diff --git a/src/gui/panels/panel.cpp b/src/gui/panels/panel.cpp
index 81dbf9092..814845113 100644
--- a/src/gui/panels/panel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/panels/panel.cpp
@@ -21,27 +21,38 @@
 * *****************************************************/
 
 #include "panel.hpp"
+#include "../gtk-lumiera.hpp"
 
 namespace lumiera {
 namespace gui {
 namespace panels {
 
-Panel::Panel(const gchar *name, const gchar *long_name, GdlDockItemBehavior behavior)
+Panel::Panel(const gchar *name, const gchar *long_name,
+  GdlDockItemBehavior behavior)
 {
-  dock_item = (GdlDockItem*)gdl_dock_item_new (name, long_name, behavior);
+  dock_item = (GdlDockItem*)gdl_dock_item_new (
+    name, long_name, behavior);
   internal_setup();
+  
+  ENSURE(dock_item != NULL);
 }
 
 Panel::Panel(const gchar *name, const gchar *long_name, const gchar *stock_id,
   GdlDockItemBehavior behavior)
 {
-  dock_item = (GdlDockItem*)gdl_dock_item_new_with_stock (name, long_name, stock_id, behavior);
+  dock_item = (GdlDockItem*)gdl_dock_item_new_with_stock (
+    name, long_name, stock_id, behavior);
+  g_object_ref(dock_item);
   internal_setup();
+  
+  ENSURE(dock_item != NULL);
 }
 
 Panel::~Panel()
 {
-  #warning Im not sure that dock_item is freed - is it self deleting?
+  REQUIRE(dock_item != NULL);
+  g_object_unref(dock_item);
+  dock_item = NULL;
 }
 
 GdlDockItem*
@@ -53,6 +64,7 @@ Panel::get_dock_item() const
 void
 Panel::show(bool show)
 {
+  REQUIRE(dock_item != NULL);
   if(show) gdl_dock_item_show_item (dock_item);
   else gdl_dock_item_hide_item (dock_item);
 }
@@ -60,12 +72,17 @@ Panel::show(bool show)
 bool
 Panel::is_shown() const
 {
+  REQUIRE(dock_item != NULL);
   return GTK_WIDGET_VISIBLE((GtkWidget*)dock_item);
 }
 
 void
 Panel::internal_setup()
 {
+  REQUIRE(dock_item != NULL);
+  REQUIRE(gobj() != NULL); 
+  
+  gdl_dock_item_hide_grip(dock_item);
   gtk_container_add ((GtkContainer*)dock_item, (GtkWidget*)gobj());  
   gtk_widget_show ((GtkWidget*)dock_item);
 }
diff --git a/src/gui/workspace/actions.cpp b/src/gui/workspace/actions.cpp
index 2e8df4277..1cabe1c1f 100644
--- a/src/gui/workspace/actions.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/workspace/actions.cpp
@@ -28,200 +28,208 @@
 
 using namespace Gtk;
 using namespace Glib;
+using namespace sigc;
 using namespace lumiera::gui;
 
