Automating 3rd Party Signals
Learn the different signal detection method the Predator X offers to automate 3rd party indicators.
Full Video Guide showing how to automate Draw Object Style signals on NinjaTrader with the Predator X.
Color Identifier is ONLY necessary when both signals share the exact same tag. If the tag is different between the Longs and Shorts, then it is not required to set one.
Your Plot Signal Tag box will change to the selected color if validation is successful.
Full Video Guide showing how to automate various Plot Signals. Plot mode gives us a wide range customization.
The Predator X can enter trades based on specific Plot Signals. Some Signals may not be obvious. We are mainly looking for some sort of identifiable Plot value change.
If your Indicator has a value of 0 or N/A in the Data box and then jumps to the current value whenever the signals appears. Then using this method will automate it with the Predator X.
Enter a Trade when the price crosses any plot on the chart.
- Enter when the price closes above/below the plot.
- Enter the moment the price crosses in real time while the bar is forming.
See video below to help configure to your needs.
Build a crossover condition with ANY plot on the chart.
Scan current Bar is used to determine which bar we look at for a signal. CHECKING THE WRONG OPTION CAN CAUSE TRADES TO NOT TAKE!
- Most indicators require this option to remain off. This is the safest option for a grand majority of indicators
- ONLY check it IF your indicator prints a signal while the bar is still forming.
- Ensure your indicator does not repaint. Many indicators will print signals while a bar is forming and then take them away if the bar closes in the opposite direction. This often results in 'Ghost Entries'. Waiting for bar close(unchecked) is the most reliable and safest option.
Deep Detection allows traders to automate more than just regular Signals. Use Background colors, Bar colors, Plot colors and even look for the slope of a plot.
You can easily find if there are valid signals to trade with our Deep Detection system by opening up the NinjaScript Output:
- New - NinjaScript Output
- Have this window open and select a Deep Detection from the panel. Restart the Strategy to populate all related info.
Entry Signals will enter a trade with any order management selected whenever the signal is detected.
Entry Signals are considered 'OR' conditions. This means the Predator X will enter whichever signal ENTRY Signal is detected first if using multiple Entries.
Entries require all filters and extra conditions to be in alignment before triggering (eg. All custom Filter signals and Time/PNL Limits)
Exit Signals are very similar to the Entry Signals. The only difference is that they will Exit your Full position whenever an Exit signal is detected.
Exit Signals are also considered 'OR' conditions. Meaning, that it will exit on whichever is detected first if using multiple exit signals.
Unlike Entries, Exit signals are NOT affected by any extra filter conditions. It will exit as soon as it's detected regardless of any other conditions.
Filter Signals are the conditions required to be true before your Entry can trigger.
Filter Signals are considered 'AND' conditions. ALL filters must be in alignment before an entry can trigger in a certain direction (eg. All custom filters pointing Long will allow a Long Entry to take place but prevent Short Trades if Short filters are 'Off')
Option to combine multiple Filters to create Entries when all filters are in alignment.
Most indicators will print a signal only after the bar closes. If this is the case for your indicator - Ensure Scan current Bar remains OFF or Bars Ago remains with a value of 1.
- Scan Current Bar Unchecked = Waits until a new bar opens to trigger the trade. This is default and the safest option for most indicators.
- Scan Current Bar Checked = Will scan only the current bar that is currently forming for a signal. IF your indicators does not print a signal while a bar is forming, this will cause missed trades. Use ONLY if absolutely certain your indicator prints while still forming
Bars Ago for Object Mode is a similar concept.
- Bars Ago 1: Default, wait until a new bar opens - safest option for most indicators.
- Bars Ago 0: Looks only at the current bar for a signal. Will miss trades if indicator does NOT print while forming.
Most indicators are coded in a way where signal data is hidden while chart is not open. Please ensure the following while using custom signals.
Do NOT:
- Switch to a different Tab (always load strategies on separate window charts)
- Minimize Windows
- Change Workspace
- Modify Indicators while strategy is running (Always disable the strategy first)
Plot mode requires a price change in the market in order to generate the plots in the Drop down.
If the market is closed or you are using market replay and have not hit 'Play' yet. Click the 'PLOTS' button on the top toolbar.
Indicators rely on the plots and their label names to generate on the chart. Loading multiple indicators wit hthe same name will cause indicators to overwrite eachother. A quick work around is to simply change the label of one of your indicators and reload the strategy. The Plot name will adopt the new label. This can help differentiate multiples of the same indicator but with different plot values.
Plot mode relies on the Plot and the Label name to create plot tag. Modifying the label for your indicator will cause that Tag name to change.
This means that if you load a template that uses plot mode and you purposely remove the labels (either manually or with a label remover indicator), this will cause the indicator name to be changed and in turn require you to re select the NEW indicator names from the drop down.
In order to save load time, by default we only look at the most current 1000 bars for signals. This means that if you have a signal that triggered 1000 bars prior and ahs not triggered afterwards, then it may not become validated upon loading.
Not to worry, as long as the correct signal plot name is used, it will automatically validate itself and still enter a trade once the signal is detected.
This is most common found with ORB styles trades if we have multiple breaks in one direction in a row. You may not see a signal in the opposite direction for 1000+ bars which will appear as an hourglass until a new one appears.