Below is a duplicate of the readme for WMX-DLCMerged, found in the WMX-DLC download. I've added it as an article here so that people can read it before downloading, and also because the advent of Nexus Mod Manager and its integration into the Nexus website made it possible for people to download and install mods without knowing that their included readme files even exist, let alone how to access them.

On that topic; the original readme can be accessed by opening the file you downloaded using a program like 7-Zip (which is free). The readme can also be found in your Data directory - where the plugin files themselves go - after installation.

This is just the readme for the merged version of WMX-DLC. You should also read the original readmes for the individual WMX-DLC plugins, and for WMX-PreOrderPacks:

- WMX-DeadMoney
- WMX-GunRunnersArsenal
- WMX-HonestHearts
- WMX-LonesomeRoad
- WMX-OldWorldBlues
- WMX-PreOrderPacks


Original readme follows:



Fallout New Vegas:

==================
Weapon Mods Expanded - DLCMerged

Version: 1.0.2
Date: 03-11-2015
Author: Antistar (Joseph Lollback)
E-mail: [email protected]
==================


1. Description
2. Requirements
3. Installation/Uninstallation
4. Playing the mod
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
6. Save games
7. Conflicts/Known Issues
8. Credits
9. Modder's Resource Info
10. Contact Information
11. Legal Stuff/Disclaimer
12. Version History

===============
1. DESCRIPTION
===============

WMX-DLCMerged is WMX-DM, WMX-HH, WMX-OWB, WMX-LR and WMX-GRA all merged into one plugin. It should be used *instead* of all those plugins if you have all the official DLC and want to reduce the size of your load order. (Note that the Pre-Order Packs - a.k.a. 'Courier's Stash' - are covered by a separate merged plugin and readme.)

This readme largely covers what is different about using WMX-DLCMerged compared to the individual WMX-DLC plugins. For more information, please see the original readmes for the individual plugins, which can be found in the WMX-DLC.7z archive file you downloaded, using 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org), or in your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory after installation. They are named 'WMX-DeadMoney_readme.txt', 'WMX-HonestHearts_readme.txt', etc.

===============
2. Requirements
===============

- Fallout New Vegas
- Dead Money
- Honest Hearts
- Old World Blues
- Lonesome Road
- Gun Runners' Arsenal
- WMX v1.1.2 or later

========================
3. INSTALLATION/UNINSTALLATION
========================

***Installation***

- The following assumes you have already successfully installed WMX v1.1.2 or later (go update if you need to).

- AUTOMATIC: Add the WMX-DLC package you downloaded to FOMM/NMM and install. WMX-DLC includes a FOMOD menu which will pop up automatically; follow its instructions.

- MANUAL: Using 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org), extract the contents (everything - ALL files and folders) of the WMX-DLC.7z archive file to your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory. If asked if you want to overwrite files and folders, click 'Yes to all' (or equivalent for your operating system).
- In the Data Files section of the Fallout New Vegas Launcher - or using a mod manager tool like Fallout Mod Manager - place a tick in the box next to WMX-DLCMerged.esp.

- Ensure that WMX-DLCMerged.esp is loading *after* WeaponModsExpanded.esp.

- Update or create an automatic merged patch, following the instructions below.



***Switching between WMX-DLCMerged and the individual WMX-DLC plugins***

- If you are currently using the individual WMX-DLC plugins and want to switch to WMX-DLCMerged - or vice-versa - it is recommended that you wait until you are ready to start a new game before doing so.

- HOWEVER, limited testing suggests that you can simply switch between them without any great harm to your savegame. Some caveats:
--- Any items added by the plugin/s you're switching away from will be lost.
--- The above can be minimised by attaching all weapon mods you're carrying to a weapon, if possible.

- So to do this, just uninstall/deactivate the plugin/s you're switching away from (don't use the in-game WMX Uninstall Menu), and install/activate the plugin/s you want to switch to. Load your savegame and continue as normal.



***Automatic Merged Patch Creation***

- This is strongly recommended as standard practice when using mods for FNV (especially a lot of mods at the same time), as it may improve compatibility between mods you may be using (including - but not limited to - WMX). If using more than one add-on for WMX at the same time (this includes compatibility patches), creating an automatic merged patch is even MORE important (assuming you want everything to work correctly).

- Download FNVEdit (http://newvegas.nexusmods.com/mods/34703) to create the 'merged patch'. This should be done after you have installed and activated all the mods you wish to play the game with (and have configured your load order using a mod manager tool). This is how to do it:

- UPDATED INFO: If using FNVEdit version 4 or later, you'll need to perform a few extra initial setup steps, due to some changes introduced in that version:
--- Create a program shortcut for FNVEdit by copying its .exe file, right-clicking wherever you want the shortcut (e.g. on the desktop), and selecting "Paste shortcut".
--- Right-click on the shortcut and select "Properties". In the target field of the Properties window, add a space and then "-iknowwhatimdoing" after the .exe, without the quotation marks. On my computer - as an example - this looks like: C:\utils\FNVEdit\FNVEdit.exe -iknowwhatimdoing
--- Click OK and then run FNVEdit using the shortcut. Load all your active plugins, as below.
--- Open the Options menu via the three horizontal bars button at the top-left of the program, or by pressing Ctrl+O.
--- On the Experts tab, place a tick in the box next to "[FO3/FNV] Sort FLST".
--- Click OK and then perform the rest of the automatic merged patch creation steps as normal, below:

- Run FNVEdit, and a list of all the plugins in your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory will come up, listed as per your load order. By default, the plugins you have activated in the New Vegas Launcher or in a mod manager tool will have ticks next to them. This is what you want, so just click 'OK'.

