Variation Images, not overriding featured

I am trying to configure my product pages to use variation images that swap upon user selection. This piece of the functionality has been no problem. However, when I designate a featured image, the variation swap does not override the featured image.

If I do not designate a featured image, the swap works as I would like it to. Although there is a different problem, in that the product has no featured image when a user views the product in a category, for example. I need to have an image, likely a featured image” viewable for each product, but I would like that image swapped out for a variation image when the user selects a variation.

As a workaround I have been experimenting with gallery images, but this is not to my liking either.

Bill Basler