Of course it would automatically be a step in the right direction that is assuming that you think we should be able to do this at all.
I think we should be able to create freely, instead of offering a limited version with a few options which could be considered an improvement over not being able to do anything at all, but again, not necessarily a step in the right direction, more a distraction or placeholder.
I know it would be much simpler for them to add the more simple version and to many people it would even be preferred. While not ideal could be better to have something like this and the extra time used on other areas of the game.
That's always the excuse when discussing any new possible feature, keep it simple so it doesn't take time away from anything else, I don't know how PD is structured as a company but it could very well be that those who are working on a livery editor would otherwise have worked on Photo-Mode for example and when that would be mostly finished for GT6 it won't take any time away from other areas.
And again, do it properly or simply don't bother, adding something that in no way is a credible alternative to a livery editor would be a waste of time (especially when the goal is to have a proper one eventually), working on one that can be carried over in future games as well won't be.
I di not see it as pointless at all. This is a sim and you earn tons of credits in the game. If you want to paint a car irl then you have to pay to do it. Free paint would just make it less realistic than if they charged you for it, ideally the price should vary based on the type of paint and/or size of decal.
I'm of the opinion that not every single aspect of real life needs to be replicated to the point of becoming tedious and anal, as long as the driving part is accurately simulated.
I did not say that but sure why not, irl you have to pay a fee to drive on a track or enter a race.
That's indeed a logical consequence of your reasoning.
I did not say only create exact replicas but that is exactly what a lot of people will want to do where others will just want to add a number or stripes or decals or whatever they like.
And there's a whole world inbetween, as I've mentioned, the fun part for me is creating my own designs and I'm betting there are plenty who'd mostly love this aspect instead of blindly copying an existing design (I'll leave that happily to PD).
Of course it would, it would appear that you did not comprehend what I was saying.
I said 'seemingly suggesting' which was what I interpreted from reading your post, leaving room for a possible misunderstanding, yet still I doubt I really misunderstood what you were saying.