Limelight
What is a Virtual Pointer?
A virtual pointer is a software-generated marker shown on screen to indicate where a presenter wants the audience to look, replacing a physical laser or stick.
A virtual pointer is any on-screen element drawn by software to point at or emphasize a location on a display. Unlike the regular operating-system cursor, which simply tracks the mouse for clicking, a virtual pointer is a deliberate presentation aid: a dot, ring, glow, or arrow rendered over the content so remote and in-room viewers can follow the speakers focus.
A virtual pointer differs from a physical laser pointer, which projects light onto a real surface and cannot be seen in screen recordings or video calls. It also differs from the standard mouse cursor, which is always present and not designed to draw attention. Some virtual pointers move with the mouse automatically, while others are placed manually.
Virtual pointers are common in screen presenting, software demos, online teaching, and recorded tutorials, where a clear visual cue keeps viewers oriented. In Limelight, a macOS menu-bar app, the cursor spotlight acts as a virtual pointer: a soft glow follows your mouse (⌃⌥1) so attention tracks naturally to wherever you move, layered over any app and captured by any recorder or meeting tool.
Why Limelight
- ▸A software-drawn marker, not the OS cursor or a physical laser
- ▸Visible in screen recordings and video calls, unlike laser light
- ▸Can follow the mouse automatically or be placed by hand
- ▸Limelights cursor spotlight follows the pointer via ⌃⌥1
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FAQ
- How is a virtual pointer different from the mouse cursor?
- The mouse cursor is the always-on system pointer for clicking. A virtual pointer is a separate visual added on top to emphasize a spot for an audience.
- Can a virtual pointer be recorded?
- Yes. Because it is drawn on screen, any screen recorder or video-call app captures it, unlike a physical laser pointer aimed at a wall.