Slope Solver

The Slope solver offers multiple solutions for analyzing slope conditions. e.g. The Slope solver can identify if an indicator is sloping steeply, some what flat, or a moderate slope.
Please note: Slope can not be measured in degrees, as is commonly thought. See section Output » Slope Settings » Slope Rules window below for a detailed explanation.

BloodHound v2

This section is specific to BloodHound v2. Scroll down for BloodHound v1.

Properties tab

This tab contains the essential settings for all nodes.

Modifiers

Click to see documentation

This section provides quick access to commonly used output modifiers.
Please note: The buttons only modify the individual instance of the selected node(s) on a Logic Board. Thus, the buttons are only visible when a node is selected on the Logic Board. The buttons are not available when a solver is selected in the Solvers panel, because the original solver's output can not be globally modified.
This behavior is consistent with adding a function node afterwards, so that the original solver's output remains unmodified elsewhere in the system. It is similar to having an SMA(50) on several charts. Changing the plot color on one chart does not modify the plot color on the other charts.

Enable button

Invert button

Swap button

Global Properties

These setting apply to all instances of the selected solver. Changing a setting in one of the instances changes the setting in all instances. If you only want to change one of the solvers, but not the others, you must make a copy of the solver. The copy will be a different solver, and a number will be added at the end of the name to differentiate it from the original.

Behavior

This option determines which outputs are calculated. Effectively turning off either the Long or Short output.

Evaluate

Input

This section determines what kind of data the solver will evaluate. Use the Type drop-down menu to select the data type.
The menu will change based on which data type is selected. Click on Type to see the various data types available and the corresponding documentation.

Click to see the Input » Type documentation

The Input section determines the data type to be evaluated. Use the 'Type' menu to select the data type. See below for detailed information on each data type.

Type: Fixed Value

Fixed Value

Fixed Value allows you to specify a single value that never changes, similar to the Threshold solver. This may be useful for instance when you require a fixed level or value to compare against, such as with the Comparison solver.
For example, detecting low volume bars. If 100 shares or less per bar is considered low volume, then 100 would be the fixed value to compare against Volume.
Note: Using Fixed Value does not make sense for solvers that only have one input. Such as the Inflection, Slope, Change In Slope, etc. solvers.

Type: Price

This option allows price data to be used in the solver. The price data can be shaped/manipulated by the various settings before it is used by the solver.

Custom Prices
SharkIndicators has custom system development prices that are very useful in reducing the number of solvers, and simplifying system logic, when evaluating the open and close (body) prices.
Body Top: Regardless of the bar direction, this returns the upper price of the candlestick body. Either the close or open price. Whichever is on top. e.g. For an up bar, the Body Top equals the close price.
Body Median: This returns the median price of the candlestick body. The formula is (Close + Open) ÷ 2.
Body Bottom: Regardless of the bar direction, this returns the lower price of the candlestick body. Either the close or open price. Whichever is the bottom. e.g. For an up bar, the Body Bottom equals the open price.

Price Type Long

Price Type Short

Lookback Period

Long Lookback Processing

Select how to process the price data in the Lookback Period. This process is used for calculating the Long output only.

Single Value: This returns the price from a historical bar referenced by the Lookback Period. No data processing is done. This makes the Lookback Period behave just like the Displacement parameter.

Average Values: This mode returns the average of the Price Type Long prices within the Lookback Period.

Max Values: This mode returns the highest selected price within the Lookback Period. It searches the Lookback Period historical bars and returns the highest value found. I.E. This is used when you want to use the highest High price of the previous 10 bars by setting Price Type Long = High and Lookback Period = 10.

Min Values: This mode returns the lowest selected price within the Lookback Period. It searches the Lookback Period historical bars and returns the lowest value found. I.E. This is used when you want to use the lowest High price of the previous 10 bars by setting Price Type Long = High and Lookback Period = 10.

Short Lookback Processing

Select how to process the price data in the Lookback Period. This process is used for calculating the short output only.

