I have installed ninja trader V8 but how the heck do I get a chart loaded

I followed their video on connecting to their continuum data feed but I try load a chart and there is nothing. I've spent the last 3 hours trying to simply load some data...Im stuck.
I just want to load a futures instrument. Anything. And start practising. Can anyone please tell me how to get up and running with a demo account on ninja trader?
I must just add that I was sent a username and password and set it up in Ninjatrader. It says I am connected successfully but now what?
Thanks.

First off, just be mindful that today is a national holiday in the US, so it may be that you're expecting to see some market movement that is not there, until 2300 tonight at least.

Having said that, what other steps have you taken? What specific instrument are you trying to visualize a chart for?

Ah right, the holiday might explain it.
- I start ninjatrader and connect using their demo credentials.
- New Chart - Data Series.
- For the instrument I go to futures and have tried a few different selections like '6b 12-16' or 'cl 11-16' etc.
I have also tried loading forex data USDJPY and a new chart windows loads up but is blank.

I have highlighted in bold a section in your comment. What instrument and expiry date you select is important.

For instance, if you selected CL 11-16 then I would expect you not to see any movement because I'm pretty sure that contract expired.

For the next 1-2 days CL 02-17 is still good to go, then I think you want to start looking at CL 03-17.

Does it make sense?

Yes it makes sense and my chart is loading now. I feel rather sheepish. Thanks for explaining that to me.

Also, I have set it to '1000 volume' but I am seeing different sized candles, shouldn't they all be the same size? I'm presuming that '1000 volume' means a candle is created after 1000 contracts have traded?

Ive loaded CL02-17 and the data starts from 16 Jan. Is there any way to load the past 6 months of price movement so that I can draw levels?

No, they wouldn't be necessarily all the same size. You are correct that 1000 volume means 'print a candle after 1000 volume has traded' but how far or how little the price goes after trading 1000 contracts can vary from candle to candle. Depending on the product as well as the market conditions, 1000 lots can barely move the price or it can move considerably. For example, one moment a 1000-lot candle can move by 5 ticks, the next it can move by 20.

I am not an expert with NinjaTrader but I believe that depends on both how much data the service provider stores as well as the bar type you choose. If you choose a time-based bar (e.g. 60 mins candle) you may have different historical data from when you choose a 1000 contract bar.
I'm sure others can help better than me on this question.

Right ok that makes sense. There can be a huge battle going on between sellers and buyers where 1000 contracts have been bought and sold and this might represent a fractional price movement. I was confusing this with Renko bars.



Ive registered on the ninjatrader forum so I will harass them with my noobness over there and try and keep the questions more relevant on this forum.