Docking Manager

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Introduction

Ebase uses the JIDE docking manager (www.jidesoft.com). This provides a flexible layout manager that allows individual users to configure and save layouts customized to their individual preferences. The docking manager is used a number of times throughout the Ebase designer: form editor, component editor, integration service editor, system service editor, workflow process editor, opening tree panel.

Individual panels are laid out around a central workspace panel – for the Form Editor, this central workspace panel is the WYSIWYG view. The workspace panel cannot be configured and is always displayed, but the remaining panels can all be configured to meet the preferences of each designer.

Docking Manager Functionality

The docking manager provides the following options, though all options may not always be implemented for each editor:

Moving panels

A panel is dragged using its title tab. It can be dropped into any area owned by the docking manager excluding the workspace panel – in practice, this means any area north, south, east or west of the workspace panel. As a panel is being dragged, the drop location is shown. A panel can either be dropped into the same space occupied by an existing panel in which case the panel’s tab is added to the tabpane, or it can split an existing panel.

If a panel is dropped into an area not owned by the docking manager or into the workspace panel, it becomes a floating panel.

Re-sizing panels

Drag the panel separators to re-size panels.

Floating panels

A floating panel is a separate window that can be moved and re-sized independently. Floating panels can be dragged on top of each other to create a single window in the same way as for docked panels. Floating panels can be very useful in combination with maximized panels.

A panel can be floated by either:

• Right clicking on the panel’s title tab and selecting Floating.
• Dragging the panel to an area not owned by the docking manager or into the workspace panel.

A panel is un-floated by either:

• Right clicking on the panel’s title tab and clicking Floating again.
• Dragging the panel to a docked area.

Auto-hiding panels

When a panel is auto-hidden, the panel content is not shown and its title tab is displayed on the edge of the docking manager area. Clicking once on the auto-hidden panel tab restores the panel to its previous location. To auto-hide a panel, right click on on the panel’s title tab and select Auto Hide.

Maximizing panels

All panels can be maximized including the workspace panel. This is achieved by either:

• Right clicking on the panel’s title tab and selecting Maximize.
• Double clicking on the panel’s title tab (for the workspace panel, double click the toolbar or title at the top of the panel).

Restore a panel to its original size by:

• Right clicking on the panel’s title tab and selecting Restore.
• Double clicking on the panel’s title tab (for the workspace panel, double click on the title at the top of the panel).

Closing panels

Close a panel by right clicking on its title tab and selecting Close. Re-show the panel by clicking the Manage Layout icon then select Show View.

Managing Layout

Click the Manage Layout icon . This provides the following options:

Save current layout: saves the current layout replacing the user’s current layout.

Restore saved layout: resets the layout to the user’s saved layout.

Reset layout to system default: resets the layout to the default layout provided with the system.

Caution!: this permanenly removes any previously saved user layout.

Show View: can be used to show any panel which has been explictly closed.