Initializing indicator w/alternative time frame

[cgeorgan]

Hi:

I'm getting an exception when I attempt the following:

        protected override void Initialize()
        {
            try
            {
                CalculateOnBarClose = true;
                EntriesPerDirection = 20;
                EntryHandling = EntryHandling.AllEntries;
                ExitOnClose = true;
                TraceOrders = true;
                SyncAccountPosition = true;
                Unmanaged = true;
                
                myIndicator1 = Indicator1(parameters);
                myIndicator2 = Indicator2(BarsArray[1]);
                
                Add(PeriodType.Tick, BarsPeriod.Value * this.HigherTimeframeMultiple);

                Add(myIndicator1);
            }
            
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                Debug.WriteLine(ex);
            }
        }

The exception is thrown when creating myIndicator2 with the higher time frame value:

"'BarsArray' property can't be accessed from within 'Initialize' method"

So my question is, where can I instantiate this indicator once? The alternative is calling it on every bar update -

Second question, somewhat of a derivative of this, is how do I display this higher time frame indicator on the same chart as the base time frame indicator?

[NinjaTrader_Tim]

Hi cgeorgan,

The BarsArray does not exist in Initialize(), so should be set in OnBarUpdate()

Please see the following page for details on properly created a Multi-Time series indicator

http://www.ninjatrader-support.com/HelpGuideV6/helpguide.html?MultiTimeFrameInstruments

From there, you can set the plot under the appropriate BarsInProgress, for example...

if (BarsInProgress == 0)
{
Plot1.Set(CCI(BarsArray[1], 20)[0]);

}

[cgeorgan]

Hi cgeorgan,

The BarsArray does not exist in Initialize(), so should be set in OnBarUpdate()

Please see the following page for details on properly created a Multi-Time series indicator

http://www.ninjatrader-support.com/HelpGuideV6/helpguide.html?MultiTimeFrameInstruments

From there, you can set the plot under the appropriate BarsInProgress, for example...

if (BarsInProgress == 0)
{
Plot1.Set(CCI(BarsArray[1], 20)[0]);

}

Yes, this part I follow - However, what this involves is creating a brand new indicator every time (I presume you're making this set call under "BarUpdate").

So, instead of merely creating an indicator once with the correct "BarsInProgress", then referring to values within that indicator by calling Update() on it, you're saying I need to create a brand new indicator every time a bar is updated.

Is this the most efficient way of doing this?

[NinjaTrader_Tim]

Hi cgeorgan,

With each OnBarUpdate, the indicator plot value is attached to the bar object, this way you have as many Plot values as you do bars, and can access the plot values by referring to the bar.

If you are setting this to a variable, the value needs to be placed under OnBarUpdate, as the value would be continually changing.

If you want to set a variable less often, depending on what you are trying to do, you can use FirstBarOfSession, for example.
More info at - http://www.ninjatrader-support.com/H...stBarOfSession