TEXTURE EDITING

What formats should I be saving models in.

and what other programs should I be using to convert from and to BIF ?

Im still a bit confused guys.....

BASICALLY IN SHORT

I want to mod some of the units, change colours and put images on shields. At the moment I dont want to make new units (ie like those in the Nap or Rome mods) I just want to use the current ones, with a few changes, ie colouring the clothes in. Im still not sure how to do this.

I cant believe that their is no FREE online graphics 3D modeling programe that I cant do this in.

I also need to know how to covert the models from and then back into BIF. What is the best format to convert them in for editing, etc...

SORRY TO BE A PAIN GUYS..................