Thank you @Marty R . Just wanted to verify that I don't need to use a channel from the TIU or an AIU in order to power the switches. I was going through Barry's 3rd edition, which is a great resource as is the TIU owner's manual and the MTH switch manual, but had trouble finding something that addresses where I fall on the spectrum. Layout with...
Conventional Manual switches--Conventional w/ track powered switches---Conventional w/ Aux powered switches---Conventional w/ aux powered Switches connected--DCS user manual switches---DCS user track powered switches----DCS user aux powered switches via power not through TIU or AIU---DCS user aux powered switches via TIU channel w/o AIU ---DCS user manual switches and aux switches controlled via AIU... You get the picture ha.