Why is a straight line easier to draw fast than slow.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why drawing a straight line is perceived to be easier when done quickly rather than slowly. Participants explore various aspects of motor coordination, accuracy, and the physical mechanics involved in drawing, touching on both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that drawing quickly may leverage momentum, reducing the likelihood of deviation from a straight path.
  • Others argue that while speed may produce a smoother line, it does not guarantee accuracy, especially when trying to follow a specific path.
  • There is a mention of the difference between gross motor coordination and fine motor coordination as a factor in the quality of the drawn line.
  • Some participants propose that muscle tremors and the time taken to draw influence the outcome, with faster movements potentially minimizing these tremors.
  • A later reply questions whether the criteria for success in drawing a line differ between fast and slow methods, suggesting that accuracy may be compromised when drawing quickly.
  • One participant introduces the idea of using shoulder rotation to achieve better control in drawing shapes, hinting at a potential relationship to the discussion on straight lines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between speed, smoothness, and accuracy in drawing lines. There is no consensus on whether drawing quickly is inherently better or worse than drawing slowly, as various factors are considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight assumptions regarding what constitutes a "successfully drawn" line, including smoothness versus accuracy. The discussion remains open-ended with unresolved questions about the mechanics of drawing.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in motor skills, art techniques, or the physics of movement may find this discussion relevant.

pikapika!
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Probably an easy question
I thought that its easier to do things when you have more time.
 
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i right now don't have the answer ,but certainly it is an interesting question
 
pikapika! said:
Probably an easy question
I thought that its easier to do things when you have more time.

There is an assumption in your question that a line that is "successfully drawn" is a line that is smooth, but is there an assumption that this same line be accurate? I don't think you considered this.

You see, you might be able to draw a smooth line quickly, but can it be just any line? What if you are trying to follow a specific path? like say, detailing on a car? When detailers paint lines, they go slow.


As for why you get a smooth line, that has to do with the difference between gross motor coordination and fine motor coordination.
 
I think the easy answer might be the momentum of your hand and arm is much greater therefore less likely to deviate.
 
Great question. With a little effort here I come and - Happy New Year to all. This is so refreshing and simple.

Well, simple maybe but doesn't stop just yet.

I think its about tremors in the muscles and avoiding obstacles from muscles and paper. Maybe it won't be accurate under all angles - that's ok. However, for that little time perhaps a man is becoming a projectile with a perfect motion instead of being only human with erratic motion.
 
Well, if you draw any straight line, that's true. But if you have to draw a straight line through two given points, then it depends.
The trick here I think is that your muscles bust out when you draw fast (or just any movements) like a spring and the trajectory is normally in a straight line
 
I would say momentum + not much time for your muscles to do the standard shiver.

Another thing is, there wouldn't be much room for movement in the other dimension because you're restricting the amount of time you can take between A and B, if you go slow you should notice that the time isn't always constant, but it should be for going fast. Something similar to gyroscopic inertia.
 
DaveC426913 said:
There is an assumption in your question that a line that is "successfully drawn" is a line that is smooth, but is there an assumption that this same line be accurate? I don't think you considered this.

You see, you might be able to draw a smooth line quickly, but can it be just any line? What if you are trying to follow a specific path? like say, detailing on a car? When detailers paint lines, they go slow.As for why you get a smooth line, that has to do with the difference between gross motor coordination and fine motor coordination.

Good point, my fast lines are no more accurate for a predefined shape.
 
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dst said:
Another thing is, there wouldn't be much room for movement in the other dimension because you're restricting the amount of time you can take between A and B
Right. But think it further. If might look straight, but did it hit the mark?

Straight isn't the only criterion. Accuracy is too.

Say you're drawing carefully - you're trying to draw a straight line from A to B - and your arm zigs and zags by 1mm. You get a wobbly line that deviates by 1mm, but you hit your mark.

Now do the same thing, but do it quickly. Did it miss B by less than 1mm? I'll bet not. I'll bet it's off by a lot.

I suspect that the OP is comparing apples to oranges. When drawing slowly, he's considering wobbliness and accuracy. When drawing quickly, he's is dropping the accuracy criteria.
 
  • #10
Kinda different, but it may be related. You can draw near perfect circles on a chalkboard(or similar, large drawing surface) by rotating your arm around the shoulder, using the shoulder joint to make a circle. It may be a similar but opposite effect, that achieves straight lines...maybe having to do with extending your arm straight out, as opposed to just moving the whole thing along as you draw.
 
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