may be of a little interest, not exactly vector graphics, but a cool idea that does work with some art styles. http://simonschreibt.blogspot.de/2013/03/homeworld-backgrounds.html
For those still reticent to jump ship, here's a sneak preview of what's coming in the next iterations of Blender. https://code.blender.org/2017/03/eevee-roadmap/
Whoa! That technique with the normal map... I actually did something similar back in March. http://jeremiahbigley.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-made-normal-map.html