Delphi FireMonkey (FMX) samples are highly regarded as a robust, 100+ demo library demonstrating single-codebase, cross-platform capabilities for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux . While they are praised for showcasing advanced features like 3D graphics, camera access, and sensors, they are also known for having a steep learning curve due to their heavy reliance on styles and complex UI architecture. Key Takeaways on Delphi FMX Samples: Comprehensive Coverage: The samples cover a wide range of functionality, including camera access, notifications, and complex UI styling. Modernizing Functionality: They effectively showcase how to use TFloatAnimation for UI effects, TActionList for tab transitions, and TRectangle for custom controls. Integration with Modern Tech: Examples are available for integrating with AI services (e.g., OpenAI) and using Skia for high-performance rendering. Organization: While the samples in learning resources (like books) are generally well-organized, some users recommend playing with the code alongside tutorials to truly grasp the concepts, particularly around style design. Known Limitations: Some users have reported that while FMX is powerful, it may not feel as native or "snappy" on mobile as native toolsets (Xcode/Android Studio), and it requires careful handling of platform-specific permissions (e.g., location). Commonly Reviewed Samples: Some games and project samples with FireMonkey in Delphi
Mastering Cross-Platform Development: A Deep Dive into Delphi FMX Samples If you are looking to build high-performance, visually stunning applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android from a single codebase, FireMonkey (FMX) is your powerhouse. But as any developer knows, documentation only gets you so far—real mastery comes from tearing apart Delphi FMX samples . In this guide, we’ll explore why samples are the "secret sauce" for Delphi developers and highlight the must-know examples that will shave weeks off your development timeline. Why FMX Samples Matter Unlike the VCL (Visual Component Library), which is Windows-centric, FireMonkey is a hardware-accelerated framework. It handles everything from GPU rendering to complex touch gestures. Using samples allows you to: Understand Multi-Res Bitmaps: See how FMX handles different screen densities. Master Layouts: Learn the interplay between TLayout , TFlowLayout , and TGridPanelLayout . Access Native Sensors: Quickly implement GPS, Camera, and Accelerometer features without writing platform-specific wrappers. 1. The Official Embarcadero GitHub Repository The first stop for any developer should be the official Embarcadero GitHub . This repository is a goldmine of pre-built functionality. Key Sample: Object Pascal/Multi-Device Samples/User Interface/ListView Why it’s vital: Lists are the backbone of mobile apps. This sample shows you how to use "Dynamic Appearance" to create custom list items that look native on both iPhone and Android. Key Sample: Object Pascal/Multi-Device Samples/Device Sensors/CameraRoll Why it’s vital: Handling permissions and asynchronous photo taking is tricky. This sample provides a plug-and-play template. 2. Advanced UI/UX Samples FireMonkey excels at "Control Styling." If you want your app to look like a modern startup's product rather than a legacy Windows tool, look for samples focusing on: Standard Styles: Explore the StyleDesktop and StyleMobile samples to see how to swap the entire look of an app with one click. Animations: Check out the FloatAnimation and PathAnimation samples. FMX allows you to animate almost any property (color, opacity, position) without complex timers. 3. Data-Driven Samples (LiveBindings) One of the steepest learning curves in FMX is LiveBindings . Instead of writing code to move data from a database to a label, you "bind" them visually. Look for: The LiveBindings\BindGrid samples. They demonstrate how to connect a REST service or a local SQLite database to a UI grid with zero lines of manual "sync" code. 4. The "Skia for Delphi" Samples In recent years, the Skia4Delphi library has become a staple for FMX developers. It’s now integrated into the latest versions of RAD Studio. Samples to find: Look for Lottie Animation samples. These allow you to drop high-end, vector-based animations (like those seen on Airbnb or Duolingo) directly into your Delphi forms. How to Get Started Fast Open the Welcome Page: In RAD Studio, the "Samples" button on the Welcome Page links directly to your local samples folder. Use the Feature Demo: The FireMonkey Desktop/Mobile Features demo is a "Swiss Army Knife" app that showcases every component in the library. Check the GetIt Package Manager: Search for "Sample" or "Demo" in GetIt to find community-contributed UI templates. Conclusion Don't reinvent the wheel. Whether you are struggling with side-drawer navigation, tab transitions, or hardware integration, there is almost certainly a Delphi FMX sample that has already solved the problem. By studying these examples, you move from "writing code" to "assembling solutions."
Master Cross-Platform Development: A Deep Dive into Delphi FMX Samples If you are transitioning from VCL to FireMonkey (FMX) or looking to sharpen your cross-platform skills, the best way to learn is through hands-on exploration. FireMonkey is more than just a library; it’s a powerful framework that allows you to write one codebase for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. The following guide explores the most essential Delphi FMX samples that every developer should master to build modern, high-performance applications. 1. The Power of Styles: The "CustomListBox" Sample Unlike VCL, which relies on the operating system to draw controls, FMX uses a GPU-accelerated drawing engine. This means everything is a "primitive" that can be styled. Why it matters: In FMX, a ListBox isn’t just for text. You can embed images, switches, buttons, and custom shapes into every item. Key takeaway: Study the CustomListBox sample to understand the Styles Designer . Learning how to manipulate the StyleLookup property is the secret to making an Android app look native while maintaining a unique brand identity. 2. Layouts and Responsiveness: "FlowLayout" and "GridPanelLayout" One of the biggest hurdles in cross-platform design is screen size variance. An app that looks great on a desktop monitor can break on a 6-inch phone screen. The Sample: Look for the Layouts demo project. What to learn: Focus on TFlowLayout . It acts like HTML/CSS wrapping, where controls automatically shift to the next "line" when the container shrinks. Mastering TScaledLayout is also vital for apps that need to maintain exact proportions regardless of resolution. 3. Low-Level Graphics: "FireMonkey Mirror" and "Shader" Demos Because FireMonkey uses DirectX (Windows) and OpenGL/Metal (macOS/Mobile), you have direct access to the GPU. The Sample: The ControlRollup or Shader demos. Practical Use: These samples show you how to apply visual effects—like blurs, shadows, and reflections—without hitting the CPU. If you want to build a high-end UI with smooth animations, these samples demonstrate how to use TEffect and TAnimation components effectively. 4. Interacting with Hardware: "Location" and "Camera" Samples Mobile development is nothing without hardware integration. Delphi provides wrapper components that make "coding to the metal" surprisingly simple. The Samples: LocationDemo and CameraComponent . The Lesson: These samples teach you how to handle Permissions . Since Android 6.0 and iOS 10, requesting permissions at runtime is mandatory. These demos show the standard pattern for checking if a user has granted access to the GPS or camera before the app attempts to use them. 5. Data Binding: "LiveBindings" Samples Gone are the days of manually coding Label1.Text := Table1Field1.AsString . FireMonkey relies heavily on LiveBindings . The Sample: LiveBindingsVisual demo. Why it’s essential: LiveBindings allows you to visually connect data sources to UI elements. It’s powerful but has a learning curve. Studying the samples helps you understand how to use the LiveBindings Designer to create complex data links without writing a single line of boilerplate code. Where to Find These Samples? You don't need to scour the web to find these. Embarcadero includes them directly in your installation: Path: C:\Users\Public\Documents\Embarcadero\Studio\XX.0\Samples\Object Pascal\Multi-Device Samples Additionally, the GitHub repository for Embarcadero is frequently updated with community-driven samples that cover modern features like App Tethering and JSON REST integration. Conclusion Delphi FMX is a massive framework, but you don't have to learn it all at once. By deconstructing these samples, you move from "standard" UI development into the world of high-performance, GPU-powered, multi-device applications.
Dive into Delphi FireMonkey: Top Samples to Fast-Track Your Cross-Platform Development If you're moving from VCL to cross-platform or just starting with Delphi, FireMonkey (FMX) is your gateway to building native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux from a single codebase. But where do you start? Instead of reading manuals, the best way to learn is by looking at high-quality samples. Here are the best Delphi FMX sample projects and resources to help you master everything from 3D visualization to modern UI styling. 1. The Ultimate FMX Demo Collection (GitHub) Cross-Platform Samples repository on GitHub is a goldmine for developers. It features over that showcase the framework's versatility. What's inside: Everything from camera access and notifications to drawing emojis. Why it’s great: It demonstrates how to use a single UI and code base to target all major operating systems. 2. Modern UI & Branding: The "Ballpark Bytes" Kiosk Modern apps need more than just functionality; they need a brand. A standout example is the Ballpark Bytes kiosk application. Key Concept: This sample shows how to use FMX Styles TStyleBook to create a theme-able interface. You’ll learn how to switch entire visual identities (like changing a stadium kiosk from "Cubs" to "Pirates" branding) by simply swapping an INI file—without changing a single line of application code. 3. High-Performance 3D Data Visualization FMX isn't just for 2D forms; it has a powerful 3D engine. The Molecule Hero demo is a classic end-to-end example of 3D capabilities. Highlights: Learn 3D programming concepts like mesh manipulation and GPU-powered rendering. More 3D Resources: For those wanting to push the GPU further, check out the Shader Programming samples which include six different projects demonstrating custom materials and shaders. 4. Game Development & Snippets If you’re interested in the "fun" side of coding, the Delphi FMX Game Snippets repository offers bite-sized logic for game mechanics. It includes animations and logic developed live on Twitch, perfect for seeing how Delphi handles real-time interactions and sprite-based graphics. 5. Essential Skill Sprints Sometimes a video walk-through is better than a raw code file. Several "Skill Sprints" cover foundational FMX topics: Mastering Layouts: Understanding anchors, alignments, and spacing is critical for responsive design. Multi-Device Designer: Tips on using the Master View to ensure your UI looks great on both an iPad and a Windows desktop. Quick Tips for FMX Success delphi fmx samples
Delphi FireMonkey (FMX) samples are essential resources for developers building cross-platform applications for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux from a single codebase. These samples demonstrate the framework's ability to handle hardware-accelerated rendering, complex animations, and platform-adaptive UI. Official & Primary Sample Sources RAD Studio GitHub Repositories : Embarcadero maintains official repositories containing hundreds of Delphi and C++Builder demos, categorized by version (e.g., RADStudio13Demos ). FMXExpress Cross-Platform Samples : A comprehensive collection of 100 cross-platform demos covering features like camera access, notifications, and custom UI components. GetIt Package Manager : Within the Delphi IDE, the GetIt Package Manager provides access to eighteen premium UI templates, including login screens, user profiles, and settings pages. Common Educational Samples Developers often use these specific samples to master FMX core concepts:
1. Overview Delphi FMX Samples are a collection of demo projects provided by Embarcadero (and the community) to illustrate the capabilities of the FireMonkey (FMX) framework. FMX is Delphi’s cross-platform GUI library for creating native applications on:
Windows (64-bit, 32-bit) macOS iOS Android Linux (limited, mainly console or server with FMXLinux) Delphi FireMonkey (FMX) samples are highly regarded as
The samples showcase UI controls, graphics, animations, 3D, sensors, gestures, multi-touch, hardware integration, and backend services.
2. Primary Sources of FMX Samples | Source | Location / Access | Description | |--------|------------------|-------------| | Embarcadero GitHub | github.com/Embarcadero/DelphiFMX | Official samples, updated with releases. | | GetIt Package Manager | Inside Delphi IDE → Tools → GetIt Package Manager | Downloadable sample projects. | | Local Installation | C:\Users\Public\Documents\Embarcadero\Studio\XX.X\Samples\Object Pascal\FMX | Installed with Delphi (version-dependent). | | DocWiki | docwiki.embarcadero.com | Explained samples with code snippets. | | Community Samples | GitHub (search "FMX samples") | Third-party examples (e.g., advanced 3D, custom controls). |
3. Structure of the Samples Typical folder structure (local install): FMX/ ├── Controls/ # TListBox, TGrid, TTreeView, etc. ├── Data/ # LiveBindings, FireDAC, REST, DB-aware controls ├── Dialogs/ # TFileOpenDialog, TPrintDialog, custom dialogs ├── Drawing/ # Canvas, TBitmap, TPath, TShape ├── Effects/ # TShadowEffect, TGlowEffect, TBlurEffect ├── Gestures/ # TGestureManager, touch gestures ├── Graphics/ # 2D/3D transformations, shaders ├── Layout/ # TLayout, TGridLayout, TFlowLayout ├── Media/ # TMediaPlayer, TCamera, TMicrophone ├── Multi-Device/ # Platform-specific behaviors, conditional compilation ├── Sensors/ # Accelerometer, gyroscope, location ├── Styles/ # Custom style books, dynamic styling ├── 3D/ # TViewport3D, TLight, TModel3D, collision detection └── Web/ # TWebBrowser, TWebBrowser (embedded Chromium) Known Limitations: Some users have reported that while
4. Key Sample Categories & Examples 4.1 UI Controls & Layout
ControlGallery – Demonstrates almost all FMX UI controls (Button, Edit, ComboBox, Switch, ListBox, Grid, etc.) with properties and events. CustomControlSample – How to create a custom control from scratch using TPaintBox or inheriting from TStyledControl . GridSample – Advanced TGrid usage (columns, rows, cell formatting, editing).
