Date: 13.09.2007
(c by LMD Innovative, (http://www.lmd.de or http://www.lmdtools.com)


Introduction

LMD-Tools Special Edition was completely redesigned in release 8. In previous releases SE packages used a slightly different codebase. For LMD-Tools 8 it was decided to integrate the freeware version into the main product tree (check Package Structure Overview for more info), so in the future new releases will appear at the same time like full version releases.
Besides that new and improved features are:

• The same shared runtime as for the full LMD-Tools or LMD ElPack products with its powerful new features like Vista Controls (especially for Delphi/C++Builder user prior to 2007 release), enhanced HTML renderer support, native (unicode enabled) regular expression engine, new XML lib, native PNG support and much more is available for SE user as well.
• You can mix LMD ElPack 6, LMD-Tools 8 (SE), Standalone or LMD IDE-Tools packages freely. They even SHOULD be installed into same installation directory (assuming that all packages are LMD 2007 releases and that compiled versions were released at the same date).
• Even the same packages are used. Runtime packages are now available. In previous releases one shared runtime/designtime package was available only. The runtime packages can now freely distributed (checl
• All features and editors included in shared packages and the LMD Core Controls package are available for LMD-Tools SE user (no restrictions like in previous releases)
• Even support for Labeled controls can be switched on (check About-Box)
• The same demo / help packages like for full versions can be used
• Altogether LMD-Tools SE 8 includes 95 controls + labeled controls. Among that are really useful new controls like TLMDHTMLLabel, TLMDPageControl or TLMDTabControl.

Besides the numerous technical improvements we had to reorganize the components assigned to the different packages. This leads to the major drawback for user of previous LMD-Tools releases: Though the total number of components is the same, there is actually a slightly different component list. When you have created projects with previous LMD-Tools SE releases, you should first check whether new version contains all components you used before. If not, we recommend to stick with previous LMD-Tools release (or to upgrade to higher leveled LMD-Tools releases.

Tab "LMD Std"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDSimpleLabel Fast label component providing 3D-effects and extended layout settings. Since version 3.5 this component supports additional hyperjump properties (jump to Internet URL, start email client, execute applications or custom actions).
	TLMDLabel Extended label control allowing free rotation, 3D-effects, bevel and extended alignment settings compared to the standard label.
	TLMDDockLabel Descendant of TLMDSimpleLabel which is dockable to any TWinControl-component (e.g. TEdit - movement and sizes changes affect both controls).
	TLMDGlyphLabel Fast label component providing 3D-effects and extended layout settings. In addition TLMDGlyphLabel is linkable to Image- and BitmapList components for displaying graphics beside the caption.
	TLMDInformationLabel Fast label component providing 3D-effects and extended layout settings. In addition one of more than two dozens of system information settings can be displayed by setting simply one property (e.g. current username, state of NUM/CAPS/SCROLL keys, memory settings, customizable date/time formats). Besides special tab settings, support for different measurement units and a full featured Bevel object are available.
	TLMDHTMLLabel TLMDHTMLLabel represents a label control with simple HTML rendering capabilities (mainly font faces and standard font attributes). However the control uses a very lean and fast internal parser.
	TLMDSpeedButton Extended replacement for TSpeedButton. Among other features additional texteffects (3D, rotation, free positionining, multiline text) and display of popup-menus were added. Supports several different styles (e.g. Win31, Win40, Office97, flat display). Button is linkable to Image- and BitmapList components as well (for sharing bitmap resources with other button components).
	TLMDDockSpeedButton All featuresï of TLMDSpeedButton. In addition 8 predefined glyphs (e.g. ellipsis, select directory, select font etc.) are provided and the button is "dockable" to other TWinControl descendants (e.g. TEdit - movement and size changes affect both controlsï at design- and runtime).
	TLMDButton Extended replacement for TButton. Among other features additional texteffects (3D, rotation, free positionining, multiline text) and display of popup-menus were added. Besides repeated button clicks are supported. Button is linkable to Image- and BitmapList components as well (for sharing bitmap resources with other button components).
	TLMDDockButton All features of TLMDButton. In addition 8 predefined glyphs (e.g. ellipsis, select directory, select font etc.) are provided and the button is "dockable" to other TWinControl descendants (e.g. TEdit - movement and size changes affect both controls at design- and runtime).
	TLMDSimplePanel Fast panel (including full Bevel object) without caption with special support for LMD button classes. Besides a Transparent property is available when component is placed on TLMDBackPanel or TLMDGroupBox components.
	TLMDBackPanel Descendant of TLMDSimplePanel which is specialized on fast display of background images and support of real transparent LMD controls (e.g. TLMDSpeedButton, TLMDAniCtrl) or rather semitransparent controls. 'Transparent' display supported. Must be linked to an Image- or BitmapList component.
	TLMDDrawEdge Draw 3D- lines, boxes and diagonals using the fast Win32-API-function DrawEdge. Also available for 16bit-platforms!
	TLMDProgress Replaces TLMDMeter, adds 3D-effects and extended properties.
	TLMDGroupBox Improved replacement of TGroupBox. This component supports a full Bevel object, free positioning of caption (even vertical!) and transparent display (e.g. when placed on TLMDBackPanel)
	TLMDCheckBox Improved replacement of TCheckBox. Supports various 3D-font and layout settings. Customizable picture settings for all states (checkbox may be a two- or three state one). Transparent display possible.
	TLMDRadioButton Improved replacement of TRadioButton. Supports various 3D-font and layout settings. Customizable picture settings for both states. Transparent display possible.
	TLMDCheckGroup Like TLMDRadioGroup but supporting TLMDCheckBox components instead of TLMDRadioButtons. The component supports up to 32 different entries. All entries can be retrieved or set by a single LongInt property.
	TLMDRadioGroup Improved replacement of TRadioGroup. This component supports a full Bevel object, free positioning of caption (even vertical!) and transparent display. Customizable picture settings available.
	TLMDScrollBar Replacement for TScrollBar. Supports customizable background (including transparency), values larger than 65535 and autosized thumb.
	TLMDStaticText This component is a TWinControl descendant label with many different possibilities.

