diff --git a/src/Base/Type.cpp b/src/Base/Type.cpp
index 7c9848712a..789cb1481d 100644
--- a/src/Base/Type.cpp
+++ b/src/Base/Type.cpp
@@ -184,6 +184,14 @@ Type Type::fromName(const char *name)
     return Type::badType();
 }
 
+Type Type::fromKey(unsigned int key)
+{
+  if(key < typedata.size())
+    return typedata[key]->type;
+  else
+    return Type::badType();
+}
+
 const char *Type::getName(void) const
 {
   return typedata[index]->name.c_str();
diff --git a/src/Base/Type.h b/src/Base/Type.h
index 50bc86cf68..38ecf12281 100644
--- a/src/Base/Type.h
+++ b/src/Base/Type.h
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ public:
   typedef void * (*instantiationMethod)(void);
 
   static Type fromName(const char *name);
+  static Type fromKey(unsigned int key);
   const char *getName(void) const;
   const Type getParent(void) const;
   bool isDerivedFrom(const Type type) const;