AutoCAD guides don't have to be new to be useful, but choosing between two very-good-condition options means weighing format, focus, and listed price. On one side is Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition), a hardcover engineering graphics text by James D. Bethune. On the other is The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q, a trade paperback by Ralph Grabowski with an illustrated approach to AutoCAD 2002. The price spread is wide: USD 64.22 vs USD 4.17, so the practical question is whether the hardcover treatment justifies the higher outlay or the paperback covers what you need.
Quick verdict
- Choose Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) if you want a substantial hardcover engineering graphics reference at a higher listed price.
- Choose The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q if you want a lower-priced, illustrated tour of AutoCAD 2002 in a portable trade paperback.
Compact comparison
| Product | Format | Listed price | At a glance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) | Hardcover | USD 64.22 | Engineering graphics text from the AutoCAD Release 13 era by James D. Bethune |
| The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q | Trade Paperback | USD 4.17 | Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 guide by Ralph Grabowski |
Where each guide has the edge
The hardcover Engineering Graphics text is the larger, heavier option: 11 inches long and 61.7 ounces. That heft, paired with an engineering graphics angle, makes it feel like a desk reference rather than a quick-flick paperback. The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q keeps things lighter and smaller at 9 inches long, with an illustrated approach that suits step-by-step reading while you work at the computer. If your study space is a desk, the hardcover has the presence; if you move around, the paperback is easier to handle.
Product notes
Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) - Hardcover
The listed copy is described as very good, with all text legible and all pages included. It may show minor signs of wear, and it could have slight markings and highlighting, so it is not being sold as a pristine copy. Author James D. Bethune's engineering graphics text is built for the AutoCAD Release 13 era and comes in a hardcover format that stands up to repeated use. If you are after a substantial desk reference with a clear engineering-graphics focus, this is the more heavyweight pick. Its main limitation is price: at the higher end of the pair, it makes sense when you want that hardcover, engineering-specific approach and are comfortable paying more for it.
The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q - Trade Paperback
This very-good-condition trade paperback from Ralph Grabowski is an illustrated guide to AutoCAD 2002, measured at 9 inches in length. The copy is described as very good, but textbooks may not include supplemental items such as CDs or access codes, so the core book is the main draw here. It is the lower-priced option in this head-to-head, which makes it an easy choice for anyone who wants the AutoCAD 2002 workflow without a larger outlay. The trade-off is age: the title is centered on AutoCAD 2002, and that specific focus is what you are paying for. If that version matches what you are using, it's a compact, affordable way to learn it.
Final choice by use case
Pick Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) when you want a hardcover engineering graphics reference and can accept the higher listed price. Pick The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q when you want the lower-priced, portable illustrated guide to AutoCAD 2002.