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Tab "LMD Ext"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDAssist This panel like control allows fast creation of Windows 95 like "assistants" or "wizards". Automatic navigation within multiple pages (as many as you want), buttons with additional properties (e.g. different captions or hints for multilingial applications) and several custom properties are supported.
	TLMDTrackBar Extended slider control supporting userdefinable display and thumb (can be linked to an Image- or BitmapList). In addition several extended properties (e.g. various settings for tickmarks) and features (e.g. mousewheel support) were added. Transparent display (when placed on TLMDBackPanel or TLMDGroupBox) possible.
	TLMDStatusBar TLMDStatusBar is a specialized panel component for displaying status information and provides special support for several LMDLabel components with bevel property (to achive a Windows40-look). Any number of sections are allowed. Besides any component can be placed on this component.
	TLMDSplitterPanel SplitterPanel replaces all previous LMD SplitterControls (dynamically handling of up to four panes). Special new features are: SplitterBars and Panels are selectable in the objectinspector, full control over Bevel settings (for panels, splitters and control itself!), panes can be hidden or order can be changed at runtime.All settings by the enduser can be saved and restored automatically using a TLMDIniCtrl link.
	TLMDScrollBox Replacement of the TScrollBox component. Supports full Bevel-Object and Transparency.
	TLMDFormDisplay This small but very useful component displays forms like a panel within the component. This is not only useful for faster loading of forms but also much more resource friendly than e.g. using a TNotebook. Besides forms are much easier reusable in other projects than pages of a TNoteBook or similar component.
	TLMDFormTabControl Like TLMDFormDisplay, but forms are displayed like sheets in a TPageControl. Several forms can be organized in so called form lists and are handled by the component automatically.
	TLMDLEDLabel Represents text and numbers like an LED-display. Unlike other components the size and colors of single LED's are fully customizable. Besides a full bevel object and transparent property are supported.
	TLMDFill A component for filling an area and surrounding it with a bevel. You can choose a gradient, any bitmap with attributes like tile, stretch and center or naturally any brush style.
	TLMDPanelFill Like TLMDFill but also usable as container. Beyond that, all important properties of labels with the LMD-Tools alike 3D- and rotation-effects are included.
	TLMDShadowFill Fill areas with a shadow- or semitransparent effect (e.g. to darken or lighten certain regions).
	TLMDProgressFill Like TLMDProgress. Adds additional Fillobject for progress bars painted with textures/gradient fills or any brushstyle. Not as fast as TLMDProgress but much cooler!
	TLMDLImage Extended Image component. Distinctly improved speed (on drawing transparent) and providing new display modes (e. g. stretching or compressing retaining the original ratio). Contains full featured bevel object. Must be linked to TLMDBitmap- or TLMDImageList (so the component never holds a bitmap itself).
	TLMDNImage Extended Image component. Distinctly improved speed (on drawing transparent) and providing new display modes (e. g. stretching or compressing retaining the original ratio). Contains full featured bevel object. In addition several TLMDNImage components can share same bitmap for saving graphic resources.
	TLMDTechnicalLine The TLMDTechnicalLine component allows fast display of several common used line types. Start and end signs are fully customizable. In addtion the component supports several shadow and bevel properties.
	TLMDClock Easily incorporate an analog or digital clock into your application. The clock is similar to the Window's CLOCK.EXE but more powerful. Supports time measurement, countdown or alarm functions.
	TLMDButtonPanel This panel can hold as many equal speed buttons as you like. This panel supports auto - arraning any much more ...
	TLMDPageControl Completely renewed! Provides real native themed look (including left/right tabs), different tab-/theme styles, closebuttons and other advanced features.
	TLMDTabControl TTabControl replacement with real native themed look (including left/right tabs), different tab-/theme styles, closebuttons and other advanced features.

