Mesh: Remove redundant custom data pointers

For copy-on-write, we want to share attribute arrays between meshes
where possible. Mutable pointers like `Mesh.mvert` make that difficult
by making ownership vague. They also make code more complex by adding
redundancy.

The simplest solution is just removing them and retrieving layers from
`CustomData` as needed. Similar changes have already been applied to
curves and point clouds (e9f82d3dc7ee, 410a6efb747f). Removing use of
the pointers generally makes code more obvious and more reusable.

Mesh data is now accessed with a C++ API (`Mesh::edges()` or
`Mesh::edges_for_write()`), and a C API (`BKE_mesh_edges(mesh)`).

The CoW changes this commit makes possible are described in T95845
and T95842, and started in D14139 and D14140. The change also simplifies
the ongoing mesh struct-of-array refactors from T95965.

**RNA/Python Access Performance**
Theoretically, accessing mesh elements with the RNA API may become
slower, since the layer needs to be found on every random access.
However, overhead is already high enough that this doesn't make a
noticible differenc, and performance is actually improved in some
cases. Random access can be up to 10% faster, but other situations
might be a bit slower. Generally using `foreach_get/set` are the best
way to improve performance. See the differential revision for more
discussion about Python performance.

Cycles has been updated to use raw pointers and the internal Blender
mesh types, mostly because there is no sense in having this overhead
when it's already compiled with Blender. In my tests this roughly
halves the Cycles mesh creation time (0.19s to 0.10s for a 1 million
face grid).

Differential Revision: https://developer.blender.org/D15488

16 files changed, 220 insertions, 178 deletions

diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_add.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_add.cc
index f6539284f74..3b13575f7bb 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_add.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_add.cc
@@ -90,6 +90,8 @@ struct AddOperationExecutor {
 
   Object *surface_ob_eval_ = nullptr;
   Mesh *surface_eval_ = nullptr;
+  Span<MVert> surface_verts_eval_;
+  Span<MLoop> surface_loops_eval_;
   Span<MLoopTri> surface_looptris_eval_;
   VArraySpan<float2> surface_uv_map_eval_;
   BVHTreeFromMesh surface_bvh_eval_;
@@ -140,6 +142,12 @@ struct AddOperationExecutor {
       report_empty_evaluated_surface(stroke_extension.reports);
       return;
     }
+    surface_verts_eval_ = surface_eval_->vertices();
+    surface_loops_eval_ = surface_eval_->loops();
+    surface_looptris_eval_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_eval_),
+                              BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_len(surface_eval_)};
+    BKE_bvhtree_from_mesh_get(&surface_bvh_eval_, surface_eval_, BVHTREE_FROM_LOOPTRI, 2);
+    BLI_SCOPED_DEFER([&]() { free_bvhtree_from_mesh(&surface_bvh_eval_); });
 
     curves_sculpt_ = ctx_.scene->toolsettings->curves_sculpt;
     brush_ = BKE_paint_brush_for_read(&curves_sculpt_->paint);
@@ -179,12 +187,6 @@ struct AddOperationExecutor {
     /* Use a pointer cast to avoid overflow warnings. */
     RandomNumberGenerator rng{*(uint32_t *)(&time)};
 
-    BKE_bvhtree_from_mesh_get(&surface_bvh_eval_, surface_eval_, BVHTREE_FROM_LOOPTRI, 2);
-    BLI_SCOPED_DEFER([&]() { free_bvhtree_from_mesh(&surface_bvh_eval_); });
-
-    surface_looptris_eval_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_eval_),
-                              BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_len(surface_eval_)};
-
     /* Sample points on the surface using one of multiple strategies. */
     Vector<float2> sampled_uvs;
     if (add_amount_ == 1) {
@@ -296,7 +298,7 @@ struct AddOperationExecutor {
     const MLoopTri &looptri = surface_looptris_eval_[looptri_index];
     const float3 brush_pos_su = ray_hit.co;
     const float3 bary_coords = bke::mesh_surface_sample::compute_bary_coord_in_triangle(
-        *surface_eval_, looptri, brush_pos_su);
+        surface_verts_eval_, surface_loops_eval_, looptri, brush_pos_su);
 
     const float2 uv = bke::mesh_surface_sample::sample_corner_attrribute_with_bary_coords(
         bary_coords, looptri, surface_uv_map_eval_);
@@ -421,9 +423,9 @@ struct AddOperationExecutor {
           brush_radius_su,
           [&](const int index, const float3 &UNUSED(co), const float UNUSED(dist_sq)) {
             const MLoopTri &looptri = surface_looptris_eval_[index];
-            const float3 v0_su = surface_eval_->mvert[surface_eval_->mloop[looptri.tri[0]].v].co;
-            const float3 v1_su = surface_eval_->mvert[surface_eval_->mloop[looptri.tri[1]].v].co;
-            const float3 v2_su = surface_eval_->mvert[surface_eval_->mloop[looptri.tri[2]].v].co;
+            const float3 v0_su = surface_verts_eval_[surface_loops_eval_[looptri.tri[0]].v].co;
+            const float3 v1_su = surface_verts_eval_[surface_loops_eval_[looptri.tri[1]].v].co;
+            const float3 v2_su = surface_verts_eval_[surface_loops_eval_[looptri.tri[2]].v].co;
             float3 normal_su;
             normal_tri_v3(normal_su, v0_su, v1_su, v2_su);
             if (math::dot(normal_su, view_direction_su) >= 0.0f) {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_puff.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_puff.cc
index 139e0d67e89..062bacc7add 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_puff.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_puff.cc
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ struct PuffOperationExecutor {
 
   Object *surface_ob_ = nullptr;
   Mesh *surface_ = nullptr;
+  Span<MVert> surface_verts_;
+  Span<MLoop> surface_loops_;
   Span<MLoopTri> surface_looptris_;
   Span<float3> corner_normals_su_;
   BVHTreeFromMesh surface_bvh_;
@@ -117,11 +119,12 @@ struct PuffOperationExecutor {
         reinterpret_cast<const float3 *>(CustomData_get_layer(&surface_->ldata, CD_NORMAL)),
         surface_->totloop};
 
-    BKE_bvhtree_from_mesh_get(&surface_bvh_, surface_, BVHTREE_FROM_LOOPTRI, 2);
-    BLI_SCOPED_DEFER([&]() { free_bvhtree_from_mesh(&surface_bvh_); });
-
+    surface_verts_ = surface_->vertices();
+    surface_loops_ = surface_->loops();
     surface_looptris_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_),
                          BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_len(surface_)};
+    BKE_bvhtree_from_mesh_get(&surface_bvh_, surface_, BVHTREE_FROM_LOOPTRI, 2);
+    BLI_SCOPED_DEFER([&]() { free_bvhtree_from_mesh(&surface_bvh_); });
 
     if (stroke_extension.is_first) {
       this->initialize_segment_lengths();
@@ -289,9 +292,9 @@ struct PuffOperationExecutor {
 
         const MLoopTri &looptri = surface_looptris_[nearest.index];
         const float3 closest_pos_su = nearest.co;
-        const float3 &v0_su = surface_->mvert[surface_->mloop[looptri.tri[0]].v].co;
-        const float3 &v1_su = surface_->mvert[surface_->mloop[looptri.tri[1]].v].co;
-        const float3 &v2_su = surface_->mvert[surface_->mloop[looptri.tri[2]].v].co;
+        const float3 &v0_su = surface_verts_[surface_loops_[looptri.tri[0]].v].co;
+        const float3 &v1_su = surface_verts_[surface_loops_[looptri.tri[1]].v].co;
+        const float3 &v2_su = surface_verts_[surface_loops_[looptri.tri[2]].v].co;
         float3 bary_coords;
         interp_weights_tri_v3(bary_coords, v0_su, v1_su, v2_su, closest_pos_su);
         const float3 normal_su = geometry::compute_surface_point_normal(
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_slide.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_slide.cc
index 007bff0b170..e65d81a4225 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_slide.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/curves_sculpt_slide.cc
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ struct SlideOperationExecutor {
 
