AlphaControls v14.21 Stable (D5-D10.3/BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail - Tutorial
AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail: A Comprehensive Review
If you are a Delphi or C++ Builder developer who wants to create modern-looking user interfaces with various features and effects, you might have heard of AlphaControls. This is a software package that provides a set of components for your applications, such as buttons, edits, lists, grids, menus, toolbars, panels, forms, skins, and more.
AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail
In this article, we will review AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail, which is the latest version of this software package as of June 2023. We will cover what are AlphaControls, how to install them, how to use them, how to update them, and some frequently asked questions about them.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what AlphaControls can do for you and your applications, and whether you should buy them or not.
What are AlphaControls?
AlphaControls are a set of components for Delphi and C++ Builder applications that allow developers to create modern-looking user interfaces with various features and effects.
A brief history of AlphaControls
AlphaControls were first released in 2001 by Sergey Grischenko, a Russian software developer skins to your components, such as buttons, edits, lists, grids, menus, toolbars, panels, forms, and more. Skins are graphical files that define the appearance and behavior of the components. You can choose from hundreds of predefined skins, or create your own using the SkinEditor tool that comes with AlphaControls.
Effects: You can apply different effects to your components, such as shadows, glows, gradients, blurs, reflections, animations, and more. Effects can enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your user interfaces. You can customize the parameters of the effects, such as color, size, angle, speed, transparency, and more.
Styles: You can apply different styles to your components, such as flat, 3D, glass, metallic, office, vista, and more. Styles are predefined sets of properties that define the look and feel of the components. You can choose from dozens of predefined styles, or create your own using the StyleManager tool that comes with AlphaControls.
Themes: You can apply different themes to your applications, such as dark, light, blue, green, red, and more. Themes are predefined sets of skins and styles that define the overall appearance and behavior of your applications. You can choose from several predefined themes, or create your own using the ThemeEditor tool that comes with AlphaControls.
The benefits of using AlphaControls
AlphaControls offer many benefits for you and your applications, such as:
Easy to use: You can easily add AlphaControls to your applications using the component palette or the form designer. You can also easily change the properties and events of the components using the object inspector or the code editor. You do not need to write any complex code or use any external libraries to use AlphaControls.
Flexible to customize: You can customize every aspect of AlphaControls using the tools and options that come with them. You can create your own skins, effects, styles, and themes using the editors. You can also modify the existing ones or import new ones from the online gallery. You can also use the properties and events of the components to fine-tune their appearance and behavior.
Compatible with different versions: You can use AlphaControls with different versions of Delphi and C++ Builder, from 5 to 10.3 Rio. You do not need to worry about compatibility issues or migration problems when using AlphaControls. You can also use AlphaControls with different platforms, such as Windows 32-bit and 64-bit.
High-performance and low-resource: You can use AlphaControls without affecting the performance or resource consumption of your applications. AlphaControls are optimized for speed and efficiency, using native GDI+ graphics and smart caching techniques. AlphaControls do not require any additional DLLs or OCXs to run.
Professional and modern: You can use AlphaControls to create professional and modern user interfaces for your applications. AlphaControls follow the latest trends and standards in user interface design, such as transparency,
The activation process for AlphaControls
After installing AlphaControls, you need to activate them using a license key that you can purchase from the official website or the online gallery. The license key will allow you to use AlphaControls for one year, and you can renew it every year. Here are the steps to activate AlphaControls:
Open your Delphi or C++ Builder IDE and select the AlphaControls tab in the component palette.
Right-click on any AlphaControl component and select About from the context menu.
Click on the Activate button and enter your license key in the dialog box.
Click on the OK button and wait for the confirmation message.
Restart your Delphi or C++ Builder IDE and enjoy using AlphaControls.
How to use AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail?
Now that you have installed and activated AlphaControls, you can start using them for your applications. Here are some tips on how to use AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail:
The basic usage of AlphaControls
The basic usage of AlphaControls is similar to the usage of any other components in Delphi or C++ Builder. You can simply drag and drop the components from the component palette to the form designer, and change their properties and events using the object inspector or the code editor. You can also use the alignment tools, the alignment palette, and the anchors and constraints to arrange and resize the components on the form.
