Usable systems of measurement in Illustrator?

[birckcmi]

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.

[Monika Gause]

You probably want to learn how to set up New document profiles.

But even the process of changing the document unit is pretty simple: right click the ruler.

[Ton Frederiks]

You can choose any unit you want during and after the creation of your document.

The unit you initially see when you create a new document is based on the New Document Profile for that document.

Until you switch to another unit during the creation of you document, your next document will have that unit.

If you open an existing document, Illustrator will use the units of that document.

[Ton Frederiks]

See the New Document options: