Here is a 4K Render of a Darth Vader Lightsaber modelled using Polygon primitives and CV Curves in Autodesk Maya. UV/Normal maps were made in xNormal, and the Model was rendered with a HDRI Map in Mental Ray.
The Lightsaber is fully textured and rendered with max settings in Mental Ray, using a HDRI Map and final gathering.
Close up detail of the lightsaber emitter.
Preliminary Ambient Occlusion render of Lightsaber Hilt.