TMS IDE Rich Clip is a free productivity plugin created by TMS Software for the RAD Studio (Delphi and C++Builder) development environments. It allows you to select source code within your IDE editor and copy it to the clipboard as fully formatted rich text (RTF) or HTML, completely preserving your custom IDE syntax highlighting colors.
This eliminates the need to manually re-colorize plain text or use external macros when pasting your Delphi code snippets into text editors like Microsoft Word, documentation systems, or blogs. Key Features
Format Preservation: Copies selected source code keeping colors, bolding, and custom fonts.
Two Output Modes: Adds dedicated commands for both “Copy as RTF” and “Copy as HTML”.
Automatic Detection: Dynamically retrieves your active IDE syntax highlighting color settings without configuration. How to Install and Implement it in your IDE
Because TMS IDE Rich Clip is a pre-built plugin designed to augment the RAD Studio IDE itself, you do not write code to “implement” it. Instead, you install it as an IDE package wrapper. Step 1: Verification and Download
Check your IDE version. The standalone legacy package officially supports Delphi XE3 through 10.1 Berlin.
Download the plugin from the TMS Free Tools Registry or as part of the broader TMS IDE Plugin Pack. Step 2: Compiling and Installing the Package Open RAD Studio.
Select File > Open Project and navigate to the unzipped TMS IDE Rich Clip folder.
Open the corresponding package file (e.g., .dproj or .dpk) matching your IDE version.
In the Project Manager panel on the right, right-click the package name and select Compile. Right-click the package again and choose Install.
A popup notification will confirm the successful installation and mapping of the component hooks. How to Use the Plugin
Once active, the plugin hooks directly into the editor context menus.
Highlight the code block you want to share inside the Delphi code editor. Access the features via two methods:
Right-click the highlighted text to access the code editor context menu. Navigate to the top main menu under Edit. Select your format:
Copy as RTF: Best for pasting seamlessly into desktop text processors like Microsoft Word, Outlook, or writing project documentation.
Copy as HTML: Best for web developers, blogging engines, content management systems (CMS), or sharing snippets via web tools. Troubleshooting & Modern Alternatives
If you are using a version of RAD Studio newer than 10.1 Berlin (such as Delphi 11 Alexandria or Delphi 12), the standalone legacy package will not install natively.
Check the GetIt Package Manager: Open Tools > GetIt Package Manager inside modern RAD Studio versions. Search for “TMS IDE Plugin Pack” or “Rich Clip” to see if an updated compiled package has been uploaded directly to the IDE store registry.
Built-in IDE Alternatives: Modern editions of RAD Studio have incorporated basic syntax-highlighted copying variations directly into the environment settings. Check your IDE’s Tools > Options > User Interface > Editor settings to see if “Copy as RTF” has been natively toggled on for your default clipboard behavior.
If you are trying to build this functionality yourself rather than using the plugin, let me know! I can provide details on writing an OTA (Open Tools API) plugin or handling RTF formats via the Windows Clipboard API. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more TMS IDE Rich Clip
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