Add new indicator from .ex4
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I have an indicator in .ex4 format. I can't get the .mq4 version as its copyrighted. Something I hadn't appreciated is that in fxDreema it seems I can't use the "Add new indicator" function without having the .mq4 source version of the indicator. Is there a work around?
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I have to make it manually but I'm lazy
Well, fxDreema needs to know only the input parameters and the number of buffers. It is possible to upload another indicator with the same parameters count, and it will work.Also, in built-in indicators (Condition) there is a "Custom indicator" option. So there you write the name of the indicator and it's parameters separated by ",". This should work. Go down to this page: http://fxdreema.com/documentation/proje ... indicators
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__Also, in built-in indicators (Condition) there is a "Custom indicator" option. So there you write the name of the indicator and it's parameters separated by ",". This should work. Go down to this page: http://fxdreema.com/documentation/projects/using custom indicators[/quote:smjpgpds]
OK. I've done the above, but testing is mind bogglingly slow as the indicator is reloaded all the time! In fact its so slow, that testing is almost impossible!
In addition I don't see a way of making a zero value report 0 and not 2147483647 using this method.I know its probably a bit cheeky of me to ask, and I hope I haven't misunderstood what you wrote, but as I've only got a limited number of days before I have to decide on whether I like this indicator or not, is there any way you could implement the uploading into fxDreema of compiled indicators, .ex4?
Due to my lack of knowledge, I also didn't understand what you meant by it is "possible to upload another indicator with the same parameters count, and it will work." In any case, I don't have the facility to create a dummy indicator to make this work, and trying to find one with a match would prove difficult and take a long time given the number of parameters involved!

Thanks again

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Actually I think things are worse than I thought!

I'm wondering if the constant loading and re-loading of the indicator means it isn't working at all. I'm unable to pick up any values from it, leading me to think this.
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When uploading an indicator to fxDreema, the .mq4 file is uploaded and then the information needed is read from it - external parameters, number of buffers, and in some case the names of those buffers. This information is stored to the database, and the .mq4 file is no longer needed. When used in a project, iCustom() is used.
Older .ex4 files actually contain external parameters names in clear text format. Now I just compiled some indicator with the newest MetaEditor, and there is no plain-text data inside the .ex4 file. In other words, .ex4 cannot be used to read this data from it, or at least I don't know how to crack this file.
And let's say that I can add an option to manually enter the input parameters. Can you do that? To choose the correct datatype for every input parameter?
Check the attachments. These are simple files containing only what is needed, and they can be uploaded. One of them contains also the name of the buffers, but this is optional because it can be edited in fxDreema.
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Hi
Thank you so much for the quick and helpful reply. I am able to upload .mq4 indicators happily into fxDreema, including the two you kindly provided here.
The .ex4 indicator in question does allow me to input parameters when placed into a live chart on MT4. These are they:
[attachment=0:1meyzzav]http://fxdreema.com/documentation/proje ... indicators
What I can't say is what Arturo, the very helpful programmer and owner of the source code at PZ, has done inside the indicator, and whether clear text names are employed or not.
It may be, of course, that I simply cannot use this indicator, which would be a shame. Do you think this is it? I simply can't use it in fxDreema as its a "closed box"?
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params.gif -
string Se_Ex="----Indicator settings";
int SmallWave=5;
...
...
bool StrictWaves=false;
...
color BearWave=Tomato;
...
string SoundFile="alert.wav";
...
...
and so on..."ab" are "string", and use " (double quotes) before and after the text.
"123" are "int" or "double" (if it is a float number).
the green icons are "bool" - true or false.
and colors are "color" and the name of the color is written as is. -
Thank you again for a great service.
If I've understood correctly then the following string goes into the condition:
__"------- Indicator Settings",5,15,30,false,4000,"------- Wave Settings",Tomato,DeepSkyBlue,Green,Teal,3,"------- Breakout Settings",1,2,"------- Alerts","My Alert Name",false,false,false,"alert.wav"[/quote:sl6p2kia]
I've created an EA here: http://fxdreema.com/shared/FJ2LkhVS.Is this correct?
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Well, yes, but with so much input parameters I really recommend to create a file and upload it

