some minor tinkering

main.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import sys
 
 from PyQt5.QtCore import (
-    Qt, QSettings, QByteArray
+    Qt, QSettings, QByteArray, QSize
 )
 
 from PyQt5.QtWidgets import (
@@ -31,42 +31,44 @@ class GuiTest(QMainWindow):
         window_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         window_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
 
+        # the common user enjoys a bit of control. so why force window sizes on them, eh?
+        self.read_window_settings()
+
+        region_view_width = 512
         region_view = QWidget()
         region_view_layout = QVBoxLayout()
         region_view.setStyleSheet("background-color: #cccccc;")
         region_view_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
 
-        # defaults are fine
-        world_regions_widget = WorldRegionsWidget()
-
-        # the common user enjoys a bit of control. so why force window sizes on them, eh?
-        self.read_window_settings()
-
-        region_view_layout.addWidget(world_regions_widget)
+        region_view_layout.addWidget(
+            WorldRegionsWidget()
+        )
         region_view.setLayout(region_view_layout)
+        region_view.setMinimumSize(QSize(512, 512))
+
+        staging_view_width = 256
+        staging_view = QWidget()
+        staging_view_layout = QVBoxLayout()
+        staging_view_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+        staging_view.setMinimumWidth(staging_view_width)
+        staging_view.setLayout(staging_view_layout)
 
         general_progress_bar = QProgressBar()
         general_progress_bar.setRange(0, 100)
         general_progress_bar.setValue(0)
         general_progress_bar.setAlignment(Qt.AlignCenter)
+        general_progress_bar.setMaximumWidth(staging_view_width)
 
-        main_view = QWidget()
-        main_view_layout = QVBoxLayout()
-        main_view_layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
-        main_view.setMinimumWidth(256)
-
-        main_view.setLayout(main_view_layout)
-
-        window_layout.addWidget(main_view)
         window_layout.addWidget(region_view)
+        window_layout.addWidget(staging_view)
 
         window.setLayout(window_layout)
 
         application_frame_layout.addWidget(window)
         application_frame.setLayout(application_frame_layout)
 
-        self.statusBar().showMessage("Ready")
         self.statusBar().addPermanentWidget(general_progress_bar)
+        self.statusBar().showMessage("Ready")
 
         self.setCentralWidget(application_frame)