Is there a way to change the cursor direction

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Level 1

59 points

Is there a way to change the cursor direction

I've been looking for this feature for years - since 2007. I want to change the direction in which the cursor points. It points left. I'm left-handed. If I use my mouse left-handed, it kind of feels like I need to bend my forearm in half to use it. I've had to learn to use the mouse right-handed. But this also means I can't use a Wacom tablet to draw with. Because I'm left-handed, and cursor points left.

I want to change the cursor so that it points right. Y'know, this is also an accessibility issue. What if my right arm were chopped off? Or I had a stroke and couldn't use my right arm? What if my right hand were in a cast? I've checked the accessibility settings. Nope. Keyboard and mouse settings. Nope.

I've Googled this. Apparently Google thinks the cursor is the same thing as a scroll.

Am I just out of luck?

Mac mini (Late 2014), macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Mar 20, 2018 10:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Roote

Level 4

1,643 points

Mar 22, 2018 5:43 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Thanks, good to know. I've found no functional advantage to a right pointing cursor, although some users may derive satisfaction from having one's left-handedness represented in interface iconography. For those who want to try Mousecape:

1. Download Mousecape.zip containing the 0.0.5 pre-release and install.

2. Install the helper tool from the menu bar by clicking Mousecape > Install Helper Tool.

3. From Mousecape preferences (Command-,) select "I am... left handed"

4. From the menu bar click Capes > Dump Cursors.

5. Click the cursor dump to highlight. Command-Enter to apply. Command-R to restore the default cursors.

Note, once set up the Mousecape app does not need to be running.

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Answer 2

Roote

Level 4

1,643 points

Mar 22, 2018 2:44 AM in response to tjennings

There is a cursor manager available on GitHub called Mousecape with an option to switch to right pointing cursors for users that are left-handed. The project was last updated four years ago and may or may not install or function on your version of macOS.

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Answer 3

Mar 20, 2018 11:17 AM in response to tjennings

tjennings wrote:

I've been looking for this feature for years - since 2007.

I know of no standard way to accomplish this task. It is possible third party app however it is messing with System files which may not go over well. I am sure you would have to temporarily disable SIP—You can try flipping (inverting) a pdf file, but I suspect you will have a tracking problem, and then sort a way of dialing in the pointer.

The complete path to the cursor folder:

/System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/H IServices.framework/Versions/A/Resource

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Answer 4

tjennings Author

Level 1

59 points

Mar 20, 2018 11:25 AM in response to leroydouglas

In 35 years of using Apple products, I've never gotten the impression they pay attention to feedback. When they made huge changes to the iCal look and function, people were screaming all over the support groups and internet. Three to four years. No changes. And do you think people screaming about the loss of ports have been paid attention to? Apple decides what we will work with, and we're going to like it. 😉 I did give Apple feedback a few times on the accessibility of not being able to change the cursor direction. 9 years. Nada.

Apple feedback is good for venting, but I don't think it makes a bit of difference to Apple.

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