Small practical example with Maya API python functionalities
Generate Rotation matrix using 3 vectors (normal, tangent, up)
Download Source Code

import maya.OpenMaya as OpenMaya

def main():
    m_color = ( 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0 )
    m_color = float4Torgba(m_color)    
    generateTexture("c:/tmp","color01",m_color)

def generateTexture(m_path,m_fileName,m_color):
    try:
        m_util = OpenMaya.MScriptUtil
        #-------------
        m_height = 16
        m_width = 16
        m_depth = 4
        #-------------
        m_image = OpenMaya.MImage()
        m_image.create(m_height, m_width, m_depth )
        m_pixels = m_image.pixels()
        #-------------
        m_arrayLen = m_width * m_height * m_depth
        for i in range(0, m_arrayLen, m_depth):
            m_util.setUcharArray(m_pixels, i+0, m_color[0])    
            m_util.setUcharArray(m_pixels, i+1, m_color[1])
            m_util.setUcharArray(m_pixels, i+2, m_color[2])
            m_util.setUcharArray(m_pixels, i+3, 0)
        m_image.setPixels(m_pixels, m_height, m_width)        
        m_image.writeToFile( "{}/{}.png".format(m_path,m_fileName), '.png' )
    except:
        OpenMaya.MGlobal.displayWarning("Can't save file to {}/{}.png".format(m_path,m_fileName))
        return False
    else:
        return True
        
def float4Torgba((m_r,m_g,m_b,m_a)):
    m_red   = int(m_r * 255.0)
    m_green = int(m_g * 255.0)
    m_blue  = int(m_b * 255.0)
    m_alpha = int(m_a * 255.0)
    return (m_red, m_green, m_blue, m_alpha)

main()

The same like in 3dsmax. Attach polygons via Maya Python Api and Maya cmds to existing mesh.
Not combine, no cheating. Also with skinning support.
Limitation : very slow.
Download : attachObjects.zip

Just unzip the script into C:/maya_scripts/modeling and make a Python shelf button in Maya with this code:

import sys
import maya.cmds as cmds 
path = 'C:/maya_scripts/modeling'
if path not in sys.path:
    sys.path.append(path) 
import attachObjects; attachObjects.main();

Quick example working with OpenMaya.MFnMesh setUV and assignUV.
Limitation : works only on objects with no construction history.
Download : apiGenerateUV.zip

Download : vtxNormalsToSoftHardEdges.zip
Usage:

 
import vtxNormalsToSoftHardEdges; vtxNormalsToSoftHardEdges.convertNormals();

Quick example

 
import maya.OpenMaya as OpenMaya

m_obj       = OpenMaya.MObject() # should get from any code above
m_dagPath   = OpenMaya.MDagPath()
if m_obj.hasFn( OpenMaya.MFn.kDagNode ):
    OpenMaya.MDagPath.getAPathTo( m_obj, m_dagPath )
    print( m_dagPath.fullPathName() )

Quick example

 
import maya.OpenMaya as OpenMaya

m_iterator = OpenMaya.MItDag( OpenMaya.MItDag.kDepthFirst )
while not m_iterator.isDone():
	m_obj   = m_iterator.currentItem()
	m_objFn = OpenMaya.MFnDagNode( m_obj )
	#if ( OpenMaya.MFn.kMesh == m_obj.apiType() ):
	print( m_objFn.fullPathName() )
	m_iterator.next()