How to open .X files.

The .x files ARE the models. Some import plugins are available for some 3d modelling suites, but generally speaking you're going to create or import models from elsewhere and export them to X format for use in the game, rather than the other way around.

If you want to make new models, you need (1) 3d modelling skill, (2) a 3d modelling program, such as blender (free) or 3d studio max (NOT free), and (3) a method to export the models to the format the game needs (such as panda exporter for 3dsm).

You can open them up in notepad if you want to see all the scary numbers inside

All The Scary Numbers

Yeah, I Tried That And Didn't Try Again.  

OK, answered this one before. Go to microsoft's website and download the latest Microsoft DirectX SDK (Software Development Kit). It comes with a .X model viewer, where you can look at, rotate, an zoom in and out on the .x models. HOWEVER, you can NOT edit them with it.

EDIT: here i'll make it real easy, here's the link: Aug. 2006 Microsoft DirectX SDK . Note however this is a 506Mb installation file.

To edit or make new models you must have some kind of 3D modeling software and a compatible DirectX .x export plugin. Not only that you will need some experience in 3D modeling, and you'll need to know how the models are set up in the game, which is what Kryo said already.

Go with blender. It is free, reasonably small, and lets you do editing. The directx SDK is extreme overkill for what you want. In addition, it has .x exporting by default.

What About BIK Files? Its Kinda Hard To Edit The Tech Tree.

The tech tree is all in TechTree.xml. You just give each tech a category and prerequisite, and that determines where the game puts it in the tree. The Bink files are just the little wireframe animations shown in the corner of the screen, so they aren't really important to tech tree modding (you can just reuse the ones that are there).

I Know But I Would Like To See Them Or Create New Ones. Also, The X-Files Don't Open With Blender.

Blender needs an .X import plugin if you really want to edit the existing models, but last I found one it was unreliable at best. You'll need to search for one, as it doesn't include one by default.

To view (I don't remember if it includes the encoder for creating new ones) the Bink files, you need RAD Video Tools. If those do include the Bink encoder, you still need video authoring software in order to create an AVI that you can then convert to BNK.

And good luck getting the Bink encoder to work! Tried for days to encode an animation i had but the bugger would not work for me

If you get the darn program to work please do a walkthrough for the rest of us saps here

Actually It Works. Just Download From Kryos Link. Open The Bink Files With RAD.

And Kryo, What Was The One You Found Unreliable?

I have used the Bink encoder to convert some .wmv's that I had edited in Windows Movie Maker( ). I just selected the file in the RAD tools interface and clicked Bink it, then OK. It worked fine.

Okay, but does anyone know how to export from Blender into .X format? Pleeeeeaseeee.