[kapitan_zur_see]

It is normal, and TDW is right regarding the process.

Goblin does not truly merge files physically! it keeps the initial structure of files as is, otherwise the game would be lost.

The merge process is just a way of virtually merging separate related files into your goblin workspace so you can edit them conveniently in relation with their base model (the gr2 file). Gr2 files does not possesses much more than 3D model and animations infos and are not supposed to be editable, SH5 then uses a bunch of different separate files to store the game built-in controllers and behaviors that covers how this model will behave inside the game (special FX like caustics, wake, how the sub reacts to his environment, how it is supposed to take damages, its performance speed/diving and so on). Concordantly, you first load the .gr2 you want to edit, then call in one or more of its related files which covers specific functionalities (the merge process). This way you can only merge a sim file, if that's gonna be the focus of your work, and not loosing time rummaging amongst controllers about anims/damage model/etc that you would find in, say, the .zon file for ex .

When you save however, goblin knows what you edited in every different files you "merged in" ("call in" would be a better word somehow) and then saves every modification you made in every respected files. Say you edited a caustic detail? you did that to the sim files. Goblin will save in the modification to the sim file but the file itself will remain separate.

This is why you'll still have to merge files anytime you load up goblin editor to make new modifications. It is a workflow method, so to speak.

Hope that helps!