My workaround is to use dimension lines. A bit kludgy at first, perhaps, but once you get used to it, it is almost workable
The procedure outlined can also be used on plain lines if you decide that you don't need dimension lines.If you can't drag to exact dimension, you can enter manually. First ensure that the line is level, then set length. (If you try to rotate and resize in one go, the line tends to behave erratic):
- Right click the line and select Position and size
- Select the Rotation tab
- Enter angle 0 (zero). OK
- Right click the line and select Position and size
- Select the Position and size tab
- In the Size section, set Width to the length you want. OK
Click once again on a selected line to toggle between drag/resize mode and rotation mode. The handles change color, and in rotation mode you have a "crosshair handle" in the middle. This is the pivot point which you can drag e.g. to one endpoint before rotating. Start drag from an endpoint to rotate. If you drag to move the line when in rotation mode, the pivot point stays in place. Toggle between modes to center it on the line again.
You can also "rotate by numbers", by revisiting the rotation settings. This gives you precise control of placement and angle.
The dimension line has the obvious advantage that it displays the dimension. In addition, it will always be on the
Dimension lines layer.
Shift+click the layer tab to toggle visibility of objects on that layer. If you used the dimension line for spacing but also need the simple line, a "proper" line can be drawn with "snap" to the endpoints of the dimension line.