Is 'plate between studs' SNOT supported by one of the LEGO building software?
To build your example in MLCad (LDraw), I needed to switch to "Grid Fine" to move the element into the right alignment:




A couple of techniques to note when doing this when you finish with the SNOT modeling:


Set the grid back to coarse so that subsequent pieces are back on the grid.
Select a non-SNOT element (in this case the 2x3 or 2x2 plate) before placing the next element - grid alignment and rotation are inherited from the last selected piece, so this gets you back to "normal".


See also Joubarc's renderings for my Heroica Graveyard question, again from LDraw by the looks of things, with the elements are added within the clips or between grills in the radiators: