Using the DockManager with ToolStripContainers

A special control, ToolStripContainer can be used to provide docking toolbar functionality. Essentially the ToolStripContainer is added to the parent Form and docking toolbars are able to be added and rafted to the sides of the container. The ToolStripContainer control has a child control within it that is of type ToolStripContainer.ContentPanel.

Dock controls will work with the ToolStripContainer, however a couple tweaks are needed. First the DockManager needs to be set to the interior of the ToolStripContainer.

Since the ToolStripContainer.ContentPanel is not a ContainerControl, the HostContainerControl property cannot be set to it. Therefore, a control that inherits ContainerControl must be added as a child of the ToolStripContainer.ContentPanel. This control should be set to DockStyle.Fill.

A recommended way to add a ContainerControl is to make a simple UserControl and place it as the child of the ToolStripContainer.ContentPanel, with DockStyle.Fill. Then set the HostContainerControl property of the DockManager to the UserControl.

After that, the menu/toolbar controls will dock to the outer areas of the parent Form, while the Dock controls dock inside of the toolbar rafting containers.