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Tab "LMD Cont"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDContainerCtrl LMD-Tools 3 supports a global container object (LMDContainer, supporting internal TLMDBitmapList, TLMDImagelist, TLMDStringList and TLMDWaveList component) which is accessible at runtime from any place in your sourcecode. TLMDContainerCtrl provides a visual interface for adding data to these containers at designtime.ï
	TLMDImageList Container component for storing imagelists as form data. An imagelist consists of several bitmaps of same size using the same palette (e.g. animations or button glyphs). These bitmaps will be stored in one bitmap internally (thus saving resources). Several LMD-Tools components (especially all button components and TLMDAnimationCtrl) support 'linking' to a TLMDImageList component to share imagelist resources. In addition native compression and conversion to DIB files is supported.
	TLMDBitmapList Container component for storing bitmaps as form data. Use this component to store bitmaps with different sizes and different palettes. Several LMD-Tools components support 'linking' to a TLMDBitmapList component to share bitmap resources. In addition native compression and conversion to DIB files is supported.
	TLMDStringList Container component for storing stringlists as form data. This feature is especially useful for multilingual applications or changing caption or text properties at runtime. In addition native compression of the stringlists is supported.
	TLMDWaveList Container component for storing wave files as form data. Use this component to store all required wave files for your application at one place. In addition native compression of wave dataï is supported.
	TLMDStrList Useful and small component to save strings as form-data at designtime.
	TLMDImageListConnector With this component you can integrate the default image lists into our controls.
	TLMDImageListVCLConnector Use TLMDImageListVCLConnector control to make LMD ImageLists available for standard VCL controls.
	TLMDGraphicList Store any supported graphics format in an 'imagelist'.
	TLMDPNGImageList Container component for storing PNG files as form data.
	TLMDWaveComp Easily encapsulates .WAV files in your program and your finished .EXE by saving sound files as form data.
	TLMDGenericList Store any files in you application exe file and use it out of you application.

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Tab "LMD Edit"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDEdit Powerful TEdit replacement, supports e.g. Insert/Overwrite Mode, transparency, different cursor settings, 3D font effects and much more.
	TLMDMemo Powerful TEdit replacement, supports e.g. Insert/Overwrite Mode, transparency, different cursor settings, 3D font effects, unlimited textsize and much more.
	TLMDMaskEdit Powerful mask edit providing extensive mask settings and any number custom buttons. Besides all features of TLMDEdit are available.
	TLMDSpinEdit Improved replacement for TSpinEdit component.
	TLMDBrowseEdit Special edit control used for path settings. Provides custom button which displays BrowseFolder dialog.
	TLMDColorEdit Special edit control used for color settings. Provides custom button which displays Color dialog.
	TLMDFileOpenEdit Special edit control used for filename settings. Provides custom button which displays Fileopen dialog.
	TLMDFileSaveEdit Special edit control used for filename settings. Provides custom button which displays Filesave dialog.
	TLMDExtSpinEdit This spin edit field supports several different styles like int numbers, float numbers or date input.

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Tab "LMD List"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDListBox Extended listbox with new bevel-, header-, column- and multiline-properties.
	TLMDImageListBox Extended TListBox which can be linked to an ImageList or BitmapList component for displaying graphics easily. In addtion 3D-font and extended layout settings are supported for each entry in the list. Transparent display possible.
	TLMDComboBox Replacement for TComboBox. Supports Flat Style (as all TLMDComboBoxes do now), additional events, incremental search and new FocusControl property.
	TLMDExtListBox Provides real inplace editing, multiline items, horizontal scrollbar/hint support for large items, transparency and flat bevel support for XP and standard borders.
	TLMDImageComboBox Extended TComboBox which can be linked to an ImageList or BitmapList component for displaying graphics easily. In addtion 3D-font and extended layout settings are supported for each entry in the list.
	TLMDColorComboBox Special combobox for selecting colors at runtime. Supports standard-, system- and user-defined colors + an extented colordialog.
	TLMDFontComboBox Like TLMDColorComboBox. Use it for fast selection of fonts at runtime.
	TLMDCheckListBox TLMDCheckListBox allows selection of one or several values from a list of values. Furthermore extended features like bevel, flat style, transparency, background graphics etc. are supported.
	TLMDFontSizeComboBox Linked to a TLMDFontComboBox component, available font sizes for the current selected font can be specified.
	TLMDPrinterComboBox Special combobox which displays all printer available on the system.
	TLMDDriveComboBox Special combobox which displays all drives available on the system.
	TLMDFontListBox Special combobox for selecting a font from a listbox. Displays all available or a special subset of the fonts on the current system.
	TLMDColorListBox Select colors from a color list box (like TLMDColorComboBox).

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Tab "LMD Dlg"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDAboutDlg Easily incorporate an "about box" into your application. Supports two different styles (LMD or standard Windows about box). Several custom caption / button / hint settings and Internet links are supported. Can be linked to TLMDBitmapList- or TLMDImageList component for displaying a custom background. Gradient fill in caption bar is supported as well.
	TLMDDirDlg Using this non-visual component the user is given the opportunity to change a path name quickly. Several custom caption / button / hint settings and Internet links are supported. Can be linked to TLMDBitmapList- or TLMDImageList component for displaying a custom background. Gradient fill in caption bar is supported as well.
	TLMDTipDlg Use the familiar TipDialog you see in many applications to guide the user through your application. Several custom caption / button / hint settings and Internet links are supported. Can be linked to TLMDBitmapList- or TLMDImageList component for displaying a custom background. Gradient fill in caption bar is supported as well.
	TLMDWindowListDlg The TLMDWindowListDialog component allows selection of windows or forms within your application (e.g. for displaying or hiding them). Supports several custom captions/buttons/hints. Can be linked to TLMDBitmapList- or TLMDImageList component for display of custom background. Gradient fill in caption bar is supported as well.
	TLMDFormChangeIconDialog Replacement for the OLE Change Icon common dialog. Allows visual creation and manipulation of the dialog at designtime.
	TLMDFormInsertObjectDialog Replacement for the OLE Inser Object common dialog. Allows visual creation and manipulation of the dialog at designtime..

