Rich GUI application in Delphi

Answer 1

I would advise to have a go at using a TWebBrowser component on a form (with Align=alClient), and doing most UI using HTML/CSS. There are a number of tricks to load content into the TWebBrowser, such as using "res://" URL's loading resources that have been included in the excutable.

By adding the MSHTML unit to the uses clause, you can use IHTMLDocument2 and related interfaces on the WebBrowser1.Document property to manipulate the DOM, much like Web2.0 websites do these days.

Answer 2

try TwinForms, http://www.twinforms.com/products/wxformsdelphi/index.php

"....wxForms for Delphi is an integrated form designer plugin for CodeGear Delphi that helps you to create cross platform applications for Windows Mac OSX and Linux using single source base.

wxForms code from Delphi can be compiled in Mac OSX and Linux without much change using FreePascal/Lazarus.

wxForms allows you to use all of Delphi's powerful Form Designer/ Editor features (Form Alignment, Object inspector, Component Palette etc ) to quickly create Cross platform applications. Components can be easily customized by modifying their properties in the object inspector.

wxForms for Delphi is the only wxWidgets Form designer that allows you to do form designing, code editing and debugging in one single place"

Answer 3

Perhaps you should just draw the form yourself from onpaint ? (and handle all mouse, keyboard and focus issues)

Just make you own mini-framework. Delphi is object oriented so it's a good tool for the job. I'm sure you can make it blitzing fast with a bit of help of GR32.

Answer 4

How about using Delphi's .NET interface. The .NET GUI is considered less windowy and might give you what you want fairly easily.

Here's an example of what a .NET GUI application can look like.

Delphi does have its own VCL for .NET, which can use .NET controls instead of Windows controls.

Alternatively, you can try the JEDI VCL for Delphi at Sourceforge. It's free, has over 600 components, and many can give you some different non-windows looks.

Answer 5

Look at ExpressSkins™ Library from DevExpress. The even have a built in Mc skin.

Answer 6

Ok, so as far as I see your ONLY option is actually to use VCL, but not plain VCL, as it comes with Delphi, but use some components library. The library you need must be highly customizable and have support for skins. I think the solution for you is Developer Express. Those components suit your needs:

1. Fully customizable, with a lot of support for skins and they look very different from classic windows GUI.
2. DevExpress usually cares about consistency between user environments – for example their web controls look the same in IE, Firefox and Opera. The same rule will apply to windows controls – they will look the same in various versions of Windows. At least – you will have control over appearance of your forms in different versions (in plain VCL you do not have control).
3. Excellent support and frequent updates make you comfortable – they are fixing bugs quite fast and feature requests are taken into consideration.

Answer 7

If you have time, wait for Delphi 2010, it will have Touch and Direct2D support where you can create complex GUI interfaces with a high end quality.

Also you can try to contact with the people of CrossGL http://www.crossgl.com/cgl_about.htm

They have a powerfull delphi vector based framework, they were selling it (for a high price) for some time. But I think they are making more money selling applications based on their framework.

Answer 8

Have you looked at SpTBXLib? I know of a couple skin editors that you can create your own skins for SpTBXLib. You can download a precompiled demo here:

http://www.silverpointdevelopment.com/sptbxlib/downloads.htm

Answer 9

I hope you are not expecting people to use such an application. As they wont. There are no end users who want to see a custom appearance. Skinning is a hobby for programmers who have too much time on their hands and not enough user interface design experience