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converting an NT6.5 indicator to NT7


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converting an NT6.5 indicator to NT7

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 aligator 
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How do you convert an NT6.5 indicator to NT7?

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aligator View Post
How do you convert an NT6.5 indicator to NT7?


Many NT 6.5 indicators work in NT 7.0. However NT 7.0 has a lot of new features and some code breaking changes. Therefore every indicator should be checked and tested before it is used with NT 7.0.

You may proceed as follows:


(1) First Step - Compile the Indicator

Export the indicator via NT 6.5. and try to import via NT 7.0. If this has worked advance directly to step (2). If this did not work you should change your logs and your trace files, as they will likely point to the trouble. As you cannot import the file directly, you will now need to copy the indicator file manually from -> My Documents -> NinjaTrader 6.5 -> bin -> Custom -> Indicator to My Documents -> NinjaTrader 7 -> bin -> Custom -> Indicator. If the indicator references other indicators, you need to check whether these are already part of your NinjaTrader 7 installation, otherwise you need to copy those as well.

Now start NinjaTrader 7 and edit the indicator. Starting with the information from the logs and the trace file you now need to replace the offending code with appropriate code. The most frequent changes that need to be done:

-> change the Draw() methods, as NinjaTrader uses a modified syntax for them
-> recode custom plots as ChartControl has a number of code breaking changes (this only affects indicators that override NinjaTrader's Plot() method with a custom plot, but this can be really difficult

Once you made all the necessary changes, compile via F5.


(2) Second Step - Testing of the Compiled Indicator, Further Changes

If you have a compiled indicator, this does not mean that it will plot correctly. You first need to test it. Often you will find that the indicator does not work because

-> some code needs to be shifted from the Initialize() section to OnStartUp(), which is a new NT 7 feature.

Once the indicator runs in NT7, you can now clean it up.


(3) Third Step - Clean Up the Code

Many of the NinjaTrader 6.5 indicators use code, which is inefficient or can improved by using advanced features of Ninjatrader 7. Some examples are

-> Replacing the custom plot (the new MACDBBLines indicator does not use any custom plot, as the features of the NinjaTrader 7 default plots are now sufficient
-> May NT 6.5 indicators were repainting - at least in line mode - to color indicator plots. This is no longer necessary with NinjaTrader7
-> OnStartUp() can be used to initialize variables, so you do not need to do this in OnBarUpDate() any more.

Although these changes are not necessary, the contribute to overall performance and stability.

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Fat Tails,
Thanks a bunch. Very nice and detailed guide. In my quest, the NT6.5 file was imported into NT7 with no problem. Per your Step 2 other things look normal also. However, once attached to a chart nothing will plot. This is a Confluence Zones indicator and potential fixes are way beyond my cut and paste skills. Perhaps I need to ask someone in Elite section for help.

Thanks you again!

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Last Updated on March 2, 2011


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