Usable systems of measurement in Illustrator?

As far a I can tell, Illustrator now functions only as a type-and-page layout tool, rather than as a design tool for any other area of interest. Do I have that right? For years I have used AI, successfully,  in designing large and small projects in wood, plastic, and metal. Until now, in AI 2024. Is it no longer possible to specify a measurement standard, e.g., inches, centimeters, millimeters, etc., leaving  "points" as the only  unit of measurement allowed? I hope I'm wrong about that, but that cumbersome and clunky procedure of specifying each individual measurement unit, which is then translated instantly into points, is stupid and laughable. I've been paying for a subscription to Adobe for quite a few years, but if this situation is what I'm going to be stuck with from now on, bye-bye Adobe. This is a non-starter for me. Is this situation really the case, or am I missing something? Say it aint so, Adobe.