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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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