 namespace lumiera {
 namespace gui {
 namespace workspace {
 
-  Actions::Actions(WorkspaceWindow &workspace_window) :
-	  workspaceWindow(workspace_window)
+Actions::Actions(WorkspaceWindow &workspace_window) :
+  workspaceWindow(workspace_window),
+  is_updating_action_state(false)
+{
+  register_stock_items();
+
+  workspace_window.signal_show ().connect_notify(mem_fun(this, &Actions::update_action_state));
+
+  //----- Create the Action Group -----//
+  actionGroup = ActionGroup::create();
+  
+  // File menu
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileMenu", _("_File")));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileNewProject", Stock::NEW, _("_New Project...")),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_new_project));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileOpenProject", Stock::OPEN, _("_Open Project...")),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_open_project));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileRender", _("_Render...")),
+    Gtk::AccelKey("<shift>R"),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_render));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileQuit", Stock::QUIT),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_quit));
+
+  // Edit menu
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditMenu", _("_Edit")));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditCopy", Stock::COPY),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_others));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditPaste", Stock::PASTE),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_others));
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditPreferences", Stock::PREFERENCES),
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_edit_preferences));
+
+  // View Menu
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("ViewMenu", _("_View")));
+  
+  assetsPanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewAssets", Gtk::StockID("assets_panel"));
+  assetsPanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_assets));
+  actionGroup->add(assetsPanelAction);
+  
+  timelinePanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewTimeline", Gtk::StockID("timeline_panel"));
+  timelinePanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_timeline));
+  actionGroup->add(timelinePanelAction);
+
+  viewerPanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewViewer", Gtk::StockID("viewer_panel"));
+  viewerPanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
+    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_viewer));
+  actionGroup->add(viewerPanelAction);
+
+  // Help Menu
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("HelpMenu", _("_Help")) );
+  actionGroup->add(Action::create("HelpAbout", Stock::ABOUT),
+  sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_help_about) );
+}
+
+void
+Actions::register_stock_items()
+{
+  RefPtr<IconFactory> factory = IconFactory::create();
+  add_stock_item(factory, "assets-panel.png", "assets_panel", _("_Assets"));
+  add_stock_item(factory, "timeline-panel.png", "timeline_panel", _("_Timeline"));
+  add_stock_item(factory, "viewer-panel.png", "viewer_panel", _("_Viewer"));
+  factory->add_default(); //Add factory to list of factories.
+}
+
+void
+Actions::add_stock_item(const Glib::RefPtr<IconFactory>& factory,
+                        const Glib::ustring& filepath,
+                        const Glib::ustring& id, const Glib::ustring& label)
+{
+  Gtk::IconSource source;
+  try
   {
-    register_stock_items();
-
-	  actionGroup = ActionGroup::create();
-
-	  // File menu
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileMenu", _("_File")));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileNewProject", Stock::NEW, _("_New Project...")),
-      sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_new_project));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileOpenProject", Stock::OPEN, _("_Open Project...")),
-      sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_open_project));
-    actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileRender", _("_Render...")),
-      Gtk::AccelKey("<shift>R"),
-	    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_render));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("FileQuit", Stock::QUIT),
-	    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_file_quit));
-
-	  // Edit menu
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditMenu", _("_Edit")));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditCopy", Stock::COPY),
-	    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_others));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditPaste", Stock::PASTE),
-	    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_others));
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("EditPreferences", Stock::PREFERENCES),
-	    sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_edit_preferences));
-
-    // View Menu
-    actionGroup->add(Action::create("ViewMenu", _("_View")));
-    
-    assetsPanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewAssets", Gtk::StockID("assets_panel"));
-    assetsPanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
-      sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_assets));
-	  actionGroup->add(assetsPanelAction);
-    
-    timelinePanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewTimeline", Gtk::StockID("timeline_panel"));
-    timelinePanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
-      sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_timeline));
-	  actionGroup->add(timelinePanelAction);
-
-    viewerPanelAction = ToggleAction::create("ViewViewer", Gtk::StockID("viewer_panel"));
-    viewerPanelAction->signal_toggled().connect(
-      sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_view_viewer));
-	  actionGroup->add(viewerPanelAction);
-
-	  // Help Menu
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("HelpMenu", _("_Help")) );
-	  actionGroup->add(Action::create("HelpAbout", Stock::ABOUT),
-	  sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Actions::on_menu_help_about) );
-
-    // Refresh the UI state
-    update_action_state();
+    //This throws an exception if the file is not found:
+    source.set_pixbuf( Gdk::Pixbuf::create_from_file(filepath) );
+  }
+  catch(const Glib::Exception& ex)
+  {
+    g_message(ex.what().c_str());
   }
 
-  void
-  Actions::register_stock_items()
-  {
-    RefPtr<IconFactory> factory = IconFactory::create();
-    add_stock_item(factory, "assets-panel.png", "assets_panel", _("_Assets"));
-    add_stock_item(factory, "timeline-panel.png", "timeline_panel", _("_Timeline"));
-    add_stock_item(factory, "viewer-panel.png", "viewer_panel", _("_Viewer"));
-    factory->add_default(); //Add factory to list of factories.
-  }
+  source.set_size(Gtk::ICON_SIZE_SMALL_TOOLBAR);
+  source.set_size_wildcarded(); //Icon may be scaled.
 
-  void
-  Actions::add_stock_item(const Glib::RefPtr<IconFactory>& factory,
-                          const Glib::ustring& filepath,
-                          const Glib::ustring& id, const Glib::ustring& label)
-  {
-    Gtk::IconSource source;
-    try
-    {
-      //This throws an exception if the file is not found:
-      source.set_pixbuf( Gdk::Pixbuf::create_from_file(filepath) );
-    }
-    catch(const Glib::Exception& ex)
-    {
-      g_message(ex.what().c_str());
-    }
+  Gtk::IconSet icon_set;
+  icon_set.add_source(source); //More than one source per set is allowed.
 
