Linux: Wrong initial window size for VST3 Plugins

Hello everyone,

I have two issues with VST3 plugins in Renoise on Linux:

  1. Most VST3 Plugins have the wrong window size when opened for the first time. After closing and reopening again the window size is correct.

  2. When a maximized window (such as a web browser or file manager) is above the Renoise main window, and I raise a VST3 Plugin so that it is above the web browser, the VST3 window is not redrawn. VST2 Plugins do not have this issue.

I use the Openbox window manager. Maybe that’s a factor

Off topic:
I would like to raise and minimize plugin windows independently from the main Renoise window.
Currently this seems to be impossible, and can be a big annoyance.

My System:
Renoise 3.4.4 (Interface Scaling: Auto, but other settings show the same behavior)
Display Resolution: 1920x1080
AMD64 APU
Debian 12
Openbox window manager

Best Regards

I don’t seem to have any problems in my environment.
I think it may be a WM issue, as you say.

Environment:

  • OS: Arch Linux x86_64
  • WM: sway
  • renoise 3.4.4-1
  • sway-git 1.10.r7438.c90cb37-1
  • wlroots-git 0.19.0.r7240.ab118042-1
  • linux 6.11.1.arch1-1
  • mesa 1:24.2.3-1

Wow, it was refreshing to see VST3 plugins open in the correct size.
Probably a WM issue, but I really would not want to part with Openbox.

BTW to test the second problem, you really have to maximize a window above the renoise window, not just stretch it to a big size. But maybe it is not possible with a tiling WM like sway.
Could you try if it is possible to maximize (not stretch or resize) a VST3 plugin above the renoise window?

I don’t think sway allows you to do that.
I cannot have other windows on top of a maximized window.

I don’t know if it will work well for Debian or for this purpose, but you might want to try labwc.

Or, if the same is true with the latest git version (HEAD) of Openbox, it would be a good idea to report it to the development team.

Sorry, didn’t read carefully, looks like I can maximize the VST3 window itself.

Thank you so much!
Your videos are really insightful.
labwc is available in Debian testing, so I will definitely try it.

I tested labwc.

The good:

  • VST3 plugins are shown in the correct size.
  • VST3 plugins draw / refresh their window when they are maximized or when another window is on top of the renoise main window and the VST3 plugin is set to AlwaysOnTop.
  • It is possible to send a Plugin to another workspace (while Renoise stays on its workspace)

The bad:

  • All plugins are drawn without window decorations.
    (This can be circumvented to a degree with “windowRules”)

The ugly:

  • Renoise main window and Plugins still cannot be minimized/raised independently.
  • Setting a [Plugin-]window to AlwaysOnTop makes it visible on all workspaces (Omnipresent) (this is a labwc issue)

So mainly the feature request (minimizing/raising Renoise and Plugins independently) is left in this bug report.

I see. If you have that event in the latest git version (HEAD), and there is no existing ticket as such, and you can’t get any leading information by asking on IRC, you should report it to the developer team.