2010-06-24
Cute Point and Figure indicator v1.2

IMPORTANT!!!
*if you have already installed older version(v1.1) of Cute Point and Figure indicator on your MT4 and want to install new one(v1.2) - you must replace all old files with new ones, including templates .tpl files. More about that in installation section below.
This step will protect you from unexpected problems tied with version mismatch.

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What's new in v1.2:
* Added TREND LINES drawing ability!!! - now, trend lines will not shift and will not disappear when plotted(up to 4 trend lines allowed)!!!
* Added alert sound signal when  new column of X's or O's appears
* Added warning when selected time frame is too big(helps to avoid crash of MT4)
* Some corrections added to grid painting

known disadvantage: 
polotted trend lines will be deleted every time when you'll reinitialize indicator.
Reinitialization occurs when: setting new inputs, changing TF, closing MT4.
Sorry, at the moment there is no better way to plot trend lines. :|

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Files included:
* Cute_PointAndFigure.ex4
* Cute_PnF_xo_view_v1.2.tpl
* Cute_PnF_xo_paper_view_v1.2.tpl
* Cute_PnF_boxes_view_v1.2.tpl
* Cute_PnF_boxes_paper_view_v1.2.tpl

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Cute Point & Figure indicators features:
* Very easy in use and understanding
* Customizable boxsize & stepsize
* Trend Lines plotting ability(by hand)
* Alert signals when new column of X's or O's appears
* Customizable user interface(colors, font sizes etc)
* Two views: X/O & boxes
* Date showing(with ability to on/off: year, month, day displaying)
* Fast grid painting algorithm
* Warning messages when selected time frame is too big(helps to avoid crash of MT4)
* Ability to be attached to Forex, stocks, indices, metal charts
* Suitable for scalping and for longer period trading
* Really Cute and simple look of X/O chart
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----- Installation -----
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IMPORTANT!!!
*if you have already installed older version(v1.1) of Cute Point and Figure indicator on your MT4 and want to install new one(v1.2) - replace all old files with new ones, including templates .tpl files.

For those who don't understand how to do that:

Firstly, delete all 5 previous version's files:
Cute_PointAndFigure.ex4
Cute_PnF_xo_view.tpl
Cute_PnF_xo_paper.tpl
Cute_PnF_boxes_view.tpl
Cute_PnF_boxes_paper_view.tpl
placed at your MT4 indicators(e.g. C:\Program Files\RealTrader4\experts\indicators\) and templates(e.g. C:\Program Files\RealTrader4\templates\). And follow all 13(posted below) indicator's installation steps.


--- Fresh installation steps: ---

[1] Firstly, check your MetaTrader 4 platform - is it based on 4(e.g. EUR/USD = 1.1234) or 5(e.g. EUR/USD = 1.12345) digits price.

*For 4 digits price platforms use: Cute_PnF_indicator_v1.2_for_4_digits_MT4.zip 
*For 5 digits price platforms use: Cute_PnF_indicator_v1.2_for_5_digits_MT4.zip

*if you've downloaded indicator with not suitable digits price for your platform, then go to http://www.forexpnf.info  'downloads' section and download suitable version of indicator.)

*** Warning! Don't run 4 digits price indicator on 5 digits MT4 and vice versa. This can take too much resources of your CPU, also can cause a crash of MT4.

[2] Turn off MetaTrader.

[3] Extract Cute_PnF_indicator_v1.2_for_4_digits_MT4.zip or Cute_PnF_indicator_v1.2_for_5_digits_MT4.zip  file using ZIP or WINRAR to the desktop.

[4] Place the Cute_PointAndFigure.ex4 file into the MT4 indicators folder. (e.g. C:\Program Files\RealTrader4\experts\indicators\)

[5] Then put the below files into the MT4 templates folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\RealTrader4\templates\):

Cute_PnF_xo_view_v1.2.tpl
Cute_PnF_xo_paper_view_v1.2.tpl
Cute_PnF_boxes_view_v1.2.tpl
Cute_PnF_boxes_paper_view_v1.2.tpl

[6] Now run MetaTrader and open a new chart. 

