Pinned dock window

DockSettings exposes an option to display auto-hidden tools in a transparent floating window. This works around native control airspace issues just like floating dock adorners.

// Enable floating auto-hide windows
DockSettings.UsePinnedDockWindow = true;

When enabled the PinnedDockControl places the preview content inside a lightweight PinnedDockWindow. The window follows the host layout and closes automatically when the tool is hidden.

In managed window mode (DockSettings.UseManagedWindows = true), pinned windows render inside ManagedWindowLayer instead of a native window.

Pinned preview layout

Pinned previews can either overlay the main content or take real layout space. Configure the root dock with PinnedDockDisplayMode (Overlay or Inline) to pick the default behavior. Individual dockables can override this by setting PinnedDockDisplayModeOverride to force a specific mode for that tool or document.

Alignment and orientation

PinnedDockControl exposes PinnedDockAlignment to control which edge the pinned preview occupies. The default templates bind it to the owning ToolDock.Alignment, but you can override it when building custom templates.

Pinned tab strips use ToolPinnedControl.Orientation (propagated to ToolPinItemControl.Orientation) to arrange pinned tabs vertically or horizontally.

Pinned tab behavior

Pinned tab items toggle the preview for the selected tool. Clicking the same pinned tab again hides the preview instead of closing the dockable. Use the pinned tab context menu (or IFactory.CloseDockable) when you want to close or remove a pinned tool.