Average Values: This mode returns the average of the Price Type Short prices within the Lookback Period.

Max Values: This mode returns the highest selected price within the Lookback Period. It searches the Lookback Period historical bars and returns the highest value found. I.E. This is used when you want to use the highest Low price of the previous 10 bars by setting Price Type Short = Low and Lookback Period = 10.

Min Values: This mode returns the lowest selected price within the Lookback Period. It searches the Lookback Period historical bars and returns the lowest value found. I.E. This is used when you want to use the lowest Low price of the previous 10 bars by setting Price Type Short = Low and Lookback Period = 10.

Type: Volume

Volume will feed the current bar volume into the solver.
To evaluate the volume from a few bars back, use Indicator Value. Then select the VOL indicator, and use the Displacement setting.

Type: Indicator Value

Indicator

This is the default setting and most commonly used Input type. This allows the selection of any installed indicator that has one or more of the following output types; a Plot or Series<T>. A Plot is the plotted line or bar seen on the chart (e.g. the SMA line, RSI line, Volume bars, etc.), which always has a numeric value seen on the right or left edges of the chart. A Series<T> is not visible on a chart, but contains data like a plot and is readable by BloodHound. A Series<T> can contain the indicator’s main value, extra sub-data, or sometimes a signal of some kind. Note: Some NinjaTrader indicators are Not readable, per their design.
Tip: A signal value is typically +1, 0, or -1.
Technical note for programmers: BloodHound can read Series<T> data types Bool, Int, Double, and Long.

Select Indicator window

Clicking on the ellipsis button (to the right of the indicator) opens the Select Indicator window. This window is used to;
1) Select the indicator
2) Set the indicator properties
3) Select the Plot or Output you want the solver to analyze.

Search box: Typing the first three letters of an indicator will create a shorter filtered list of indicators to quickly find the indicator you are looking for.

Refresh Indicator List button: This button is only used once after a new indicator has been installed. It initiates rebuilding an updated list of indicators. If the newly installed indicator does not listed, please see the next section below. Also, a menu item to perform this same task has been added to the NinjaTrader Control Center » Help menu » SharkIndicators menu.

Add New button: Instead of double clicking on an indicator to add it, this button can be used.

Nest Input button: This provides a way to feed the output of one indicator in to the input of another indicator (e.g. Smoothing the CCI by nesting/feeding it in to the SMA indicator). Watch this video for more info on the process... How to Perform Indicator Nesting Within a Solver

Remove button: Use this to remove nested indicator from the list (in the bottom area).

Indicators Missing From the List
If an indicator is missing from the Select Indicator window, that means the indicator does not have a readable output or may have thrown an error when building the list. Or, the indicator may only draw information on the chart using custom graphics routines which are not readable.
In order for BloodHound to read 3rd party indicators the developer must follow NinjaTrader’s Best Practices for 3rd Party Developers > Expose Indicator States. This video will help you determine if your favorite 3rd party indicator has an output that is readable… How to analyze custom indicators in BloodHound.

Displacement

The Displacement parameter works the same way as the NinjaTrader Displacement parameter. It is used to analyze indicator values from previous bars back. On the chart, the Displacement moves the indicator plot forward X number of bars on to the current bar. Essentially, the same is occurring internally. the indicator value X number of bars back is moved forward on to the current bar. The Displacement operates on the chart/time-frame the solver is set to.
e.g. Setting Displacement to 5 will have the solver use the indicator value from the 5th bar back. In effect, this shifts the indicator plot from 5 bars back to the current bar.
i.e. Suppose you want to analyze an indicator’s value 5 bars ago. Set the Displacement value to 5 and the solver will always use indicator data that is 5 bars in the past.

Type: Swing Point Prices

Swing Point Prices uses the Swing Highs & Lows indicator plots for input price data. This is useful when you need to access the lowest low or highest high prices from the latest swing point.
You can add the bundled indicator Swing Highs & Lows to the chart to help you visualize the price data the solver is using.

