Why doesn't the new-component wizard display any ancestor classes?

4
votes

I'm trying to create new VCL component in RAD Studio XE2. I got the same result using C++ Builder or Delphi:

New-component wizard displaying no ancestors

How do I get the list of VCL components? I tried "repair setup," but no success.

2
delphiidec++buildervcl
What's that Wizard supposed to do? I've never seen it! I don't think you need it. – Cosmin Prund
@CosminPrund: Really? It's been there for quite a while. I just checked Delphi 4 on my Windows 95 machine, and the same functionality is found there, but not in the form of a 'wizard'. Rather, it's a simple dialog box. Still, you don't need it. – Andreas Rejbrand
@AndreasRejbrand, probably decided a long time ago there's nothing worth clicking in the Component menu. Except "Install Packages", and only for troubleshooting. – Cosmin Prund
@Tracer: No, you don't need it. – Andreas Rejbrand
It takes more time to use this wizard to create a new component than it does to just write the raw code. I've used this wizard once in my life in Delphi 7, and realized right away how unnecessary it is. However, if this wizard is still available in Delphi, then surely it should work. – Jerry Dodge

2 Answers

5
votes

That happens when your list of design-time packages is empty. So, somehow I guess you have lost your design-time packages. Restore them like this:

  1. From the menu select Component | Install Packages.
  2. If you see anything in the list, check, at the very least, Embarcadero Standard Components.
  3. If Embarcadero Standard Components is not in the list, click Add and browse to the Delphi bin directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Embarcadero\RAD Studio\9.0\bin).
  4. Once there, select dclstd160.bpl.
  5. Also add any other packages that you need. You may wish to include more than just the standard components.

At this point the New Component dialog will start offering you some ancestor components.

0
votes

For those who still have not solved the problem, it seems that the PowerPDF Package inhibits listing of ancestors. (for unknown reasons) If you have installed it, try temporarily disabling it in Component/Installed packages (uncheck the PowerPDF Design-time package). Magically, all your ancestors will reappear....:-)