[7] Select M1 timeframe(M1 timeframe is strongly recommended, because of charting accuracy and charting speed)

[8] Right click anywhere on the chart. Go to Template and choose any template which starts with the name Cute_PnF... 

[9] If wry grid or even no grid  appears on the chart, try to press M5 and then again M1.

[10] To setup correct chart displaying - left click on vertical scale line on the chart(right corner of chart)  and drag down/up.

[11] Do the same like in step 8 for the timeline axis(bottom of chart).

[12] When you'll get the desired result with the look of your P&F chart - right click enywhere on the chart >>> Properties(F8) >> under section "Common" check the box called "Scale fix" and press OK.
Now you will be able to drag your P&F chart horizontally and vertically. 

[13] That's it! Now you have configured your MetaTrader to correctly display Point & Figure chart with the help of Cute Point and Figure indicator. 

*If there still will be any problems with configuring and setuping indicator - don't be ungry, this is first release, so problems and  bugs are conceivable. :) 
Anyway, for help visit http://www.forexpnf.info , i've placed installation instruction video there. Also, if needed, send any words to: info@forexpnf.info or post a comment at http://www.forexpnf.info 


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----- Plotting trendlines -----
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You can plot up to 4 trend lines which will not shift and not dissapear.

1. Plot one trend line(use standard MT4 trend plotting tool) 
2. Go to it's properties:
2.1. double click to select plotted trendline(or use object list)
2.2. then right click on it 
2.3. choose "Trendline properties..." 
2.4. find section "Name" and change it to: "trend1"  (without ""), also all leters must be lower-case
2.5. set other options if needed(e.g: can uncheck ray feature) and press OK

That's it, now your trendline called "trend1" will be attached to chart and will not disappear and shift.
If needed you can plot more trendlines(up to 4). For that - repeat all steps posted above, but at step 2.4 don't forget to rename second trend line to "trend2", third to "trend3", fourth to "trend4".

For better understanding - how to plot trendlines correctly - watch video instructions at homepage.




HAPPY TRADING AND GOOD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS WITH POINT&FIGURE(the best method which i found)!
Thanks for using Cute Point and Figure indicator! :)

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Donation & beer:
I have spent a lot of time and nerves on making this indicator. 
If you'll find this indicator helpful, you can drop me 1 or 2 bucks for a beer or lemonade. :|
All donators who already donated are listed on the firs page at www.forexpnf.info 
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Already donated: 
David R Williams - 10$ 
Adrian-Bogdan(j0n3s) - 10$
Yoshihiro Teraji - 2$
thanks guys!!






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---- My & indicator's history -----
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From the beginning of my friendship with Forex and Stocks  until this blog was born  Ive tested a lot of strategies based on: MAs(moving avarage), Bollinger Bands, Fractals, Stochastics, MACD, Parabolic SAR, CCI, Zig-Zag, Channel(figure) trading, support, resistance and much, much more.

After hundreds of unlucky tries to find 100% profitable method(also called holy grail) in forex(stocks)  i concluded that there is no holy grail.(by the way  from the beginning, my brother LS had pessimistic view about holy grail and was talking me about that thousands of times) 
The main method which looked explainable and sometimes profitable for me was  support/resistance trading. In spite of it  i wanted more accurate signal for jump in or closing the trade. Because of my trading style  1h/4h charts  i was used to spent a lot of time opposite my PC monitor to understand whats going on the stage. Also that support/resistance lines at short period trading were so unclear and unstable that was killing me.

After a while  my sufferings were spotted  I discovered Point & Figure charting method. This kind of charting gave me clear(filtered) support/resistance image. Later i discovered the world of Point & Figure patterns, what gave me an opportunity  to find accurate  buy and sell signals.

At the beginning i used classic Point & Figure drawing method  based on  pencil & paper. Later, internet gave me special  PnF  MS EXCEL sheets. MS EXCEL was not bad, anyway the disadvantages were:  importing/exporting  market data and poor graphical side of charting.

So, this is the way how  i  started programing  of my own Point & Figure indicator for MetaTrader 4 with MQL4 language. I called this indicator  Cute Point & Figure indicator.