Orin’s Ruler Lock
Drawing a straight line sounds simple.
Place ruler. Draw line. Done.
Unfortunately, this is how lines begin in one place, wobble through the middle, and end somewhere they were never invited to go.
Orin finds this unacceptable.
The Ruler Lock is a simple method for drawing a clean line between two points. Not almost between them. Not near them. Exactly between them.
Orin’s Ruler Rule
A ruler is not just placed on the page and hoped for.
First, anchor the pencil. Then align the ruler. Then test the path. Then draw.
Hope is pleasant. Accuracy is better.
The Method
The method is short, which Orin considers one of its finer qualities.
Anchor
Place the pencil point exactly on the first point. This protects the start of the line.
Align
Slide the ruler against the pencil and line its edge up with the second point.
Test
Move the pencil lightly along the ruler edge before drawing. Check that it reaches the second point.
Draw
Once the path is correct, hold the ruler still and draw the final line calmly.
Steps
Mark Two Points
Draw two small dots on your page.
Label them A and B. These are the two points your line must join.
Anchor the Pencil
Place your pencil point exactly on A.
Do not draw yet. Just hold the pencil there. This pencil point is your anchor.
Push the Ruler Against the Pencil
Slide the ruler gently against the pencil point.
The ruler edge should touch the pencil while the pencil stays on A.
The pencil guards the first point. Orin is quite pleased with this arrangement.
Line Up the Second Point
Keep the pencil point on A.
Now move the ruler until its edge lines up with B.
The ruler should touch the pencil at A and pass through B.
Test Before You Draw
Without pressing hard, move your pencil along the ruler edge from A towards B.
Check that the pencil arrives exactly at B. If it misses, stop and realign the ruler.
Testing is not extra work. Testing is how you avoid doing the work twice.
Draw the Line
When the pencil travels neatly from A to B, move it back to A.
Hold the ruler still. Now draw the line from A to B.
Lightly. Carefully. Calmly.
Remember
Anchor first. Align second. Test third. Draw last.
Zia tried it once and nodded.
“That actually works.”
“Of course it works,” said Orin. “It’s a ruler.”
Practise It
Draw more pairs of points across the page.
Some can be close together. Some can be far apart. Each time, use the same method:
Anchor. Align. Test. Draw.
After a while, your hand will begin to remember the movement.
Orin approves of this.
Quietly, of course.