Abstract: The presently disclosed technology teaches graphical user interfaces (GUIs) grouped in smart control panels that fade, disappear, move, rotate, and/or resize to reveal a work surface under the smart control panels. In one implementation, a smart control panel disappears until it is recalled by a keystroke. When the smart control panel is recalled, it reappears at a present location of a cursor on the work surface. In another implementation, the smart control panel disappears when the user renders an image in an area occupied by the smart control panel. More specifically, a cursor renders a mark across the work surface. As the mark reaches the smart control panel, the smart control panel disappears while the mark is rendered in the area occupied by the smart control panel. When the mark is no longer being rendered in the area occupied by the smart control panel, the smart control panel reappears.