- Once FNVEdit has finished loading, right-click somewhere in the panel on the left that lists your activated plugins, and select 'Create Merged Patch' from the context menu. (Note that this may be under the 'Other' sub-menu, depending on which version of FNVEdit you have.)

- Enter a name for the patch into the window that pops up (any name you like), and click on 'OK'.

- Once FNVEdit has finished generating the patch (it creates a new .esp file with the name you entered), which should only take a few seconds, close FNVEdit. Click 'OK' on the window that pops up to save the Merged Patch that was generated.

- Finally, make sure the Merged Patch esp is loading after all your other plugins (which it should already be, by default), and activate it using the New Vegas Launcher or a mod manager tool.

- If you ever uninstall plugins, update existing plugins, or install new ones, deactivate and delete the Merged Patch, and then follow these instructions again to create a new one.



***Uninstallation***

RECOMMENDED: If you haven't already, download and install The Weapon Mod Menu (http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/44515). Use it to remove any weapon mods from WMX-DLCMerged that are currently attached to weapons (only leave ones you are absolutely certain are not from WMX-DLCMerged). Then simply uninstall as usual; you don't need to worry about the WMX Uninstall menu mentioned below.


IMPORTANT: Ideally, you should only uninstall WMX-DLCMerged if you are uninstalling WMX itself at the same time (unless you know what you're doing). The Uninstall Menu in WMX itself (please see the main WMX readme for more information) will take the new DLC weapons into account if you have WMX-DLCMerged running.

- Make sure you no longer have access to any weapons modified with weapon mods implemented by WMX-DLCMerged, then uninstall the add-on as usual:

- Automatic: In FOMM/NMM, deactivate and delete the WMX-DLC package.

- Manual: In the Data Files section of the Fallout New Vegas Launcher - or using a mod manager tool - clear the tick in the box next to WMX-DLCMerged.esp.
- If desired, delete all files copied to your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory during installation (check the WMX-DLC.7z archive file to identify these files).

=====================
4. PLAYING THE MOD
=====================

Please see the original readmes for the individual WMX-DLC plugins, which can be found in the WMX-DLC.7z archive file you downloaded, using 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org), or in your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory after installation. They are named 'WMX-DeadMoney_readme.txt', 'WMX-HonestHearts_readme.txt', etc.

===============
5. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
===============

Please see the original readmes for the individual WMX-DLC plugins (see above for where to find them) for full FAQ lists.


Q) Which should I use? WMX-DLCMerged or the individual WMX-DLC plugins?
A) Having too many plugins in your load order (there is no exact number usually; there are several factors) can cause game stability problems, so using WMX-DLCMerged is a good idea in that sense. Different (third-party) add-ons and compatibility patches for WMX may have different requirements, though. Some may require the individual WMX-DLC plugins, and some may require WMX-DLCMerged. This is something to look into before making a decision.

===============
6. SAVE GAMES
===============

- Activating or de-activating this mod should not have any negative effects on your existing save game/s (provided the instructions in this readme are followed) - but as always, it is good practice to keep backups.
- Follow the Uninstallation instructions above if you wish to deactivate this mod. Trust me. This is important.

============================
7. CONFLICTS / KNOWN ISSUES
============================

Please see the original readmes for the individual WMX-DLC plugins, which can be found in the WMX-DLC.7z archive file you downloaded, using 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org), or in your \Steam\steamapps\common\fallout new vegas\Data\ directory after installation. They are named 'WMX-DeadMoney_readme.txt', 'WMX-HonestHearts_readme.txt', etc.

================================
8. CREDITS
================================

- Please see the main WMX readme for a full list of credits.

- Please also see the original readmes for the individual WMX-DLC plugins (see above for where to find them) for full lists of credits.

==========================
9. MODDER'S RESOURCE INFO
==========================

- Please ask my permission before releasing mods that alter, are based on, or use assets from WMX or its add-ons (including this one).

- Please do not re-upload WMX (or its add-ons) anywhere without first asking my permission.

==========================
10. CONTACT INFORMATION
==========================

My e-mail address is [email protected]

=========================
11. LEGAL STUFF/ DISCLAIMER
=========================

By downloading and using this modification, you agree that the author of the modification cannot be held responsible for any damage to software or hardware directly or indirectly caused by the aforementioned modification. Use at your own risk, basically.

=================
12. VERSION HISTORY
=================

Version 1.0.2 (03-11-15)
- Enabled correct normals lighting on sections of a number of weapon meshes.

Version 1.0.1 (03-03-14)
- The script used to merge the individual WMX-DLC plugins into WMX-DLCMerged did everything correctly except for moving a couple of references into different cells, for some reason. The following have been moved back to their intended cells:
--- WMXVendorContainerSinkAIREF
--- WMXProtonAxeBiggerNoteItem
- Due to the above:
--- WMX and WMX-OWB items are available for purchase from the Sink AI, as intended.
--- Proton Axe Mod "Bigger Thing" holotape now found where intended.

Version 1.0 (28-01-14)
- Initial public release.
- WMX-DLCMerged v1.0 is made up of:
--- WMX-DM v1.0.5
--- WMX-HH v1.0.4
--- WMX-OWB v1.0.3
--- WMX-LR v1.0.1
--- WMX-GRA v1.0.2