Sculpting clean panel lines

I’m having trouble getting clean edges when sculpting panel lines; the best I can do is use the layer brush and set the curve to linear, but it never matches the clarity of a baked heightmap.

https://s4.postimg.org/6vbdjda4d/comparison.jpg

Of course the problem with working with heightmaps is that you’re stuck with that particular shape and size, which isn’t flexible. Is there a better way to do super clean panel lines?