AutoCAD Tips & Tutorials

Rotate One Object to Match Another

Sometimes you need to rotate an 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:

1. Start the ROTATE command and select the objects that you want to rotate.
2. 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.
3. At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, choose the Reference option.
4. 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.
5. 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:

6. 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.

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

Sanjay Kulkarni suggests another way to use the Reference option of the ROTATE command and end up with the same result. Follow these steps:

1. Start the ROTATE command and select the objects that you want to rotate.
2. 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.
3. At the Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: prompt, choose the Reference option.
4. 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.
5. 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. 
6. 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.

Sanjay Kulkarni is a technical writer, CAD trainer & programmer, and consultant based in Pune, India.

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