More or less what I do. I'm trying to find a way to not use MLCad any more though. LDCad is so much nicer 
As for REL vs ABS, I usually use REL when I know more or less how much I want to rotate a model from its default position. ABS starts from 0 and is the absolute position of the model, which for me comes in handy when I want a 2D view of the model in some step (e.g. a top view) in which case the number are always 0, 90 or 180.
As for REL vs ABS, I usually use REL when I know more or less how much I want to rotate a model from its default position. ABS starts from 0 and is the absolute position of the model, which for me comes in handy when I want a 2D view of the model in some step (e.g. a top view) in which case the number are always 0, 90 or 180.