Create your own cursor files in Photoshop.
Mouse cursors on computers are actually image-based designs used to display and interact with the screen. A standard mouse cursor uses the CUR file format, while animated mouse cursor files use the ANI file format. Both file types rely on ICO file creation. While that compatibility is not built directly into Adobe Photoshop, a plug-in can adapt to this and allow you to create custom cursors.
Instructions
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- 1
Download the ICO File Format plug-in from Telegraphics. At the time of publication, the plug-in is free with a requested donation. Select your operating system and follow the installation instructions.
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Copy and paste the downloaded file into the "File Formats" folder for your version of Photoshop. This is located in the Plug-Ins folder.
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Open Photoshop once the plug-in has been successfully installed.
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Click "File" and choose "Open" to select a pre-made Windows cursor file. Instead of starting from scratch, you can base designs off a cursor and turn it into your own. Go to "Windows" and click "Cursors" to select a pre-made cursor image.
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Edit the cursor design in Photoshop. Use the Tools panel to make changes and set the colors you want for the cursor. For example, click on the "Paintbrush" tool and select a shade of blue from the color palette. Set the brush size in the top toolbar and click on the cursor to paint the areas you want. Use the Fill Bucket tool to completely cover an area with color. Use the Text tool to add custom text to a cursor, such as initials.
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Click on "File" and select "Save As." Type in the file name and add the "CUR" extension after it. Press "OK."
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Open a CUR or image file you want to use for the animated cursor. Photoshop cannot directly create the final animation, but you can set up each image for use with the software.
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Save each new animated file of the cursor as an ICO extension. For example, save the original arrow as "arrow_1." Make the slight adjustment for the animation and save it as "arrow_2." Repeat this until you have a separate image file for each frame of the animation.
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Download and install AniTune. This software allows you to piece together the images and create the animated cursor file.
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Open the application. Drag and drop all of your images into the large white box. Make sure the images are in the proper order for the animation.
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Click on the "Render" icon. Select a name for the file and the ".ANI" extension is automatically added. Exit out of the software once it's complete.
