The performance of distributed systems can be improved by reducing the amount of graphical line data transmitted between a server and a client. The server separates the graphical line data into a plurality of strips. The server then determines a quantized angle and a strip length for each of the strips. The beginning coordinate of the graphical line data is packaged together with the quantized angle or indicia of the quantized angle and the strip length data into a protocol packet and compressed prior to transmission to the client. In one embodiment the strip data transmitted to the client includes a second indicia that a particular strip has been previously transmitted to the client and the client is instructed to form the strip using locally stored data.