How to create grid that display numbers at bottom of the chart?

[mrgreentrading]

Hi,

I want to add a grid & numbers to my strategy, similar to the Orderflow grid area in the pic attached (number 6). I don't know where to start, and would appreciate if someone can point me to an example or which function to call / use to draw the grid and the numbers.

Thank you.

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello mrgreentrading,

There are two ways you could go about this.

The first method would be to add a grid to the UserControlCollection and set the VerticalAlignment to Bottom.
The help guide provides sample code.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/usercontrolcollection.htm

You may also find this example helpful.

https://support.ninjatrader.com/s/article/Chart-Order-Buttons

In the grid you could add TextBlock objects and set the Background property to different brushes.

The second method would be to render rectangles and text in OnRender(). (From my understanding this what the Volumetric bars are doing)

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/rendering.htm

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/sharpdx_direct2d1_rendertarget_fillrectangle.htm

The SampleCustomRender indicator included with NinjaTrader demonstrates rendering a rectangle and text.

[mrgreentrading]

Thank you Chelsea. I'll check it out.

While I have you here, I have a question about finding out the delta difference (bid - ask) of each bar. From what I gather, I can either:

- Add 1 tick data series and use that to calculate the delta
OR
- Have just 1 data series on the normal timeframe (say 30 range), have tick replays enabled, and have the calculation mode set to OnEachTick.

I just wonder in term of performance, which one is better? And I'm more concern about live trading, not so much on the historical data.

Thank you.

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello mrgreentrading,

The performance would likely be similar. Both would be processing each individual tick update.

With Calculate.OnEachTick, TickReplay would need to be enabled for this to run historically.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/tick_replay.htm