Make small changes to the Java protocol buffer object

I want to make a small change to go deep into the tree of Java protocol buffer objects

I can use it Getbuilder () method to create a new object, which is an old object with some changes

When doing so at a deeper level, the code becomes ugly:

Quux.Builder quuxBuilder = foo.getBar().getBaz().getQuux().toBuilder()
Baz.Builder bazBuilder = foo.getBar().getBaz().toBuilder()
Bar.Builder barBuilder = foo.getBar().toBuilder()
Foo.Builder fooBuilder = foo.toBuilder()

quuxBuilder.setNewThing(newThing);
bazBuilder.setQuux(quuxBuilder);
barBuilder.setBaz(bazBuilder);
fooBuilder.setBar(barBuilder);

Foo newFoo = fooBuilder.build();

(this is only level 4. I often deal with levels 5-8)

Is there a better way?

Solution

Another option is (I think it's been a while)

Foo.Builder fooBuilder = foo.toBuilder();
fooBuilder.getBarBuilder().getBazBuilder().getQuuxBuilder()
    .setNewThing(newThing);
newFoo = fooBuilder.build();

Please note that this is not more efficient; You're still copying foo, bar, Baz and quux