We released 3ds Max USD 0.3 Beta with USD Stage Support and a new Max USD SDK. The USD Stage Object allows you to load USD files directly into Max without importing. The SDK allows you to take control of our USD Exporter. See an overview of USD, USD in Max and also a video of me showing how scripters can start building…
@musashidan - about the transform cycle is kinda easy and I use this as well. ( case toolmode.commandmode of ( #select: max move #move: max rotate #rotate: max scale #uscale: max move #nuscale: max move ) ) Just put it in a macroscript and bind to a single shortcut key and be happy.
Max can save out files to older formats. Like max 2012 can save as 2012, 2011, or 2010 .max files. If your clients files cant be opened in your copy of max, just ask them to save it out into a version that's compatible with your copy of max.