Cursor (user interface): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:15, 23 January 2024

Revision as of 20:48, 27 January 2024

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{{use dmy dates|date=August 2021|cs1-dates=y}}

[[File:Text cursor blinking.gif|right|frame|A blinking text cursor while typing the word "''Wikipedia"''.]]

In [[human–computer interaction]], a '''cursor''' is an indicator used to show the current position on a [[computer monitor]] or other [[display device]] that will respond to input.

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== Pointer ==

[[File:CursorListHorizontal.png|thumb|The common pointer roles for a pointer set.]]

[[File:mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg|thumb|right|Common pointer types (enlarged)]]

In [[computing]], a '''pointer''' or '''mouse pointer''' (as part of a [[personal computer]] [[WIMP (computing)|WIMP]] style of interaction)<ref name="nytimes cellphone">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/science/17map.html | title=The Cellphone, Navigating Our Lives | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=February 16, 2009 | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Markoff, John | ___location=New York | quote=[...] so-called WIMP interface — for windows, icons, menus, pointer [...]}}</ref><ref name="microsoft ">{{cite web | url=http://research.microsoft.com/apps/pubs/default.aspx?id=68165 | title=Haptic Issues for Virtual Manipulation | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | date=December 1996 | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Hinckley, Ken | quote=The Windows-Icons-Menus-Pointer (WIMP) interface paradigm dominates modern computing systems.}}</ref><ref name="microsoft input technologies">{{cite web | url=http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/kenh/papers/InputChapter.pdf | title=Input Technologies and Techniques | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | access-date=December 14, 2011 | author=Hinckley, Ken | quote=Researchers are looking to move beyond the current "WIMP" (Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointer) interface [...] }}</ref> is a symbol or graphical image on the [[computer monitor]] or other [[display device]] that echoes movements of the [[pointing device]], commonly a [[mouse (computing)|mouse]], [[touchpad]], or [[digital pen|stylus]] pen. It signals the point where actions of the user take place. It can be used in [[Text-based user interface|text-based]] or [[graphical user interface]]s to select and move other elements. It is distinct from the cursor, which responds to [[computer keyboard|keyboard]] input. The cursor may also be repositioned using the pointer.

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====I-beam pointer====

[[File: I-beam pointer.png|thumb|The I-beam pointer.]]

The I-beam pointer (also called the I-cursor) is a cursor shaped like a [[serif]]ed capital letter "I". The purpose of this cursor is to indicate that the text beneath the cursor can be highlighted and sometimes inserted or changed.<ref>[http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/i/ibeam.htm ComputerHope.com]</ref>

=== Pointer trails and animation ===

[[Image:PointerTrails.png|thumb|right|An example of mouse pointer trails.]]

'''{{vanchor|Pointer trails}}'''<!-- [[Pointer trails]] redirects here --> can be used to enhance its visibility during movement. Pointer trails are a feature of GUI [[operating system]]s to enhance the visibility of the pointer. Although disabled by default, pointer trails have been an option in every version of Microsoft Windows since [[Windows 3.1x]].

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== 3D cursor ==

[[File:Blender3DCursor.png|thumb|An example of the 3D cursor within Blender (center).]]

The idea of a cursor being used as a marker or insertion point for new data or transformations, such as rotation, can be extended to a [[3D modeling]] environment. [[Blender (software)|Blender]], for instance, uses a 3D cursor to determine where operations such as placing [[Polygon mesh|meshes]] are to take place in the 3D viewport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3D Cursor — Blender Manual |url=https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/editors/3dview/3d_cursor.html |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=docs.blender.org}}</ref>