Number of Swings

Swing type

Swing strength

Double Top/Bottom strength

Use Close prices

Long: Bottoms or Tops

Long: Widest or Tightest

Short: Bottoms or Tops

Short: Widest or Tightest

Type: Linear Regression Channel

Parameters

Slope Period

This applies an SMA smoothing to the Input type (see Input above). This is typically useful for smoothing jagged moving indicators, such as the CCI or MACD.
The default Period value of 1 is an SMA(1 period) of the Input type, and therefore no smoothing. A Period value of 2 applies an SMA(2 period) to the Input type, and therefore a slight smoothing is applied.
Tip: If you want to apply a different moving average smoothing, such as the EMA or HMA, you can use the indicator Nesting feature.

Output

Slope Settings

Click to see the Rules window Introduction

The Rules window provides a more natural way to define charting conditions (a.k.a. trading system rules), and allows advanced combinations of multiple rules/conditions in a single solver, replacing BloodHound v1 need for multiple solvers to do the same complex task.

Rules Window Components

The individual rules can be expanded open or collapse close by clicking a rule's title bar. The title bar is the horizontal area with the word 'Fixed' or 'Range' within it.

Add Rule menu(top left): This menu adds the selected rule.
A Fixed rule is most commonly used. It provides a simple comparison of the Input to a numeric value or Input B.
A Range rule compares the Input to a lower and upper range limit of values. Or, a ranged distance between Input A and Input B.
Tip: To use a Range rule instead of a Fixed rule, delete the default Fixed rule, and then add a Range rule.

Output Calculation menu(top right): This defines how the output is determined when two or more rules exist and at least two of the rules are true.
First: The first rule that is true, starting at the top of the list and working down, that output value is used.
Largest: The largest output value from all the rules that are true becomes the output value. This is for fuzzy logic systems.
Smallest: The smallest output value from all the rules that are true becomes the output value. This is for fuzzy logic systems.
Average: The output values from all the rules that are true are averaged together and becomes the output value. This is for fuzzy logic systems.
Addition: The output values from all the rules that are true are added together and becomes the output value. This is for fuzzy logic systems.

Settings window: This applies to the Range rule. It provides more detailed control over the values being evaluated.
Outside - Inside: The evaluation can be either Inside the lower and upper range or Outside that range.
Exclude - Include: Include is equivalent to >= or <=. It include the values in the evaluation.
Exclude is equivalent to > or <, no equal. The lower and upper range values are not included in the evaluation.
Fixed Output - Ranged Output: The 'Fixed Output' outputs a simple digital type of output. Either the output is 0 (no output) or the value on the far right (usually 1).
Selecting the 'Ranged Output' enables the fuzzy logic capability of the solver. Two Output fields become visible. When the input value falls between the lower and upper range values, the solver's output is calculated by linearly interpolating between the two Output values.

Delete button: This deletes the rule. The Undo button can be used to restore it.

Slope Rules widow

Fixed Rules:
The basic concept of a Fixed rule is to identify when the slope of the Input is, rising , falling, or flat.
e.g. Typical examples would be, is the SMA rising, or is the EMA falling.
Tip: Whenever a setting is changed, the sentence above the settings is modified to describe the condition being identified.

This is the name of the Input. e.g. The indicator name or the bar price.

This menu selects the condition to be identified.
Flat identifies when the Input has no slope/angle to it, or is within a range of flatness as specified by ④ and ⑤. Typically, settings ④ and ⑤ should be set to a small value, because data on charts are rarely perfectly flat.
Not Flat identifies when the Input has some amount of slope/angle that is greater than the amount of ④ and ⑤. Settings ④ and ⑤ are used to establish the minimum slope amount. A smaller slope than ④ and ⑤ is considered flat. Thus, the Input must have a minimum slope of ④ and ⑤ to be considered Not Flat.
Rising identifies when the Input has a rising slope/angle to it, with a minimum or maximum slope specified by ③, ④ and ⑤.
Falling identifies when the Input has a falling slope/angle to it, with a minimum or maximum slope specified by ③, ④ and ⑤.

