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Key Map

A small plan-view key on every sheet from the Sheet Gen frames : every frame outlined and numbered, the current sheet's frame hatched , scaled to the size you choose and placed in a corner of each layout's viewport - or as a block in model space. Update rebuilds the key blocks from the frame set so every sheet follows.

Command VDCKEYMAP · VDC Plans tab › Sheet Tools panel
A small plan-view key on every sheet from the Sheet Gen frames: every frame outlined and numbered, the current sheet's frame hatched, scaled to the size you choose and placed in a corner of each layout's viewport - or as a block in model space. Update rebuilds the key blocks from the frame set so every sheet follows.
Frame set (left) → the key on sheet C-4 with its frame hatched, in the viewport's lower-right corner (right) C-3C-4C-5 C-6C-7C-8 VDC-SheetFrames.json: 6 frames, 1" = 50' bounding box scaled north-up into 3" x 3" Layout C-4 (paper space) main viewport KEY MAP C-3C-4C-5 C-6C-7C-8 block VDC-KEYMAP-C-4, inset 0.25" from the corner; C-5 gets VDC-KEYMAP-C-5, and so on
Sheet Gen frames and the sheet's viewport   The key block, current frame hatched

What it places

  • One key block per frame (VDC-KEYMAP-<frame>): every frame outlined and numbered, that frame hatched, a title above; drawn in paper inches, north up, scaled to the width and height limit.
  • Paper mode: inserted in every layout that carries a frame (Sheet Gen tag, or a layout named like the frame) at a chosen corner of its main viewport, inset by the given inches.
  • Model mode: one block at a picked point, the chosen sheet hatched, scaled by the plan scale.

Update / Remove

  • Definitions carry a signature of the frame set and the settings: Update rebuilds only what changed and every reference follows; keys already in place stay; layouts that lost their frame lose their key.
  • Nothing changed = nothing written. Remove erases the keys and purges the unused definitions.
  • Settings under %APPDATA%\VDC\KeyMap\ (override VDC_KEYMAP_SETTINGS). Plain AutoCAD: ships in both bundles.

Dialog

Key Map dialog
Key Map - VDCKEYMAP

When to use it

  • The plan sheets need a key map and the frame set is defined.
  • Frames moved or sheets were added: run Update and every key follows.
  • A presentation drawing wants the sheet layout in model space: place the block there.

How to run it

  1. Define the frames (VDCFRAMEDEF) and generate the sheets (VDCSHEETGEN) so the layouts carry their frame tags.
  2. Run VDCKEYMAP, keep paper-space mode, set the size, corner and insets, the layer and text, the hatch pattern.
  3. Place. Every layout that carries a frame gets the key with its own frame hatched.
  4. After a frame change: run again and Update. Nothing changed = nothing written.

Options

  • Mode: paper space of every layout, or a block in model space at a picked point (choose the hatched sheet).
  • Corner + insets: which corner of the sheet's main viewport the key sits in.
  • Hatch: ANSI31 by default; SOLID, DOTS, NET or any pattern loaded on the seat.

Watch out for

  • A layout with no Sheet Gen tag is matched by name: it must be the frame's name or end with it (PLAN C-3).
  • The key sits inside the viewport's corner, so it covers whatever the viewport shows there: pick the corner the title block leaves empty.
  • The frame file is the source: a frame moved by hand in the drawing does not move in the key.

Related: Sheet Gen · Match Lines · Sheet Index