and I would happy contribute to a kickstarter for a project that supported this.
In case you need to generate some normal maps to test this functionality, I believe both
CrazyBump and
PixPlant have 30-day free trials. Or you may just be able to find some free sample art from a google search. Let me know if I can help with any of that.
In case you decide not to run a kickstarter, I'd still be happy to contribute a donation directly, just let me know.