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Date/Time: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:31:28 +0000



[Locked] - New Control Bar to replace ToolBar and Status Bar

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[2015-07-14 11:22:33]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
The next release of Sierra Chart is going to contain a new Control Bar feature which works with the main window of Sierra Chart and all detached chart windows. This should be out no later than the end of this week and hopefully in just another day or two in the prerelease.

This will replace the existing ToolBar and status bar which we are glad to get rid of. We were never happy with those Microsoft-based components.

The new control bars can be attached to the main Sierra Chart window and to any detached chart. They can also be floated. You can have up to 8 control bars per window.

The Control Bar can contain any of the buttons listed in Global Settings >> Customize Toolbars. You can also add a data feed status window to it and also a watchlist for a chart to quickly select among a list of symbols for a chart.

This Control Bar has been built completely from scratch. It does not use any existing components or development framework other than the basic window and button components. We have little doubt that this is quite unique. Not many software programs undertake this kind of development effort and create a Control Bar from scratch. So it is highly reliable and purpose built for Sierra Chart.

Each of the control bar buttons is automatically sized to fit the label contents.

You will be able to customize the text and colors and graphic for each button, although not right away.

These are some of the things which make this a dramatic enhancement over the existing ToolBar.

Update:

To control the font size on the new ToolBar, select Global Settings >> Graphics Settings >> Fonts. Change the ToolBar Text font.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-08-14 07:33:47
[2015-07-14 20:14:34]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
In the latest release of Sierra Chart, 1269, there is no status bar. However, the connection status to the data feed is shown on the title bar of Sierra Chart. When connected to the data feed you will see "Con" followed by the sequence number, on the title bar.

Refer to the attachment for an example.

When using the Chart Values Tools or one of the drawing tools, the values that were shown on the left side of the status bar can be viewed through the Tool Values Windows including the Compact Tool Values Window.

The Compact Tool Values window becomes active when you are using a drawing tool and Window >> Show Compact Tool Values Window is enabled/checked. Uncheck this if you do not want to use this window.

The Compact Tool Values Window can be set to be displayed horizontally and dragged anywhere on the desktop:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?page=doc/doc_Tools.html#ViewingToolandChartData

The Compact Tool Values Window position is saved for each individual chart which which is important especially when using detached charts or using a larger desktop. This was one of the problems with the Status bar.

So once you reposition it for a particular chart, it will remain in that position when you go back to the chart and use one of the Tools.

The Compact Tools Values Window is colored using the Subgraph colors. Depending upon where you are pointing in the chart with one of the Tools, it changes to display the data for the first found Graph.

The font for the Compact Tools Value Window is controlled through Global Settings >> Graphics Settings >> Graphics Settings>> Fonts >> Text Windows .

The latest prerelease of Sierra Chart now contains the new Control Bar released which contains the colored data feed status window.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-08-14 07:38:12
Attachment Deleted.
imageTitleBarConnectionStatus.png / V - Attached On 2015-07-14 20:16:26 UTC - Size: 3.65 KB - 1078 views
[2015-07-15 02:52:31]
Acro - Posts: 436
I must admit I found the chart values appearing in the left side of the status bar were incredibly useful.
They were compact (one line) and you always knew where they were.

The problem I find with the compact tool values window or chart values window are they always need to be dragged to get them out of the way and they are much larger than the status bar.
I also find quite frequently that the position you drag the CTV window to does not "stick" and you have to redrag it the next time you use the relevant chartbook.

Just my two cents
[2015-07-15 10:25:35]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
The Compact Tool Values Window position is saved for each individual chart which is much more appropriate especially when using detached charts.

So once you reposition it for a particular chart, it should maintain that position when you go back to a particular chart. We are not aware of a problem with this. Confirm if you still see the issue now that you are aware of how it works.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
[2015-07-16 09:38:32]
tobi - Posts: 351
I must admit I found the chart values appearing in the left side of the status bar were incredibly useful.
They were compact (one line) and you always knew where they were.
I found this too.

I personally don't use (like the use of) the Compact Tool Values Window. For the information i quickly want to know i use the (normal) Tool Values Window. That i can adust to my needs (what i want to see and its size) and it/one can be used for all charts. Have a look at the attached screenshot.

What I'm missing from the Status Bar is the "Y" information, especially when using tools (e.g. drawing a horizontal line). I know it's also available in the Tool Values Window but all the way at the top which would make "my" Tool Values Window quite a bit larger.

Maybe it would be an idea/solution and easy to implement (?), to bring the information from the former Status Bar up to the Title Bar (a bit moved to the right from the connection information). That way everybody would be happy :-)
imagetool-values-window.png / V - Attached On 2015-07-16 09:37:36 UTC - Size: 35.91 KB - 1141 views
[2015-07-16 10:40:28]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Version 1270 has been released with the new Control Bar.

This control bar is still under development and all functionality is not complete yet!

The most significant limitation is that the control bars that are displayed are currently shared for both the main Sierra Chart window and detached charts. This will be changed in the next day or two. Each window will have their own configuration for control bars.

If the above is going to be a significant problem for you, then please do not install version 1270!


We expect the most important development to be finalized by early next week and over the next couple of weeks, the remaining functionality to be to finished.