   Object *surface_ob_eval_ = nullptr;
   Mesh *surface_eval_ = nullptr;
+  Span<MVert> surface_verts_eval_;
+  Span<MLoop> surface_loops_eval_;
   Span<MLoopTri> surface_looptris_eval_;
   VArraySpan<float2> surface_uv_map_eval_;
   BVHTreeFromMesh surface_bvh_eval_;
@@ -175,8 +177,8 @@ struct SlideOperationExecutor {
     if (surface_orig_->totpoly == 0) {
       report_empty_original_surface(stroke_extension.reports);
       return;
-    }
-    surface_looptris_orig_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_orig_),
+    }   
+     surface_looptris_orig_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_orig_),
                               BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_len(surface_orig_)};
     surface_uv_map_orig_ =
         bke::mesh_attributes(*surface_orig_).lookup<float2>(uv_map_name, ATTR_DOMAIN_CORNER);
@@ -205,6 +207,8 @@ struct SlideOperationExecutor {
     }
     surface_looptris_eval_ = {BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(surface_eval_),
                               BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_len(surface_eval_)};
+    surface_verts_eval_ = surface_eval_->vertices();
+    surface_loops_eval_ = surface_eval_->loops();
     surface_uv_map_eval_ =
         bke::mesh_attributes(*surface_eval_).lookup<float2>(uv_map_name, ATTR_DOMAIN_CORNER);
     if (surface_uv_map_eval_.is_empty()) {
@@ -319,8 +323,8 @@ struct SlideOperationExecutor {
   {
     const float4x4 brush_transform_inv = brush_transform.inverted();
 
-    const Span<MVert> verts_orig_su{surface_orig_->mvert, surface_orig_->totvert};
-    const Span<MLoop> loops_orig{surface_orig_->mloop, surface_orig_->totloop};
+    const Span<MVert> verts_orig_su = surface_orig_->vertices();
+    const Span<MLoop> loops_orig = surface_orig_->loops();
 
     MutableSpan<float3> positions_orig_cu = curves_orig_->positions_for_write();
     MutableSpan<float2> surface_uv_coords = curves_orig_->surface_uv_coords_for_write();
@@ -383,7 +387,7 @@ struct SlideOperationExecutor {
         /* Compute the uv of the new surface position on the evaluated mesh. */
         const MLoopTri &looptri_eval = surface_looptris_eval_[looptri_index_eval];
         const float3 bary_weights_eval = bke::mesh_surface_sample::compute_bary_coord_in_triangle(
-            *surface_eval_, looptri_eval, hit_pos_eval_su);
+            surface_verts_eval_, surface_loops_eval_, looptri_eval, hit_pos_eval_su);
         const float2 uv = attribute_math::mix3(bary_weights_eval,
                                                surface_uv_map_eval_[looptri_eval.tri[0]],
                                                surface_uv_map_eval_[looptri_eval.tri[1]],
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image_proj.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image_proj.c
index a1bb2bf41ea..f1e6c7bf8dd 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image_proj.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_image_proj.c
@@ -4055,13 +4055,13 @@ static bool proj_paint_state_mesh_eval_init(const bContext *C, ProjPaintState *p
   }
   ps->mat_array[totmat - 1] = NULL;
 
-  ps->mvert_eval = ps->me_eval->mvert;
+  ps->mvert_eval = BKE_mesh_vertices(ps->me_eval);
   ps->vert_normals = BKE_mesh_vertex_normals_ensure(ps->me_eval);
   if (ps->do_mask_cavity) {
-    ps->medge_eval = ps->me_eval->medge;
+    ps->medge_eval = BKE_mesh_edges(ps->me_eval);
   }
-  ps->mloop_eval = ps->me_eval->mloop;
-  ps->mpoly_eval = ps->me_eval->mpoly;
+  ps->mloop_eval = BKE_mesh_loops(ps->me_eval);
+  ps->mpoly_eval = BKE_mesh_polygons(ps->me_eval);
   ps->material_indices = (const int *)CustomData_get_layer_named(
       &ps->me_eval->pdata, CD_PROP_INT32, "material_index");
 
@@ -4155,7 +4155,7 @@ static void proj_paint_face_lookup_init(const ProjPaintState *ps, ProjPaintFaceL
   memset(face_lookup, 0, sizeof(*face_lookup));
   if (ps->do_face_sel) {
     face_lookup->index_mp_to_orig = CustomData_get_layer(&ps->me_eval->pdata, CD_ORIGINDEX);
-    face_lookup->mpoly_orig = ((Mesh *)ps->ob->data)->mpoly;
+    face_lookup->mpoly_orig = BKE_mesh_polygons((Mesh *)ps->ob->data);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_mask.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_mask.c
index dcc6e734cf4..34c5fc3124c 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_mask.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_mask.c
@@ -1123,6 +1123,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
   const float(*ob_imat)[4] = vc->obact->imat;
 
   /* Write vertices coordinates for the front face. */
+  MVert *verts = BKE_mesh_vertices_for_write(trim_operation->mesh);
   float depth_point[3];
   madd_v3_v3v3fl(depth_point, shape_origin, shape_normal, depth_front);
   for (int i = 0; i < tot_screen_points; i++) {
@@ -1134,7 +1135,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
       ED_view3d_win_to_3d_on_plane(region, shape_plane, screen_points[i], false, new_point);
       madd_v3_v3fl(new_point, shape_normal, depth_front);
     }
-    mul_v3_m4v3(trim_operation->mesh->mvert[i].co, ob_imat, new_point);
+    mul_v3_m4v3(verts[i].co, ob_imat, new_point);
     mul_v3_m4v3(trim_operation->true_mesh_co[i], ob_imat, new_point);
   }
 
@@ -1149,7 +1150,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
       ED_view3d_win_to_3d_on_plane(region, shape_plane, screen_points[i], false, new_point);
       madd_v3_v3fl(new_point, shape_normal, depth_back);
     }
-    mul_v3_m4v3(trim_operation->mesh->mvert[i + tot_screen_points].co, ob_imat, new_point);
+    mul_v3_m4v3(verts[i + tot_screen_points].co, ob_imat, new_point);
     mul_v3_m4v3(trim_operation->true_mesh_co[i + tot_screen_points], ob_imat, new_point);
   }
 
@@ -1159,10 +1160,12 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
   BLI_polyfill_calc(screen_points, tot_screen_points, 0, r_tris);
 
   /* Write the front face triangle indices. */
-  MPoly *mp = trim_operation->mesh->mpoly;
-  MLoop *ml = trim_operation->mesh->mloop;
+  MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons_for_write(trim_operation->mesh);
+  MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops_for_write(trim_operation->mesh);
+  MPoly *mp = polys;
+  MLoop *ml = loops;
   for (int i = 0; i < tot_tris_face; i++, mp++, ml += 3) {
-    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - trim_operation->mesh->mloop);
+    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - loops);
     mp->totloop = 3;
     ml[0].v = r_tris[i][0];
     ml[1].v = r_tris[i][1];
@@ -1171,7 +1174,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
 
   /* Write the back face triangle indices. */
   for (int i = 0; i < tot_tris_face; i++, mp++, ml += 3) {
-    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - trim_operation->mesh->mloop);
+    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - loops);
     mp->totloop = 3;
     ml[0].v = r_tris[i][0] + tot_screen_points;
     ml[1].v = r_tris[i][1] + tot_screen_points;
@@ -1182,7 +1185,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
 
   /* Write the indices for the lateral triangles. */
   for (int i = 0; i < tot_screen_points; i++, mp++, ml += 3) {
-    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - trim_operation->mesh->mloop);
+    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - loops);
     mp->totloop = 3;
     int current_index = i;
     int next_index = current_index + 1;
@@ -1195,7 +1198,7 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_geometry_generate(SculptGestureContext *sgcontex
   }
 
   for (int i = 0; i < tot_screen_points; i++, mp++, ml += 3) {
-    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - trim_operation->mesh->mloop);
+    mp->loopstart = (int)(ml - loops);
     mp->totloop = 3;
     int current_index = i;
     int next_index = current_index + 1;
@@ -1330,8 +1333,9 @@ static void sculpt_gesture_trim_apply_for_symmetry_pass(bContext *UNUSED(C),
 {
   SculptGestureTrimOperation *trim_operation = (SculptGestureTrimOperation *)sgcontext->operation;
   Mesh *trim_mesh = trim_operation->mesh;
+  MVert *verts = BKE_mesh_vertices_for_write(trim_mesh);
   for (int i = 0; i < trim_mesh->totvert; i++) {
-    flip_v3_v3(trim_mesh->mvert[i].co, trim_operation->true_mesh_co[i], sgcontext->symmpass);
+    flip_v3_v3(verts[i].co, trim_operation->true_mesh_co[i], sgcontext->symmpass);
   }
   sculpt_gesture_trim_normals_update(sgcontext);
   sculpt_gesture_apply_trim(sgcontext);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_utils.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_utils.c
index adf21154842..7336166d651 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_utils.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_utils.c
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include "BKE_image.h"
 #include "BKE_layer.h"
 #include "BKE_material.h"
+#include "BKE_mesh.h"
 #include "BKE_mesh_runtime.h"
 #include "BKE_paint.h"
 #include "BKE_report.h"
@@ -287,8 +288,8 @@ static void imapaint_pick_uv(
   const MLoopTri *lt = BKE_mesh_runtime_looptri_ensure(me_eval);
   const int tottri = me_eval->runtime.looptris.len;
 
