A technique and associated software for spatially coordinating, storing, and manipulating computer aided Design (CAD) files with a master dimensional plan (MDP) file (FIG. 1, MPD File, Plan, Electrical, Structural, etc.). The plan, elevation, section, and other related files are coordinated to a single unified spatial layout referenced to the MDP file. Special "tools" are used to design, manipulate and present the information as two-dimensional drawings referenced in the working space to the MDF file. Moving between the CAD drawing files coordinated to the MDP is facilitated by using icons corresponding to standard architectural graphic symbols as switch file icons that switch the user to other view files of the displayed object based on the selected graphic symbol. The technique allows the user who is familiar with standard architectural nomenclature to move through CAD drawing files without needing to know the underlying CAD file structure. The iconic switching technique of the invention may also be used to move among coordinated no-architectural design drawings of industrial items and the like and may also be used independent of the spatial coordinating method as desired.