Bug 439698

Summary:	Set the layout mode to Automatic by default
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	Podagric <kde.podagric>
Component:	effects-desktop-grid	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED INTENTIONAL
Severity:	normal	CC:	nate
Priority:	NOR
Version:	5.22.3
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Other
OS:	Other
See Also:	https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=356987 https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=374731 https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=435849
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description Podagric 2021-07-09 21:35:00 UTC

SUMMARY
Not being able to use the pager widget on the bottom panel and having an optimized full screen view of desktops on plasma was something that always bothered me on plasma. But I realized today that it's possible to do this, it's just not enabled by default.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE THE ORIGINAL ISSUE
1. Create multiple desktops and set an appropriate division for a widescreen monitor, such as three rows
You now have an amazing desktop grid when you press CTRL+F8, but you will have an extremely small dashboard widget.

OR

2. Create multiple workspaces and define an appropriate division for the standard plasma panel (1 row).
You now have an awesome desktop widget on your panel, but the desktop grid will be oppositely awesome as it won't use up available screen space by putting all desktops on a single line and filling everything else with a black background

EXPECTED RESULT
Since it is possible to solve this just by activating an option (systemsettings -> Workspace behavior -> Desktop effects -> Desktop grid -> Layout mode -> Automatic), and since it considerably improves the plasma experience for the user, this should be activated by default.
I believe finding this missing option within this hidden option is quite difficult for new users.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Operating System: Arch Linux
KDE Plasma Version: 5.22.3
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.83.0
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Graphics Platform: X11

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2021-08-02 14:38:14 UTC

Can you post a screenshot that shows the visual difference between the "Pager" and "Automatic" layouts with your setup? I don't see any visual difference at all with my setup.

Comment 2 Podagric 2021-08-02 18:31:55 UTC

I made a short video. See how there is a difference between the space used
https://upload.vaa.red/2avEF8#vGMDftIyOWFVvbRMZPTaGiHieo1ARf8p

Comment 3 Nate Graham 2021-08-04 17:37:31 UTC

So basically you want the effect to always pack the desktops into the most space-efficient layout even if that layout does not match the actual layout that the user has chosen? I don't think that would be a good idea, sorry. People *hate* this kind of spatial mismatches between visual representations of the same thing. You're welcome to use the Automatic setting yourself, of course.