Ask any 3D artist. Exporting a file is annoying. A custom pipeline exporter is one of the first and most expected tools that a technical artist can create. It is simultaneously a simple ask and such a custom ask that I think it serves as an excellent litmus test for a technical artist.
Here is my latest exporter.
There are several things that I really like about it.
First, it lets you choose to use the best name it can come up with, append some new text to it (like "TEST"), or give it an entirely new name.
Second, it doesn't ask you to choose the type of export at any point. Static mesh? Animation? Skinned mesh? They all work, and they are all automatic.
Third, it gives you the option to send it directly to the Unity project that you can link. Maya has a "Send to Unity" feature, but it doesn't allow you to send assets that have very strict and specific export rules that are somewhat destructive.
Finally, it allows you to export a Maya file AND an FBX at the same time. The FBX can go to Substance, the game engine, or wherever else it is needed, while the Maya file can go to Perforce or source control for art assets, allowing us to retain a comprehensive library of assets.
