I've been upgrading my flagship software product Zilch, from Delphi 5 VCL to Delphi 11 FMX. I'm finally in the report development phase. I'm using the FMX version of FastReports.
Things have been going along quite well, other than the typical stumbling around, which happens when learning the ins and outs of a new component suite (FastReports).
Back in May 2024, I decided to implement a dark theme after watching Ian Barker's presentation called "The fundamental secrets of good UI design". https://www.youtube.com/live/TL2YVio_eTo
During this presentation Barker pleads with the audience to include a dark theme option because it makes life much easier for people like him. Those who suffer with severe cataracts.
I am very meticulous about my work. Borderline obsessive. After spending nearly 4 weeks creating, tweaking, previewing, re-tweaking a report I finally decided to see what it looks like in dark mode. That's when I got hit with an access violation.
My first reaction was WTF! 😡
 |
| FMX.StdCtrls |
I spent 3 months or more back in May 2024 testing and trying several different FMX styles. I finally settled on the Air.Style after making several customizations. And now this happens. Just when I thought I was getting close to wrapping up this project. WTF! 😡
Inside my application I'm using the StyleManager. I call:
TStyleManager.SetStyleFromFile( <FullFilePath> )
<FullFilePath> is the full file path of the modified version of Air.Style I'm using inside my program. I remember trying Dark.Style early on but I didn't like the brownish-copper glow effect so I opted for the Air.Style.
I quickly tried setting the <FullFilePath> to Dark.Style and tested it again, IT WORKED! 😎
Okay, so there is something different between Air.Style and Dark.Style. I searched both .STYLE files looking for "TScrollBar".
It turns out that Air.Style is missing the definition for StyleName = 'scrollboxstyle'.
I copied the complete 'scrollboxstyle' definition from Dark.Style and pasted it inside Air.Style and IT WORKED!
 |
| Payoff Savings Report - Air.Style |
I'm glad this was a quick fix. Here is the complete 'scrollboxstyle' definition for anyone that would like to modify the Air.Style so it works with FastReports.
object TLayout
StyleName = 'scrollboxstyle'
DesignVisible = False
Height = 131.000000000000000000
Position.X = 254.000000000000000000
Position.Y = 435.000000000000000000
Width = 334.000000000000000000
object TLayout
StyleName = 'background'
Align = Contents
Locked = True
Height = 131.000000000000000000
Width = 334.000000000000000000
object TLayout
StyleName = 'content'
Align = Client
Height = 115.000000000000000000
Width = 318.000000000000000000
end
object TScrollBar
StyleName = 'vscrollbar'
Align = Right
Height = 115.000000000000000000
Orientation = Vertical
Position.X = 318.000000000000000000
Width = 16.000000000000000000
end
object TScrollBar
StyleName = 'hscrollbar'
Align = Bottom
Height = 16.000000000000000000
Orientation = Horizontal
Position.Y = 115.000000000000000000
Width = 334.000000000000000000
end
object TSmallScrollBar
StyleName = 'vsmallscrollbar'
Align = Right
Height = 8.000000000000000000
Orientation = Vertical
Margins.Left = 2.000000000000000000
Position.X = 99.000000000000000000
Position.Y = 2.000000000000000000
Visible = False
Width = 8.000000000000000000
end
object TSmallScrollBar
StyleName = 'hsmallscrollbar'
Align = Bottom
Height = 8.000000000000000000
Orientation = Horizontal
Margins.Top = 2.000000000000000000
Position.X = 2.000000000000000000
Position.Y = 113.000000000000000000
Visible = False
Width = 150.000000000000000000
end
object TLayout
Align = Contents
Height = 131.000000000000000000
Width = 334.000000000000000000
object TLayout
Align = Bottom
Height = 20.000000000000000000
Position.Y = 111.000000000000000000
Width = 334.000000000000000000
object TSizeGrip
StyleName = 'sizegrip'
Align = Right
Locked = True
Height = 20.000000000000000000
Position.X = 314.000000000000000000
Width = 20.000000000000000000
end
end
end
end
end
Update: March 16, 2025
I'll have to give the new Delph 12.3 command-line style converter tool (vsf2fm.exe) a try. Hat Tip to Ray Konopka for pointing me in this direction.
I just installed Delphi 12.3 and used the vsf2fm.exe command-line tool and converted the Carbon.vsf to Carbon.style and it works perfectly.