-  const MVert *mvert = me_eval->mvert;
-  const MLoop *mloop = me_eval->mloop;
+  const MVert *mvert = BKE_mesh_vertices(me_eval);
+  const MLoop *mloop = BKE_mesh_loops(me_eval);
   const int *index_mp_to_orig = CustomData_get_layer(&me_eval->pdata, CD_ORIGINDEX);
 
   /* get the needed opengl matrices */
@@ -702,7 +703,7 @@ static int vert_select_ungrouped_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
   Mesh *me = ob->data;
 
-  if (BLI_listbase_is_empty(&me->vertex_group_names) || (me->dvert == NULL)) {
+  if (BLI_listbase_is_empty(&me->vertex_group_names) || (BKE_mesh_deform_verts(me) == NULL)) {
     BKE_report(op->reports, RPT_ERROR, "No weights/vertex groups on object");
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
index ccaf8b1ba37..c1a2a326d14 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex.cc
@@ -773,6 +773,8 @@ struct WeightPaintGroupData {
  * paint stroke update - campbell */
 struct WeightPaintInfo {
 
+  MutableSpan<MDeformVert> dvert;
+
   int defbase_tot;
 
   /* both must add up to 'defbase_tot' */
@@ -815,7 +817,7 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_single(
     float paintweight)
 {
   Mesh *me = (Mesh *)ob->data;
-  MDeformVert *dv = &me->dvert[index];
+  MDeformVert *dv = &wpi->dvert[index];
   bool topology = (me->editflag & ME_EDIT_MIRROR_TOPO) != 0;
 
   MDeformWeight *dw;
@@ -875,7 +877,7 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_single(
 
   /* get the mirror def vars */
   if (index_mirr != -1) {
-    dv_mirr = &me->dvert[index_mirr];
+    dv_mirr = &wpi->dvert[index_mirr];
     if (wp->flag & VP_FLAG_VGROUP_RESTRICT) {
       dw_mirr = BKE_defvert_find_index(dv_mirr, vgroup_mirr);
 
@@ -915,9 +917,9 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_single(
 
   if (!brush_use_accumulate(wp)) {
     MDeformVert *dvert_prev = ob->sculpt->mode.wpaint.dvert_prev;
-    MDeformVert *dv_prev = defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, me->dvert, index);
+    MDeformVert *dv_prev = defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, wpi->dvert.data(), index);
     if (index_mirr != -1) {
-      defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, me->dvert, index_mirr);
+      defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, wpi->dvert.data(), index_mirr);
     }
 
     weight_prev = BKE_defvert_find_weight(dv_prev, wpi->active.index);
@@ -1028,7 +1030,7 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_multi(
     float paintweight)
 {
   Mesh *me = (Mesh *)ob->data;
-  MDeformVert *dv = &me->dvert[index];
+  MDeformVert *dv = &wpi->dvert[index];
   bool topology = (me->editflag & ME_EDIT_MIRROR_TOPO) != 0;
 
   /* mirror vars */
@@ -1044,7 +1046,7 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_multi(
     index_mirr = mesh_get_x_mirror_vert(ob, nullptr, index, topology);
 
     if (!ELEM(index_mirr, -1, index)) {
-      dv_mirr = &me->dvert[index_mirr];
+      dv_mirr = &wpi->dvert[index_mirr];
     }
     else {
       index_mirr = -1;
@@ -1071,9 +1073,9 @@ static void do_weight_paint_vertex_multi(
 
   if (!brush_use_accumulate(wp)) {
     MDeformVert *dvert_prev = ob->sculpt->mode.wpaint.dvert_prev;
-    MDeformVert *dv_prev = defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, me->dvert, index);
+    MDeformVert *dv_prev = defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, wpi->dvert.data(), index);
     if (index_mirr != -1) {
-      defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, me->dvert, index_mirr);
+      defweight_prev_init(dvert_prev, wpi->dvert.data(), index_mirr);
     }
 
     oldw = BKE_defvert_multipaint_collective_weight(
@@ -1235,6 +1237,8 @@ static void vertex_paint_init_session_data(const ToolSettings *ts, Object *ob)
   }
 
   Mesh *me = (Mesh *)ob->data;
+  const Span<MPoly> polys = me->polygons();
+  const Span<MLoop> loops = me->loops();
 
   if (gmap->vert_to_loop == nullptr) {
     gmap->vert_map_mem = nullptr;
@@ -1243,15 +1247,15 @@ static void vertex_paint_init_session_data(const ToolSettings *ts, Object *ob)
     gmap->vert_to_poly = nullptr;
     BKE_mesh_vert_loop_map_create(&gmap->vert_to_loop,
                                   &gmap->vert_map_mem,
-                                  me->mpoly,
-                                  me->mloop,
+                                  polys.data(),
+                                  loops.data(),
                                   me->totvert,
                                   me->totpoly,
                                   me->totloop);
     BKE_mesh_vert_poly_map_create(&gmap->vert_to_poly,
                                   &gmap->poly_map_mem,
-                                  me->mpoly,
-                                  me->mloop,
+                                  polys.data(),
+                                  loops.data(),
                                   me->totvert,
                                   me->totpoly,
                                   me->totloop);
@@ -1900,7 +1904,7 @@ static void do_wpaint_precompute_weight_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
                                               const TaskParallelTLS *__restrict UNUSED(tls))
 {
   SculptThreadedTaskData *data = (SculptThreadedTaskData *)userdata;
-  const MDeformVert *dv = &data->me->dvert[n];
+  const MDeformVert *dv = &data->wpi->dvert[n];
 
   data->wpd->precomputed_weight[n] = wpaint_get_active_weight(dv, data->wpi);
 }
@@ -1961,10 +1965,9 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_blur_task_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
     if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
       /* For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
        * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-      const int v_index = has_grids ? data->me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
-                                      vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
+      const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v : vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
       const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-      const char v_flag = data->me->mvert[v_index].flag;
+      const char v_flag = ss->mvert[v_index].flag;
       /* If the vertex is selected */
       if (!(use_face_sel || use_vert_sel) || v_flag & SELECT) {
         /* Get the average poly weight */
@@ -1972,12 +1975,12 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_blur_task_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
         float weight_final = 0.0f;
         for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
           const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
-          const MPoly *mp = &data->me->mpoly[p_index];
+          const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
 
           total_hit_loops += mp->totloop;
           for (int k = 0; k < mp->totloop; k++) {
             const int l_index = mp->loopstart + k;
-            const MLoop *ml = &data->me->mloop[l_index];
+            const MLoop *ml = &ss->mloop[l_index];
             weight_final += data->wpd->precomputed_weight[ml->v];
           }
         }
@@ -2057,10 +2060,9 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_smear_task_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
       if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
         /* For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
          * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-        const int v_index = has_grids ? data->me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
-                                        vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
+        const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v : vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
         const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-        const MVert *mv_curr = &data->me->mvert[v_index];
+        const MVert *mv_curr = &ss->mvert[v_index];
 