-    source.set_size(Gtk::ICON_SIZE_SMALL_TOOLBAR);
-    source.set_size_wildcarded(); //Icon may be scaled.
+  const Gtk::StockID stock_id(id);
+  factory->add(stock_id, icon_set);
+  Gtk::Stock::add(Gtk::StockItem(stock_id, label));
+}
 
-    Gtk::IconSet icon_set;
-    icon_set.add_source(source); //More than one source per set is allowed.
+void
+Actions::update_action_state()
+{
+  REQUIRE(workspaceWindow.assets_panel);
+  REQUIRE(workspaceWindow.timeline_panel);
+  REQUIRE(workspaceWindow.viewer_panel); 
+  
+  is_updating_action_state = true;
+  assetsPanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.assets_panel->is_shown());
+  timelinePanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.timeline_panel->is_shown());
+  viewerPanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.viewer_panel->is_shown());
+  is_updating_action_state = false;
+}
 
-    const Gtk::StockID stock_id(id);
-    factory->add(stock_id, icon_set);
-    Gtk::Stock::add(Gtk::StockItem(stock_id, label));
-  }
+/* ===== File Menu Event Handlers ===== */
 
-  void
-  Actions::update_action_state()
-  {
-    assetsPanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.assets_panel.is_shown());
-    timelinePanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.timeline_panel.is_shown());
-    viewerPanelAction->set_active(workspaceWindow.viewer_panel.is_shown());
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_file_new_project()
+{
+  g_message("A File|New menu item was selecteda.");
+}
 
-  /* ===== File Menu Event Handlers ===== */
+void
+Actions::on_menu_file_open_project()
+{
+  g_message("A File|Open menu item was selecteda.");
+}
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_file_new_project()
-  {
-    g_message("A File|New menu item was selecteda.");
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_file_render()
+{
+  dialogs::Render dialog(workspaceWindow);
+  dialog.run();
+}
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_file_open_project()
-  {
-    g_message("A File|Open menu item was selecteda.");
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_file_quit()
+{
+  workspaceWindow.hide(); // Closes the main window to stop the Gtk::Main::run().
+}
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_file_render()
-  {
-    dialogs::Render dialog(workspaceWindow);
-    dialog.run();
-  }
+/* ===== Edit Menu Event Handlers ===== */
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_file_quit()
-  {
-    workspaceWindow.hide(); // Closes the main window to stop the Gtk::Main::run().
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_edit_preferences()
+{
+  dialogs::PreferencesDialog dialog(workspaceWindow);
+  dialog.run();
+}
 
-  /* ===== Edit Menu Event Handlers ===== */
+/* ===== View Menu Event Handlers ===== */
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_edit_preferences()
-  {
-    dialogs::PreferencesDialog dialog(workspaceWindow);
-    dialog.run();
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_view_assets()
+{
+  if(!is_updating_action_state)
+    workspaceWindow.assets_panel->show(assetsPanelAction->get_active());
+}
 
-  /* ===== View Menu Event Handlers ===== */
+void
+Actions::on_menu_view_timeline()
+{
+  if(!is_updating_action_state)
+    workspaceWindow.timeline_panel->show(timelinePanelAction->get_active());
+}
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_view_assets()
-  {
-    workspaceWindow.assets_panel.show(!workspaceWindow.assets_panel.is_shown());
-    update_action_state();
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_view_viewer()
+{
+  if(!is_updating_action_state)
+    workspaceWindow.viewer_panel->show(viewerPanelAction->get_active());
+}
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_view_timeline()
-  {
-    workspaceWindow.timeline_panel.show(!workspaceWindow.timeline_panel.is_shown());
-    update_action_state();
-  }
+void
+Actions::on_menu_help_about()
+{
+  // Configure the about dialog
+  AboutDialog dialog;
+  
+  //dialog.set_program_name(AppTitle);
+  dialog.set_version(AppVersion);
+  //dialog.set_version(Appconfig::get("version"));
+  dialog.set_copyright(AppCopyright);
+  dialog.set_website(AppWebsite);
+  dialog.set_authors(StringArrayHandle(AppAuthors,
+    sizeof(AppAuthors) / sizeof(gchar*),
+    OWNERSHIP_NONE));
 
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_view_viewer()
-  {
-    workspaceWindow.viewer_panel.show(!workspaceWindow.viewer_panel.is_shown());
-    update_action_state();
-  }
-
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_help_about()
-  {
-    // Configure the about dialog
-    AboutDialog dialog;
-    
-    //dialog.set_program_name(AppTitle);
-    dialog.set_version(AppVersion);
-    //dialog.set_version(Appconfig::get("version"));
-    dialog.set_copyright(AppCopyright);
-    dialog.set_website(AppWebsite);
-    dialog.set_authors(StringArrayHandle(AppAuthors,
-      sizeof(AppAuthors) / sizeof(gchar*),
-      OWNERSHIP_NONE));
-
-    dialog.set_transient_for(workspaceWindow);
-    
-    // Show the about dialog
-    dialog.run();
-  }
+  dialog.set_transient_for(workspaceWindow);
+  
+  // Show the about dialog
+  dialog.run();
+}
 
