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Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference

Pointer (Predefined)

Reference

Description

A predefined pointer is a set of standardized pointers that indicate model interactions or operations of the user interface.

Table 19 describes predefined pointer shapes.

Table 19. Pointer Shapes

Appearance Name Hot Spot Location Function

 Arrow Tip of the arrow Normal mode

 Cannot Center No input allowed

 Wait Center Action in progress
I-beam Baseline Text position
4-directional arrow Center Move/Resize
Resize (8 pointers) Tip of the arrow Resize
Sighting Center Precise positioning
Question Period Help mode
Right arrow Tip of the arrow Menu selection

When to Use

Required
Display the arrow pointer to indicate the normal or predominant mode of operation of the user interface.

Required
Display the cannot pointer to indicate that the element under the pointer is not a valid target for a data transfer.

Required
Display the cannot pointer to indicate that action is expected in another visible area before input is accepted in the area under the pointer.

Required
Display a wait pointer to indicate that the user cannot currently interact with the element the pointer is over because some action is in progress in that area.

Required
Display an arrow pointer or an I-beam pointer when the pointer is in a text field.

Required
Display a question pointer when the interface is in context-sensitive help mode.

Required
Display the right arrow pointer when a spring-loaded control is displayed and the interface is waiting for a choice to be made.

Recommended
Display an I-beam pointer when the pointer is being used to initiate a text field in a graphic selection scope.

Recommended
Display an I-beam pointer to indicate that the pointer is over an area where the user can locate a text cursor or select a character sequence.

Recommended
Display the 4-directional arrow pointer if a specific object is being moved without restrictions on its placement.

Recommended
Display the 4-directional arrow pointer after the user initiates a resize operation on a specific element, but before the edge or corner to be resized has been determined.

Recommended
Display one of the eight resize pointers when the pointer, in the predominant mode of operation, is on an element that controls resizing in that direction.

Recommended
Display one of the eight resize pointers when resizing in the indicated direction.

Recommended
Display an arrow or sighting pointer when the pointer is in a viewing area in which the user can specify a precise position for placing a visual element.

Recommended
Display the sighting pointer if the user is in a context in which a precise positioning operation can be initiated, and while the user is performing the operation.

Guidelines

Required
Ignore all mouse button and keyboard actions (except changes in modifier keys) while the cannot pointer or the wait pointer is visible.

Required
Use the predefined pointers when a user performs an operation that uses predefined modal interactions or operations.

Recommended
If a user cannot interact with an element because a current task would normally be affected by that element, display the wait pointer while the pointer is over that element. Do not prevent a user from interacting with elements that will not be affected by a current task.

Essential Related Topics

For more information, see the Cursor and Pointer reference pages.

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