         /* If the vertex is selected */
         if (!(use_face_sel || use_vert_sel) || mv_curr->flag & SELECT) {
@@ -2082,12 +2084,12 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_smear_task_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
             float weight_final = 0.0;
             for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
               const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
-              const MPoly *mp = &data->me->mpoly[p_index];
-              const MLoop *ml_other = &data->me->mloop[mp->loopstart];
+              const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
+              const MLoop *ml_other = &ss->mloop[mp->loopstart];
               for (int k = 0; k < mp->totloop; k++, ml_other++) {
                 const uint v_other_index = ml_other->v;
                 if (v_other_index != v_index) {
-                  const MVert *mv_other = &data->me->mvert[v_other_index];
+                  const MVert *mv_other = &ss->mvert[v_other_index];
 
                   /* Get the direction from the selected vert to the neighbor. */
                   float other_dir[3];
@@ -2164,11 +2166,10 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_draw_task_cb_ex(void *__restrict userdata,
       /* NOTE: grids are 1:1 with corners (aka loops).
        * For multires, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
        * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-      const int v_index = has_grids ? data->me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
-                                      vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
+      const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v : vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
       const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
 
-      const char v_flag = data->me->mvert[v_index].flag;
+      const char v_flag = ss->mvert[v_index].flag;
       /* If the vertex is selected */
       if (!(use_face_sel || use_vert_sel) || v_flag & SELECT) {
         float brush_strength = cache->bstrength;
@@ -2232,13 +2233,12 @@ static void do_wpaint_brush_calc_average_weight_cb_ex(
                                                       1.0f;
       if (angle_cos > 0.0 &&
           BKE_brush_curve_strength(data->brush, sqrtf(test.dist), cache->radius) > 0.0) {
-        const int v_index = has_grids ? data->me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
-                                        vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
-        const char v_flag = data->me->mvert[v_index].flag;
+        const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v : vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
+        const char v_flag = ss->mvert[v_index].flag;
 
         /* If the vertex is selected. */
         if (!(use_face_sel || use_vert_sel) || v_flag & SELECT) {
-          const MDeformVert *dv = &data->me->dvert[v_index];
+          const MDeformVert *dv = &data->wpi->dvert[v_index];
           accum->len += 1;
           accum->value += wpaint_get_active_weight(dv, data->wpi);
         }
@@ -2510,7 +2510,11 @@ static void wpaint_stroke_update_step(bContext *C,
   /* load projection matrix */
   mul_m4_m4m4(mat, vc->rv3d->persmat, ob->obmat);
 
+  Mesh *mesh = static_cast<Mesh *>(ob->data);
+
   /* *** setup WeightPaintInfo - pass onto do_weight_paint_vertex *** */
+  wpi.dvert = mesh->deform_verts_for_write();
+
   wpi.defbase_tot = wpd->defbase_tot;
   wpi.defbase_sel = wpd->defbase_sel;
   wpi.defbase_tot_sel = wpd->defbase_tot_sel;
@@ -2532,7 +2536,7 @@ static void wpaint_stroke_update_step(bContext *C,
   /* *** done setting up WeightPaintInfo *** */
 
   if (wpd->precomputed_weight) {
-    precompute_weight_values(C, ob, brush, wpd, &wpi, (Mesh *)ob->data);
+    precompute_weight_values(C, ob, brush, wpd, &wpi, mesh);
   }
 
   wpaint_do_symmetrical_brush_actions(C, ob, wp, sd, wpd, &wpi);
@@ -2545,9 +2549,9 @@ static void wpaint_stroke_update_step(bContext *C,
   mul_v3_m4v3(loc_world, ob->obmat, ss->cache->true_location);
   paint_last_stroke_update(scene, loc_world);
 
-  BKE_mesh_batch_cache_dirty_tag((Mesh *)ob->data, BKE_MESH_BATCH_DIRTY_ALL);
+  BKE_mesh_batch_cache_dirty_tag(mesh, BKE_MESH_BATCH_DIRTY_ALL);
 
-  DEG_id_tag_update((ID *)ob->data, 0);
+  DEG_id_tag_update(&mesh->id, 0);
   WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, ob);
   swap_m4m4(wpd->vc.rv3d->persmat, mat);
 
@@ -2980,10 +2984,10 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_loops(bContext *C,
         if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
           /* For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
            * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-          const int v_index = has_grids ? me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
+          const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
                                           vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
           const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-          const MVert *mv = &me->mvert[v_index];
+          const MVert *mv = &ss->mvert[v_index];
 
           /* If the vertex is selected for painting. */
           if (!use_vert_sel || mv->flag & SELECT) {
@@ -3006,7 +3010,7 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_loops(bContext *C,
 
               for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                 int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
-                const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                 if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                   total_hit_loops += mp->totloop;
                   for (int k = 0; k < mp->totloop; k++) {
@@ -3040,8 +3044,8 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_loops(bContext *C,
                 for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                   const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
                   const int l_index = gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j];
-                  BLI_assert(me->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
-                  const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                  BLI_assert(ss->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
+                  const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                   if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                     Color color_orig(0, 0, 0, 0); /* unused when array is nullptr */
 
@@ -3122,10 +3126,10 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_verts(bContext *C,
         if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
           /* For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
            * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-          const int v_index = has_grids ? me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
+          const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
                                           vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
           const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-          const MVert *mv = &me->mvert[v_index];
+          const MVert *mv = &ss->mvert[v_index];
 
           /* If the vertex is selected for painting. */
           if (!use_vert_sel || mv->flag & SELECT) {
@@ -3148,12 +3152,12 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_verts(bContext *C,
 
               for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                 int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
-                const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                 if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                   total_hit_loops += mp->totloop;
                   for (int k = 0; k < mp->totloop; k++) {
                     const uint l_index = mp->loopstart + k;
-                    const uint v_index = me->mloop[l_index].v;
+                    const uint v_index = ss->mloop[l_index].v;
 
                     Color *col = lcol + v_index;
 
@@ -3184,9 +3188,9 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_blur_verts(bContext *C,
                 for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                   const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
 
-                  BLI_assert(me->mloop[gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j]].v == v_index);
+                  BLI_assert(ss->mloop[gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j]].v == v_index);
 
-                  const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                  const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                   if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                     Color color_orig(0, 0, 0, 0); /* unused when array is nullptr */
 
@@ -3273,10 +3277,10 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_smear(bContext *C,
           if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
             /* For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
              * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-            const int v_index = has_grids ? me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
+            const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
                                             vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
             const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-            const MVert *mv_curr = &me->mvert[v_index];
+            const MVert *mv_curr = &ss->mvert[v_index];
 
             /* if the vertex is selected for painting. */
             if (!use_vert_sel || mv_curr->flag & SELECT) {
@@ -3305,15 +3309,15 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_smear(bContext *C,
                 for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                   const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
                   const int l_index = gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j];
-                  BLI_assert(me->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
+                  BLI_assert(ss->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
                   UNUSED_VARS_NDEBUG(l_index);
-                  const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                  const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                   if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
-                    const MLoop *ml_other = &me->mloop[mp->loopstart];
+                    const MLoop *ml_other = &ss->mloop[mp->loopstart];
                     for (int k = 0; k < mp->totloop; k++, ml_other++) {
                       const uint v_other_index = ml_other->v;
                       if (v_other_index != v_index) {
-                        const MVert *mv_other = &me->mvert[v_other_index];
+                        const MVert *mv_other = &ss->mvert[v_other_index];
 
                         /* Get the direction from the
                          * selected vert to the neighbor. */
@@ -3359,10 +3363,10 @@ static void do_vpaint_brush_smear(bContext *C,
                     else {
                       const int l_index = gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j];
                       elem_index = l_index;
-                      BLI_assert(me->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
+                      BLI_assert(ss->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
                     }
 
-                    const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                    const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                     if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                       /* Get the previous element color */
                       Color color_orig(0, 0, 0, 0); /* unused when array is nullptr */
@@ -3435,11 +3439,11 @@ static void calculate_average_color(VPaintData<Color, Traits, domain> *vpd,
       BKE_pbvh_vertex_iter_begin (ss->pbvh, nodes[n], vd, PBVH_ITER_UNIQUE) {
         /* Test to see if the vertex coordinates are within the spherical brush region. */
         if (sculpt_brush_test_sq_fn(&test, vd.co)) {
-          const int v_index = has_grids ? me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
+          const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
                                           vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
           if (BKE_brush_curve_strength(brush, 0.0, cache->radius) > 0.0) {
             /* If the vertex is selected for painting. */
-            const MVert *mv = &me->mvert[v_index];
+            const MVert *mv = &ss->mvert[v_index];
             if (!use_vert_sel || mv->flag & SELECT) {
               accum2->len += gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].count;
               /* if a vertex is within the brush region, then add its color to the blend. */
@@ -3555,10 +3559,10 @@ static void vpaint_do_draw(bContext *C,
           /* NOTE: Grids are 1:1 with corners (aka loops).
            * For grid based pbvh, take the vert whose loop corresponds to the current grid.
            * Otherwise, take the current vert. */
-          const int v_index = has_grids ? me->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
+          const int v_index = has_grids ? ss->mloop[vd.grid_indices[vd.g]].v :
                                           vd.vert_indices[vd.i];
           const float grid_alpha = has_grids ? 1.0f / vd.gridsize : 1.0f;
-          const MVert *mv = &me->mvert[v_index];
+          const MVert *mv = &ss->mvert[v_index];
 
           /* If the vertex is selected for painting. */
           if (!use_vert_sel || mv->flag & SELECT) {
@@ -3612,8 +3616,8 @@ static void vpaint_do_draw(bContext *C,
                 for (int j = 0; j < gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].count; j++) {
                   const int p_index = gmap->vert_to_poly[v_index].indices[j];
                   const int l_index = gmap->vert_to_loop[v_index].indices[j];
-                  BLI_assert(me->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
-                  const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[p_index];
+                  BLI_assert(ss->mloop[l_index].v == v_index);
+                  const MPoly *mp = &ss->mpoly[p_index];
                   if (!use_face_sel || mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL) {
                     Color color_orig = Color(0, 0, 0, 0); /* unused when array is nullptr */
 
@@ -4084,27 +4088,30 @@ static bool vertex_color_set(Object *ob, ColorPaint4f paintcol_in, CustomDataLay
   }
   else {
     Color *color_layer = static_cast<Color *>(layer->data);
+    const Span<MVert> verts = me->vertices();
+    const Span<MPoly> polys = me->polygons();
+    const Span<MLoop> loops = me->loops();
 
-    const MPoly *mp = me->mpoly;
-    for (int i = 0; i < me->totpoly; i++, mp++) {
-      if (use_face_sel && !(mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL)) {
+    for (const int i : polys.index_range()) {
+      const MPoly &poly = polys[i];
+      if (use_face_sel && !(poly.flag & ME_FACE_SEL)) {
         continue;
       }
 
       int j = 0;
       do {
-        uint vidx = me->mloop[mp->loopstart + j].v;
+        uint vidx = loops[poly.loopstart + j].v;
 
-        if (!(use_vert_sel && !(me->mvert[vidx].flag & SELECT))) {
+        if (!(use_vert_sel && !(verts[vidx].flag & SELECT))) {
           if constexpr (domain == ATTR_DOMAIN_CORNER) {
-            color_layer[mp->loopstart + j] = paintcol;
+            color_layer[poly.loopstart + j] = paintcol;
           }
           else {
             color_layer[vidx] = paintcol;
           }
         }
         j++;
-      } while (j < mp->totloop);
+      } while (j < poly.totloop);
     }
 
     /* remove stale me->mcol, will be added later */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_color_ops.cc b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_color_ops.cc
index 8b726c7b942..7aa0adfc3d4 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_color_ops.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_color_ops.cc
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ static bool vertex_weight_paint_mode_poll(bContext *C)
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
   Mesh *me = BKE_mesh_from_object(ob);
   return (ob && (ELEM(ob->mode, OB_MODE_VERTEX_PAINT, OB_MODE_WEIGHT_PAINT))) &&
-         (me && me->totpoly && me->dvert);
+         (me && me->totpoly && !me->deform_verts().is_empty());
 }
 
 static void tag_object_after_update(Object *object)
@@ -159,15 +159,15 @@ static IndexMask get_selected_indices(const Mesh &mesh,
                                       Vector<int64_t> &indices)
 {
   using namespace blender;
-  Span<MVert> verts(mesh.mvert, mesh.totvert);
-  Span<MPoly> faces(mesh.mpoly, mesh.totpoly);
+  Span<MVert> verts = mesh.vertices();
+  Span<MPoly> polys = mesh.polygons();
 
   bke::AttributeAccessor attributes = bke::mesh_attributes(mesh);
 
   if (mesh.editflag & ME_EDIT_PAINT_FACE_SEL) {
     const VArray<bool> selection = attributes.adapt_domain(
-        VArray<bool>::ForFunc(faces.size(),
-                              [&](const int i) { return faces[i].flag & ME_FACE_SEL; }),
+        VArray<bool>::ForFunc(polys.size(),
+                              [&](const int i) { return polys[i].flag & ME_FACE_SEL; }),
         ATTR_DOMAIN_FACE,
         domain);
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_ops.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_ops.c
index d98660d8939..f40a287adf6 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_ops.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_ops.c
@@ -168,8 +168,9 @@ static int weight_sample_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *even
 
   ED_view3d_viewcontext_init(C, &vc, depsgraph);
   me = BKE_mesh_from_object(vc.obact);
+  const MDeformVert *dvert = BKE_mesh_deform_verts(me);
 
-  if (me && me->dvert && vc.v3d && vc.rv3d && (me->vertex_group_active_index != 0)) {
+  if (me && dvert && vc.v3d && vc.rv3d && (me->vertex_group_active_index != 0)) {
     const bool use_vert_sel = (me->editflag & ME_EDIT_PAINT_VERT_SEL) != 0;
     int v_idx_best = -1;
     uint index;
@@ -200,7 +201,7 @@ static int weight_sample_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *even
       ToolSettings *ts = vc.scene->toolsettings;
       Brush *brush = BKE_paint_brush(&ts->wpaint->paint);
       const int vgroup_active = me->vertex_group_active_index - 1;
-      float vgroup_weight = BKE_defvert_find_weight(&me->dvert[v_idx_best], vgroup_active);
+      float vgroup_weight = BKE_defvert_find_weight(&dvert[v_idx_best], vgroup_active);
       const int defbase_tot = BLI_listbase_count(&me->vertex_group_names);
       bool use_lock_relative = ts->wpaint_lock_relative;
       bool *defbase_locked = NULL, *defbase_unlocked = NULL;
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ static int weight_sample_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *even
 
           bool is_normalized = ts->auto_normalize || use_lock_relative;
           vgroup_weight = BKE_defvert_multipaint_collective_weight(
-              &me->dvert[v_idx_best], defbase_tot, defbase_sel, defbase_tot_sel, is_normalized);
+              &dvert[v_idx_best], defbase_tot, defbase_sel, defbase_tot_sel, is_normalized);
         }
 
         MEM_freeN(defbase_sel);
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ static int weight_sample_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *even
             defbase_tot, defbase_locked, defbase_unlocked, defbase_locked, defbase_unlocked);
 
         vgroup_weight = BKE_defvert_lock_relative_weight(
-            vgroup_weight, &me->dvert[v_idx_best], defbase_tot, defbase_locked, defbase_unlocked);
+            vgroup_weight, &dvert[v_idx_best], defbase_tot, defbase_locked, defbase_unlocked);
       }
 
       MEM_SAFE_FREE(defbase_locked);
@@ -316,8 +317,11 @@ static const EnumPropertyItem *weight_paint_sample_enum_itemf(bContext *C,
 
       ED_view3d_viewcontext_init(C, &vc, depsgraph);
       me = BKE_mesh_from_object(vc.obact);
+      const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(me);
+      const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(me);
+      const MDeformVert *dverts = BKE_mesh_deform_verts(me);
 