This menu selects whether a minimum or maximum slope amount is to be identified.
At Least identifies a minimum slope amount. The Input must be rising or falling by at least the minimum amount of ④ and ⑤.
At Most identifies a maximum slope amount. The Input must not be rising or falling more than the maximum amount of ④ and ⑤.

④ and ⑤ are combined together to define the amount of slope.
e.g. Looking at the image above, if the Long rule was adjusted to a setting of SMA [ Rising ] by [ At Least ] [ 0.5 ] [Ticks], it would identify when the SMA is rising a minimum of 0.5 ticks or more, from one bar to the next bar. Thus, the SMA is rising at a relatively moderate rate.

This is a numeric input field. This value, combined with the Measurement Unit ⑤, determines the rate of rise or fall to be identified.

This sets the Measurement Unit for the slope amount ④ and ⑤. Typically, moving averages are best measured in Ticks. Indicators that display in their own sub-panel (i.e. MACD, CCI, Stochastics) are measured in Points.
Why can't I measure in degrees? Measuring in degrees is a common misnomer, and falsehood that is taught. Probably because it is easy to understand. The truth is that degrees can not be measured, because the Y-axis on every trading platform automatically expands and shrinks to fit the highest and lowest prices on the chart. If the market is making new highs, the chart automatically compresses the Y-axis to fit that higher price on the chart. When the Y-axis compresses, the angle of every indicator flattens. e.g. Imagine a chart where the price action is somewhat consolidating/range bound, and an indicator on that chart appears to have a 40 degree angle. If the market begins to quickly trend higher, the Y-axis must compress to show the higher prices. That in turn, flattens the angle of said indicator to now appear to have a 30 degree angle.
The angle of an indicator can only be measured in price change from the previous bar to the current bar. e.g. On a /CL (Crude Oil) chart, if the SMA(14) has a value of 50.00 on the previous bar, and has a value of 50.50 on the current bar, the SMA slope is 0.5 points or 50 ticks.

This sets the output value when the slope condition is true. A value of 1 (meaning 100% confidence) is typical for most systems. Only advanced users, building a fuzzy logic system, should use a smaller value.

Range Rules:
A Range rule is used to identify when the slope value/angle of the Input has a rising or falling slope that is between a min. slope and a max. slope value. It sets constraints that the slope/angle must fall between.
Tip: Whenever a setting is changed, the sentence above the settings is modified to describe the condition being identified.

This is the name of the Input. e.g. The indicator name or the bar price.

This is a numeric input field, and is the minimum slope value of the range. When the slope is greater than this value and less than value ③, the slope condition is identified.

This is a numeric input field, and is the maximum slope value of the range. When the slope is less than this value and greater than value ②, the slope condition is identified.

This sets the Measurement Unit for the slope amounts ② and ③. Typically, moving averages are best measured in Ticks. Indicators that display in their own sub-panel (i.e. MACD, CCI, Stochastics) are measured in Points.
Why can't I measure in degrees? Measuring in degrees is a common misnomer, and falsehood that is taught. Probably because it is easy to understand. The truth is that degrees can not be measured, because the Y-axis on every trading platform automatically expands and shrinks to fit the highest and lowest prices on the chart. If the market is making new highs, the chart automatically compresses the Y-axis to fit that higher price on the chart. When the Y-axis compresses the angle of every indicator flattens. e.g. Image a chart where the price action is somewhat consolidating/range bound, and an indicator on that chart appears to have a 40 degree angle. If the market begins to quickly trend higher, the Y-axis must compress to show the higher prices. That in turn, flattens the angle of said indicator to now appear to have a 30 degree angle.
The angle of an indicator can only be measured in price change from the previous bar to the current bar. e.g. On a /CL (Crude Oil) chart, if the SMA(14) has a value of 50.00 on the previous bar, and has a value of 50.50 on the current bar, the SMA slope is 0.5 points or 50 ticks.

This sets the output value when the slope condition has occurred. A value of 1 (meaning 100% confidence) is typical for most systems. Only advanced users, building a fuzzy logic system, should use a smaller value.

Two Output fields, ⑤ and ⑥, appear when the Ranged Output option is enabled in the Settings menu. Only advanced users, building a fuzzy logic system, should enable this option.

This sets the output confidence value when the slope is at value ② of the range. If the value in ⑥ is 1 (meaning 100% confidence), then this value should be less. And, vice-versa if this value is 1.

This sets the output confidence value when the slope is at value ③ of the range. If the value in ⑤ is 1 (meaning 100% confidence), then this value should be less. And, vice-versa if this value is 1.

Options tab

This tab contains extra secondary settings common to all nodes.

Weight

Click to see the Weight documentation

This section is used to modify the node's final output value. It is only useful for designing fuzzy logic systems, or a fuzzy logic section of a system.
Please note: The Weight controls only modify the individual instance of the selected node(s) on a Logic Board. Thus, the Weight controls are only visible when a node is selected on the Logic Board. The controls are not available when a solver is selected in the Solvers panel, because the original solver's output can not be globally modified.
This behavior is different than BloodHound 1.0. In BH 1.0, the Weight controls modified the nodes output globally (every instance). This change in BH 2.0 adds more system design granularity.

Multiply Output: This takes the internal values (the Long and Short values determined via the Properties tab » Output Rules section) and multiplies them by this value. Note: the final output will not exceed a value of 1, as described in the Slider control below.

Slider control: The slider constrains the final output to a value of 0 to 1. The left side of the slider sets a minimum value that is output regardless if the solver condition is true or not. The right side sets a maximum value that is output. The output is capped.
e.g. Three indicator conditions are being checked, and thus three solvers are created. Only two out of the three indicator conditions are needed. An Additive logic node is used to add the solver's outputs together. Just two out of the three solvers need to add up to a value of 1. Therefore, the right slider (max output value) for all three solvers is set to 0.5. When two indicator/solver conditions are found, thus the outputs = 0.5, then the calculation, in the Additive node, is 0.5 + 0.5 + 0 = 1. A value of 1 means the two out of three condition is true.

Hedge Operation: This applies a mathematical formula to the internal value.

None: No modification is applied.
Very (square output): A squaring formula is applied. Output = value^² .
Somewhat (square root output): A square root formula is applied. Output = √value .

Description

This text area provides a place to write a full description of what the node is doing, used for, or what ever you want.
Note: The Description is global to all instances of the node. It is not applied individually to each instance as the Weight controls are.

Help tab

This tab displays the documentation page (from this web site) of the selected node.
Please note: NinjaTrader v8.0.26.0 or newer is required for the built in web viewer to work, and thus the documentation to be displayed.

Video Tutorial

This video is from our weekly Workshop in July 2024.
For more benefit please watch in full screen mode, as this video is recorded in HD.

Examples

Example 1A: The Basics

This demonstrates a basic function of the Slope solver using the SMA indicator. The Solver identifies which direction the SMA is sloping or flat.

Input Settings:

Leave the Input as the SMA 14.

Rules window Settings:
No changes to the Rules window is necessary.

The chart shows a Long output when the SMA is pointing up, a Short output when it is pointing down, and no output when it is flat.

Example 1B: The Basics with Filtering

This continues demonstrating a basic function of the Slope solver using the SMA indicator. The Solver is set up to identify a strong slope of at least 1 point or more of the SMA. A weak slope is filtered out.

Leave the Input as the SMA 14.

Rules window Settings:
Open the Rules window by clicking the ellipses button in section Output » Slope Settings.

Set up the Fixed rule as show below.

