ABSTRACT
On the basis of previous work on the relation between kinematic and geometrical properties of drawing movements, it is argued that a multiplicative gain factor K enters in the specification of the instantaneous velocity of execution. We also argue that this gain factor pertains to the preparatory processes which specify the general properties of the movement before its inception. In the case of periodic movements, whereby a simple closed pattern is traced repeatedly, the gain factor depends in a highly consistent fashion on the perimeter of the pattern, being insensitive to the area. In the case of aperiodic movements, producing long and complex trajectories, the factor K is correlated with the surface encompassed by the movement. An attempt is made to unify these findings on the basis of a general scaling principle.
