Fix T99460: Allow creation new datablocks from evaluated

This changes makes it possible to copy evaluated result and put it
to the original bmain.

Prior to this change from the API point of view there was false
perception that it is possible, while in practice it was very fragile:
it only worked if the ID did not reference any evaluated IDs.

This change makes it so `id.copy()` Python API call will make it so
the copied ID only references original data-blocks. This sounds a bit
implicit, so here is motivational aspect why it is considered better
approach to all other:

- There needs to be a way to support the described scenario, in the
  lest fragile way. Requiring to always use an explicit function call
  or an argument is too verbose and is easy to be missed.

- The `id.copy()` is already doing implicit thing: it always adds the
  result to the bmain. So it might as well ensure the copied result
  does not reference evaluated data-blocks.

- Added clarity in the documentation should address possible confusion.

The limitation of this change is that the copy() of evaluated geometry
will clear its reference to the shape key. This is because the key is
only referenced for validness of RNA paths for drivers and the key
itself might not match topology of evaluated geometry due to modifiers.

Differential Revision: https://developer.blender.org/D15611

1 files changed, 5 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_lib_id.h b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_lib_id.h
index 94497d9a487..148e6ec2791 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_lib_id.h
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_lib_id.h
@@ -453,6 +453,11 @@ struct ID *BKE_id_copy_for_duplicate(struct Main *bmain,
                                      uint duplicate_flags,
                                      int copy_flags);
 
+/* Special version of BKE_id_copy which is safe from using evaluated id as source with a copy
+ * result appearing in the main database.
+ * Takes care of the referenced data-blocks consistency. */
+struct ID *BKE_id_copy_for_use_in_bmain(struct Main *bmain, const struct ID *id);
+
 /**
  * Does a mere memory swap over the whole IDs data (including type-specific memory).
  * \note Most internal ID data itself is not swapped (only IDProperties are).