Hey there. In my early programming classes, I actually popped together a little tool that was supposed to do the whole calculation thing that you mention in step 2. I have the file still, but I seem to remember a problem with making it rotate on the right axis. I'll include the original file, and if it's screwy, lemme know so I can try to fix it. I'll test it when I get a chance next time I'm at the college (Don't have Maya at home). There's a couple extra tools I put together; Nothing amazing, but feel free to utilize them if you have a use for 'em.
Edit: Just a little note; I think it's the first tool, "Create Array" or something like that. I used Cinema 4D prior, and while the program wasn't as advanced, it had a tool called the Array Tool that did exactly this. I named it after that, ignoring the multitude of things called arrays in Maya.