When an image has several layers and the layers have non-empty layer masks and/or opacity levels less than 100 % then you're looking at several layers at the same time. The healing brush however (or any tool) will work on the active layer only. So the tool will work on a different image than what you're seeing.
If you want a tool or filter to see, and to work on, the same image that you are seeing (i. e. the image resulting from combining all visible layers) then you'll have to flatten the image, or to merge all visible layers into a new layer, before applying the tool or filter.
-- Olaf
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=195855\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Actually, I had my healing brush set to "all layers", and it was only one background layers with multiple adjustment layers.
It seemed to happen when I did my retouching on a separate layer (which I can delete if I mess up), but, by error, once or twice ended up retouching the background layer directly.
When I went back to my retouching layer, everything else was OK again.
Regarding flattening, I never flatten my images.
When I go to print, I make another copy ("edit copy with LR adjustements"). This will flatten the image automatically. Then I sharpen, but can always go back to the original file to make adjustments.
I guess I will never use the flatten image command again, only work through copies.
So far I have not found any disadvantage of my workflow.