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Tab "LMD MM"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDLabelFill Extended label control, allowing you to paint any bitmap texture or a gradient on the letters of a text. As a descendant of TLMDLabel, it is of course also featured with 3D-effects and rotating text (3D, rotation, tracing, free positioning, multiline text). Can be linked to a TLMDBitmap- or TLMDImageList component.
	TLMDGraphicLabel The TLMDGraphicLabel has been designed for implementing some special effects to your applications. Besides the features of TLMDLabelFill additional shadow, perspective and transform (e.g. think of "WordArt") effects were added.
	TLMDAniCtrl Improved animation component. Display of images is controlled by linked ImageList. Many new modes including fast and flickerfree transparent display of animations.
	TLMDScrollText Allows display of scrolling text (horizontal or vertical). Supports transparent display, several font- and 3D-effects and a full featured bevel object. Since version 4 a special Marquee-Mode is supported.
	TLMDMMButton Any bitmap can be a button! Supports imagelists and transparent areas for really stunning effects. The buttonface is built up from different bitmaps of a TLMDImageList. Up to nine different states are supported.
	TLMDShapeButton The TLMDShapeButton component unites the functionality of TLMDShapeControl and TLMDSpeedButton. Let your apps look more friendly!
	TLMD3DEffectButton Effect button which provides any bitmap or caption with amazing 3D-effects. The creation of the 3D-border is suppored by an easy to use visual editor.
	TLMDHiTimer The component represents an alternative to the Delphi-Timer. As it is interrupt controlled high resolution intervals of one millisecond are possible (contrary to the TTimer). Since version 4 threaded timer are supported as well.
	TLMDWaveComp Easily encapsulates .WAV files in your program and your finished .EXE by saving sound files as form data.
	TLMDShapeControl Extends Delphi's standard shape control adding various shapes (e. g. Star, Comb, Octagon, direction indicator) as well as special color-, bevel- and shadow-effects. Beyond that it contains almost all properties of the LMDLabel (3D-effects, rotating, etc.).
	TLMDRepeatedShape Displays geometrical shapes repeating themselves. Supports textures, gradients or brushes and shadow-effects. Suitable as background for graphic applications.

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Tab "LMD Dlg Sys"			Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDTaskDialog TLMDTaskDialog is a component that provides the modern Vista task dialog not only in Windows Vista, but also in earlier Windows releases (the task dialog is emulated there). The list of features that enable a better user experience include HTML and Unicode support, customizable common buttons, radio buttons, "command link" buttons, expandable text area, progress bar, verification checkbox, user function callback on timer etc. All of these features can be easily set via an extensive component editor at designtime or via code at runtime.
	TLMDBrowseDlg Simple wrapper for the WIN32 BrowseForFolderDialog procedure. Created for the use in specialized edit controls.
	TLMDFileOpenDialog This File open dialog allows display of Microsoft Windows Vista style file open dialogs (in Vista). On non-Vista systems either default open dialog is shown or settings are taken from a linked TOpenDialog control.
	TLMDFileSaveDialog This File save dialog allows display of Microsoft Windows Vista style file open dialogs (in Vista). On non-Vista systems either default save dialog is shown or settings are taken from a linked TSaveDialog control.
	TLMDOpenWaveDialog TLMDOpenWaveDialog displays a modal Windows dialog box for selecting and opening Wave files.
	TLMDSaveWaveDialog TLMDSaveWaveDialog displays a modal Windows dialog box for selecting file names and saving Wave files.

