Comparasion: Palette versus Modeless Form

[Peter2]

Since my experience with Palettes is rather low I want  to ask for the basic differences between Palettes and (dockable) Modeless Forms. What are the main pros and cons

- for the user
- for the developper
- regarding usability, stability, ....

Thanks and regards

[Fred Tomke]

Hi, in my latest developments for my former employer I only used palettes to make sure the user can extend or collaps it like in AutoCAD.
Only a few forms are modeless for the case you need parameters while dragging or drawing in the current drawingspace.

From the developers view there a not many differences because of equal properties, methods and events.

Regards, Fred

[Peter2]

... the user can extend or collapse it like in AutoCAD....

OK, thanks. For me as old-school user this seem not to be the super-feature. To open a dialogue / palette I need a command somewhere, to close it I need a click to. To collapse / extend is (for me!) not always the clou.
But maybe I'm too old-school?

[Fred Tomke]

Hi, Peter, palettes are great for symbol libraries or any managing tool which is accessed by the user during the drawing process several times. You can avoid waiting for the loading process each time the user needs the dialog because it is already open.
I attached 3 samples for palettes.

Regards, Fred

[Peter2]

Thanks for the pictures, they are fine.

...which is accessed by the user during the drawing process several times. ...

Yeah, but a modeless dialogue is always open too ..