 
 
-  //----- Temporary junk
-  void
-  Actions::on_menu_others()
-  {
-    g_message("A menu item was selected.");
-  }
+//----- Temporary junk
+void
+Actions::on_menu_others()
+{
+  g_message("A menu item was selected.");
+}
 
 }   // namespace workspace
 }   // namespace gui
diff --git a/src/gui/workspace/actions.hpp b/src/gui/workspace/actions.hpp
index 891ae7757..235ae29ef 100644
--- a/src/gui/workspace/actions.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/workspace/actions.hpp
@@ -93,6 +93,10 @@ class WorkspaceWindow;
       Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::ToggleAction> assetsPanelAction;
       Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::ToggleAction> timelinePanelAction;
       Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::ToggleAction> viewerPanelAction;
+      
+	    /* ===== Internals ===== */
+    private:
+      bool is_updating_action_state;
 
 	    friend class WorkspaceWindow;
   };
diff --git a/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.cpp b/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.cpp
index 56724fbc2..1bab85431 100644
--- a/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ WorkspaceWindow::WorkspaceWindow(Project *source_project) :
   actions(*this)
   {
     REQUIRE(source_project != NULL);
-  
+      
     layout = NULL;
 
     create_ui();
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ WorkspaceWindow::~WorkspaceWindow()
 
 void
 WorkspaceWindow::create_ui()
-  {
+  {    
     //----- Configure the Window -----//
     set_title(AppTitle);
     set_default_size(1024, 768);
@@ -127,8 +127,13 @@ WorkspaceWindow::create_ui()
     ASSERT(toolbar != NULL);
     toolbar->set_toolbar_style(TOOLBAR_ICONS);
     base_container.pack_start(*toolbar, Gtk::PACK_SHRINK);
+    
+    //----- Create the Panels -----//
+    assets_panel = Glib::RefPtr<AssetsPanel>(new AssetsPanel());
+    viewer_panel = Glib::RefPtr<ViewerPanel>(new ViewerPanel());
+    timeline_panel = Glib::RefPtr<TimelinePanel>(new TimelinePanel());  
 
-    //----- Create the dock -----//
+    //----- Create the Dock -----//
     dock = Glib::wrap(gdl_dock_new());
     
     layout = gdl_dock_layout_new((GdlDock*)dock->gobj());
@@ -139,15 +144,15 @@ WorkspaceWindow::create_ui()
     dock_container.pack_end(*dock, PACK_EXPAND_WIDGET);
     base_container.pack_start(dock_container, PACK_EXPAND_WIDGET);
 
-	  gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), assets_panel.get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_LEFT);
-    gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), viewer_panel.get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_RIGHT);
-    gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), timeline_panel.get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_BOTTOM);
+	  gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), assets_panel->get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_LEFT);
+    gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), viewer_panel->get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_RIGHT);
+    gdl_dock_add_item ((GdlDock*)dock->gobj(), timeline_panel->get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_BOTTOM);
 
     // Manually dock and move around some of the items
-	  gdl_dock_item_dock_to (timeline_panel.get_dock_item(), assets_panel.get_dock_item(),
-			       GDL_DOCK_BOTTOM, -1);
-	  gdl_dock_item_dock_to (viewer_panel.get_dock_item(), assets_panel.get_dock_item(),
-			       GDL_DOCK_RIGHT, -1);
+	  gdl_dock_item_dock_to (timeline_panel->get_dock_item(),
+	    assets_panel->get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_BOTTOM, -1);
+	  gdl_dock_item_dock_to (viewer_panel->get_dock_item(),
+	    assets_panel->get_dock_item(), GDL_DOCK_RIGHT, -1);
 
     show_all_children();
 
diff --git a/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.hpp b/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.hpp
index 70d1a04e4..86e3dd68a 100644
--- a/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.hpp
+++ b/src/gui/workspace/workspace-window.hpp
@@ -77,9 +77,9 @@ namespace workspace {
 
       /* ===== Panels ===== */
     private:  
-      AssetsPanel assets_panel;
-      ViewerPanel viewer_panel;      
-      TimelinePanel timeline_panel;
+      Glib::RefPtr<AssetsPanel> assets_panel;
+      Glib::RefPtr<ViewerPanel> viewer_panel;      
+      Glib::RefPtr<TimelinePanel> timeline_panel;
            
       /* ===== Helpers ===== */
     private: