DELPHI: A more graphical interface?

[ROBO90]

I am currently creating a system, I have done the majority of the coding but I am still new to Delphi, I was wondering if anybody could inform me on how I would accomplish something like the below image...

http://tinyurl.com/76zyn9

Currently the system looks like the image on the left, on the right is a mock up in Photoshop of what I am hoping to be able to achieve.

Any pointers would be appreciated, thanks.

[AlexV]

You seems to use Delphi 7... Is that right?

First of all. Drop a TXPManifest on your main form (you'll find it in the Win32 tab). This will enable XP Themes on you application. You won't be able to change the color of the borders of edits, buttons and such, but at least it will match those of Windiows XP (and Vista to some extent).

Thats the best you can do with what's bundled with Delphi 7. Delphi 2007 is Vista ready, but Delphi 2009 is totally Vista compilant (even Office 2007 ribbon 2007 UI!).

To fully customize your application (seems what's you want to do) you will need third party components.

TMS Software offer such components:
http://www.tmssoftware.com
Not too expensive, but sometimes buggy and some components are overwhelmed with features, which make them hard to use/learn sometimes.

Developper Express also offer such components:
http://www.devexpress.com
Really top notch components. Best Delphi components are made by them IMHO... Sometime a bit pricy, but worth it.

Some of these components are in later Delphi builds, but only basic stuff like gradients panels... For total "skinning" of you application you'll need third party stuff.

You can also search Google for "delphi skin components" I'm sure theres many I don't know...

[ROBO90]

yeah it's delphi 7 that i use

i'll have a good look around for the skin components, cheers mate :thumbsup: