Add Background Color function to an indicator

June 29th, 2011, 06:59 PM

I don't have any programer experience, but i would like to add an background color function to all my indicators, like the one on the MACDBBLinesV4. Simple panel background color change when indicator changes direction.
Question: is it very difficult, specialy for me, to make this add to the indicators?

thanks for answers

michael

June 30th, 2011, 05:53 AM

michaelf

I don't have any programer experience, but i would like to add an background color function to all my indicators, like the one on the MACDBBLinesV4. Simple panel background color change when indicator changes direction.
Question: is it very difficult, specialy for me, to make this add to the indicators?

thanks for answers

michael

It is not difficult to add this to any indicator. You will need to

(1) declare color variables in the Variables section of the indicator, something like

Code

private Color upColor = Color.LimeGreen;
private Color downColor = Color.Red;
private int opacity = 5;

(2) introduce a condition specifiying when your background shall be painted at the end of the OnBarUpdate() section, for example

Code

int alpha =  25 * opacity;
if (Value[0]>Value[1]) // rising indicator value
      BackColor = Color.FromArgb(alpha, upColor)
else // falling indicator value
      BackColor = Color.FromArgb(alpha, downColor)

If you use BackColorAll instead of BackColor, all panels of the chart will be colored, with BackColor only the indicator panel will be colored.

(3) If you want the colors to be user selectable you need to serialize the colors. You should define a property for the opacity. This can be done in the Properties Section of the indicator. Best copy the code from another indicator and just change the variables. Opacity should be a value between 0 and 10, so you would declare it as:

Code

  /// <summary>
        /// </summary>
        [Description("Opacity of Background ")]
        [GridCategory("Plots")]
        [Gui.Design.DisplayNameAttribute("Background Opacity")]
        public int Opacity
        {
            get { return opacity; }
            set { opacity = Math.Min(10, Math.Max(0, value)); }
        }

June 30th, 2011, 06:00 AM

If you want a readymade recipe this thread is about it

Make Charts Pretty!

I know, silly title, but then there is an element of artistry in this proposal.

I attach code that paints the background panel different colours according to different conditions.
In this instance when the whole of the bar is above/below or straddling …

June 30th, 2011, 08:46 AM

Thank you Fat Tails for you reply

I want only that the indicator panel to be colored and I thought the same that I need to take first look on a existend indicator. I will to try it first with a Stochastic, because the WMA_colors indicator I use, yeah, I think with that one it will be to much.

Thanks again

June 30th, 2011, 08:52 AM

redratsal thank you for you reply

I like the idea of bigmike's (thread 30) design, but it will be very hurtfurlly for me, every time when my wife will see this she will hit me on the head.

June 30th, 2011, 08:56 AM

michaelf

redratsal thank you for you reply

I like the idea of bigmike's (thread 30) design, but it will be very hurtfurlly for me, every time when my wife will see this she will hit me on the head.

June 30th, 2011, 10:37 AM

HELP

I tried now everything but without success, it is to difficult for me.
Maybe someone out there can write a script for me. I wish to have a simple Stochastics with panel background color on the PeriodD and PeriodK crossover.
I maked a screenshot of an example, only on this indicator the Period D linie change it color when it changes direction and I would wish when D and K makes a crossover.

Hopefully some one can help me I would really appreciated it.

Thanks a lot
Michael