automating cutout: macro to read image size, create plane, apply texture and transparency
+drag and drop image to batch file send command through maya commandport
+faceCamera (like sketchup component face camera / rhino renderTools billboard)

note: for lambert transparency cutout shadow: 1.check “alpha is luminance” 2. open the raytrace options for the material and set “shadow attenuation” to zero (see: http://forums.cgsociety.org/archive/index.php/t-760184.html)