Can I dock the Properties panel on the side in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, you can dock the Properties panel on the side using the standard PROPERTIES command, then drag the palette to the left or right edge until the docking outline appears. This is the most common professional method for keeping object data visible while drafting. One limitation: a locked or floating workspace can prevent docking behavior.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If the Properties panel is set to auto-hide, anchored, or opens on a second monitor that is disconnected, it may seem like docking is broken. In some workspace layouts, the palette position is saved incorrectly and must be reset manually.

How to Dock the Properties Panel in BricsCAD

  • Command: PROPERTIES

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+1

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Press Ctrl+1 or type PROPERTIES to open the Properties panel.
    2. Click and hold the panel title bar, then drag it toward the left or right edge of the BricsCAD window until the docking frame appears.
    3. Release to dock it, then right-click the panel title bar and make sure Anchor Left or Anchor Right is active as needed.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Auto-hide / Anchor

  • Expert Setting: If auto-hide is enabled, the panel may collapse into a side tab instead of staying fully docked. For a stable production workspace, keep the palette anchored and auto-hide turned off.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The panel is dragged too quickly or not close enough to the application edge, so BricsCAD keeps it floating instead of docking.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The workspace or UI layout is locked, preventing palette repositioning and side docking.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The Properties panel is already open off-screen or on a missing monitor, so users think the PROPERTIES command failed.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run PROPERTIES, then use Ctrl+1 and drag the palette slowly to the screen edge until the docking outline appears; disable auto-hide if it keeps collapsing.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Dock the Properties panel on the side for daily production work, especially when editing multiple object parameters. Avoid floating palettes in team environments where consistent workspace layouts matter.

FAQ

Can I dock the Properties panel on the left instead of the right?

Yes, drag it to either side and dock where it best fits your workspace.

Why does the Properties panel keep disappearing?

It is usually set to auto-hide or opens off-screen from a previous monitor setup.

Can I reopen the Properties panel if I closed it?

Yes, press Ctrl+1 or run PROPERTIES again.

.

Related Posts: