What is a typical workflow for applying Smart Filters to a layer?

• A. Apply a filter directly to a raster layer and then convert to Smart Object.
• B. Create a new layer, copy content, and apply filter.
• C. Use the Liquify filter only on a normal layer.
• D. Convert the layer to a Smart Object, apply a filter, then optionally adjust in the Filter Gallery.

Answer: (D)

Smart Filters are non-destructive effects that live on a Smart Object, letting you edit or remove them later. The best workflow is to convert the layer into a Smart Object, apply a filter, and then refine it in the Filter Gallery or adjust its settings later. This setup lets you tweak the filter's strength, blend mode, or mask without permanently changing the original pixels, and you can reopen the filter to fine-tune at any time. Applying a filter directly to a raster layer bakes the effect into pixels, so you lose flexible editing. Copying content to a new layer or using a filter like Liquify only on a normal layer won’t give you the non-destructive, adjustable Smart Filters workflow.