Choosing an AutoCAD book for a software design course means weighing two questions at once: which release matches your work, and how much should you spend? The four guides here are all listed in Very Good condition, but they sit at very different price points. One is a small paperback quick reference, another is a B-level applications text, a third is a quick reference for a later release, and the fourth is a heavyweight engineering graphics hardcover. Your decision comes down to how current the software version needs to be and how much desk real estate you want the book to occupy.
Quick Take
The least expensive guide in this group is Ralph Grabowski's The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q, a compact trade paperback. The most expensive is James D. Bethune's Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition), a large hardcover. In the middle, Madsen, David P's Autocad and Its Applications B and Grabowski's The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference give you two different flavors: an applications-oriented text and a command lookup guide.
Listed-Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q | $4.17 | |
| Autocad and Its Applications B | $19.98 | |
| The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference | $28.85 | |
| Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) | $64.22 |
Decision Matrix
| Product | Author | Best For | Main Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q | Ralph Grabowski | Quick-reference use with AutoCAD 2002 | Older release coverage |
| Autocad and Its Applications B | Madsen, David P | Applications-oriented study path | B-level volume may not map to every course |
| The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference | Ralph Grabowski | Quick lookup for AutoCAD 2008 | Reference format, not a tutorial |
| Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) | James D. Bethune | Engineering graphics coursework on Release 13 | Highest listed price and older release |
Product Notes
The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q
Ralph Grabowski's The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q is the lightest, least expensive book in this set, and the trade paperback format makes it the easiest to slide into a bag. The title positions it as a quick-reference companion for the AutoCAD 2002 release, so it is a sensible choice if your course or workplace still runs that version. ISBN 9780766838499 is printed on the listing, which helps when you are hunting for the exact edition. The limitation is the release date: this book stops at 2002 features, so it will not explain tools or interface changes introduced in later AutoCAD releases. Keep it for legacy-version tasks rather than as your only guide to current software.
Autocad and Its Applications B
Autocad and Its Applications B, written by Madsen, David P, sits in the middle of this price range and feels like a course textbook rather than a pocket reference. The 'B' in the title points to a second volume or an applications-oriented path, so it can work for learners who are past the basics and ready to see AutoCAD used in gradual exercises. The ISBN 1635634601 gives you a clear identifier when searching bookstores. The main trade-off is that the 'B' designation likely ties it to a particular series progression, so it may not be the best standalone reference for someone outside that progression. If your software design course follows an applications-series structure, this mid-priced volume is worth a close look.
Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition)
Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) is the heavyweight of the group. Author James D. Bethune builds the book around engineering graphics, and the hardcover format, 11-inch length, and 61.7-ounce weight all point to a substantial desk textbook. If your software design course is built on Release 13, this is the one title that matches the software version in the book title and gives you durable binding for frequent use. The limitation is the highest listed price in this four-book lineup, combined with a release that is several generations old. For learners on current AutoCAD versions, a newer quick reference will give you more usable command coverage for less money.
The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference
The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference, also written by Ralph Grabowski, is the most current title in this set with its 2008 release focus. The 'Quick Reference' wording makes the intended role clear: this is a lookup tool for commands, dialog boxes, and workflows, not a step-by-step project tutorial. The Perfect format gives it a middle ground between paperback and lay-flat binding, which is handy when you are glancing at it while working in the software. The trade-off is that quick references are less useful as primary learning materials. If you already know the basics and need a desktop reminder for AutoCAD 2008, this guide balances a mid-range price with a later release date.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
- Need a low-cost legacy companion? The Illustrated AutoCAD 2002 Q at $4.17.
- Want the newest quick reference here? The Illustrated Autocad 2008 Quick Reference at $28.85.
- Prefer a course-style applications text? Autocad and Its Applications B at $19.98.
- Require a durable engineering graphics textbook? Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD Release 13 (2nd Edition) at $64.22.
