How to Rotate Entities in BricsCAD

Quick answer: ROTATE rotates entities around a specified point, either by a relative angle from their current orientation (the default) or by an angle referenced to a base angle.

The Default Angle Convention

By default, angles start at 3 o’clock (East, 0 degrees) and increase counter-clockwise; enter a negative value to rotate clockwise instead. The Angular Base is controlled by ANGBASE, which refers to the current UCS, and the Angle Direction is controlled by ANGDIR, which sets the positive angle direction from angle 0 relative to the current UCS.

General Rotation Procedure

1. Launch ROTATE. You’re prompted to select entities to rotate.
2. Select one; the count of entities in the set displays, and you’re prompted to select more.
3. Select more, or press Enter to stop. You’re prompted for a rotation point.
4. Specify a point. You’re prompted for a rotation angle, or to choose Base angle or Copy.
5. Either specify a point, or type a value and press Enter; the selection rotates.

Rotating Relative to a Base Angle

1. Launch ROTATE. You’re prompted to select entities to rotate.
2. Select one; the count displays, and you’re prompted to select more.
3. Select more, or press Enter to stop. You’re prompted for a rotation point.
4. Specify a point. You’re prompted for a rotation angle, or to choose Base angle or Copy.
5. Choose Base angle. You’re prompted for the base angle.
6. Either type a value and press Enter, or click two points to define it.
7. You’re prompted for the new angle.
8. Either type a value and press Enter, or click a point; the selection rotates.

Rotating in 3D

1. Launch ROTATE3D or 3DROTATE (both work identically). You’re prompted to select entities to rotate.
2. Select one; the count displays, and you’re prompted to select more.
3. Select more, or press Enter to stop. You’re prompted to specify the first point on the rotation axis, or define it by Xaxis, Yaxis, Zaxis, 2Points (the default), Object, Last, or View.
4. Press Enter to accept the 2Points method. You’re prompted for the axis’s start point.
5. Specify a point. You’re prompted for the axis’s end point, or to use an axis parallel to the view direction instead.
6. Specify a point. You’re prompted for the rotation angle, or to choose Base angle or Copy.
7. Type a value and press Enter; the selection rotates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I rotate something clockwise instead of the default counter-clockwise direction? Enter a negative angle value.

What’s the difference between the general rotation method and rotating relative to a base angle? The general method rotates by a relative angle from the entity’s current orientation. Rotating relative to a base angle instead lets you define a specific starting reference angle first, then a new angle from there.

Is there a difference between ROTATE3D and 3DROTATE? No, both launch the identical 3D rotation workflow.

What axis definition methods are available for 3D rotation? Xaxis, Yaxis, Zaxis, 2Points (the default), Object, Last, or View.