Gargoyle,

As far as determining the correct build pattern, for me I use kfd to create the basic structure and then use the Object TreeView to rearrange the sequence until I have the layout I am looking for. As you create more forms that use the .Dock property you will begin to see a pattern. That pattern tends to be, create controls backward to what you would think they should be created. You will also notice that typically the control that needs to be set to fill, is the first one created.

I don't know that any particular way of doing things is right or wrong as long as it gets you to the result you need.
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KiXforms Designer .NET 2.0 (Beta)