The Tips in detail

 "How do I get smooth textures?"

After designing the mesh for several hours you'll start applying the necesarry texture. Very often you might have results with seams or stretches or both.

In 3DSM 2.5 you can minimize those problems via the UVW mapping and a Blend-material. In first approach apply two UVW-mapping modifiers. In the second Mapping-modifier switch mapping channel to "2". Make one mapping planar and the other ie. spherical. Create a blend material holding the desired texture twice. Change the "Mix Amount" to 50%. When rendering the model, the texture should be less distorted / seamed. By playing around with the mapping's values and the Blend parameters you can achieve quite smooth textures.

Have a look at "How to use multiple textures on complex objects, like ie. a head?", too, for further info.