I'm still amazed that a machine can do that x-stitch!
The 7-Up thing I learned from a professional caterer who was doing fruit plates for people several days before Christmas to be eaten on Christmas Day. I asked, won't they turn brown .. and found out the secret! Since then I have used it whenever I wanted to avoid browning. Pretty much any fruit and it works! I've used it fresh or for fruit going into the freezer.
Actually the step effect I was thinking not to use the D4P. and doing it kind of like windows or yes, the shadow effect could work with it too. I'll try to sketch something and send it to you. Be Prepared ... I am NO artist!