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Tab "LMD Sys"		Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDApplicationCtrl First of all this component allows property and event handler settings of the non visual global TApplication object at design- instead of runtime. Secondarily additional properties and events of the global TLMDApplication object are provided. The TLMDApplication object adds e.g.ï new methods for controlling logfiles, global exception handling, time measurement or a global TLMDIniCtrl-object which can be accessed from your application at any place.
	TLMDTimerPool Use just one timer for various time-depending purposes. Processing is controlled either by using a central event-routine or calling a user-defined method. This component helps you saving resources especially on Windows 3.X (but certainly on other Windows versions as well).
	TLMDIniCtrl The TLMDIniCtrl component is an easy to use but very powerful tool to control inifiles or registry settings in one single component. All methods are used in the same way on Inifiles or Registry-Path depending on the setting of one property. In addition several LMD-Tools components can be linked to a TLMDIniCtrl component for saving their configuration values without writing any sourcecode.
	TLMDMRUList The TLMDMRUList component offers an easy to use tool to add a MRU(Most recently used)-Filelist to the files menu of your application. This component does almost all work for you! Since version 4.5 the menu can be connected to a TLMDSpeedButton component as well.
	TLMDOneInstance Safeguards that only one instance of your application can be executed. The component offers several options and an additional action event.
	TLMDSysInfo Provides system information like resources, environment variables, registrated user- and company-names. Many of these properties can be even set system-wide by this event.
	TLMDHint Extension of the standard hint. Use multiline hints at designtime, any font, various 3D- and bevel-effects are possible.
	TLMDNativeHint Simple control which allows use of Windows native (balloon) hints.
	TLMDShapeHint In contrast with TLMDHint this component is no descendant of the standard-hint. It provides extended abilities like special shapes (e. g. bubble, ellipse), several shadow modes, free positioning and various font- and 3D-effects.
	TLMDMessageHint Use this component to popup hint windows (as known from the TLMDShapeHint component) for displaying hint messages programmatically via methods at runtime.
	TLMDFMDrop Let your form/any TWinControl receive files easily per Drag&Drop from the filemanager.
	TLMDHookComponent Use the TLMDHookComponent control to subclass the window procedure of any TWinControl descendant (e.g. to analyze message queue of this control) using an event handler.
	TLMDCabCompress The TLMDCabCompress control allows simple and comfortable use of the compression features in Microsoft CABINET.DLL (well known from CAB files used by Microsoft installers). Advanced features like compression of complete directories, changing the compression ratio or progress event handlers (to provide end customer information about status of current operations) are provided.
	TLMDCabDeCompress The TLMDCabDeCompress control allows simple and comfortable use of the compression features in Microsoft CABINET.DLL (well known from CAB files used by Microsoft installers). This component is used to extract file(s) or directories fro m CAB files.
	TLMDTrayIcon Allows easy creation of applications for the traybar within Windows 95/Windows NT 4 (32bit only).
	TLMDGlobalHotKey The TLMDGlobalHotkey component allows you to define a global hotkey (systemwide). (32bit only).
	TLMDMousePositioner Positions the mousecursor relating to any control, a form or the default button.
	TLMDMouseFencer "Fences" the mousecursor in a control, a form or any given rectangle.
	TLMDStopWatch Use this component for precise time measurements. Can be connected to a Label (for automatic updates)
	TLMDObjectStorage Component for saving/restoring properties from/to components at runtime. Desired properties can be selected visually at designtime. No code required!
	TLMDRegExpr The TLMDRegExpr control can be used to handle any kind of regular expressions (e.g. test for valid eMail-address, text expressions etc.).
	TLMDExpressionEval This control can be used to evaluate any kind of math expression. Predefined and custom functions along with variables are supported.
	TLMDTripleClick Allows supporting triple clicks.

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Tab "LMD Form"		Rel. 8 SE	Rel. 7 SE
	TLMDFormVistaExtension This component allows to enable certain Windows Vista Aero specific features for Delphi/C++ IDEs before release 2007. On other operating systems this component has no functionality.
	TLMDFormGlass This component allows to enable the 'Glass'-effect for forms in Windows Vista Aero style (in Delphi/C++ IDEs before release 2007). On other operating systems this component has no functionality.
	TLMDFormPersistent Component which allows to control position, max./min. height and width of a form. Saving or restoring of size and position data (registry/inifile) is supported via connection to a TLMDIniCtrl component.
	TLMDForm Versatile tool which adds functionality like receiving system-events, controlling of window's position, max./min. height and width, saving or restoring size and position values to your form.
	TLMDBack Like TLMDFormFill but specialized on fast display of background images and support of semitransparent LMD controls (e.g. TLMDAniCtrl or TLMDScrollText). Must be linked to an Image- or BitmapList.
	TLMDFormFill Fills your form (also MDI forms) very fast with a background. You can choose a gradient, any bitmap with attributes like tile, stretch and center or naturally any brush styles. Can be linked to Image- or BitmapList components.
	TLMDFormShadow This small component adds a shadow effect to any form. Simply drop the component on the form and set the Shadow property - That's all! The color and transparency effects are customizable.
	TLMDFormStyler Amazingly change the look of your window's title bar. Use the gradient you know from the office-programs or use the 3D-fonts provided. You can even paint the title bar yourself!

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