Scrub is a gesture where the user drags a handle or their finger along a timeline or track to move precisely through content. It is commonly seen in video players, audio tools, or editing apps, where control over exact positioning is essential. The gesture turns time into something tangible, giving the user the ability to glide back and forth until they land on the perfect moment.
The animation for scrubbing should respond instantly, with the timeline or content tracking smoothly to the user’s movement. Even small finger adjustments should create proportional changes, allowing for fine-grained control. Adding visual feedback, such as a preview frame or waveform highlight, strengthens the sense of precision and reduces guesswork.
Scrubbing works best in experiences that rely on accuracy, like trimming clips, adjusting playback, or scanning through data. It is less suited for quick, casual navigation, as the deliberate back-and-forth motion requires more focus. When polished, scrubbing feels satisfying because the user can see the direct impact of their input frame by frame or beat by beat.
To make scrubbing feel engaging, animations can include easing for momentum when the user lifts their finger, snap points for key frames, or elastic resistance at the boundaries of a track. Haptic feedback can mark important points, adding a tactile layer to the precision. These small details make the gesture feel alive rather than mechanical.
Variations of scrubbing include horizontal scrubbing along timelines, vertical scrubbing for volume or brightness controls, and hybrid designs that pair scrubbing with pinch or drag gestures. With the right combination of responsiveness and animation, scrubbing can transform navigation into a precise and rewarding interaction.
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