Blender is one of the best probram but it is most difficult. There is no other 3d application with so weird interface.
Check wings3d forum. Wings is far from perfect but is most user friendly. Moreover tutorials are easy to find via google.

UV mapper is hopeless, because it has no unfold option - projections only.
Look here:
http://www.morphography.uk.vu/uvmapping.html
UV mapper and roadkill are easy to use on low poly figures.