However, there are some differences between AlphaControls and other components that you need to be aware of. These are:
AlphaControls have a property called SkinData, which is an object that contains all the information about the skin, effect, style, and theme of the component. You can access and modify this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinManager, which is an object that contains all the information about the global skin, effect, style, and theme of the application. You can access and modify this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinSection, which is a string that defines which part of the skin file is used for the component. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinName, which is a string that defines which skin file is used for the component. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinDir, which is a string that defines the directory where the skin files are located. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinIndex, which is an integer that defines the index of the skin file in the skin directory. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinActive, which is a boolean that defines whether the component uses the skin or not. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinAlpha, which is an integer that defines the transparency level of the component. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
AlphaControls have a property called SkinHint, which is a string that defines the hint text of the component. You can change this property using the object inspector or the code editor.
The advanced usage of AlphaControls
The advanced usage of AlphaControls involves using some of the tools and options that come with them, such as:
SkinEditor: This is a tool that allows you to create and edit your own skins for AlphaControls. You can access this tool from the Start menu or from the AlphaControls tab in the component palette. You can use this tool to draw and modify graphical elements, such as shapes, colors, fonts, images, effects, and more. You can also use this tool to test and preview your skins on different components and forms.
StyleManager: This is a tool that allows you to create and edit your own styles for AlphaControls. You can access this tool from the Start menu or from the AlphaControls tab in the component palette. You can use this tool to define and modify properties, such as colors, fonts, margins, borders, alignments, and more. You can also use this tool to test and preview your styles on different components and forms.
ThemeEditor: This is a tool that allows you to create and edit your own themes for AlphaControls. You can access this tool from the Start menu or from the AlphaControls tab in the component palette. You can use this tool to combine and modify skins and styles for different components and forms. You can also use this tool to test and preview your themes on different applications.
Online Gallery: This is an online repository where you can download and upload skins, effects, styles, and themes for AlphaControls. You can access this repository from the official website or from the AlphaControls tab in the component palette. You can use this repository to browse and download hundreds of skins, effects, styles, and themes created by other users and developers. You can also use this repository to upload and share your own creations with the AlphaControls community.
The tips and tricks for AlphaControls
Here are some tips and tricks that can help you use AlphaControls more effectively and efficiently:
Use the SkinManager component to apply a global skin, effect, style, and theme to your entire application. You can place this component on the main form or on a data module, and set its properties accordingly. You can also use its methods and events to change the skin, effect, style, and theme at runtime.
Use the TsSkinProvider component to apply a skin, effect, style, and theme to a specific form. You can place this component on any form that you want to skin, and set its properties accordingly. You can also use its methods and events to change the skin, effect, style, and theme at runtime.
Use the TsSkinManager component to manage multiple skins, effects, styles, and themes for your application. You can place this component on any form or data module, and use its properties and methods to load, save, add, remove, and switch between different skins, effects, styles, and themes.
Use the TsSkinSelector component to allow your users to choose a skin, effect, style, or theme for your application. You can place this component on any form or dialog box, and use its properties and methods to display a list of available skins, effects, styles, or themes. You can also use its events to handle the user's selection.
Use the TsSkinEdit component to allow your users to edit a skin, effect, style, or theme for your application. You can place this component on any form or dialog box, and use its properties and methods to display and modify the properties of a selected skin, effect, style, or theme. You can also use its events to handle the user's changes.
Use the TsSkinManager.DynamicSkinning property to enable or disable the dynamic skinning feature for your application. This feature allows you to change the skin, effect, style, or theme of your application without restarting it. You can also use the TsSkinManager.ReloadSkin method to reload the current skin, effect, style, or theme.
Use the TsSkinManager.ExtendedBorders property to enable or disable the extended borders feature for your application. This feature allows you to extend the borders of your forms beyond the standard Windows borders, and apply skins and effects to them. You can also use the TsSkinManager.ExtendedBordersMaximized property to enable or disable this feature for maximized forms.
Use the TsSkinManager.HueOffset and TsSkinManager.Saturation properties to adjust the hue and saturation of your skins, effects, styles, and themes. This can help you create different color variations of your user interfaces.
Use the TsSkinManager.SkinEffects property to access and modify the global effects for your skins, such as shadows, glows, gradients, blurs, reflections, animations, and more. You can also use the TsSkinData.Effects property to access and modify the effects for individual components.
Use the TsSkinManager.SkinInfo property to access and display the information about your skins, such as name, author, version, description, and more. You can also use the TsSkinData.SkinInfo property to access and display the information about individual components.
How to update AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail?
