How to Rotate Objects in EAGLE CAD Software

Rotating objects in EAGLE CAD is primarily done through a simple mouse-based action for visual adjustments or by utilizing the ROTATE command for more precise control. This allows you to orient components, traces, text, and groups of items to perfectly fit your board layout.

The Intuitive Mouse-Based Rotation

For quick, visual, and approximate rotation of individual objects, EAGLE CAD provides a straightforward mouse-based method:

Click on the object you wish to rotate (e.g., a component, a piece of text, or a trace segment).
Hold down the left mouse button.
Move the mouse away from the object a short distance. You will notice the object beginning to rotate around its anchor point.
Continue to move your mouse until the object reaches the desired angle.
Release the mouse button to finalize the rotation.

This method is ideal for quick adjustments where exact numerical precision is not critical, allowing for a fluid and dynamic placement experience.

Precise Rotation with the `ROTATE` Command

For accurate angular positioning, or when you need to apply a specific rotation, the ROTATE command is your most powerful tool. This command can be accessed via the toolbar icon (often a spinning arrow) or by typing ROTATE directly into the command line.

How to Use the `ROTATE` Command:

Activate the Command: Click the ROTATE icon in the toolbar, or type ROTATE in the command line at the top of the EAGLE window and press Enter.
Specify the Angle: After activating the ROTATE command, you can specify the desired angle in the command line before clicking an object:
- Absolute Rotation: Type ROTATE <angle> (e.g., ROTATE 45 to set the object's absolute rotation to 45 degrees).
- Relative Rotation: Type ROTATE R<angle> (e.g., ROTATE R90 to rotate the object 90 degrees from its current orientation).
- Angles are typically measured in degrees, with positive values rotating counter-clockwise.
Apply to Object: Click on the object you wish to rotate. If you specified the angle beforehand, the object will rotate immediately. If not, you can then type the angle and click.

Practical Examples:

ROTATE R90 C1: Rotates component C1 90 degrees clockwise relative to its current position.
ROTATE 0 LED1: Sets the absolute rotation of LED1 back to 0 degrees.
ROTATE R-45: After typing this, clicking any object will rotate it 45 degrees clockwise.

Rotating Groups of Objects

EAGLE allows you to rotate multiple selected objects simultaneously, which is highly useful for organizing sections of your board:

Select Objects: Use the GROUP tool (a dashed rectangle icon) to draw a selection rectangle around all the objects you wish to rotate.
Activate Rotation:
- You can then select the ROTATE tool from the toolbar and click anywhere within the highlighted group. The entire group will rotate dynamically with your mouse movement (similar to the individual mouse-based rotation).
- Alternatively, for precise group rotation, type the ROTATE command with your desired angle (e.g., ROTATE R180) into the command line.
Apply to Group: Right-click within the selected group. A context menu will appear. Choose an option like Rotate: Group or Move:Group (depending on the active command and EAGLE version) to apply the rotation to the entire selection.

Rotating During Initial Component Placement

When you are adding new components to your schematic or board, you can rotate them before they are placed:

Select Component: Use the ADD command or select a component from the ADD toolbar icon. The component will appear attached to your cursor.
Right-Click Rotation: While the component is attached to your cursor, right-click your mouse. Each right-click will typically rotate the component by 90-degree increments (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°).
Command Line Rotation: For non-90-degree rotations, you can type ROTATE <angle> into the command line before placing the component (e.g., ROTATE 30). The component will then assume that orientation.

Understanding Rotation Angles and Reference Points

Origin/Anchor Point: Objects in EAGLE rotate around a specific origin or anchor point. For components, this is often pin 1, the component's center, or a user-defined origin.
Grid Settings: Be mindful of your grid settings. While rotating with the mouse, objects might snap to grid points if the grid is active, influencing the final placement.
Angle Presets: The right-click rotation during placement is typically set to 90-degree increments, but the ROTATE command allows for any numerical angle.

EAGLE Rotation Methods at a Glance

Method	Description	Best For
Mouse-Based Drag	Click, hold, and drag the mouse away from an individual object to rotate it visually.	Quick, visual adjustments; approximate angles
`ROTATE` Command	Type `ROTATE <angle>` (absolute) or `ROTATE R<angle>` (relative) in the command line, then click on the object.	Precise angles; absolute or relative rotation
Right-Click (Placement)	During the `ADD` command, right-click repeatedly to rotate a component by 90° increments before placing it on the board.	Fast 90° rotations during initial component placement
Group Rotation	Use the `GROUP` tool to select multiple objects, then apply the `ROTATE` command or right-click within the group for dynamic rotation.	Rotating entire sections or groups of components

Further Resources

For more detailed information and advanced techniques in EAGLE CAD, you can consult: