Choosing between AutoCAD software design course books means balancing edition, condition, and price before you even open a tutorial. The four options here range from a low-priced used 2021 guide to a 2022 fundamentals book at the top of the price spread, so the decision mostly comes down to whether you want to follow an older workflow or pay more for the newest exercises.
Quick Take
If you want the lowest-cost way to learn 2D drawing basics, the 2021 title is the natural entry point. If you already have AutoCAD 2019 or simply want a second practice copy, the 2019 edition is nearly as cheap. For a mid-priced 2022 route, the Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2022 gives you a recent interface without the top price. And if you want a brand-new book that covers AutoCAD 2022 from the ground up, Autodesk AutoCAD 2022 Fundamentals is the clear pick.
Price Comparison
| Book | Price | Relative Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD 2021 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals | $6.27 | |
| AutoCAD 2019 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals | $6.44 | |
| Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2022 | $25.03 | |
| Autodesk AutoCAD 2022 Fundamentals | $48.75 |
The price bar is based on the spread between the lowest and highest listed price, so it only reflects cost, not quality or content.
Decision Matrix
- Want the lowest-priced copy with the least wear? Pick the 2021 book.
- Want the absolute lowest price and don't need a recent edition? Pick the 2019 book.
- Want a 2022 tutorial at a middle price? Pick the Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2022.
- Want a new copy with current 2022 exercises? Pick Autodesk AutoCAD 2022 Fundamentals.
Product Notes
AutoCAD 2021 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals
At $6.27, this like-new trade paperback by Luke Jumper and Randy Shih is the most affordable way into the series. The clean condition is a strong reason to choose it if you find writing and marks distracting. The trade-off is that it walks through the 2021 version, so if your software is already on 2022 you'll need to adapt a few command locations. It's still a practical starting point for 2D fundamentals because the exercise-based structure doesn't require a brand-new edition.
AutoCAD 2019 Tutorial First Level 2D Fundamentals - Perfect Paperback - GOOD
For $6.44, this Good-condition copy by Randy Shih is a near-twin of the 2021 book but built around the 2019 release. If you have an older installation or you want a low-risk second practice book, this keeps your spending barely above the cheapest listing. It's marked Good, so expect normal classroom or shelf wear. Because it's a 2019 edition, the command paths and interface details won't match current menus. And as with many used textbooks, supplemental items such as CDs or access codes may not be included, so treat it as a printed exercise book only.
Autodesk AutoCAD 2022 Fundamentals
At $48.75, this is the highest-priced listing, but it's also the only brand-new option in the group. Elise Moss's book is a structured fundamentals walkthrough for AutoCAD 2022, and because it's unused, you get the current exercises in a copy with no wear. The limitation is purely the cost: you're paying a significantly higher price for the newer content and untouched pages. ISBN 9781630573997 identifies it as an SDC Publications text.
Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2022 - Paperback By Shawna Lockhart - GOOD
Priced at $25.03, this Good-condition paperback by Shawna Lockhart sits in the middle of the group. It covers AutoCAD 2022, so you get a current interface without the top new-book cost. The trade-off is condition: it's marked Good and may show wear, and used textbooks in this condition often don't include supplemental items like access codes. If you want a printed guide that stays close to the 2022 software but you don't need the cost of the new book, this is the middle ground. Its ISBN 9781630574406 is different from the other 2022 book, which shows it's a separate tutorial sequence rather than a duplicate.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
- Starting from scratch on a tight budget: choose the 2021 title for a low-priced, clean first book.
- Practicing on older software: pick the 2019 edition for the lowest-possible spend.
- Following the 2022 interface at a moderate price: go with the Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2022.
- Wanting current 2022 exercises with the top-of-range price: choose Autodesk AutoCAD 2022 Fundamentals.
