I'm using Ubuntu 12.04. If I switch on "Auto-hide launcher", it hides but does not reveal with the pointer, and only comes back on switching off auto-hide.
Ubuntu – Launcher auto-hides but does not come back
12.04launcher
Related Solutions
How to restore Dodge behavior in 12.04
This Ubuntu Geek post and this newer WepUpd8 post report how to restore the Dodge Windows and Dodge Active Windows for Unity in 12.04. These can then be set in the Unity plugin in CompizConfig Settings Manager. Update: For 12.10 / 13.04, please refer also to this WepUpd8 post.
It is required to add a ppa:
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ikarosdev/unity-revamped
and run a distribution upgrade:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Then open CCSM and set it to your favorite behavior!
(The terminal is only to document Ubuntu version.)
You might have to log out and in again for it to take effect.
This patch also restores the old Click-To-Minimize behavior. See this Webupd8 post for details.
All changes can be reverted by the following commands:
sudo apt-get install ppa-purge
sudo ppa-purge ppa:ikarosdev/unity-revamped
Alternatively, a hack to restore the older Dodge behavior is reported on here.
I tried out the "real dodge" version, and it works so-so in my opinion. Most notably, the launcher does not "go above" active windows, but pushes them to the side, where it sometimes gets stuck (so the launcher doesn't go away again). In general, when the launcher shifts position, so does many other things on screen (e.g., icons on the desktop).
An alternative is to (almost) permanently hide the launcher (see here) and use a dock with the wished for behavior (for example cairo-dock).
Avoid holding down the Super button.
When locking the screen with Super + L the Super key is normally held down before pressing Super. But holding down Super is in itself a shortcut to get the Shortcut Help Screen up. By using this to lock the computer, you make the sidebar reveal itself before it's "interrupted" by the screen locking. This is the reason why using Alt+Ctrl+L does not produce the same effect: none of those keys have any effect on the sidebar, dash or the Help screen.
Either rapidly tap Super+L simultaneously (DO NOT HOLD DOWN Super), use Alt+Ctrl+L or find a way to remove the Super shortcuts for the Dash/Sidebar.
EDIT: Also found that if your sidebar gets stuck, you can tap Super twice to get rid of it.
Best Answer
Thanks to "Warrioring 64". I found my solution in replies to BUG 9894477. Launcher reappears:-