TCR to CUR Converter

Free online TCR to CUR cursor format conversion

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Text to Custom Cursor

Convert TCR PalmOS text into CUR format — an unusual but creative way to turn legacy ebook content into Windows cursor graphics.

Works on Any Platform

Start the conversion from any device with a web browser. The resulting CUR file is designed for Windows cursor customization workflows.

Instant Results

TCR files are tiny and CUR output is equally compact — the whole conversion wraps up in seconds on Convertio servers.

How to convert TCR to CUR

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose cur or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your cur file right afterwards

About formats

TCR (Text Compression for Reader) is a compressed plain-text ebook format developed by Barry Childress in the early 1990s for the Psion Series 3 family of palmtop computers. The format was created for Childress's Reader3 application, a text file viewer that needed to fit large books into the Psion's extremely limited storage — typically 128 KB to 2 MB of available memory. TCR uses a dictionary-based compression scheme derived from the earlier ZVR format by Ian Giddings, replacing repeated byte sequences with single-byte tokens that reference a header dictionary. This straightforward approach achieves compression ratios of roughly 40-60% on typical English prose while requiring minimal CPU resources for decompression. The Psion Series 3 ran on a 3.84 MHz NEC V30 processor with no floating-point unit, so TCR's low computational overhead was essential for smooth page-by-page reading. A key advantage is remarkable storage efficiency for its simplicity — users could carry dozens of novels on removable SSD cards that held only a few hundred kilobytes. The format found a dedicated user community among Psion enthusiasts who built libraries of compressed literature for portable reading years before smartphones existed. Though the Psion platform faded from the market in the early 2000s, TCR files can still be opened and converted by modern ebook tools, and the format stands as an early example of purpose-built mobile reading technology from the pre-smartphone era.
Developer: Barry Childress
Initial release: 1993
CUR is the cursor image format for Microsoft Windows), structurally nearly identical to the ICO (icon) format but with the addition of a hotspot coordinate that identifies the precise pixel position where mouse clicks register. Introduced with early Windows versions, CUR files use the same container structure as ICO: a directory header listing one or more image entries, each specifying dimensions and color depth, followed by the pixel data for each variant. Like ICO, a single CUR file can contain multiple images at different sizes and color depths, allowing Windows to select the most appropriate cursor image for the current display resolution and color settings. Image data within CUR files can be stored as BMP pixel arrays (for legacy compatibility) or as embedded PNG images (supported since Windows Vista) for alpha-blended cursors with smooth edges. The hotspot coordinate — the distinguishing feature separating CUR from ICO — is stored as an X,Y pair in the directory entry header, typically pointing to the tip of an arrow or the center of a crosshair. One advantage is multi-resolution packaging: a single CUR file provides appropriate cursor imagery across display densities from standard DPI to high-DPI screens. Native Windows integration is another strength — CUR files are loaded directly by the operating system for mouse cursor) display without any third-party software. CUR files are used by application developers and theme creators to customize the pointing experience across Windows environments.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert TCR to CUR?

TCR is an ancient PalmOS text format. CUR creates a Windows cursor image from text — useful for custom cursor designs or novelty applications.

Is the TCR to CUR conversion free?

You can convert TCR to CUR for free on convertio.tools. Larger or more frequent conversions are available with a subscription plan.

How is CUR different from ICO?

CUR is structurally identical to ICO but includes a hotspot coordinate that defines where the click point sits within the cursor graphic.

Will my text be visible in a cursor?

Cursors are typically small (32x32 pixels), so only a character or brief snippet of TCR text will be legible at standard cursor resolution.

How quickly does TCR to CUR conversion finish?

Most conversions complete within seconds. Larger files may take slightly longer, but cloud processing keeps it fast regardless of your device.