RE: Boeing 787-8 "Dreamliner" in 3D
Hi Mike,
Modo doesn't directly import 3DS files, but does .lxo (proprietary format) .OBJ, .LWO, DXF, and FBX. There are also several translators out now, including Rhino and Sketchup.
I've been using "Carrara Studio" (under various names, over the years) for over 10 years, and just switched to modo, after a lot of comparison shopping, which included LightWave. I think modo has the best modeling tools around, and a great renderer.