Yeah Thoumsin? Well I'm not about to spend $300 on 3ds Max to edit an existing mesh.
And i will say that you are stupid if you spend money on software for modding sins...
Simply look at the outdated modding pdf from Stardock... they recommand XSI mod tool who is free... and it is all you need for the hardpointing ( along a little utility from Ironclad/Stardock who convert the XSI file to .mesh )...
For modeling, i use wings3d ( free ), meshlab ( free ), art of illussion ( free )... for the template UV, i use UV_viewer ( free )... for the texture, i use Gimp ( free )... for the hardpoint, somebody else ( XSI don't like me ) use XSI mod tool ( free )...
By the way, myfist weebly is one of the best place for modding info... reference file there are a little uotdated but master Harpo have everything in control in his own topic... Somebody else have a great eclipse tool too...