edge smoothing/antialiasing
java.awt.Graphics2D
java.awt.RenderingHints
The code-example draws a line and a string almost without stairs effect:
public void paint(Graphics g) { Graphics2D g2 = (Graphics2D)g; g2.setRenderingHint(RenderingHints.KEY_ANTIALIASING, RenderingHints.VALUE_ANTIALIAS_ON); g2.drawLine(0, 0, 100, 100); g2.drawString("Test", 0, 20); }