I don't recommend changing makers unless there's a specific feature that you want (eg. easy sideview battles). Save the maker swap for future projects. This is especially true for VX Ace -> MV, as the resolution and tilesets are all different and will probably require hours upon hours of finagling.
As for your friend, it's better if he only tests. Letting him make edits would fast become a too-many-cooks situation. Like Porkate said, he needs the RTP pack.