Why spend a dime when you can use wings3d(free) to build the models quickly and export to fbx and then animate in your favourite animation tool some say fragmotion(cheap) some say blender(free) then export to mdl through blender.

Depending on your animation needs the cost could rise beyond your wallet!

Having said that why not try Carrara 7 with all the bells and whistles and support for exporting to collada .dae maybe hexagon for modeling is your style also similar to Modo! Or Maybe houdini is more to your liking?

The best for UV Mapping why not try these bad boys out:

Ultimate Unwrap I think you already have this link
Unfold3d http://www.polygonal-design.fr/e_unfold/index.php
UvLayout http://www.uvlayout.com/

i just love UvLayout Unfold3d looks pretty good too Wings3d's uv mapper is good too

or maybe you might like cyslice http://www.headus.com/au/cyslice/

enjoy !!!!!!