The chart shows an output when the angle of the SMA is greater then 1 point in either direction.

Example 1C: Identifying Flatness / Consolidation

This demonstrates how to identify a flattish moving average, and by extension price consolidation. This Solver is set up to detect flat areas of the HMA 50, and generate a Long & Short output, which could be used as or in an exit signal. Note, there is a Long & Short output, because flat is non-directional, and non-directional conditions should normally output both Long & Short.

Set Indicator to HMA 50.

Rules window Settings:
Open the Rules window by clicking the ellipses button in section Output » Slope Settings.

Set up the Fixed rule as show.

The chart below shows when the HMA is flattish when a bi-directional output is given. A bi-directional output was setup in the Rules window, because a flat HMA is neither Long or Short.

Example 2: Finding Consolidation with ADXVMA

This demonstrates a specialized way to find price consolidation with the Indicator Slope solver. This time we'll use the SiADXVMA indicator (a similar indicator is avilable from Lizard Trader) to determine consolidation and generate a bi-directional signal that can be used in an exit system.

Set Indicator to amaADXVMA.

Rules window Settings:
Open the Rules window by clicking the ellipses button in section Output » Slope Settings.

Set up the Fixed rule as show.

The chart shows, when the ADXVMA is flat a bi-directional signal is given. A bi-directional output was setup in the Rules window, because a flat ADXVMA is neither Long or Short.

BloodHound v1

This section is specific to BloodHound v1. Scroll up for BloodHound v2.

Indicator Slope Solver

Video Tutorial

This video is from our weekly Workshop in July 2015.
For more benefit please watch in full screen mode, as this video is recorded in HD.

Examples

Example 1A: The Basics

This demonstrates the basic function of Indicator Slope solver with the use of the Stochastic D. This Solver will be used to detect which direction the Stochastic is pointing by analyzing if the slope is positive or negative.

Add the Indicator Slope solver
Set Indicator to Stochastic D

The chart below shows a Long signal when the Stochastic D is pointing up, and a Short signal when it is pointing down.

Example 1B: The Basics with Filtering

This demonstrates the basic function of Indicator Slope solver as an indicator angle filter. This Solver will be used to detect strong angles in the SMA 14.

Add the Indicator Slope solver
Set Indicator to SMA
Set Maximum Slope to 1 Ticks

As the chart below shows, when the angle of the SMA 14 is strong in either direction a signal is given.

Example 2A: Finding Flatness (or Consolidation)

This demonstrates how to find price consolidation with the Indicator Slope solver. This Solver will be used to detect flat areas in the SMA 14 and generate a bi-directional signal that can be used in an exit system.

Add the Indicator Slope solver
Set Indicator to SMA
Set Minimum Slope to 0.1 Ticks
Set Output Value At Slope Zero to 1
Set Output-Against Direction Less Than Min to 1
Set Output-In Direction Greater Than Max to 0
Set Output-In Direction At Max to 0
Set Output-In Direction Less Than Min to 1

The chart below shows, when the SMA 14 is flat(ish) a bi-directional signal is given. A bi-directional output was setup, because a flat SMA is neither Long or Short.

Example 2B: Finding Consolidation with ADXVMA

Add the Indicator Slope solver
Set Indicator to SiADXVMA
Set the Period to 6
Select DataSeries ADXVMA: Long and Short checkbox

Set Minimum Slope to 0.1 Ticks
Set Output Value At Slope Zero to 1
Set Output-Against Direction Less Than Min to 1
Set Output-In Direction Greater Than Max to 0
Set Output-In Direction At Max to 0
Set Output-In Direction Less Than Min to 1

The chart below shows, when the ADXVMA is flat a bi-directional signal is given. A bi-directional output was setup, because a flat ADXVMA is neither Long or Short.

General

BloodHound

BlackBird

Other Indicators

Slope Solver

BloodHound v2

Properties tab

Properties tab

Output Modifiers