There's a similar glow setting in iClone. There's a glare/flare setting in iClone also, but, I don't know if they've made glare/flare nodes in iClone 5, or if they're still sticking with an overal all source for glares/flares...like in iClone 4. (It would be nice if they did.)
Yes, Blender is an outstanding 3D program for free, and it seems to create models that are just as elegant as any seen in a full cost app like Lightwave or Truespace. The models I make are really basic compared to far more skilled builders/artists out there, but they serve my purposes. As you've always said, it's what you do with the tools to help tell the story.
I'm anxious to see more of your works in Blender, Dave.