- the notebook is automatically collapsed when there are no objects in the collection and it is showed when adding an object

- added new options in Edit -> Preferences -> General -> App Preferences to control if the Notebook is showed at startup and if the notebook is closed when there are no objects in the collection and showed when the collection has objects.

ObjectCollection.py

@@ -676,6 +676,11 @@ class ObjectCollection(QtCore.QAbstractItemModel):
         if group.child_count() is 1:
             self.view.setExpanded(group_index, True)
 
+        # decide if to show or hide the Notebook side of the screen
+        if self.app.defaults["global_project_autohide"] is True:
+            # always open the notebook on object added to collection
+            self.app.ui.splitter.setSizes([1, 1])
+
     def get_names(self):
         """
         Gets a list of the names of all objects in the collection.
@@ -768,6 +773,12 @@ class ObjectCollection(QtCore.QAbstractItemModel):
         # always go to the Project Tab after object deletion as it may be done with a shortcut key
         self.app.ui.notebook.setCurrentWidget(self.app.ui.project_tab)
 
+        # decide if to show or hide the Notebook side of the screen
+        if self.app.defaults["global_project_autohide"] is True:
+            # hide the notebook if there are no objects in the collection
+            if not self.get_list():
+                self.app.ui.splitter.setSizes([0, 1])
+
     def delete_all(self):
         FlatCAMApp.App.log.debug(str(inspect.stack()[1][3]) + "--> OC.delete_all()")