Extract text from models and MIDI files (BWM)
To convert BWM files to another format, you need Black & White or other Game software.
To convert other file formats to the "Game Asset Archive" file type, you need software like Black & White or a similar tool.
The .BWM file extension primarily represents two distinct proprietary formats: a Black & White model file used by Lionhead Studios in their classic god-game, or a game music data file containing underlying MIDI data for the game Brainwave 2. In some legacy modding communities, it is also associated with older Age of Empires custom model files.
The main disadvantage of .BWM files is that they are highly proprietary, outdated, and lack standard headers recognized by modern software like Blender or standard audio players. Because they are locked into specific, obsolete game engines, accessing the 3D meshes or audio tracks requires specialized legacy tools like the Black & White Magic Editor. This makes typical conversion workflows frustrating, as standard online converters fail to parse the proprietary data blocks.
Just drag and drop your file to identify the format, view it, and convert it when possible on convert.guru. While 3D model variants often require original software to properly read or export the geometry, convert.guru can inspect the binary structure. If our analysis detects the embedded MID (MIDI) audio structure from the Brainwave 2 variant, viewing or conversion to MP3 or WAV may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your BWM file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted BXI, BJK and BFI files.
If you want to convert BWM file to , you can use Black & White or similar software from the "Game Model and Audio Data" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert files to BWM, try Black & White or another comparable tool in the "Game Model and Audio Data" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our BWM converter.