wave8-baker-dependency-registration

Baker Dependency Registration — DependsOn

Intent

Register all external asset and component dependencies in a Baker so that incremental baking re-triggers correctly when referenced objects change.

Use When

• A Baker reads data from child GameObjects, referenced assets (ScriptableObjects, Textures, etc.), or other components not on the primary authoring GameObject
• Any data source that is not a direct serialized field on the primary authoring MonoBehaviour

Avoid When

• The Baker only reads from the primary authoring MonoBehaviour's own serialized fields — Unity registers those automatically
• The dependency is read via Baker API methods (GetComponent, GetComponentInChildren) which have their own automatic tracking

Senior Pattern

public class EnemyConfigBaker : Baker<EnemyConfigAuthoring>
{
    public override void Bake(EnemyConfigAuthoring authoring)
    {
        // Reading a referenced asset — MUST call DependsOn:
        DependsOn(authoring.ConfigAsset);  // re-bake if ScriptableObject changes

        // Reading child component via raw Unity API — MUST call DependsOn:
        var childRenderer = authoring.GetComponentInChildren<MeshRenderer>();
        DependsOn(childRenderer);          // re-bake if childRenderer changes

        // Reading via Baker API — automatically tracked, DependsOn not needed:
        var rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody>();     // auto-tracked
        var children = GetChildren();           // auto-tracked

        var entity = GetEntity(TransformUsageFlags.Dynamic);
        AddComponent(entity, new EnemyConfig
        {
            Speed        = authoring.ConfigAsset != null ? authoring.ConfigAsset.Speed : 0f,
            HasRenderer  = childRenderer != null
        });
    }
}

Auto-Tracked vs Manual DependsOn

Access method	Auto-tracked?	DependsOn needed?
Direct serialized field on authoring	Yes	No
GetComponent<T>() (Baker API)	Yes	No
authoring.someField.GetComponent<T>() (raw Unity API)	No	Yes
Referenced ScriptableObject / asset	No	Yes
authoring.transform.GetChild(0).GetComponent<T>()	No	Yes
Static fields / singletons	Never	Cannot register