Gimp Windows Cursor Guide

_{*Edit* The plugin download page does not seem to exist last I checked and ever since I updated to gimp 2.8 the plugin has created an error message and failed to work. This may be an issue with my gimp program only, but it is possible it may no longer work. If you know anything about gimp code and would like to update or fix the plugin or use gimp 2.6 still and would like a copy of the plugin I will upload the files upon request so you can use them. It included information on the .ani save format, so perhaps someone may be able to get it working for gimp 2.8 fairly easily. For now, I have found a useful free program called AniTuner that can take many file types gimp can create and assemble the images into a .ani file with many more options and better save formats. I suggest using gimp to make cursors and assembling the animation with that freeware if you experiance issues with this plugin as well. *end of edit*}


Before yelling at me about the catagory I posted in read the bottom of the guide! I had no choice!! I hope people can still find it.... Please help if you can!

I have been asked by some to make pointers, and I thought some of you may wish to make your own so here is a cusor guide for anyone interested in making their own windows mouse cursors in Gimp.
The above picture is a basic template you can use as a reference to color for a basic pointer.

Now for the guide!

1.Installation
You will need to download the plugin for gimp that allows you to save in the .ani format of pointers.
Use this [link] and download both of the files. You may need to use 7zip, winrar, or some other file decompressor to extract the files after downloading them.
The next step in installation is to place them in your plugin folder. Make sure you have all of the files from the
ani(Win32bin).zip and the winani(src).zip and then move them to your gimp plugin folder. For me this was C:\Users\your name\.gimp-2.6\plug-ins once correctly installed you should now be able to open and save as .ani files.

2. Creating the pointer.
I believe a pointer should always be a 32 by 32 pixel image. When saving you can choose where the spot for the tip of your pointer will be, but the default is the top left corner at 0,0. Use my template above (create a layer below it and color it in) or create any other shape you want and you will have to save as a .ani before you can use it. Animated cursors should be set up like a gif animation and saved as the .ani format as well. (.ani is an animated format that will work for nonanimated cursors as well, but you may look for a .cur format plugin if you want to save in the standard format (I don't know why you would need to unless you want to be more professional or something))

3. Hints for making it look better.
I have found many ways to create better looking pointers.
The first hint is to make sure the file takes up the entire 32:32 pixle area. My computer would expand and warp my pointers so that the small pointer takes up the entire area. I found that by placing an extreemly close to invisable pixel in the far corner solves this problem and is not visable when using the pointers. In the template this far corner would be the bottom right since it has no colored pixel in the same collumn or row. I believe I have done this already for the template, but you may need to do this if you start from scratch or if you erase that pixel.
My next hint is to avoid transparent pixles whenever possible to reduce the unsightly fuzz that often borders a pointer only when it is set on your computer. I do not know why, but even after doing this and erasing any stray marks there is still often that fuzz. Just keep trying to get rid of it by completely redrawing the effected area if necessary.

4. If you have a question or need more explanation then ask me! Don't give up because it sounds hard, it really is easy to get used to.
I hope this helps and tell me if that link does not work!(that site often goes down)

Have fun and be sure to tell others if they are interested!

I did not make the plugin and am not 100% sure this guide is in the right category sice it is being picky about what file types can be where and it will not let me post this under tutorials. The template would be useless without transparency!!!! Please spare me the highly technical questions and correct me if there is a better place for this guide that allows gif images.(Waves fish at DA regulations!!!) Thanks!
If the link does not work please tell me. The site has often gone down and that is why I have not posted this tutorial untill now.