"I would say yes!"
And I would say no. SDS is subdivision surfaces; Milkshape does not do subdivision surfaces modeling.
My recommendations (ie. my opinion) for low cost 3D art is to use Wings3D for modeling (free, multiplatform, SDS modeler,) Ultimate Unwrap for texture mapping and file conversion (among other things, the only tool which supports skeletal animation AND imports b3d format,) and CharacterFX for animation (exports to b3d file format.) Meanwhile, if you have the money to buy Lightwave, I would say make sure to consider Maya. It's not too much more and some people (eg. me) rate it the best 3D art tool in existence.
And I would say no. SDS is subdivision surfaces; Milkshape does not do subdivision surfaces modeling.
My recommendations (ie. my opinion) for low cost 3D art is to use Wings3D for modeling (free, multiplatform, SDS modeler,) Ultimate Unwrap for texture mapping and file conversion (among other things, the only tool which supports skeletal animation AND imports b3d format,) and CharacterFX for animation (exports to b3d file format.) Meanwhile, if you have the money to buy Lightwave, I would say make sure to consider Maya. It's not too much more and some people (eg. me) rate it the best 3D art tool in existence.