and use grey values so the transparency can be taken advantage of. make sue you import in 32 bit mode (alpha.., 'best guess' in after effects)

shadows and highlights do not inhabit the exact same place.., a highlight might be surrounded by shadow and/or reflected light, ect.., but your values should dictate what is shown where. the question doesnt make sense unless you are attempting this using RGB hues and values??

'specular totally covers up the colour' [quote]

specular DOES cover the colour.., its a highlight??

im trying to figure what you mean but i cant get my head around the question??? must be getting late in the day.

any examples??

i might be over complicating this??!!