programming - Moving controls from Manipulate to a Palette ( or similar GUI object )

Consider the following snippet as a reference.

 DynamicModule[{}, 

  Manipulate[
   Graphics[
     Translate[
       GeometricTransformation[
         { Blue, 
           Polygon[{{0, 0}, {1, 0}, {1, 1}, {0, 1}}]
         }, {{scx, 0}, {0, scy}}
       ], 
       Tuples[{Range[wi], Range[he]}] - 1
     ], 

     ImageSize -> 400 {1, 1}
   ], 
   {{scx, 1, "x scale"}, 0, 1}, 
   {{scy, 1, "y scale"}, 0, 1}, 
   {{wi, 1, "width"}, 1, 5, 1}, 
   {{he, 1, "heigth"}, 1, 5, 1}
  ]
]

A graphical drawing program with a lot of controls (buttons, sliders) would benefit (a lot) by freeing up space and moving controls to a Palette, or a similar construct. I am considering the redesign of a GUI and I am currently investigating the options and technical possibilities. - Looking at the reference code snippet (which is not the GUI in question, but makes asking the question - and answering! - so much easier) I have the following question. Is it possible to move (one of) the sliders to a Palette, or similar construct?

Answer

You can use the "wormhole" construct from "tutorial/AdvancedDynamicFunctionality" like this:

Manipulate[
 Graphics[
  Translate[
   GeometricTransformation[{Blue, 
     Polygon[{{0, 0}, {1, 0}, {1, 1}, {0, 1}}]}, {{scx, 0}, {0, 
      scy}}], Tuples[{Range[wi], Range[he]}] - 1], 
  ImageSize -> 400 {1, 1}],

 OpenerView[{Button["external",
    CreateDialog[DynamicModule[{}, Column[{
        Control[{{scx, 1, "x scale"}, 0, 1}],
        Control[{{scy, 1, "y scale"}, 0, 1}],
        Control[{{wi, 1, "width"}, 1, 5, 1}],
        Control[{{he, 1, "heigth"}, 1, 5, 1}]
        }], InheritScope -> True]
     ]],
   Column[{
     Control[{{scx, 1, "x scale"}, 0, 1}],

     Control[{{scy, 1, "y scale"}, 0, 1}],
     Control[{{wi, 1, "width"}, 1, 5, 1}],
     Control[{{he, 1, "heigth"}, 1, 5, 1}]
     }]}]

 ]