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OK. But I'm really sorry, I don't understand what you mean about creating a file to upload. Do you mean creating an mq4 indicator file?
Thanks - and apologies! -
Yes, I posted two sample files above. It's ok to write all the parameters, name the file as the name of the indicator and upload it to fxDreema. Also you have to put the number of buffers and optionally give them names. This is not so different as if there is an option to manually create list of parameters directly in fxDreema.
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Ah! Now I get it!
Sorry for being so slow on the uptake! So, to summarise:-
- create an .mq4 file with the same name as the copyrighted .ex4 indicator
- give the .mq4 the same list of input parameters as the .ex4
- save it but don't compile the .mq4
- upload into fxDreema as normal
[/list:u:14wpccwd]
One last - important - thing (just in case anyone else is searching this forum!): when you've copied your copy of the .ex4 indicator to .../experts/indicators, mark it as read only on the file system. If you don't it will be overwritten and the indicator will stop working, and have to be re-installed.
I'll use your kindly provided examples as my template and figure out how to add the extra input parameters using MetaEditor.
Good software becomes great software when it has the level of help and support you give it. Thank you again!

P.S. Just a wee thought for fxDreema: this information about using .ex4 indicators (i.e. no source code) isn't covered in http://fxdreema.com/documentation/proje ... indicators. Maybe it would help someone else who is as clueless as me in the future!

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I'm back again! Sorry!

I think I have done everything correctly, but would be grateful for confirmation before going back to PZ with further queries regarding their indicator.
Thanks to your guidance, I've created an mq4 indicator file, waves.mq4, which is the same name as the copyrighted compiled ex4 file. I've attached my mq4 file. As we know, there are 21 input parameters (see the screen shot in an earlier post), and 2 buffers for the indicator:

So far I've been unable to pick up any values from the buffers, which seems odd:

I have got this to work on other indicators, the only difference being that I have their source codes.So what I'd be very grateful for is if you could check my mq4 file, and tell me if what I've done so far is correct. Should I be able to pull the buffer data into my EA from the indicator in this way? Where am I going wrong?
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So you have 2 buffers - buffer 0 (blue one) and buffer 1 (red one). I think your file is ok, if there are no errors. But if you run the backtester and after it's done you can see the indicator on the chart - then it works fine.
Well, not all custom indicators use their buffers to connect with EA. Some indicators are programmed only to be used in manual trading mode, so their buffers can return constant value all the time, or some weird values. That's why I made this block called "Levels tester..." - to see in real time what is the value of a single buffer. This block it's somewhere on the top.
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Excellent!

Thank you so much for the assistance. Much appreciated.
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__So you have 2 buffers - buffer 0 (blue one) and buffer 1 (red one). I think your file is ok, if there are no errors. But if you run the backtester and after it's done you can see the indicator on the chart - then it works fine.
Well, not all custom indicators use their buffers to connect with EA. Some indicators are programmed only to be used in manual trading mode, so their buffers can return constant value all the time, or some weird values. That's why I made this block called "Levels tester..." - to see in real time what is the value of a single buffer. This block it's somewhere on the top.[/quote:104gf0gl]
First
Hello
This is my first post.Second
Today i start use fxdreema im not programer but this is much easier and fun. Thank you so much for your work.
I have totaly same problem like james
I have custom indicator mq4. Which draw arows and i want use this arows in EA.
I look on video tutorial about custom indicator ad i make this procedur
I see now that this indicator have 2 buffers one call signal.
They give my the same number it looks this.
( this is pictures from demo in backtest is the same)i upload also the indicator.
Please can you help me? what can i do that this simle EA work? And is it possible?P.S. Sorry for me english im little tired.
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buffers.jpg
SSx.mq4 -
Indicators has buffers. Every buffer has a value all the time, even when the indicator line (arrow, histogram) is not visible. In this moment the value of this buffer is 0 or 2147483647, it depends on how the indicator is programmed. 2147483647 is the biggest integer value and in MQL4 is presented by a constant called "EMPTY_VALUE". Not all custom indicators can be used in EA, it depends on the programmer as well. Some of the custom indicators may have values on their buffers, or value that does not change, and that's why I created this block "Levels tester...". Now, when you know what the buffers gives to the EA and when, it's a matter of conditions to create a proper trading signals.
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__Indicators has buffers. Every buffer has a value all the time, even when the indicator line (arrow, histogram) is not visible. In this moment the value of this buffer is 0 or 2147483647, it depends on how the indicator is programmed. 2147483647 is the biggest integer value and in MQL4 is presented by a constant called "EMPTY_VALUE". Not all custom indicators can be used in EA, it depends on the programmer as well. Some of the custom indicators may have values on their buffers, or value that does not change, and that's why I created this block "Levels tester...". Now, when you know what the buffers gives to the EA and when, it's a matter of conditions to create a proper trading signals.[/quote:2q6jx9hn]
Thank you now its clear for me