Right now, I am sure the art department has had a long road doing conversions. (upgrading from 256x256 to 1024x1024)
And not just aircraft skins - I can only imagine all the little things that "skinners" don't get to see, outside of a vehicle/aircraft skin.
If anyone out there hasn't tried doing a skin - I would suggest it.
Just to get an idea of the time.
I would imagine that doing a complete conversion on an aircraft with say 3 external tiles for skins and 4-5 internal times for skins would easily take at least 2 weeks if you have time to kill, 2-4 weeks if you work part time and easily 6 weeks if you have a full time job and family.
Not only is it just increasing the size, but increasing detail. There has to be time allotted for reasearch, ect...to make sure everything is a close to correct as it can be.
Then theres the 3d modelling... I have no experience in this, but would imagine that to be time consuming as well.
From the jist of the HTC staffs post in varios threads, I would imagine that the beta is the foundation right now. Gotta build that good and strong and without faults before you start adding in framework for the walls and roof. One you get those done you can easily "remodel" the finishing of the walls and basically redecorate however you want.
So hopefully were nearing the stage where the foundations solid, the walls and roof are going up and you'll start to see "decorators" take over.
hopefully the carpet matches the drapes.......