A long time ago, I tried exporting models with skinning through Maya, attempting to directly import the SMD file into Maya 6.0.1, and the plugins I found produced a terrible result. The idea of importing the file into a newer version of Maya and then opening it in the same 6.0.1 didn't occur to me, but maybe I should have. Currently, I use Arkhangel for importing models with skinning.
A long time ago, I tried exporting models with skinning through Maya, attempting to directly import the SMD file into Maya 6.0.1, and the plugins I found produced a terrible result. The idea of importing the file into a newer version of Maya and then opening it in the same 6.0.1 didn't occur to me, but maybe I should have. Currently, I use Arkhangel for importing models with skinning.