Animated cursor creator
Draw a pixel cursor or import an image, add frames, place the hotspot and download a real Windows .cur (static) or .ani (animated) file. It starts with a working example, so you can experiment straight away.
Tools
Frame 1 of 4 · 32×32
Hover the canvas · hotspot 5, 4
Draw with the pencil. The orange marker is the hotspot (the click point). Drop an image on the canvas to import it.
Timeline · 4 frames · 0.47 s loop
Windows plays cursors in 1/60 s steps, so durations are rounded to the nearest 16.7 ms. The preview uses the same rounding.
Canvas
Checking for a saved project…
Live preview
Hotspot
The pixel that counts as the click. Use the Hotspot tool, or type coordinates. It applies to every frame.
Import image
PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF (first frame) or any image your browser can open. It is scaled to 32×32; nothing is uploaded.
Save / export
All 4 frames, 0.47 s loop, hotspot 5,4.
Single frame only: frame 1, the one selected now. No animation.
Your project autosaves in this browser only. Download your cursor to keep a real file.
How to install a cursor on Windows
- Download your cursor (.cur for a static pointer, .ani for an animated one) and keep the file somewhere permanent, such as C:\Windows\Cursors or your Documents folder.
- Press Win + R, type main.cpl and press Enter. (Or open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Mouse → Additional mouse settings.)
- Open the Pointers tab and pick the role you want to replace, such as “Normal Select” or “Working in Background”.
- Click Browse…, choose your .cur or .ani file and click Open.
- Click Apply. To keep several roles together, use Save As… to store them as a scheme.
To go back, open the same Pointers tab and click Use Default.
Static or animated?
.cur — static
One image: the frame you have selected. Works anywhere Windows or a browser accepts a cursor.
.ani — animated
Every frame with its own timing, looping. Install it through the Windows Mouse settings. Web pages can't use .ani.
GIF export is not part of this tool. Looking to animate a photo or artwork instead? Try the AniFX studio or browse the effects.
Cursor creator FAQ
What is the difference between .cur and .ani?
A .cur file is one static pointer image with a hotspot. An .ani file is an animated cursor: several .cur-style frames plus the timing for each frame. AniFX writes both formats itself; it does not rename PNG or GIF files.
Which size should I choose?
32×32 is the classic Windows size and the safest choice. 48×48 and 64×64 stay sharper when Windows pointer size is increased or on high-DPI displays; Windows scales them down at the default size.
What is the hotspot?
The single pixel Windows treats as the click point. For an arrow it is the tip; for a crosshair it is the centre. AniFX stores the same hotspot in every frame.
Is anything uploaded?
No. Drawing, image import and file creation all happen in your browser. Your project autosaves in your own browser storage (never uploaded), but that copy can be lost if you clear site data, so download your cursor to keep it.
Does it work on Mac or Linux?
.cur and .ani are Windows formats. You can create them on any desktop browser, but they can only be installed as system pointers on Windows. Browsers can use a static .cur on web pages; animated .ani files are not supported by web browsers as page cursors.
Have these files been tested on Windows?
The files follow the documented Windows cursor structures and were checked with independent parsers, but they have not been installed on a real Windows machine by the AniFX team yet. If a file misbehaves for you, try the 32×32 size first.