How Do You Rotate a Drawing in Autocad

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Rotate One Object to Match Another

Sometimes you need to rotate a block or object to match the angle of an existing object. Here's one way to accomplish that, using the Reference option of the ROTATE command.

In this example, you want to rotate the desk to match the rotation of the end wall. Follow these steps:

• Start the ROTATE command and select the objects that you want to rotate.
• At the Specify base point: prompt, specify the base point of the object you want to reference to, not the base point of the object you want to rotate. This is point 1 in the above figure.
• At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, choose the Reference option.
• At the Specify the reference angle <0>: prompt, pick the point on the object that you want to rotate that corresponds to the base point you just specified. This is point 2 in the figure.
• At the Specify second point: prompt, pick the second point that, together with the previous point, specifies the angle of the object that you want to rotate. This is point 3 in the figure. Notice the rubber band line from your base point (point 1) connecting to your object as you move the cursor, as shown below:

• At the Specify the new angle: prompt, pick the point on the reference object that, together with its base point, specifies the angle of the reference object. This is point 4 in the first figure.

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Sanjay Kulkarni suggests another way to use the Reference option of the ROTATE command and end up with the same result. Sanjay is a technical writer, CAD trainer & programmer, and consultant based in Pune, India.

Use Reference option of ROTATE command

• Start the ROTATE command and select the objects that you want to rotate.
• At the Specify base point: prompt, specify the base point of the object that you want to rotate. In the top image, that would be point 2.
• At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, choose the Reference option.
• At the Specify the reference angle <0>: prompt, pick the point on the object that you want to rotate that corresponds to the base point you just specified. This is point 2 in the figure. So you're picking point 2 again.
• At the Specify second point: prompt, pick the second point that, together with the previous point, specifies the angle of the object that you want to rotate. This is point 3 in the figure.
• At the Specify the new angle: prompt, choose the Parallel object snap. (Shift + right-click and choose Parallel) This OSNAP works in an interesting way, something like acquiring a tracking point. Move the cursor over the line you want to align to, in this case the line from points 1 to 4. Then move the cursor around to rotate the desk until you see a dotted extension line. You'll feel the desk "snap" along that line. Then click to complete the ROTATE command.

New Update – Use ALIGN command

A few of you commented that ALIGN command is a more intuitive option, with less steps to achieve the same result. And you do not need to reposition the object. With ALIGN command, remember that "Source" is the object, "Destination" is the reference line.

• Type in ALIGN command and select the object that you want to rotate.
• At Specify first source point: Click the base point of the object that you want to rotate.
• Then select first destination point, which can be at any point of the reference line of which you wish the object to align to.
• Repeat and specify second source point: click the end point of the object you wish to rotate.
• At specify second destination point, click another point along the reference line.

• Then select CONTINUE. And as we do not wish to change the scale of the object with this example, select NO then ENTER

Trim the circle in half and use PEDIT

Jon e-mailed me with the following additional solution: If you use a circle and trim it in half, pedit that, you can then give the resulting pline arc thickness, mirror it and pedit join it into a circle.

The selected object rotates to match the angle of your reference object, as you see here. Then move the object to its proper location.

Which method do you use? Or do you have another method? Leave a comment!

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Ellen Finkelstein is the author of the best-selling AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT Bible, which started with R14. Ellen has written extensively on AutoCAD, including articles for Autodesk's website and features for AutoCAD's Help system. Ellen's first book was AutoCAD For Dummies Quick Reference.

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