XAL File – What is .xal file and how to open it?

XAL File Format

A XAL file (Exient Asset List File) is a plaintext file format utilized by Exient Entertainment’s game engine, Exigent. It serves as a manifest or index that lists all the game assets required by a particular game. These assets can include textures, models, sounds, scripts, and other data files necessary for the game to function.

XAL files are structured in a hierarchical manner, with each line representing a specific asset or folder. The format follows a simple syntax, with each line comprising the asset’s path relative to the game’s root directory, followed by additional optional parameters that provide information about the asset’s properties, such as its size, type, and dependencies. For instance, a line in a XAL file might read: ./Textures/wood.png 128 128 RGBA8. This line indicates that there is an image file named wood.png located in the Textures folder of the game’s root directory. The file is 128 pixels wide and 128 pixels high and uses the RGBA8 color format. XAL files are essential for Exigent-based games, as they enable the engine to efficiently load and manage the game’s assets.

Programs that can open XAL files:

The file extension .XAL is primarily associated with Exient Entertainment, a software company that specializes in creating games and software for the entertainment industry. The XAL file extension is most commonly used for Exient Asset List Files, which are files that contain a list of assets used in a game or software application. These assets can include textures, models, sounds, and other data that is required for the game or application to run properly.

There are a number of different programs that can be used to open XAL files. One of the most common programs is the Exient Asset Manager, which is a software application that is used to manage and organize the assets used in Exient games and applications. The Exient Asset Manager can be used to view, edit, and export XAL files.

Another program that can be used to open XAL files is the XAL Viewer, which is a free software application that is available for download from the Exient Entertainment website. The XAL Viewer can be used to view and export XAL files.

XAL File Format

An XAL file is an Exient Asset List File, a proprietary format used by Exient Entertainment’s video game development tools. It is a text-based file that contains a list of assets used in a game, such as textures, models, and sounds. Each asset is identified by its name, type, and path within the game’s file structure. XAL files are essential for managing and tracking the large number of assets used in modern video games. They ensure that all necessary assets are included in the game and that they are properly organized and accessible.

XAL File Structure

An XAL file is structured as a series of lines, each of which represents a single asset. Each line begins with a keyword that identifies the type of asset, followed by the asset’s name, path, and any additional metadata. For example, a line representing a texture asset might look like this:


Texture MyTexture textures/MyTexture.png


This line indicates that the asset is a texture named “MyTexture” that is located in the “textures” directory and has the filename “MyTexture.png”. XAL files can also contain references to other assets, such as models and animations, allowing for complex dependencies between assets to be managed.

Other Extensions