Do you need PP2012 specifically to export the 3DS to OBJ?

If not, you can use MeshLab to do a simple Import 3DS, then just Export as OBJ, and viola'.

That's what I just did, and rendered it in the Octane demo, which killed me since I own the full version lol

MeshLab can be downloaded here, and it's free:

http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

                                                                                                                    

Poser 10

Octane Render

Wings 3D