How to Show Other Dockable Windows in Krita

Krita is a powerful, open-source digital painting application packed with professional-grade tools. One of its most flexible features is its customizable workspace, especially through the use of dockable windows, commonly called “Dockers.” These panels allow artists to access brushes, layers, color selectors, animation timelines, and many other tools without cluttering the main canvas. Understanding how to show, hide, and arrange these dockable windows can dramatically improve workflow efficiency and overall productivity.

TLDR: Krita allows users to customize their workspace by showing or hiding dockable windows (Dockers) through the Settings > Dockers menu. Users can reposition, stack, float, and resize these panels to match their workflow needs. Workspaces can also be saved for future use, making it easy to switch between layouts for painting, animation, or design tasks. Learning how to manage Dockers helps streamline the creative process and reduce on-screen clutter.

Understanding Dockable Windows in Krita

Dockable windows, or Dockers, are movable interface panels that provide access to specific tools and information. Examples include the Layers panel, Brush Presets, Color Selector, and Tool Options. These panels can be docked to the edges of the interface, stacked with other panels, or floated independently.

The main advantage of Dockers is flexibility. Artists can customize the interface to suit different workflows, whether they are painting concept art, illustrating comics, or animating frame-by-frame sequences.

Image not found in postmeta

How to Show Dockable Windows in Krita

Showing additional dockable windows in Krita is a straightforward process. Users can access all available Dockers through the top menu.

1. Click on Settings in the top menu bar.
2. Hover over or click Dockers.
3. From the dropdown list, select the Docker you want to show.

Once selected, the chosen panel will immediately appear in the workspace. If it was previously open and hidden, this action makes it visible again.

Commonly Used Dockers

• Layers: Manage and organize artwork layers.
• Brush Presets: Select and customize brushes.
• Color Selector: Choose and adjust colors.
• Advanced Color Selector: Expanded color picking tools.
• Tool Options: Adjust settings for the currently selected tool.
• Timeline: Essential for animation projects.
• Reference Images: Attach image references inside the workspace.

Each Docker serves a specific purpose, and users can combine multiple panels to create a highly personalized creative environment.

How to Hide Dockable Windows

If the screen feels cluttered, Dockers can be hidden just as easily as they are shown.

• Navigate to Settings > Dockers.
• Click on the Docker that currently has a checkmark beside it.

This removes the checkmark and hides the panel from view. Alternatively, many Dockers have a close button in their corner that allows them to be closed directly.

Hiding unused panels can significantly improve focus, especially when working on detailed illustrations.

Rearranging Dockable Windows

Krita’s flexibility truly shines when it comes to rearranging Dockers. Every panel can be repositioned according to user preference.

To move a Docker:

1. Click and hold the Docker title bar.
2. Drag it toward a screen edge or another panel.
3. Release the mouse when a highlighted docking area appears.

Dockers can be placed on the left, right, top, or bottom edges of the interface. They can also be stacked in tab groups, allowing multiple panels to share the same space.

Image not found in postmeta

Floating Dockers

Instead of docking, users may prefer to float certain panels. Floating Dockers act like separate windows that can be moved anywhere on the screen or even to a secondary monitor.

To float a Docker:

• Drag the Docker away from any docking zone.
• Release it in an empty space.

This approach is particularly useful for artists with multi-monitor setups who prefer keeping reference material separate from the main canvas.

Stacking and Tabbed Dockers

Krita allows Dockers to be stacked in tab groups. When stacking panels:

• Drag one Docker onto another until a highlighted center area appears.
• Release to create tabbed panels.

This method saves screen space and keeps related tools grouped together. For example, many artists stack the Brush Presets and Tool Options panels for quicker access.

Users can switch between stacked panels by clicking on the visible tabs at the top of the group.

Restoring Missing Dockers

Sometimes, users may accidentally close or hide essential panels such as the Layers Docker. If this happens, there is no need to worry.

Simply return to:

Settings > Dockers > Layers

The panel will reappear instantly. If the entire interface layout becomes disorganized, Krita also offers workspace resetting options.

Resetting the Workspace

To reset to the default layout:

• Go to Window.
• Select Workspace.
• Choose the desired default workspace.

This restores the interface to its original configuration, including the default Dockers arrangement.

Using and Saving Custom Workspaces

Krita offers predefined workspace layouts designed for different tasks, such as:

• Default
• Animation
• Big Paint
• Minimal

Each preset workspace comes with a distinct arrangement of Dockers to serve specific needs.

Image not found in postmeta

After customizing Dockers, users can save their arrangement:

1. Go to Window > Workspace.
2. Select New Workspace.
3. Name and save the configuration.

This enables fast switching between layouts tailored for painting, inking, or animation tasks.

Tips for Efficient Docker Management

Mastering Dockers can significantly boost productivity. Here are practical tips for maintaining an organized interface:

• Keep frequently used panels visible: Layers and Brush Presets are typically essential.
• Group related tools: Stack complementary Dockers.
• Hide rarely used panels: Reduce visual clutter.
• Use dual monitors: Float reference panels externally.
• Save multiple workspaces: Switch instantly between task types.

A well-organized workspace reduces the need for excessive clicking and searching through menus, keeping attention focused on creativity.

Advanced Customization with Shortcuts

Users who want even greater speed can assign keyboard shortcuts to show or hide specific Dockers.

To customize shortcuts:

1. Go to Settings > Configure Krita.
2. Select Keyboard Shortcuts.
3. Search for the desired Docker option.
4. Assign a new shortcut key.

This feature allows instant toggling of panels without navigating menus, further enhancing workflow efficiency.

Why Dockable Windows Matter

Dockers are more than simple panels; they are essential elements in shaping a digital artist’s environment. A cluttered workspace can slow down productivity and create unnecessary frustration. Conversely, a thoughtfully arranged interface enhances creativity and focus.

Each artist’s needs vary. Comic creators may prioritize the Layers and Reference Image Dockers. Animators depend heavily on the Timeline and Animation Curves panels. Concept artists often require easy access to advanced color and brush settings.

The ability to show, hide, move, stack, and float Dockers makes Krita adaptable to all these workflows.

Conclusion

Showing and managing dockable windows in Krita is a fundamental skill for both beginners and experienced digital artists. By navigating through Settings > Dockers, users can easily activate the panels they need. From there, rearranging, stacking, floating, and saving custom workspaces ensures a personalized and efficient creative environment.

With practice, Dockers become second nature, allowing artists to focus less on interface management and more on bringing their ideas to life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are Dockers in Krita?

Dockers are movable and customizable panels within Krita that provide access to tools, settings, and information such as Layers, Brush Presets, and the Timeline.

2. How do users show a missing Layers panel?

They can go to Settings > Dockers > Layers and click the option to make it visible again.

3. Can Dockers be placed on a second monitor?

Yes. Users can drag a Docker away from the main interface to float it and then move it to a secondary monitor.

4. How can someone reset the Krita workspace?

They can navigate to Window > Workspace and select a default workspace layout to restore the original arrangement.

5. Is it possible to save a custom Docker layout?

Yes. Users can create and save a custom workspace via Window > Workspace > New Workspace, allowing easy access to their preferred layout in the future.

6. Why are Dockers important for workflow?

Dockers allow artists to organize their tools efficiently, reduce clutter, and tailor the interface to match specific creative tasks.