Hey again!
I’ll be 1) documenting the scripting API and 2) making tutorial videos about creating and editing sprite styles in the next few days, so stay tuned!
The manifest.tds file is just code, so it’s just a plain text file. I use VS Code to write them. I’ll be publishing a VS Code extension that adds syntax highlighting for TDSM scripts imminently as well.
The primary use case for Stipple Effect when it comes to making sprite styles is programmatically separating and saving assets from project files, which I’ll be covering in the tutorial videos.
For now, I’d recommend using the Pokémon sprite styles as examples to study how sprite styles work. Have look at how their manifest.tds files and other subdirectories are structured, if you haven’t had the chance to do so already. You can also experiment with modifying the script or CVS files and assets in the bases subdirectories in the if you feel confident.
Thanks for your continued interest in the program; let me know if you have any other questions!