GDI Render Mode
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The GDI (Graphics Device Interface) Render Mode is available under all supported operating system versions and used as the default render mode for all DevExpress VCL controls. In this mode, DevExpress controls use a combination of GDI and GDI+ API-based canvases to render content and user interface elements. Controls use a GDI-based canvas as the base content layer while GDI+ API-based canvases are used to display transparent shapes on top of the base layer.
Note
GDI is the only render mode available at design time.
Advanced Render Modes
In addition to the base render mode, the following advanced render modes are available for graphics-rich DevExpress VCL controls:
- DirectX
- This render mode uses parallel calculations and utilizes a client machine’s integrated or discrete GPU to render content and UI elements. This mode gives the most significant performance boost for graphics-rich applications in high-DPI environments but has a number of limitations, such as incompatibility with the GDI Scaled mode. Refer to the DirectX render mode description for details.
- GDI+
- This render mode is designed for graphics-intense controls that display multiple semitransparent shapes, images, and inscriptions. Use this render mode if DirectX® render mode limitations prevent you from using it in your project.
Supported DevExpress VCL Controls
The following graphics-rich controls support advanced render modes:
- VCL Chart Control
- Allows you to visualize data as bar, area, line, pie, and doughnut series with multiple chart appearance customization options.
- VCL Tile Controls
- TdxTileControl and TdxTileBar controls allow you to create touch-friendly user interfaces inspired by Microsoft Windows® 8.
- VCL Gallery Control
A gallery control is designed to display a set of items categorized into groups and arranged into rows and columns. Gallery controls include:
- TdxGalleryControl
- A gallery control.
- TdxColorGallery
- An unbound color gallery control.
- TdxDBColorGallery
- A data-aware color gallery control.
- VCL Gantt Control
- A project management tool that allows users to schedule activities related to project goals.
Switch Between Render Modes
You can switch between render modes application-wide or for individual controls.
Global Render Mode Setting
Use one of the following look-and-feel render mode properties to switch between render modes application-wide:
The RenderMode property available in the TcxLookAndFeelController and TdxSkinController components.
The RenderMode property available in the root look-and-feel settings. Call the RootLookAndFeel global function to access this property.
Individual Render Mode Settings
Use an individual control’s LookAndFeel.RenderMode property to switch between render modes for this control. This setting has priority over global render mode settings.
Limitations
Render mode settings do not affect controls that support only the GDI render mode.