QGIS: rotate object

I assume you're using EPSG:4326 (WGS84). The problem is this projection greatly distorts shapes as you get farther from the Equator, since it displays one "vertical" degree with the same number of pixels as one "horizontal" degree.

Here is the comparison between EPSG:4326 (WGS84) and EPSG:3857 (Web-Mercator) for displaying Germany:

^{EPSG 4326}

^{EPSG 3857}

However, it appears that your Vector Layer CRS is not EPSG:4326 (Which is fine, if you want to use it to create buildings, you probably want to use a suitable projected CRS, like LCC Germany (EPSG:5243), or at least pseudo mercator (EPSG:3857)).

The QGIS rotation tool performs the rotation in the layer's coordinate reference system, so while the rectangles appear distorted after rotation, they are still rectangles, which you will see if you switch the project CRS from EPSG:4326 to EPSG:5243. The actual flaw of the tool is the preview does not correctly handles different projections between project and layers.

Step 1: Rectangle creation

• Project CRS: EPSG:4326
• Layer CRS: EPSG:5243

The rectangle is created. One try to rotate it. Note that the rotation preview is WRONG

Step 2: Rotation

• Project CRS: EPSG:4326
• Layer CRS: EPSG:5243

After the rotation, the rectangle appears distorted.

Step 3: Change CRS

• Project CRS: EPSG:5243
• Layer CRS: EPSG:5243

After switching back to a projected coordinate reference system, one can see that is was still a rectangle all along.

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Note that if your vector layer's CRS was EPSG:4326, it would be the other way around: it would look just fine as long as you were displaying your map with EPSG:4326, but the buildings would REALLY be distorted (which you would realize when switching your project CRS to a projected CRS).

In conclusion, you MUST use a projected CRS for your vector layers, otherwise, after rotation, your buildings will ACTUALLY be distorted. And you SHOULD use a projected CRS for the project, or Pseudo Mercator.

QGIS provides a tool to draw oblique rectangles (in the Shape Digitizing Toolbar, click on the down arrow next to the Rectangle tool).