(07-19-2020, 10:42 AM)MarkPawelek Wrote: What is the best way to minimize screen space occupied by tools / icons / command windows / etc.?
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Note: I do not want to get rid of essentials such as the menu and the status tools. How?
Partly depends on your laptop. I use a 14" notebook with HD (1920x1080) display and not too bad. A couple of minutes needed when I transition from my desktop 23" monitor, but otherwise OK. I also have a netbook 11.5" (1366 x 768) with Gimp 2.8 and that does feel cramped.
If you have not updated to Gimp 2.10.20 then try it. The tool groups really save space. Apart from the tools, two docks that you really need are tool options and layers. Many of the "it does not work" questions here are because the user has closed those. Does not see the tool settings, does not know what layer is active.
With the Gimp 2.10.20 tool groups, you can separate the toolbox from the tool options. Tool options is the snag. It has a minimum usable width, nothing you can really do about that. You can put it with layers and keep the two together.
Other docks like brushes, fonts, gradients can be accessed from the tool options. No real need for a separate tab in the dock. This as a quick example: https://i.imgur.com/LP6Ucyc.mp4
Then for any set-up, the tab key toogles/hides all the docks, F11 key toggles/maximises, use either or both example: https://i.imgur.com/ZYhRnkS.mp4 Both those examples in a small Win10 netbook size display.
When you start experimenting, dragging / closing docks, your friend is Edit -> Preferences -> Window Management then Reset Saved Windows positions to Default Values For when you screw up, everyone screws up sometime
