Object-oriented global cursor tool which operates in an incompatible document by embedding a compatible frame in the document

An innovative system and method provide a cursor tool framework and tool server with support for multiple cursors on any given system, and supports the selection of a cursor tool utilizing a cursor. The framework and server facilitate the association of cursor tools to a cursor in a process independent space such that tools can be used cross-process and cross-document. The framework also provides default functionality for communication among cursor tools and the canvas on which they are used. This high degree of interaction allows any cursor tool and any document to function together such that the cursor tool can be written without the knowledge of the document developer. A frame creation tool awaits the detection of a mouse button depression. Then, a document component is created. The document component type is assigned at a tools inception. Then a rectangle interactor is invoked. The rectangle interactor provides a rubber band GUI pivoting around a first selected point. The interactor continues to process until the mouse button is released. Finally, the document component is embedded in the previously created frame. One global frame tool allows a user to interactively select a rectangular frame region and embed a document component in the frame.