Alignment NOT on X/Y

[Spaghetti Monster]

Is there a way to align points that is NOT along the X or Y axis?  I want to keep the first and last points where they are. Removing points (as I've done here) is NOT an option.

2nd question: is there a way to precisely set the angle of 3 selected points? For example to a 90 degree corner?

[tromboniator]

It's not clear to me what you are asking for. Do you want to retain the points between A and B and between C and D, or is removing those points "not an option" because it doesn't give you a straight line from A to D? Do you want to retain the angles BFE and FEC? Retain distance BC? My approach to this problem would depend on these requirements.

If you simply want AD to be a straight line, with points B and C wherever the blue line intersects the red, I would just draw AD, use the Shape Builder Tool to remove the segments you don't want, and joint the remainder.

If you want to retain all the points but have them aligned to AD, you might rotate the original path + AD so that AD is horizontal, align all the points to horizontal AD, then rotate back by the negative of the previous rotation.

And there are several ways to interpret your second question: Could you please elaborate, possibly with a diagram?

Thanks,
Peter

[Spaghetti Monster]

BEFORE

AFTER:

 This should make it more clear.  We need an align tool that keeps the position of the first/ last selected points.  First/ last wold be determined based on lowest and highest X axis values (with maybe a toggle for Y axis).  Would rather not follow the "rotate > align> rotate back" workflow as it messes up the drawing too much, though that could work in a pinch maybe.

[Spaghetti Monster]

Forgot to mention: I'm aware that there are other ways to achieve this shape.  Not looking for instructions on how to draw this using other techniques.

[Doug A Roberts]

So is this a feature request rather than asking for methods to accomplish this? If so, post here:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

[Spaghetti Monster]

will do

[Jacob Bugge · Accepted solution]

Spaghetti Monster,

You can, Smart Guides being your friends:

1) ClickDrag with the Line Segment Tool between the desired Anchor Points, snapping to both;

2) With the Direct Selection Tool, ClickDrag each misplaced Anchor Point to snap to the (initially) desired place on the Line from 1);

3) If needed, adjust (some of) the positions along the Line until things look right.

[Spaghetti Monster]

Smart guides! That sounds promising.  Thanks!

[Spaghetti Monster]

Smart guides get the job done but it would also be handy to be able to use the "distribute tool" on a non 90 degree angle.  ...made a feature request.

[Jacob Bugge]

Spaghetti Monster,

To set the desired angle and the desired distances, you can:

1) Click with the Line Segment Tool somewhere on the Artboard, then set the first distance and the angle 0 degrees; now you have the first connexion between two points;

2) Repeat 1), only with the first distance and the desired angle (90 degrees or whatever); now you have the second connexion between two points;

3) Deselect, then ClickDrag the line from 2) by the first point to snap to the first point from 1), then select both lines and press Ctrl/Cmd+J to join.

Now you have the three points connected at the desired angle. You can move, rotate, reflect, or whatever, to get the set as desired.