Two styles in two FireMonkey applications

the previous post describes two styles in single application.Now I consider one more useful way to apply styles in FireMonkey applications. The same approach is also well used with other technologies, but FireMonkey is my favorite testbed when talking about software engineering.

Update or service pack


is not only bug fixes in enterprise systems, but addition of new functionality.

If a company is really big, the accurate delivery and deployment of the upgraded version of an executable to work stations and file servers is not an easy task (look for AppWave and private app store). Sometimes users continue using previous version against the updated database (for database proper update tool see DB Change Manager). We usually add “build number” in “About” box. But the better indication of the new version is the change of application’s style. It’s also important to update the user impression! Simple example, let’s consider RubyGraphite style for FireMonkey. One of my Delphi friends called it “Embarcadero style” due to its “black-red-white” scheme.



Then you issue

an update for the application. It’s quite effective to update the style also. Why? The user will feel the update and this “wind of change” will stimulate him/her to cheer up.

The requirements to the updated style are:

• If the update is minor (bug fix only) like "service pack", only small color correction needed.


• If the update imply the addition of new functionality, make your style brighter and more stunning.


• Check your style colors. Ugly style will cross the impression.Follow modern trends (like I do below).

Aside from colors I added one small TrackBar in the status bar. If the style was the same, you'd think it's the same application. The "colored upgrade" definitely indicates the new version in use.

RubyGraphite and how to update

I used "brute force" method. I opened "C:\Users\Public\Documents\RAD Studio\10.0\Styles\RubyGraphite.style" in Notepad. A good start with FireMonkey styhles will help even a beginner to understand style engine in FireMonkey.

In text edition I easily found the necessary color constants and slightly “raise” blue component (+x64), so all the red colors became “fuchsia”. The color is fashionable, so new interface looks fresh and amazing.

If you don’t like to make color corrections in a text editor, but feel like making a small utility, you can easily do it on your own and have unique “color-style-correction” process. It can correlate with seasons or follow some tendency, from fashion to rainbow sequence (in Russia we distinguish 7 colors in rainbow). Don’t forget to use regular expressions, available in Delphi since XE!