Oh man....i use sketchup for my work for about 7 years...i'm a sketchup jedi
in attachment you can see my las works
in attachment a game ready model (i hope) and a sketchup model
The software I use? ... Autocad, sketchup, Spazio3D, pconplanner, Kerkythea, wings3d, paint.net, torque3d, AxixGameFactory, PD particles.......maybe blender