Well, skp definitely is a lot easier to learn while 3ds's learning curve is substantial since their UI is quite proprietary and not as intuitive (at least for me). That is why most 3ds users prefer not to switch because of the feeling that all the time spent mastering it would go to waste.

Also, unless skp has been improved since I last tried it out, I don't think it can match 3ds' rendering capabilities.

Actually the best approach is to use a combination of software tools, which is what you are already doing.