Adding plots/values dynamically within indicator

[pesudoalias]

Bug maybe.

Ultimate goal is an indicator which plots where all rays extending into the future intersect with the present moment so orders can be attached to them. Need multiple rays to attach multiple varied entries, stops, targets, etc.

Below code is almost there. It plots the EndAnchor.Price. Eventually, I'll put a slope calculation in to MoveAnchor to the intercept at the present moment.

The code gets all rays pointing to the future. Filters those which are user drawn. And for each pulls the EndAnchor.Price.

Below code compiles, but does not plot anything or expose any values to the databox.

Previous versions of the code, where I added a single plot and put a single ray anchor's price into a single value worked fine.

Leads me to believe the hang-up is with the way the plots are dynamically added. I've tried dynamically adding them in State.SetDefaults, State.Configure, and OnBarUpdate(), all to no avail.

My search of other NT8 threads suggests my code is doing it correctly, just not sure why it's not plotting.

Any suggestions?

public class Raycator : Indicator
    {
        protected override void OnStateChange()
        {
            if (State == State.SetDefaults)
            {
                Description                            = @"Grabs the price where any ray crosses the current market time.";
                Name                                = "Raycator";
                Calculate                            = Calculate.OnEachTick;
                IsOverlay                            = true;
                DisplayInDataBox                    = true;
                //DrawOnPricePanel                    = true;
                IsSuspendedWhileInactive            = true;
                                
            }
            else if (State == State.Configure)
            {
                int i=0;
                foreach (DrawingTool draw in DrawObjects)
                {
                    if (draw.IsUserDrawn && draw is DrawingTools.Ray)
                    {
                        DrawingTools.Ray tempRay = draw as DrawingTools.Ray;
                        if (tempRay.StartAnchor.Time < tempRay.EndAnchor.Time)
                        {
                            AddPlot(Brushes.Green, tempRay.Tag);                            
                        }
                    }
                    i++;
                }
            }
        }

        protected override void OnBarUpdate()
        {
            int i=0;
            foreach (DrawingTool draw in DrawObjects)
            {
                if (draw.IsUserDrawn && draw is DrawingTools.Ray)
                {
                    DrawingTools.Ray tempRay = draw as DrawingTools.Ray;
                    if (tempRay.StartAnchor.Time < tempRay.EndAnchor.Time)
                    {    
                        Values[i][0] = tempRay.EndAnchor.Price;
                    }
                }
                i++;
            }
        }
    }
} 

[gregid]

Does it give you any error in the Log tab? Does it actually add the plots? Try adding Print just above AddPlot to confirm it is reaching the code.

[NinjaTrader_PatrickH]

Hello pesudoalias,

Thank you for your post.

I tested out your code and I was able to see the plots added if I had the Rays drawn on the chart manually first.

Attached is the file I used to test. Does it work on your end? Do you draw the Rays before adding the indicator to the chart? Do you see any errors as gregid asked? And what version of NinjaTrader 8 are you running? For example: 8.0.0.10, found under Help > About.

[pesudoalias]

Version is 8.0.0.10 64-bit (Standard) - BETA

Test1508663.cs plots on my tick charts with previously-drawn rays. It does not plot on minute chart.

If I move a ray that is plotting, the plots do update to reflect that move.

Databox has to be reloaded to show plot values.

Adding a ray destroys plots as soon as the next tick occurs after the ray is added. Error then says "Error on calling OnBarUpdate method on bar ... Index was outside bounds of the array." Reloading the indicator restores plots on rays already on chart.

No plots, no errors when chart is clear and rays are drawn after loading indicator.

I am looking to avoid reloading the indicator to plot newly drawn rays.

Thanks so much.

[NinjaTrader_PatrickH]

Hello pesudoalias,

Thank you for your response.

I have to right click in the chart and reload NinjaScript to get the plots to update. Unfortunately, there is not a work around for this. Dynamically adding the plots would not be supported in this manner (using drawing objects to determine the plots).

[pesudoalias]

Hello pesudoalias,

Thank you for your response.

I have to right click in the chart and reload NinjaScript to get the plots to update. Unfortunately, there is not a work around for this. Dynamically adding the plots would not be supported in this manner (using drawing objects to determine the plots).

Thanks. Given that AddPlots may be called only in State.Default or in State.Configure, can't say I'm surprised.

If you know of a way to programmatically reload the indicator (which I'd call as soon as Values.Length is not equal to Plots.Length), I'd be forever grateful.

Many thanks again.

[NinjaTrader_PatrickH]

Hello pesudoalias,

Thank you for your response.

You can look into SendKeys and sending F5 to the chart to reload the script, but there would not be any native functions to do this in NinjaScript.