So, for putting together a Pokémon texture, you'll want the following:
• Photo Editor. (I'm using paint.net.)
• Alpha Mask Plugin / Option / Effect for the Photo Editor.
• 3D Program. (I'm using 3DS Max.)
• TextureRemix tool. (To split apart texture channels.)
• That Pokémon's Hex Codes. (Their internal, official colour values.)
• That Pokémon's Split "LYM" Textures. (You will need to merge some of these, too.)



To obtain the hex codes, I use Random Talking Bush's 3DS Max script to import Manectric's model. RTB has the material nodes setup to automatically display the proper colours using the respective LYM masks. If you don't have 3DS Max, then, um... I guess you'll have to find a way to get the material information out of the Pokémon's files? Once you do have that information, search within it (.txt or .json, I reckon...) for the texture's material name that you want to make, then put together the hex codes using the RGB values for "BaseColorLayerX" with X being the digit. If you don't know how to split apart an "LYM" texture, download Peardian's TextureRemix tool, drag the LYM into it, set an export location, and press the "|||" button. Then, instead of leaving them as "..._R / _G / _B / _A", rename the exported split textures as "..._A / _B / _C / _D".



Next, you'll want to find an Alpha Mask Import plugin for paint.net. The one I use is from 2006, and I can confirm it works perfectly (at least with 4.X versions of paint.net, anyway.) Once that plugin is installed, make sure the "Layers" box is open (button for it is in the upper right corner), drag LYM_A into paint.net as a new image, then drag LYM_B and LYM_C in as layers. If done correctly, you should have 3 textures all within the same project. Duplicate LYM_B and LYM_C, move them below the first 3, and temporarily hide those two by disabling the check-marks next to their names – they're meant for later. At the bottom of the Layers box, set the first 2 layers to "Additive" mode using the "Layer Properties" option. Next, merge all 3 layers into one texture. Save this texture as LYM_A+B+C.png. The program will first ask if you want to flatten the image; as long as the two duplicate textures from earlier are hidden, you can press yes. Once LYM_A+B+C.png is exported, hit the Undo button to un-flatten the textures, then delete your merged A+B+C layer and set the duplicated LYM_B / LYM_C to be visible again. Repeat the process by setting the top layer to "Additive" mode, merge the two, then save them as LYM_B+C.png.



Open a new image in paint.net with the same dimensions as your LYM textures. Duplicate the current layer 3 times; name them as A, B, C, D, in that order. Open the "Colours" box (button's also in the upper right corner), click the "More >>" button within it, select the Paint Bucket tool, then fill in each layer with the hex code colour respective to the LYM that they're meant for. (For example: LYM_A needs light blue, LYM_B needs dark yellow, LYM_C needs bright pink, LYM_D needs dark grey.) After setting each colour, select your "A" layer. In the top toolbar, go to "Effects" and choose "Alpha Mask..." (the plugin you installed from earlier.) Make sure all 3 check-marks are disabled, and make sure your clipboard is clear of any images regardless. Select the LYM_A+B+C.png texture you made and press OK. For your "B" layer, do the same by selecting your LYM_B+C.png texture. For your "C" and "D" layers, select LYM_C.png and LYM_D.png for them, respectively. Finally, re-arrange the order of the layers as D, C, B, A. If everything was done correctly, you should now have a proper "mock-up" of that Pokémon's colours! And of course, do not discard the original LYM's that were split apart if you do intend on submitting. Just take a look at my Manectric, Pyroar, or Roserade submissions to see how yours should be organised.



Happy baking!