Display Message On Chart When Bar Type Properties Set Incorrectly

[TheTradingMantis]

I have created a custom bar type and want to display a text message on the chart (instead of the bars) when the properties for the bar type are set incorrectly. I tried to do this with Draw.TextFixed, but that method is not available in BarTypes namespace. Any ideas on how I might go about doing this?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello gregschr,

I'm not certain this would be possible from a bar type.

You could send a log message with an alert.

To render text on the chart this would need to be done with a ChartStyle script in OnRender.

[TheTradingMantis]

Thanks Chelsea! Using a ChartStyle makes sense.

If I created a custom ChartStyle for the custom BarType, is there a way to set the custom ChartStyle as a default for the BarType? I know this can be done manually from the Data Series window by saving a preset. Is it also possible to do it in the code for the BarType?

[TheTradingMantis]

Any thoughts on the followup question in my last post?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello gregschr,

So the bar type would need to use an existing property as its own with SetPropertyName(). SetPropertyName() works for bar types as well and I've noted to our development to add this to the Bars Type section of the help guide.

http://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/en-us/setpropertyname.htm

In the BarType file set DefaultChartStyle to your chart style script.
DefaultChartStyle = (ChartStyleType) 80;

Once the property is set, in the Chart Style's OnRender you have access to the Bars object.

http://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/en-us/chartstyle_onrender.htm

http://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/en-us/chartbars.htm

Then access the property from the bar object -> BarsPeriod.

Print(chartBars.Bars.BarsPeriod.Value);

And draw this using SharpDX.Direct2D1.RenderTarget.DrawText().

http://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/en-us/sharpdx_direct2d1_rendertarget_drawtext.htm

[TheTradingMantis]

Thanks Chelsea!

That was exactly what I needed.

I appreciate the detailed instructions and your help!