Some questions on modding and editing

[cutepuppy]

OK, I downloaded WesMod a while ago, seems great, so I want to do some modding myself. I already know how to create brand new units (thanks to KekvitIrae's post on the .com forums somewhere in july). But I do not want only create new units, I also want new uniticons and, to a lesser extent, graphics.
I read a post by Duke John (posted Aug 10 2003) on unit graphics but is not complete.
My question is how can I change and save .bif and .lbm files. I have downloaded the readbif 21, but I can't extract bitmaps from .bifs.
I'll try to give some detailed examples to make my point clear.

1) I want to create a maceman, using the body and shield of CMAA, but with a mace instead of a sword. So I have to add a mace to the .bif file that contains the body of the CMAA. But how do you do that? And how do you make that the mace is really held in the hands of the maceman, instead of hanging somewhere in the sky?
2) The high era royal knights have their horse all covered with a white cloth. I want that cloth give some faction specific looks (for english it wil be red with small yellow vertical bands), how do you do that? I know I have to change the Khorse file and the faction specific looks are substituted with purple and green.

I know this question rather belongs to the dungeon, but I can't post there and I asked a similar (but less detailed) question on the .com mod foums, but i got no answer.

[Lord Of Storms]

Hi Cutepuppy,here is a link to a topic that deals in depth, with your question and alot more,I hope this helps, be sure to give it a good read, yes its lengthybut very informative...LOS Animations Thread Link

[cutepuppy]

The post you mentioned seems very helpful. I've printed out the first 'internet' page, it is 33 'paper' pages. I think it will take some days to fully understand the whole thing.
Thanks a lot for your help and many, many thanks, Wellington