Compile widow not displayed in K2 Studio desktop

In new K2 Studio installations, by default the K2 Studio Compile window is displayed in the lower portion of the K2 Studio canvas/desktop. If the Compile window is closed, by design it is automatically re-opened when performing a compile or export of a K2 process from within K2 Studio.

However, during the ongoing use of K2 Studio, the Compile window may not longer be displayed in the K2 Studio environment.

Note: Typically reinstalling K2 Studio has also restored the Compile window. However, this approach may not be desired in some circumstances.

Symptoms:
The K2 Studio Compile window is not displayed anywhere within the K2 Studio window or on the Windows desktop environment.

K2 Studio Compile window is not displayed when K2 Studio is loaded.
Using the View > compile window option does not display the compile window.
Selecting the K2 Studio Compile and/or Export options does not display the Compile window.

Dragging the Compile window to the left or right sides docks the Compile window as expected. Dragging to the top of the window does not seem to be an available option.

Cause:
The Compile window will only disappear when it is dragged off of the K2 Studio desktop/design canvas. In addition, this appears to only occur when it is dragged towards the bottom of the Windows desktop.

This appears to be caused by the Compile window running outside of K2 Studio and therefore be affected by other Windows desktop settings (primarily the Windows taskbar).

Note:
Clicking the X in the Compile window will not cause the K2 Studio Compile window to disappear. If using the X , selecting the View > Compile window option should open the Compile window as expected.

Replicating the Behavior:
In new K2 Studio installations, by default the K2 Studio Compile window is displayed in the lower portion of the K2 Studio canvas/desktop:

Dragging the Compile window towards the bottom of the Windows desktop appears to cause the Compile window to disappear. Note that the Compile window is no longer displayed in the K2 Studio desktop or as an open application in the Windows taskbar:

However, the Compile window may actually be open, but it may be hidden by the Windows Start taskbar.

Also, reducing the height of the Windows Start taskbar (to not be displayed) may not immediately display the Compile window. The Compile window may still be located behind the minimized Windows taskbar.

Resolving the condition:
If the Compile window is open or is not visible during the compile/export process, it is probably hidden behind the Windows taskbar.

To cause the Compile window to activate, you may need to activate it and run a Compile and/or Export.

Activating the Compile window
To activate the Compile window, K2 Studio menu > View > Compile window .

This should force K2 Studio to load the Compile window when Compile and/or Export action is run.

Compile a K2 Studio Project to force the activation of the Compile window
From the K2 Studio menu, compile (or compile/export) the Process to force the Compile window to activate:

After allowing enough time for the compile window to load and K2 Project to compile, look at the bottom of the K2 Studio screen. This may be either: a) The Compile window, or b) the Windows taskbar.

Attempt to click on the top portion of the window and expand it.

If the focus goes to the Windows taskbar and not the Compile window, you may need to allow applications to assume the focus of the mouse instead of the Windows taskbar.

Reduce the height of the Windows taskbar
Click the top portion of the Windows taskbar and drag it so no icons are visible in the taskbar.

Reducing the height of the Windows Start taskbar (to not be displayed) may not immediately display the Compile window either since it seems that the Compile window may be minimized behind or within the Windows taskbar when the taskbar receives the focus of the mouse pointer.

Allow Applications to be on top of the windows taskbar
If minimizing the Windows taskbar does not display the Compile window, you may need to force the Windows Start bar to not be displayed by de-selecting the Keep the taskbar on top of other windows option.


Viewing the Compile window
After the Windows taskbar is removed or focus set to the applications instead of the taskbar, you should be able to see a very thin blue bar at the bottom of the screen that is the Compile window.

- Click and expand the window by dragging it up.
- Continue to drag the Compile window s title bar to expand it to the desired size and into to the K2 Studio desktop.
- To dock the Compile window, double-click the Compile window s title bar to dock it back into the K2 Studio desktop.

You can then restore the Windows taskbar to the desired setting.