-      if (me && me->dvert && vc.v3d && vc.rv3d && me->vertex_group_names.first) {
+      if (me && dverts && vc.v3d && vc.rv3d && me->vertex_group_names.first) {
         const int defbase_tot = BLI_listbase_count(&me->vertex_group_names);
         const bool use_vert_sel = (me->editflag & ME_EDIT_PAINT_VERT_SEL) != 0;
         int *groups = MEM_callocN(defbase_tot * sizeof(int), "groups");
@@ -334,17 +338,17 @@ static const EnumPropertyItem *weight_paint_sample_enum_itemf(bContext *C,
 
         if (use_vert_sel) {
           if (ED_mesh_pick_vert(C, vc.obact, mval, ED_MESH_PICK_DEFAULT_VERT_DIST, true, &index)) {
-            MDeformVert *dvert = &me->dvert[index];
+            const MDeformVert *dvert = &dverts[index];
             found |= weight_paint_sample_enum_itemf__helper(dvert, defbase_tot, groups);
           }
         }
         else {
           if (ED_mesh_pick_face(C, vc.obact, mval, ED_MESH_PICK_DEFAULT_FACE_DIST, &index)) {
-            const MPoly *mp = &me->mpoly[index];
+            const MPoly *mp = &polys[index];
             uint fidx = mp->totloop - 1;
 
             do {
-              MDeformVert *dvert = &me->dvert[me->mloop[mp->loopstart + fidx].v];
+              const MDeformVert *dvert = &dverts[loops[mp->loopstart + fidx].v];
               found |= weight_paint_sample_enum_itemf__helper(dvert, defbase_tot, groups);
             } while (fidx--);
           }
@@ -441,7 +445,12 @@ static bool weight_paint_set(Object *ob, float paintweight)
   /* mutually exclusive, could be made into a */
   const short paint_selmode = ME_EDIT_PAINT_SEL_MODE(me);
 
-  if (me->totpoly == 0 || me->dvert == NULL || !me->mpoly) {
+  const MVert *verts = BKE_mesh_vertices(me);
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(me);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(me);
+  MDeformVert *dvert = BKE_mesh_deform_verts_for_write(me);
+
+  if (me->totpoly == 0 || dvert == NULL) {
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -453,9 +462,9 @@ static bool weight_paint_set(Object *ob, float paintweight)
   }
 
   struct WPaintPrev wpp;
-  wpaint_prev_create(&wpp, me->dvert, me->totvert);
+  wpaint_prev_create(&wpp, dvert, me->totvert);
 
-  for (index = 0, mp = me->mpoly; index < me->totpoly; index++, mp++) {
+  for (index = 0, mp = polys; index < me->totpoly; index++, mp++) {
     uint fidx = mp->totloop - 1;
 
     if ((paint_selmode == SCE_SELECT_FACE) && !(mp->flag & ME_FACE_SEL)) {
@@ -463,14 +472,14 @@ static bool weight_paint_set(Object *ob, float paintweight)
     }
 
     do {
-      uint vidx = me->mloop[mp->loopstart + fidx].v;
+      uint vidx = loops[mp->loopstart + fidx].v;
 
-      if (!me->dvert[vidx].flag) {
-        if ((paint_selmode == SCE_SELECT_VERTEX) && !(me->mvert[vidx].flag & SELECT)) {
+      if (!dvert[vidx].flag) {
+        if ((paint_selmode == SCE_SELECT_VERTEX) && !(verts[vidx].flag & SELECT)) {
           continue;
         }
 
-        dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(&me->dvert[vidx], vgroup_active);
+        dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(&dvert[vidx], vgroup_active);
         if (dw) {
           dw_prev = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(wpp.wpaint_prev + vidx, vgroup_active);
           dw_prev->weight = dw->weight; /* set the undo weight */
@@ -482,11 +491,11 @@ static bool weight_paint_set(Object *ob, float paintweight)
             if (j >= 0) {
               /* copy, not paint again */
               if (vgroup_mirror != -1) {
-                dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(me->dvert + j, vgroup_mirror);
+                dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(dvert + j, vgroup_mirror);
                 dw_prev = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(wpp.wpaint_prev + j, vgroup_mirror);
               }
               else {
-                dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(me->dvert + j, vgroup_active);
+                dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(dvert + j, vgroup_active);
                 dw_prev = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(wpp.wpaint_prev + j, vgroup_active);
               }
               dw_prev->weight = dw->weight; /* set the undo weight */
@@ -494,14 +503,14 @@ static bool weight_paint_set(Object *ob, float paintweight)
             }
           }
         }
-        me->dvert[vidx].flag = 1;
+        dvert[vidx].flag = 1;
       }
 
     } while (fidx--);
   }
 
   {
-    MDeformVert *dv = me->dvert;
+    MDeformVert *dv = dvert;
     for (index = me->totvert; index != 0; index--, dv++) {
       dv->flag = 0;
     }
@@ -574,6 +583,7 @@ typedef struct WPGradient_userData {
   struct ARegion *region;
   Scene *scene;
   Mesh *me;
+  MDeformVert *dvert;
   Brush *brush;
   const float *sco_start; /* [2] */
   const float *sco_end;   /* [2] */
@@ -593,7 +603,6 @@ typedef struct WPGradient_userData {
 
 static void gradientVert_update(WPGradient_userData *grad_data, int index)
 {
-  Mesh *me = grad_data->me;
   WPGradient_vertStore *vs = &grad_data->vert_cache->elem[index];
 
   /* Optionally restrict to assigned vertices only. */
@@ -617,7 +626,7 @@ static void gradientVert_update(WPGradient_userData *grad_data, int index)
   alpha = BKE_brush_curve_strength_clamped(grad_data->brush, alpha, 1.0f);
 
   if (alpha != 0.0f) {
-    MDeformVert *dv = &me->dvert[index];
+    MDeformVert *dv = &grad_data->dvert[index];
     MDeformWeight *dw = BKE_defvert_ensure_index(dv, grad_data->def_nr);
     // dw->weight = alpha; // testing
     int tool = grad_data->brush->blend;
@@ -631,7 +640,7 @@ static void gradientVert_update(WPGradient_userData *grad_data, int index)
     vs->flag |= VGRAD_STORE_IS_MODIFIED;
   }
   else {
-    MDeformVert *dv = &me->dvert[index];
+    MDeformVert *dv = &grad_data->dvert[index];
     if (vs->flag & VGRAD_STORE_DW_EXIST) {
       /* normally we NULL check, but in this case we know it exists */
       MDeformWeight *dw = BKE_defvert_find_index(dv, grad_data->def_nr);
@@ -669,10 +678,9 @@ static void gradientVertInit__mapFunc(void *userData,
                                       const float UNUSED(no[3]))
 {
   WPGradient_userData *grad_data = userData;
-  Mesh *me = grad_data->me;
   WPGradient_vertStore *vs = &grad_data->vert_cache->elem[index];
 
-  if (grad_data->use_select && !(me->mvert[index].flag & SELECT)) {
+  if (grad_data->use_select && !(grad_data->dvert[index].flag & SELECT)) {
     copy_v2_fl(vs->sco, FLT_MAX);
     return;
   }
@@ -693,7 +701,7 @@ static void gradientVertInit__mapFunc(void *userData,
     return;
   }
 
-  MDeformVert *dv = &me->dvert[index];
+  MDeformVert *dv = &grad_data->dvert[index];
   const MDeformWeight *dw = BKE_defvert_find_index(dv, grad_data->def_nr);
   if (dw) {
     vs->weight_orig = dw->weight;
@@ -727,8 +735,9 @@ static int paint_weight_gradient_modal(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEven
     if (vert_cache != NULL) {
       Mesh *me = ob->data;
       if (vert_cache->wpp.wpaint_prev) {
-        BKE_defvert_array_free_elems(me->dvert, me->totvert);
-        BKE_defvert_array_copy(me->dvert, vert_cache->wpp.wpaint_prev, me->totvert);
+        MDeformVert *dvert = BKE_mesh_deform_verts_for_write(me);
+        BKE_defvert_array_free_elems(dvert, me->totvert);
+        BKE_defvert_array_copy(dvert, vert_cache->wpp.wpaint_prev, me->totvert);
         wpaint_prev_destroy(&vert_cache->wpp);
       }
       MEM_freeN(vert_cache);
@@ -753,6 +762,7 @@ static int paint_weight_gradient_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   Scene *scene = CTX_data_scene(C);
   Object *ob = CTX_data_active_object(C);
   Mesh *me = ob->data;
+  MDeformVert *dverts = BKE_mesh_deform_verts_for_write(me);
   int x_start = RNA_int_get(op->ptr, "xstart");
   int y_start = RNA_int_get(op->ptr, "ystart");
   int x_end = RNA_int_get(op->ptr, "xend");
@@ -774,7 +784,7 @@ static int paint_weight_gradient_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
       data.is_init = true;
 
       wpaint_prev_create(
-          &((WPGradient_vertStoreBase *)gesture->user_data.data)->wpp, me->dvert, me->totvert);
+          &((WPGradient_vertStoreBase *)gesture->user_data.data)->wpp, dverts, me->totvert);
 