In response to post #5, we are thinking about this. Basically the considerations are making the Compact Tool Values Window adjustable and/or displaying the information on the chart. It is already possible to hide fields displayed in the Compact Tool Values Window.

With the new Control Bar, the "Status bar" which displays the data feed status can be added through Global Settings >> Customize ToolBars >> ToolBar # >> Available ToolBar Commands >> Special Items >> Status Bar.

And as we indicated, all of the buttons you will be able to customize the text, the foreground and background color, and use an optional icon. This is not yet ready but hopefully we can get this done in about two weeks.


Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-07-16 10:48:50
[2015-07-19 20:54:57]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
In prerelease 1272 of Sierra Chart, the Compact Tool Values window when it is displayed over a chart will maintain its same relative position to the chart, when the chart is moved.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-07-19 20:55:50
[2015-07-20 05:27:19]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Based on user feedback the following improvements will be made to the Compact Tool Values window:

-An option to keep it stationary instead of changing its position last used for the particular chart in focus.

-The Price Change will not be displayed unless the bar period is greater than or equal to 1 Day.

-Separate Font setting for it. Right now it is controlled by the Text Windows font.

-Possibly an option to keep it always on and its visibility state controlled by a command/button and not dependent on the active Tool status.

-The width of every column in the Compact Tool Values window will be based upon the contents in that column and not the maximum width required across all of the columns displayed.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-07-20 07:54:52
[2015-07-22 05:47:44]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Version 1275 has now been released with the latest Control Bar development.

There is still additional development we are doing on it but it is sufficiently complete at this time for a general release.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
[2015-08-01 22:33:26]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Version 1280 corrects a problem with the repositioning of the Compact Tool Values Window for the active chart when the active chart is moved.

This repositioning is for the Compact Tool Values Window to maintain the same position relative to the top left of the chart for which it is for.

This repositioning occurs when Global Settings >> Tool Settings >>Save Compact Tool Values Window for Each Chart is enabled.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-08-01 22:34:48
[2015-08-21 03:51:37]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Here are instructions to use the new Compact Tool Values Window in a way which is nearly equivalent to the old Status Bar.

1. Make sure Window >> Show Compact Tool Values Window is checked.

2. Select General Settings >> Tool Settings.

3. Enable Use Horizontal Compact Tool Values Window Layout.

4. Disable Save CTV Window Position for Each Chart.

5. Press OK.

6. Select Global Settings >> Graphics Settings >> Fonts.

7. Set the Compact Tool Values Window font to what you want to use in the Compact Tool Values Window. If you do not see that particular font setting, then use Text Windows.

8. Press OK.

9. Select Tools >> Chart Values. Left click on the chart to activate the tool.

10. You will see the Compact Tool Values Window appear. If you do not, select Window >> Reset Windows.

11. Drag it to wherever you want. You may want to put it into an available space near the top of the program or screen.

12. If you want to hide some fields displayed, this can be done as explained here:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?page=doc/helpdetails67.html#HidingMainPriceGraphValuesVW

13. In the next release, there will be an option to keep the Compact Tool Values Window always visible when the Tools >> Chart Values tool is selected. This option is now in version 1289 in Global Settings >> Tool Settings >> Chart Values.

14. Here is the documentation for the Compact Tool Values Window:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?page=doc/doc_Tools.html#ViewingToolandChartData

The reasons the Old Status bar was removed:

-Was a proprietary Microsoft component. We are gradually working on making Sierra Chart as independent as possible from Windows and MFC as we are in the process of supporting other operating systems.
-It used the Windows registry and under certain conditions can cause an exception which generally can lead to a shutdown of Sierra Chart. This exception was caught, but the method of handling this was kind of a hack.
-Could not be moved. This is very limiting on a large monitor, or when detached Windows are used.
-Duplicates the functionality of the Compact Tool Values Window.
-Did not have full or easily implemented color coding capability. It had a monochrome appearance which was not always so easily read compared to white text on a black background in a table type of view.
-Used an unnecessary amount of space especially on large monitors.
-Has always been regarded as somewhat below standard and not the best method to view bar values. Typically a quality charting program will use a pop-up data box to view bar values which automatically moves or is manually moved.
-Had limited number of characters which could be displayed and in some cases the text displayed was cut off.


The new Control Bar we developed does have the ability to support the old-style Status Bar for bar values, which it does for the data feed status. However, we do not see a need for it other than for the data feed status.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing
Date Time Of Last Edit: 2015-11-18 17:16:00
[2015-08-24 19:24:47]
Sierra Chart Engineering - Posts: 104368
Version 1287 has been released.


Reorganized and added new Chart Values tool options. These are in Global Settings >> Tool Settings >> Chart Values.

There is also now a separate font setting for the Compact Tool Values window in Global Settings >> Graphics Settings >> Fonts.
Sierra Chart Support - Engineering Level

Your definitive source for support. Other responses are from users. Try to keep your questions brief and to the point. Be aware of support policy:
https://www.sierrachart.com/index.php?l=PostingInformation.php#GeneralInformation

For the most reliable, advanced, and zero cost futures order routing, *change* to the Teton service:
Sierra Chart Teton Futures Order Routing

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