topic Re: Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around in 3ds Max Forum

Turn off docking?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:01:08 GMT

Is there a way to turn off docking on certain floating panels (e.g. the new Layer Explorer)?

I'm not dealing with a lot of screen real estate on an older Cintiq 21UX, and would like to just temporarily move a window out of the way so I can see the viewport beneath it. However, when I do, I get even less screen space for the viewport, because the docked window now takes up 1/3 of my screen.

This is a rather annoying issue, and slows down my workflow.

Re: Turn off docking?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 21:30:43 GMT

Hi,

Click on the line on top of the toolbar, look at my print screen, drag the window out of docking and close it.

Re: Turn off docking?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:05:49 GMT

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the reply. I'm actually not looking for how to undock a panel. I have it floating already; and sometimes, when I want to just move it out of the way really quickly, it automatically docks to the side. I'd like to be able to move it (e.g. over the Command Panel on the right) without it docking automatically. In other words, I'd like floating panels to remain floating panels no matter where I drag it unless I explicitly tell it to dock.

Thanks!

-Chris

Re: Turn off docking?

spacefrog_ — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 07:24:58 GMT

There is an easy way for this:

Activate "Lock UI Layout" in the "Customize" menu. As long as this is active, dragged windows don't dock.

You still can undock/dock them using the RMB menu in the titlebar of the dialogs/toolbars then...

Re: Turn off docking?

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 20:47:51 GMT

Awesome! This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much!

Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around

JezEmin — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:09:04 GMT

I'm on 3DS Max 2019.3 and this does not work for me.

I move the Scene Explorer a lot and it is INCREDIBLY frustrating that each time it wants to dock someplace on the interface.

Please can you advise ?

Re: Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around

brentscannell — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 13:21:44 GMT

Hi everyone,

There is a known issue in 2019.2+ where the scene explorer and track window don't respect the lock UI setting, we apologize for that and are looking at solutions.

There is also a little known trick with respect to docking: if you hold "control" before dragging a window, it won't try to dock anywhere regardless of what you have in your lock UI settings. You need to think about it before you move, though, because if you hold control after you've grabbed a window it won't block the docking behavior.

Re: Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around

brentscannell — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 18:27:59 GMT

I just did a quick check and one of our users in the community just started an idea about making auto-docking a preference, instead of having to press control.

Cast your vote here:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/3ds-max-ideas/please-make-an-option-to-prevent-automatic-docking/idi-p/8588003

Re: Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:49:49 GMT

I just started to work with 3dsmax2020 and I want the autoDocking disabled.

Lastnight I had vpn+vnc from my home to my work computer and I moved the Layer explorer-window,

it docked and I couldn't remove it. Just now wanted to learn more about this docking-thing, found out

about the CTRL+move > will not dock, that sounds to me sooooo useless. Yes it works but still.

Also the Lock UI layout isn't doing absolutely anything. It is on, I assume "locked", but it still lets me dock.

And I really don't want that.

Re: Lock UI Layout - not working when I move the Scene Explorer around

DanielCantin — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 13:59:25 GMT

Hi @Anonymous

This issue has been fixed in 3ds Max 2020.2, sorry about the inconvenience and thanks for reporting, I suspect you are using a earlier version, if not please let us know.

-Daniel

Re: Turn off docking?

Torsion_jo — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:30:41 GMT

Thanks A lot Great Man!!!!!!

Re: Turn off docking?

sharadtwi — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:06:56 GMT

Thank You so much .

Re: Turn off docking?

MartinBeh — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:20:27 GMT

FYI, here is a tiny macroscript (save as .mcr, then execute, then find the new "mb_LockUI" action under "MB Tools") that you could assign to a hotkey to toggle the UI Lock on/off:

macroscript mb_LockUI category:"MB Tools" ( max lock UI layout -- Lock User Interface Toggle )