The "text" file that you would build with your Editor is the ".str" file.
But be careful! I did the same and then found out that this file type comes and goes... When I built a structure using a '.str' input file it actually worked. Then I also used it to edit my model and that DID NOT work. I cannot tell the exact details, but it looks like CII converts the .str file into a binary .C2S file after closing the session and deletes the .str file. When a new session is opened a new .str file is written. I found this out because I kept the input file open with my editor and after restarting CII my editor suddenly reports 'File has changed, do you want to reload?'