I'm loading a saved layout and then trying to create a new NDockingPanel which has the same NDockingPanelHost as a NDockingPanel that was part of the saved layout.  (I'm finding the existing NDockingPanel by using DockManager.GetPanelByKey(key) knowing the key I'm looking for.)

1)  If I have an NDockingPanel how do I get its NDockingPanelHost?  I thought it was the NDockingPanel.ParentZone property but I tried it (and the RootZone property) and its not returning the NDockingPanelHost.  I can see the ParentZoneID for the NDockingPanel in the saved layout .xml file but the only way I can find that GUID is to search the DockManager.RootContainer.RootZone.Children list.  The NDockingPanel.ParentZone.ID returns a different value which is not correct.

2) When searching the NDockingPanelHost.Children list I find in #1 above I can find the NDockingPanel I'm searching for except when its state is AutoHide.  How do I find the NDockingPanel that is in AutoHide state?

3) In creating my new NDockingPanel I'd like to create it AutoHide if the existing NDockingPanel I found is in AutoHide.  How can I tell if an NDockingPanel is in AutoHide state?  I thought it would be NDockingPanel.DockedState.State but this is not showing the current value.  Update: Sorry, I didn't initially see the NDockingPanel.DockState property which holds the current value.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on these questions.