Convert to Smart Object without layer mask merging into layer

[amyw647464]

Everytime I convert a layer into a smart object after already applying a layer mask to it everything merges - is there any way to stop this from happening? Is the only solution to remember to convert to a smart object before I start using layer masks?

Thanks.

[Chuck Uebele]

No, you either have to remember to convert before turning it into a smart object, or open the SO and copy the mask to the SO, then delete the one inside the SO.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»is there any way to stop this from happening?«

This is the way it is intended to be.

To work around this you could put the Layer in a Group and apply the Layer Mask to the Group, that way it would affect the Layer Mask no matter at which point in time you convert the Layer to a Smart Object. 

If the Layer Mask serves to clip an object in the Layer why would you want to apply a Layer Mask to the Smart Object instead of within the Smart Object? 

That way repeated transformations would degrade the Layer Mask while not degrading the SO. 

[Stephen Marsh]

You can create an action that will select and copy the mask, remove it, create the smart object, edit the smart object and reapply the mask close and return to the original doc.