       /* On initialization only, convert face -> vert sel. */
       if (me->editflag & ME_EDIT_PAINT_FACE_SEL) {
@@ -797,6 +807,7 @@ static int paint_weight_gradient_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   data.region = region;
   data.scene = scene;
   data.me = ob->data;
+  data.dvert = dverts;
   data.sco_start = sco_start;
   data.sco_end = sco_end;
   data.sco_line_div = 1.0f / len_v2v2(sco_start, sco_end);
@@ -851,7 +862,7 @@ static int paint_weight_gradient_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
     const int vgroup_num = BLI_listbase_count(&me->vertex_group_names);
     bool *vgroup_validmap = BKE_object_defgroup_validmap_get(ob, vgroup_num);
     if (vgroup_validmap != NULL) {
-      MDeformVert *dvert = me->dvert;
+      MDeformVert *dvert = dverts;
       for (int i = 0; i < me->totvert; i++) {
         if ((data.vert_cache->elem[i].flag & VGRAD_STORE_IS_MODIFIED) != 0) {
           BKE_defvert_normalize_lock_single(&dvert[i], vgroup_validmap, vgroup_num, data.def_nr);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_utils.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_utils.c
index 5a63af4149a..ac16631f115 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_utils.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/paint_vertex_weight_utils.c
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ bool ED_wpaint_ensure_data(bContext *C,
   }
 
   /* if nothing was added yet, we make dverts and a vertex deform group */
-  if (!me->dvert) {
+  if (BKE_mesh_deform_verts(me) == NULL) {
     BKE_object_defgroup_data_create(&me->id);
     WM_event_add_notifier(C, NC_GEOM | ND_DATA, me);
   }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.c
index a56755edf92..74fd2f904e5 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt.c
@@ -600,10 +600,10 @@ void SCULPT_visibility_sync_all_vertex_to_face_sets(SculptSession *ss)
 {
   if (BKE_pbvh_type(ss->pbvh) == PBVH_FACES) {
     for (int i = 0; i < ss->totfaces; i++) {
-      MPoly *poly = &ss->mpoly[i];
+      const MPoly *poly = &ss->mpoly[i];
       bool poly_visible = true;
       for (int l = 0; l < poly->totloop; l++) {
-        MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[poly->loopstart + l];
+        const MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[poly->loopstart + l];
         if (!SCULPT_vertex_visible_get(ss, BKE_pbvh_make_vref(loop->v))) {
           poly_visible = false;
         }
@@ -644,9 +644,9 @@ static bool sculpt_check_unique_face_set_for_edge_in_base_mesh(SculptSession *ss
   MeshElemMap *vert_map = &ss->pmap[v1];
   int p1 = -1, p2 = -1;
   for (int i = 0; i < ss->pmap[v1].count; i++) {
-    MPoly *p = &ss->mpoly[vert_map->indices[i]];
+    const MPoly *p = &ss->mpoly[vert_map->indices[i]];
     for (int l = 0; l < p->totloop; l++) {
-      MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[p->loopstart + l];
+      const MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[p->loopstart + l];
       if (loop->v == v2) {
         if (p1 == -1) {
           p1 = vert_map->indices[i];
@@ -3162,10 +3162,10 @@ void SCULPT_vertcos_to_key(Object *ob, KeyBlock *kb, const float (*vertCos)[3])
 
   /* Modifying of basis key should update mesh. */
   if (kb == me->key->refkey) {
-    MVert *mvert = me->mvert;
+    MVert *verts = BKE_mesh_vertices_for_write(me);
 
-    for (a = 0; a < me->totvert; a++, mvert++) {
-      copy_v3_v3(mvert->co, vertCos[a]);
+    for (a = 0; a < me->totvert; a++) {
+      copy_v3_v3(verts[a].co, vertCos[a]);
     }
     BKE_mesh_tag_coords_changed(me);
   }
@@ -3589,8 +3589,9 @@ static void sculpt_flush_pbvhvert_deform(Object *ob, PBVHVertexIter *vd)
   copy_v3_v3(ss->deform_cos[index], vd->co);
   copy_v3_v3(ss->orig_cos[index], newco);
 
+  MVert *verts = BKE_mesh_vertices_for_write(me);
   if (!ss->shapekey_active) {
-    copy_v3_v3(me->mvert[index].co, newco);
+    copy_v3_v3(verts[index].co, newco);
   }
 }
 
@@ -5908,21 +5909,25 @@ void SCULPT_boundary_info_ensure(Object *object)
   }
 
   Mesh *base_mesh = BKE_mesh_from_object(object);
+  const MEdge *edges = BKE_mesh_edges(base_mesh);
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(base_mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(base_mesh);
+
   ss->vertex_info.boundary = BLI_BITMAP_NEW(base_mesh->totvert, "Boundary info");
   int *adjacent_faces_edge_count = MEM_calloc_arrayN(
       base_mesh->totedge, sizeof(int), "Adjacent face edge count");
 
   for (int p = 0; p < base_mesh->totpoly; p++) {
-    MPoly *poly = &base_mesh->mpoly[p];
+    const MPoly *poly = &polys[p];
     for (int l = 0; l < poly->totloop; l++) {
-      MLoop *loop = &base_mesh->mloop[l + poly->loopstart];
+      const MLoop *loop = &loops[l + poly->loopstart];
       adjacent_faces_edge_count[loop->e]++;
     }
   }
 
   for (int e = 0; e < base_mesh->totedge; e++) {
     if (adjacent_faces_edge_count[e] < 2) {
-      MEdge *edge = &base_mesh->medge[e];
+      const MEdge *edge = &edges[e];
       BLI_BITMAP_SET(ss->vertex_info.boundary, edge->v1, true);
       BLI_BITMAP_SET(ss->vertex_info.boundary, edge->v2, true);
     }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_dyntopo.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_dyntopo.c
index 000b69cc2ba..ad8a1cde9dc 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_dyntopo.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_dyntopo.c
@@ -210,8 +210,6 @@ static void SCULPT_dynamic_topology_disable_ex(
         &geometry->ldata, &me->ldata, CD_MASK_MESH.lmask, CD_DUPLICATE, geometry->totloop);
     CustomData_copy(
         &geometry->pdata, &me->pdata, CD_MASK_MESH.pmask, CD_DUPLICATE, geometry->totpoly);
-
-    BKE_mesh_update_customdata_pointers(me, false);
   }
   else {
     BKE_sculptsession_bm_to_me(ob, true);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_expand.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_expand.c
index 75cc966c0b2..63d5c14a931 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_expand.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_expand.c
@@ -690,7 +690,6 @@ static float *sculpt_expand_diagonals_falloff_create(Object *ob, const PBVHVertR
   }
 
   /* Propagate the falloff increasing the value by 1 each time a new vertex is visited. */
-  Mesh *mesh = ob->data;
   while (!BLI_gsqueue_is_empty(queue)) {
     PBVHVertRef v_next;
     BLI_gsqueue_pop(queue, &v_next);
@@ -698,9 +697,9 @@ static float *sculpt_expand_diagonals_falloff_create(Object *ob, const PBVHVertR
     int v_next_i = BKE_pbvh_vertex_to_index(ss->pbvh, v_next);
 
     for (int j = 0; j < ss->pmap[v_next_i].count; j++) {
-      MPoly *p = &ss->mpoly[ss->pmap[v_next_i].indices[j]];
+      const MPoly *p = &ss->mpoly[ss->pmap[v_next_i].indices[j]];
       for (int l = 0; l < p->totloop; l++) {
-        const PBVHVertRef neighbor_v = BKE_pbvh_make_vref(mesh->mloop[p->loopstart + l].v);
+        const PBVHVertRef neighbor_v = BKE_pbvh_make_vref(ss->mloop[p->loopstart + l].v);
         if (BLI_BITMAP_TEST(visited_vertices, neighbor_v.i)) {
           continue;
         }
@@ -777,11 +776,11 @@ static void sculpt_expand_grids_to_faces_falloff(SculptSession *ss,
                                                  Mesh *mesh,
                                                  ExpandCache *expand_cache)
 {
-
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
   const CCGKey *key = BKE_pbvh_get_grid_key(ss->pbvh);
 
