ArtCursors Editor's Review

If you get tired of your cursor, you might try 'ArtCursors'.This program is designed to help you create new, custom cursors.

You will begin by selecting the size, colors, conversion mode and resample filter of your new cursor. The size might be between 16 x 16 and 256 x 256 or custom. If you chose 'Custom' your cursor might be square or you could choose the width and height by yourself. The colors might vary from 'Monochrome' (1 bit) to 'True Color + Alpha' (32 bits). The conversion mode could be 'cut', 'dither' and 'gray scale' but this option and the 'Resample filter' couldn't be tested because they are not available in the trial version.

In the main window you will see many features and some of them are repeating themselves. For example there are two features, one freezes the transparency channel and the other freezes the RGB channel, which appear above the working area and on its right side. If you want to see a button description, on mouse over it will appear in the status bar. Besides creating a static cursor, you can create an animated one where you can set even the frame display time for each frame or for all frames and the maximum number of frames might be unlimited.

You can create, import and export animated GIF images and you can use many effects such as gradient. The hot spot can be placed where you want by clicking on the 'Hot Spot' button an then on the pixel you want to be the hot spot. You can create libraries with your custom cursors and you can use your old cursors and customize them.

The interface is not hard to use but before you start using the program you might want to read the help file if you are not familiar with previous versions of 'ArtCursors'.

Pluses: It offers you many features to choose from. The right click is the undo or erase button.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: It's very useful program if you are bored with your old cursor and you might find it interesting to work with.

version reviewed: 5.18