Floating (Undocked)

Windows have two major modes, docked and undocked. The undocked mode is commonly referred to as floating. A floating window can be positioned anywhere on the screen where it will float above the various user interface elements. The image below shows the Notification Window in floating mode.

 

 

Docked

Another way to position windows is to dock them to various other user elements. For instance the Notification Window below has been docked to the bottom of the Drawing space.  When docked the window is snapped to the edge.

 

 

Dockable Windows Include:

Notification Window
Layer Window

Library Window

Help Window

Selection Properties Window

Tool Properties Window

Drawing Properties Window

Viewport Properties Window

Snap Point Settings

 

 

Docking toolbars also have two visibility modes while docked. They are pinned and unpinned.

 

Pinned Docking Window

       In the upper right hand corner of a docking window is a small pin icon. When a docking window is docked this icon becomes visible. When the pin icon looks like this ( ) the docking window is in the pinned mode. This means that the window will be constantly visible and in the position that is seen. The image below shows the Notification Window docked and pinned to the bottom of the drawing space.

 

 

 

Unpinned Docking Window

When the pin icon ( ) is selected the window becomes unpinned. This unpinning modifies the behavior of the window. The docking window will now act like a drawer. When not active the window will slide away so that only the title tabs are visible on the screen. For more advanced users this is an excellent way to maximize the drawing space. When the window is either hovered over by the mouse or clicked on the window will become active. When active the drawer will slide out showing the contents of the window. Note that the pin icon now is in the unpinned state ( ).

 

The image below is the Notification Window in its docked unpinned and in the unfocused/inactive state.

 

 

The image below is the same Notification Window in its docked unpinned and active state. Note that in its active state it appears very similar to the Pinned state. Once the window is no longer focused on it will slide back down, hiding its main body.