Change to Smart Filter causes problem with Content-Aware Fill layer.

[DavePinMinn]

I'm not sure there's a fix, but I thought I'd ask.  Ordinary image.

In Photoshop I create a smart object.  And apply a Shadows and Highlights Smart Filter.  I adjust the shadows, highlights, color, midtone.

I make a selection on a blank layer and use Edit>Content-aware Fill to remove the object in the selection.  Looks fine.

At this point I have a layer with the content-aware fill output, the smart object layer, and the Shadow/Highlight Smart filter.

I realize I DON'T like something from the Shadow/Highlight filter so I open it and make changes.

The area on which I did the content-aware fill is now visibly different than the rest of my image.

Is there a process in which I can take advantage of the Smart Object, use the Smart Filter, and NOT have the problem with the Content-Aware fill?

[JJMack]

Content aware fill can not change the contents of a smart object layer. So content aware fill you did was rendered to some other layer that may blend in or overlay some of the smart object layer.  If you add or change as smart filter on the smart object layer it will change the appearance of the smart object layers pixels.  The changed smart smart object layers appearance may not blend well with the old content aware fill layer you had created. Delete the content aware fill layer and create a replacement with content aware fill.

[DavePinMinn]

Yes, I know taking a sledgehammer to the problem may "fix" it, but as a solution it sucks...

Since there ARE Smart Objects, and they're being pushed as "non-destructive".  And there are layers and they're being pushed as "non-destructive".  As is content-aware fill in all its forms, it would be nice if they worked together.

Currently, it appears using a Camera Raw Filter as I see it being touted in posts, where you can go round-trip from Photoshop, making changes (repeatedly) as the image evolves, seems like a good way to make a mess of a bunch of very time-consuming processing - like cleaning up with Content-Aware fill -  happening in layers.

Are you saying that after years of having these tools (I'm not sure when the Camera Raw filter or content-aware fill were introduced, but it had to have been at least a couple YEARS ago), there is still NO ability in Photoshop to tell it to update layer X (that contains a bunch of pixels derived from pixels in layer X-1 or 2 or 10) with those pixels altered by a smart filter?  Or even better, to KEEP layer X current with pixels altered by the smart filter on the Smart Object?

Is there at least some workaround less destructive than trashing layers into the garbage can and redoing everything?

[JJMack]

Remove the item when you open your raw file as a smart object. You can always reopen the Raw object in ACR and remove more items.  If you are processing Image pixels layer you converted to a smart object use ACR as a smart Filter.  Or re-open the object and remove the items in the original layers you made the smart object from.   You could use content aware full there Editing the object layers.  Develop a work-flow that works well for you. IMO you just use content aware file in the wrong place.  If what you want to remove is in the Smart Object remove the item in the Objects.  Do not add layer in the document the smart object layer is part of some composition  that changes the object content other than  Adjustment layers.  You cans also add smart filters they will be reapplied if you change the object or change other smart filter the would effect what other filters will filter. Smart filters are applied in order.  Develop the work-flow you like.  There is nothing wrong with trashing a layer and creating a new one that works. You the one editing you images with Photoshop You do the editing using Photoshop features Photoshop is a tool your the brains.  Changing lower layer often require you the make changes the higher layers