If you want to keep your AlphaControls up to date with the latest features and bug fixes, you need to update them regularly. Here are some tips on how to update AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail:
The update policy for AlphaControls
The update policy for AlphaControls is as follows:
You can update your AlphaControls for free within one year from the date of purchase.
You can update your AlphaControls for a discounted price after one year from the date of purchase.
You can update your AlphaControls for free if you are a registered user of AlphaSkins or AlphaLite.
You can update your AlphaControls for free if you are a contributor of skins, effects, styles, or themes to the online gallery.
The update procedure for AlphaControls
The update procedure for AlphaControls is as follows:
Check if there is a new version of AlphaControls available on the official website or the online gallery.
Download the setup file for the new version of AlphaControls from complete and close the setup wizard.
Open your Delphi or C++ Builder IDE and check if AlphaControls are updated in the component palette under the AlphaControls tab.
The update benefits for AlphaControls
The update benefits for AlphaControls are as follows:
You can enjoy the latest features and improvements of AlphaControls, such as new components, new skins, new effects, new styles, new themes, and more.
You can fix the bugs and errors of AlphaControls, such as compatibility issues, performance issues, memory leaks, and more.
You can increase the security and stability of AlphaControls, such as preventing crashes, hacks, viruses, and more.
You can support the development and maintenance of AlphaControls, such as encouraging the developer to continue working on them, providing feedback and suggestions, and reporting bugs and issues.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have reviewed AlphaControls V14.16 Stable (D5-D10.3 BCB6-BCB10.3) Retail, which is a software package that provides a set of components for Delphi and C++ Builder applications. We have covered what are AlphaControls, how to install them, how to use them, how to update them, and some frequently asked questions about them.
We have learned that AlphaControls are a set of components that allow developers to create modern-looking user interfaces with various features and effects. We have learned that AlphaControls offer a wide range of features and effects, such as skins, shadows, glows, gradients, blurs, reflections, animations, and more. We have learned that AlphaControls offer many benefits for developers and applications, such as easy to use, flexible to customize, compatible with different versions, high-performance and low-resource, and professional and modern.
Recommendation for AlphaControls
Based on our review, we highly recommend AlphaControls for Delphi and C++ Builder developers who want to create modern-looking user interfaces with various features and effects. AlphaControls are easy to use, flexible to customize, compatible with different versions, high-performance and low-resource, and professional and modern. AlphaControls can help you create user interfaces that stand out from the crowd and impress your users and clients.
If you are interested in using AlphaControls for your applications, you can purchase them from the official website or the online gallery. You can also download a trial version of AlphaControls to test them before buying them. You can also visit the online gallery to download and upload skins, effects, styles, and themes for AlphaControls. You can also visit the official forum to ask questions, share ideas, and get support from the developer and the community.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about AlphaControls:
Q: How much does AlphaControls cost?
A: AlphaControls cost $100 for a single developer license, $300 for a team license (up to 4 developers), and $500 for a site license (unlimited developers). These prices include one year of free updates. You can also get discounts if you are a registered user of AlphaSkins or AlphaLite, or if you are a contributor of skins, effects, styles, or themes to the online gallery.
Q: How can I get support for AlphaControls?
A: You can get support for AlphaControls by visiting the official forum, where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get help from the developer and the community. You can also contact the developer by email at support@alphaskins.com.
Q: How can I learn more about AlphaControls?
A: You can learn more about AlphaControls by visiting the official website, where you can find documentation, tutorials, demos, screenshots, videos, and more. You can also visit the online gallery, where you can find hundreds of skins, effects, styles, and themes for AlphaControls. You can also visit the official blog, where you can find news, updates, tips, and tricks about AlphaControls.
Q: How can I contribute to AlphaControls?
A: You can contribute to AlphaControls by creating and sharing your own skins, effects, styles, or themes for AlphaControls. You can upload them to the online gallery, where other users and developers can download and use them. You can also rate and comment on the skins, effects, styles, and themes created by others. You can also suggest new features and improvements for AlphaControls by contacting the developer or posting on the forum.
Q: How can I uninstall AlphaControls?
A: You can uninstall AlphaControls by running the setup file again and selecting the uninstall option. You can also uninstall AlphaControls by using the Windows Control Panel or the Windows Settings app. You can also delete the AlphaControls folder from your hard drive.
I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about AlphaControls. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading! dcd2dc6462