https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=477480
Bug ID: 477480
Summary: Prevent monitors, widgets, and windows from
re-arranging themselves when adding/removing a
monitor.
Classification: Plasma
Product: kwin
Version: 5.27.9
Platform: Arch Linux
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: normal
Priority: NOR
Component: multi-screen
Assignee: kwin-bugs-n...@kde.org
Reporter: atmaho...@gmail.com
Target Milestone: ---
SUMMARY
In the Display Configuration, we drag monitors to re-arrange them in a specific
config. This should be "glued together" so that when a new monitor is added,
the existing monitors and their relative positions do not change. Currently
when a new monitor is added, these get reset to some default arrangement which
is completely different. The overlay with options for how to add the new
monitor appears after everything is already re-arranged, and I haven't had luck
with it having any effect. I am using 4 monitors.
Similarly, we put widgets on specific monitors. I like to have a specific
monitor with some clock widgets on it. I like a specific monitor to have the
task manager oriented a specific way. These widgets should stay glued to the
monitor they are assigned. However, when adding a new monitor, these widgets
may re-arrange and appear on a different monitor. This is frustrating and
sometimes challenging to enter edit mode and move things back. (Challenging
example: Connecting an 800x600 projector and task manager and clock widgets
moving to it, and they are crammed into the tiny screen resolution, and I can't
see any of them yet because I didn't turn on the projector. Additional
challenges: sometimes widgets get stuck when dragging between montiors, or
change size, or get dropped onto another widget). Many times per week I have to
enter edit mode to drag my task manager back to the right monitor and also
re-size/re-orient it, drag my desktop widgets back to the right screen and also
re-size/orient them. I try not to disconnect screens, especially displayport,
but it's inevitable.
Ideally, we should only ever move windows or widgets if a screen is removed. If
a screen is removed, the windows and widgets should just move to the primary
monitor. The remaining screens should still be "glued together". If a screen is
removed and there is now a gap in the screen arrangement, move the two (or
more) "islands" so that they touch again. The algorithm for this can be simple,
like finding the nearest point between the islands and closing that distance.
As a partial workaround I used to disable KScreen to prevent monitors from
re-arranging themselves, but this isn't an option anymore (at least on
Wayland).
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
Example for adding a new monitor:
- Have 4 monitors arranged a specific way
- use xdp screencast portal to create a new virtual output
- observe whether widgets like task manager move to a different screen
- observe whether the 4 existing monitors become rearranged differently
- make any corrections by going to display settings and re-arranging monitors
back to preferred way, and arrange the new virtual output as desired
- make any corrections to widget locations by entering edit mode and
moving/resizing widgets
- stop screencast
- observe monitor arrangement and widget locations after the virtual output is
removed
OBSERVED RESULT
- the monitors become re-arranged when adding the new output
- the task manager moves to a different monitor when adding the new output
- the task manager moves to a different monitor again (not the original) when
removing the new output
EXPECTED RESULT
- The layout of monitors set in display settings should be "glued together",
and adding a new monitor should not unglue and move the other monitors around
- Same for widgets - they should be glued to the monitor they are placed on. If
a screen is added/removed, the widgets should not move unless that specific
screen was removed.
SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: Arch Linux
KDE Plasma Version: 5.27.9
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.112.0
Qt Version: 5.15.11
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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