1.  Create a customer cursor using the ImageEditor.

    Set the "hot spot" by selecting Cursor | Set Hot Spot

    (Note the ImageEditor in Delphi 2 has a bug in setting the hot spot.
    The easiest work around is to use Delphi 3.)


2.  Save the cursor in a resource file (.RES) with a name different from
    any form unit you have.

    That is, don't pick a name that is the same as any of the .DFM files,
    for example, Cursors.RES.


3.  Add the statement {$R filename.RES} after "implementation":

    implementation
    {$R *.DFM}
    {$R Cursors.RES}


4.  Define constants for the user-defined cursors that are positive values.
    (Zero and negative numbers are already assigned or are reserved.)

    For example:

      CONST
        crTarget          = 1;
        crPencil          = 2;
        crCrossHair       = 3;
        crX               = 4;
        crCircle          = 5;
        crBox             = 6;


5.  In the TForm.FormCreate, load the cursors from the .RES file:

    // Load cursors from resource file
    Screen.Cursors[crTarget]    := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'TARGET');
    Screen.Cursors[crPencil]    := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'PENCIL');
    Screen.Cursors[crCrossHair] := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'CROSSHAIR');
    Screen.Cursors[crX]         := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'X');
    Screen.Cursors[crCircle]    := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'CIRCLE');
    Screen.Cursors[crBox]       := LoadCursor(hInstance,  'BOX');

    Note the resource names must be in uppercase.


6a. Use a TRY .. FINALLY Block when using cursors:


    Screen.Cursor := crCircle;
    TRY
       < other statements here >
    FINALLY
       Screen.Cursor := crDefault
    END;


6b. Or, set the Mouse Cursor during MouseDown and reset it during Mouse Up

    MouseDown:

      IF   DrawingLeftMouseDown
      THEN Screen.Cursor := crPencil
      ELSE Screen.Cursor := crCrossHair;

    MouseUp:
      Screen.Cursor := crDefault;