[Contents]
[Index]
[Next]
[Previous]
Pointer Shapes
Description
You should not create new mouse pointer shapes for functions that
already have mouse pointer shapes associated with them, except for
localization; however, you can create new mouse pointer shapes for
functions not already associated with a pointer shape. You should not
use a predefined shape to symbolize a function it was not designed to
represent.
A list of the defined pointer shapes follows, along with their
usage and hotspots. The hotspot of a pointer is the actual position on
the pointer that tracks the movements of the mouse. As the pointer
changes from one shape to another, the location of the hotspot must
not move on the screen. The hotspot is the precise location on the
pointer where mouse actions occur.
- The upper-left pointing arrow pointer is a general-purpose
pointer. It is used in most window areas for single-object selection
and activation. The hotspot for the arrow pointer should be in the
point of the arrow.
- You can optionally use an I-beam pointer in any Text component.
It is used to change the location of the text insertion cursor and to
perform actions on text. If the I-beam is used, it can be hidden
during the time between any keyboard action and a mouse movement.
This helps the user distinguish the I-beam pointer from the text
insertion cursor, which can also be an I-beam. The hotspot for the
I-beam pointer should be on the vertical bar of the I-beam about
one-third up from the bottom.
- The X pointer can indicate when the pointer is outside of any
application area. The hotspot for the X pointer should be where the
lines intersect.
- The resize pointers indicate positions for area resize, and they
remain during a resize operation. The direction of the arrow in the
pointer indicates the direction of increasing size. The horizontal and
vertical pointers indicate resize in either the horizontal or vertical
direction. The diagonal pointers indicate resize in both the
horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously. The hotspot for
the resizing pointers should be on the elbow or the line at the
position pointed to by the arrow.
- The hourglass pointer, a working pointer, indicates that an
action is in progress in the area, and that the pointer has no effect
in the area. While the hourglass pointer is active, all mouse button
and keyboard events are ignored in the area. The hotspot for the
hourglass pointer should be located at the center of the hourglass,
although it should not be used for activation. The hourglass pointer
can be used interchangeably with the watch pointer.
- The watch pointer, a working pointer, indicates that an action
is in progress in the area, and that the pointer has no effect in the
area. While the watch pointer is active, all mouse button and keyboard
events are ignored in the area. The hotspot for the watch pointer
should be located at the top of the watch, although it should not be
used for activation. The watch pointer can be used interchangeably
with the hourglass pointer.
- The 4-directional arrow pointer indicates a move operation is in
progress, or a resize operation before the resize direction has been
determined. During a move operation, the object, or an outline of the
object should move to track the location of the pointer. During a
resize operation, the pointer is used to indicate a direction for
resizing. The 4-directional arrow pointer should change to the
appropriate resize arrow when the resize direction is determined,
either by crossing an object boundary with the pointer or by pressing
a keyboard direction key. The hotspot for the 4-directional arrow
pointer should be at the spot where the arrows intersect.
- The sighting pointer is used to make fine position selections.
For example, in a drawing program it can be used to indicate a pixel
to fill or the connecting points of lines. The hotspot for the
sighting pointer should be at the spot where the lines intersect.
- The caution pointer is used to indicate that action is expected
in another area before input can be given to the current area, and
that the pointer has no effect in the area. While the caution pointer
is active, all mouse button and keyboard events are ignored in the
area. The hotspot for the caution pointer should be located at the
center of the caution symbol, although it should not be used for
activation.
- The question pointer is used to request an input position or
component from the user. This is often used to input an object for
interactive help. The user requests interactive help, then the
question pointer is displayed to allow the user to indicate what
position or component help is requested for. The hotspot for the
question pointer should be at the bottom of the question mark.
- You can optionally use an arrow pointing to the upper-right
corner to indicate a pending Menu action. This shape indicates that a
Menu is popped up or pulled down and waiting for a Menu item to be
activated or the Menu to be removed. The hotspot for this arrow
pointer should be in the point of the arrow.
Related Information
See Input Models for information on
the input device model and designing new pointer shapes.