How to Align Rectangles in AutoCAD

You can align rectangles and other drawing objects in AutoCAD precisely using the ALIGN command.

Aligning objects, including rectangles, in AutoCAD involves selecting the items you want to move and rotate (if necessary) and specifying base points that will align with target points in your drawing. This is efficiently done using the built-in ALIGN command.

Here are the steps to align a rectangle using the ALIGN command, incorporating the method from the provided reference:

Steps to Use the ALIGN Command

1. Access the Command: You can initiate the command by clicking on the ribbon: Go to the Home tab, then the Modify panel, and click Align. Alternatively, you can type ALIGN in the command line and press Enter.
2. Select Objects: At the command prompt, you will be asked to select the objects you wish to align. Click on the rectangle(s) you want to move and align. Press Enter when you have selected all necessary objects.
3. Specify First Point Pair:
   • First Source Point: Specify a base point on the object you are moving (the rectangle) that you want to use for alignment.
   • First Destination Point: Specify the corresponding point in the drawing where the first source point should move to.
4. Specify Second Point Pair (Optional for Rotation):
   • Second Source Point: If you need to rotate the object as well, specify a second point on the object you are moving (the rectangle).
   • Second Destination Point: Specify the corresponding point in the drawing that the second source point should align with. This second point pair defines the rotation angle and potentially scale.
5. Execute Command: Press Enter to complete the alignment based on the point pairs you specified. AutoCAD will move and rotate the selected rectangle(s) so the source points align with their respective destination points.

Understanding Source and Destination Points

The ALIGN command works by matching points. Think of it this way:

• Source Points: "Where this point is now on the object I'm moving."
• Destination Points: "Where this point should go in the drawing."

You define at least one source-destination pair to move the object. A second pair allows AutoCAD to calculate the necessary rotation to align the object's orientation.

Example Point Selection

Imagine you have a rectangle and want to move its bottom-left corner to the endpoint of an existing line and align its bottom edge with that line.

• First Source Point: Select the bottom-left corner of your rectangle.
• First Destination Point: Select the endpoint of the line.
• Second Source Point: Select the bottom-right corner of your rectangle.
• Second Destination Point: Select another point along the existing line (e.g., the other endpoint) to define the desired alignment orientation for the bottom edge.

Using these steps, the rectangle will move, and its bottom edge will align precisely with the target line.