How to Make a Cursor With Photoshop

by poopster101

136K3758

Intro: How to Make a Cursor With Photoshop

This is how to make a cursor with photoshop.
I will be making my cell phone as a cursor.

STEP 1: Open Explorer

First download the attached plugin and put it in the directory C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins\File Formats.

STEP 2: Open Photoshop

Open Photoshop and create a new file, 32x32 and give it a solid color background---(it wont show up later)

STEP 3: Make Cursor

Make what you want your cursor to look like.
Then use the magic wand tool and select the background color.

STEP 4: Now Add It to an Alpha Channel

Now we are going to add it to an alpha channel by pressing Select--->Save Selection...
Then we name it like BG or something.
Then Deselect (Ctrl+D)

STEP 5: Now Save

Go File--->Save as...---> Type name and use scrollbox to select *.cur

STEP 6: Apply Cursor

Go to control panel ---> Mouse ---> Pointer ---> Browse
Then find your cursor and press ok

STEP 7: DONE!!!

Now we are done.

60 Comments

LauraR5 9 years ago

Where can I find the plug-in?

craft-n-genius 10 years ago

This doesn't seem to apply to Windows 8... any suggestions??? I am DYING to make this.

naz3 15 years ago

I found it much easier to just use the Alpha 1 channel from the Channel drop down, instead of creating a new channel. For some reason it wouldn't work correctly with the above instructions.

nenom 14 years ago

How do i do that? I'm new to photoshop

Energyzed 12 years ago

1. Make the Background behind your cursor black. 2. Make sure the picture and the background color are on the same layer (Merge/Flatten Image if need be). 3. Using the wand tool select your background color (also make sure the "Contiguous" box is checked for the wand tool's settings, and nothing else; this should be at the top of the window including "anti-alias" & "sample all layers") 4. Save your selection as a new channel, name it whatever you want (Select>Save Selection). 5. Deselect. 6.Zoom in on your picture at 800% and select 1 pixel somewhere in the top left corner (This is for the hotspot). 7. Save the selected pixel as a new alpha channel (same as last time). 8. Save as a .CUR file and you're done! :D

nenom 12 years ago

Thanks man will try out soon :)

asdffsdaf 13 years ago

It dont works for CS5!!

Energyzed 12 years ago

1. Make the Background behind your cursor black. 2. Make sure the picture and the background color are on the same layer (Merge/Flatten Image if need be). 3. Using the wand tool select your background color (also make sure the "Contiguous" box is checked for the wand tool's settings, and nothing else; this should be at the top of the window including "anti-alias" & "sample all layers") 4. Save your selection as a new channel, name it whatever you want (Select>Save Selection). 5. Deselect. 6.Zoom in on your picture at 800% and select 1 pixel somewhere in the top left corner (This is for the hotspot). 7. Save the selected pixel as a new alpha channel (same as last time). 8. Save as a .CUR file and you're done! :D

DirtyBrain 13 years ago

Doesn't work. I am in CS3 and the bg is solid...I tried white, black, green, and none, and it doesn't show right when applied.

Energyzed 12 years ago

1. Make the Background behind your cursor black. 2. Make sure the picture and the background color are on the same layer (Merge/Flatten Image if need be). 3. Using the wand tool select your background color (also make sure the "Contiguous" box is checked for the wand tool's settings, and nothing else; this should be at the top of the window including "anti-alias" & "sample all layers") 4. Save your selection as a new channel, name it whatever you want (Select>Save Selection). 5. Deselect. 6.Zoom in on your picture at 800% and select 1 pixel somewhere in the top left corner (This is for the hotspot). 7. Save the selected pixel as a new alpha channel (same as last time). 8. Save as a .CUR file and you're done! :D

woahtheresmarcus 13 years ago

I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0 and when I open the file it asks me if I want to allow the file to open in the Editor. If I click allow, it will only open the program. My dilema is, I'm not able to open the file and move it to my programs.

If anyone has any tips on how I can fix this, please respond or PM me ASAP!

Thanks.

gandora99 13 years ago

mine has worked fine great instructable
thanks!!

zozo10 13 years ago

why would you want a cellphone as your cursor??

karma-laboratory 13 years ago

Thank you for this instructables! Used it today. You would think that for an expensive piece of software, Photoshop would already export icons without any help but I guess not.

sajib86 13 years ago

yah it does. I'm still using that  cursor

PillsHere 14 years ago

Does anyone have a plugin that saves an a .ANI?

wolf555hound 15 years ago

How could I possibly find a CS4 plug-in for the cursor?
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