   for (int p = 0; p < mesh->totpoly; p++) {
-    MPoly *poly = &mesh->mpoly[p];
+    const MPoly *poly = &polys[p];
     float accum = 0.0f;
     for (int l = 0; l < poly->totloop; l++) {
       const int grid_loop_index = (poly->loopstart + l) * key->grid_area;
@@ -795,11 +794,14 @@ static void sculpt_expand_grids_to_faces_falloff(SculptSession *ss,
 
 static void sculpt_expand_vertex_to_faces_falloff(Mesh *mesh, ExpandCache *expand_cache)
 {
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(mesh);
+
   for (int p = 0; p < mesh->totpoly; p++) {
-    MPoly *poly = &mesh->mpoly[p];
+    const MPoly *poly = &polys[p];
     float accum = 0.0f;
     for (int l = 0; l < poly->totloop; l++) {
-      MLoop *loop = &mesh->mloop[l + poly->loopstart];
+      const MLoop *loop = &loops[l + poly->loopstart];
       accum += expand_cache->vert_falloff[loop->v];
     }
     expand_cache->face_falloff[p] = accum / poly->totloop;
@@ -1093,10 +1095,10 @@ static void sculpt_expand_snap_initialize_from_enabled(SculptSession *ss,
   }
 
   for (int p = 0; p < totface; p++) {
-    MPoly *poly = &ss->mpoly[p];
+    const MPoly *poly = &ss->mpoly[p];
     bool any_disabled = false;
     for (int l = 0; l < poly->totloop; l++) {
-      MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[l + poly->loopstart];
+      const MLoop *loop = &ss->mloop[l + poly->loopstart];
       if (!BLI_BITMAP_TEST(enabled_vertices, loop->v)) {
         any_disabled = true;
         break;
@@ -1938,6 +1940,8 @@ static void sculpt_expand_delete_face_set_id(int *r_face_sets,
 {
   const int totface = ss->totfaces;
   MeshElemMap *pmap = ss->pmap;
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(mesh);
 
   /* Check that all the face sets IDs in the mesh are not equal to `delete_id`
    * before attempting to delete it. */
@@ -1972,9 +1976,9 @@ static void sculpt_expand_delete_face_set_id(int *r_face_sets,
     while (BLI_LINKSTACK_SIZE(queue)) {
       const int f_index = POINTER_AS_INT(BLI_LINKSTACK_POP(queue));
       int other_id = delete_id;
-      const MPoly *c_poly = &mesh->mpoly[f_index];
+      const MPoly *c_poly = &polys[f_index];
       for (int l = 0; l < c_poly->totloop; l++) {
-        const MLoop *c_loop = &mesh->mloop[c_poly->loopstart + l];
+        const MLoop *c_loop = &loops[c_poly->loopstart + l];
         const MeshElemMap *vert_map = &pmap[c_loop->v];
         for (int i = 0; i < vert_map->count; i++) {
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_face_set.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_face_set.c
index a2a34566bb6..c8e546ecef3 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_face_set.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_face_set.c
@@ -1096,13 +1096,16 @@ static void sculpt_face_set_grow(Object *ob,
                                  const bool modify_hidden)
 {
   Mesh *mesh = BKE_mesh_from_object(ob);
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(mesh);
+
   for (int p = 0; p < mesh->totpoly; p++) {
     if (!modify_hidden && prev_face_sets[p] <= 0) {
       continue;
     }
-    const MPoly *c_poly = &mesh->mpoly[p];
+    const MPoly *c_poly = &polys[p];
     for (int l = 0; l < c_poly->totloop; l++) {
-      const MLoop *c_loop = &mesh->mloop[c_poly->loopstart + l];
+      const MLoop *c_loop = &loops[c_poly->loopstart + l];
       const MeshElemMap *vert_map = &ss->pmap[c_loop->v];
       for (int i = 0; i < vert_map->count; i++) {
         const int neighbor_face_index = vert_map->indices[i];
@@ -1124,14 +1127,16 @@ static void sculpt_face_set_shrink(Object *ob,
                                    const bool modify_hidden)
 {
   Mesh *mesh = BKE_mesh_from_object(ob);
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(mesh);
   for (int p = 0; p < mesh->totpoly; p++) {
     if (!modify_hidden && prev_face_sets[p] <= 0) {
       continue;
     }
     if (abs(prev_face_sets[p]) == active_face_set_id) {
-      const MPoly *c_poly = &mesh->mpoly[p];
+      const MPoly *c_poly = &polys[p];
       for (int l = 0; l < c_poly->totloop; l++) {
-        const MLoop *c_loop = &mesh->mloop[c_poly->loopstart + l];
+        const MLoop *c_loop = &loops[c_poly->loopstart + l];
         const MeshElemMap *vert_map = &ss->pmap[c_loop->v];
         for (int i = 0; i < vert_map->count; i++) {
           const int neighbor_face_index = vert_map->indices[i];
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_geodesic.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_geodesic.c
index ecf8c4586ae..4b871da1d02 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_geodesic.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_geodesic.c
@@ -37,7 +37,6 @@
 #include "DEG_depsgraph.h"
 
 #include "WM_api.h"
-#include "WM_message.h"
 #include "WM_toolsystem.h"
 #include "WM_types.h"
 
@@ -108,8 +107,10 @@ static float *SCULPT_geodesic_mesh_create(Object *ob,
 
   const float limit_radius_sq = limit_radius * limit_radius;
 
-  MEdge *edges = mesh->medge;
   MVert *verts = SCULPT_mesh_deformed_mverts_get(ss);
+  const MEdge *edges = BKE_mesh_edges(mesh);
+  const MPoly *polys = BKE_mesh_polygons(mesh);
+  const MLoop *loops = BKE_mesh_loops(mesh);
 
   float *dists = MEM_malloc_arrayN(totvert, sizeof(float), "distances");
   BLI_bitmap *edge_tag = BLI_BITMAP_NEW(totedge, "edge tag");
@@ -117,16 +118,15 @@ static float *SCULPT_geodesic_mesh_create(Object *ob,
   if (!ss->epmap) {
     BKE_mesh_edge_poly_map_create(&ss->epmap,
                                   &ss->epmap_mem,
-                                  mesh->medge,
+                                  edges,
                                   mesh->totedge,
-                                  mesh->mpoly,
+                                  polys,
                                   mesh->totpoly,
-                                  mesh->mloop,
+                                  loops,
                                   mesh->totloop);
   }
   if (!ss->vemap) {
-    BKE_mesh_vert_edge_map_create(
-        &ss->vemap, &ss->vemap_mem, mesh->medge, mesh->totvert, mesh->totedge);
+    BKE_mesh_vert_edge_map_create(&ss->vemap, &ss->vemap_mem, edges, mesh->totvert, mesh->totedge);
   }
 
   /* Both contain edge indices encoded as *void. */
@@ -202,10 +202,10 @@ static float *SCULPT_geodesic_mesh_create(Object *ob,
           if (ss->face_sets[poly] <= 0) {
             continue;
           }
-          const MPoly *mpoly = &mesh->mpoly[poly];
+          const MPoly *mpoly = &polys[poly];
 
           for (int loop_index = 0; loop_index < mpoly->totloop; loop_index++) {
-            const MLoop *mloop = &mesh->mloop[loop_index + mpoly->loopstart];
+            const MLoop *mloop = &loops[loop_index + mpoly->loopstart];
             const int v_other = mloop->v;
             if (ELEM(v_other, v1, v2)) {
               continue;
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_undo.c b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_undo.c
index e667f9ce2fc..07dbb5964bf 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_undo.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/sculpt_paint/sculpt_undo.c
@@ -627,8 +627,6 @@ static void sculpt_undo_geometry_restore_data(SculptUndoNodeGeometry *geometry,
   CustomData_copy(
       &geometry->pdata, &mesh->pdata, CD_MASK_MESH.pmask, CD_DUPLICATE, geometry->totpoly);
 
-  BKE_mesh_update_customdata_pointers(mesh, false);
-
   BKE_mesh_runtime_clear_cache(mesh);
 }