1. In CS4, the Tools panel show up in a single column. Let’s make it two columns. Click on the double triangle icon at the top of the Tools panel.

2. Notice that there is a similar double-triangle icon above all the panels on the right. The group of panels is called a panel dock, and the double-triangle icon is called “Collapse to Icons.” Click that icon.

3. Click on each of the icons in this collapsed panel dock. The associated panel pops out to the left. Notice that the previously opened panel hides when you click a new one.

4. The currently opened panel will hide if you click the black double-triangle icon on the top-right of the panel. Click it to return to an icons-only panel dock. Alternately, you can hide it by clicking on its icon in the panel dock.

5. Select the menu command Window > History.

A second column of icons appears to the left of the first. It includes the History panel icon, and the History panel is popped open.

6. Click on the History panel icon to collapse the History panel.

7. You can move your panels and panel docks wherever you want to. Start by clicking and dragging on the dark gray bar at the top of the Tools panel. Move it down and to the right.

8. Expand both sets of panels on the right.

9. Find the panel tab for the Paths panel. Click and drag it out into the middle of the screen.

10. Move a couple of other panels out into the middle.

11. Now let’s close a panel. Find the X icon on the top-right corner of any of the panels. Click on it and it will disappear (you can always get it back by going to the Windows menu.)

12. Grab a panel tab and move it alongside another panel tab. A blue border will appear around the new neighbor. Let go of the panel tab to let it drop into place.

13. Hover your mouse over the bottom edge of a panel. You will see the cursor change into a double-headed white arrow going up and down. Click and drag down to increase the height of the panel.

You can decrease the height of panels too, but they will only shrink to a minimum size. The minimum size varies depending on the content of the panel. Some panels (like the Layers and Swatches panels) have a scroll bar on the right side that allows you to scroll down if the panel is shorter than its contents.

14. You should still have one panel floating out in the middle. Find the dotted triangle on its bottom-right corner. Click on this triangle, and drag down and to the right. The panel will get taller and wider.

You cannot use this method with panel docks that are anchored to the sides. Instead, do this:

15. In the Workspace Switcher, select Essentials. The panels will return to panel docks anchored to the left and right.

16. Hover over the left edge of the right-hand panel dock. Your cursor will change into a white double-headed arrow going left and right. Click and drag this panel dock edge to the left. The panels in the dock will all get wider.