As LaurieA said, any 3D program novadays works with obj files. More important is that you check that your program works with Collada. For instance, if you use Collade when importing to Sketchup the model will remember its exact coordinates when you import it back into your high-end program, and snap into place.

Why bother with Sketchup at all you may ask? Because you work 10 times faster in Sketchup. Compared to Cinema 4D for instance or any other of the 'big' programs.