Taking the 'I HAD A THOUGHT!' again, though this time about the 'echo platforms': I've been looking at some builds, and realized that there's a lot of fancy builds that would do *amazingly* well with having invisible platforms to stand on, because the stairs are essentially made with 90% walls and actuated bricks. Echo platforms would open up builds a lot, since you'd still be able to walk/step on them, while not needing to worry about how the platforms look in regards to the background.
Plus, you could use hammered platforms as a stair 'slope' and be able to run up stairs that you'd normally have to jump up.