Grid Lines
Overview
In Optuma it is possible to apply grid lines (like graph paper) to your chart. Options are available to allow for control of line colour, thickness and transparency for the Date and Price Major / Minor lines.
To enable the Grid Lines left-click on the Grid icon that is located in the Action Bar (far left of Optuma screen) or use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + G.
Smart Grid Lines
Optuma also has a feature called Smart Grid Lines. When this option is ticked, the grid lines will auto adjust to a “best fit” as the chart is zoomed in / out.
This should prevent scenarios where the minor grid lines cluster together as the chart is zoomed out and more data is displayed on screen leaving the overall chart view clearer.
To enabled smart grid lines right-click the Grid icon on the left side action bar and tick the Smart Grid checkbox.
Adjusting the Grid Line Properties
To display the Grid Line properties right-click on the Grid icon in the Action Bar.
Mode: Select between either Calendar or Gann for how the Date Lines are calculated.
Major Interval: When the Mode is set to Calendar you can then select what time interval to use for a major date line, e.g. week.
Minor Interval: When the Mode is set to Calendar you can then select what time interval to use for a minor date line, e.g. day.
Date Scale Major Step: When the Mode is set to Gann this value determines how many bar counts are required to plot a major date line.
Date Scale Minor Step: When the Mode is set to Gann this value determines how many bar counts are required to plot a minor date line.
Date Scale Major Line Style: This option expands to display the following:
- Line Style - There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot, Stippled.
- Line Width - Allows you to adjust the width of the selected Grid line. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
- Line Colour - Allows you to adjust the colour of the selected Grid line.
- Transparency - Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the selected Grid line. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency.
Date Scale Minor Line Style: This option expands to display the same options as the Date Scale Major Line Style but will also include the following property.
- Visible - When deselected the Date Scale Minor lines will be hidden from the grid.
Auto Start Date: When the Mode is set to Gann the start date for the 1st Date line calculation is set to Automatic.
Scale Start Date: If AutoStart Date is deselected then the nominated Scale Start Date will be the first date that the Date scale major and minor lines will be calculated and displayed from.
Show Session Times on Grid: If session times are applicable and have been set for the current security selecting this option will have a defined line displayed at the start of the session.
Auto Price Step: By default, the Price step is set to automatic and will be using the same settings as the chart’s price scale.
Auto Price Start: By default, the Grid will be using the same Price Start value setting as the chart’s price scale.
Price Scale Minor Step: If the Auto Price Step is disabled you can then nominate the desired value for the Minor Price Step.
Price Scale Major Step: If the Auto Price Step is disabled you can then nominate the desired value for the Major Price Step. For example, if the Minor Price Step is set to 0.10 and the Major Price Step is set to 20 a Major Price line will be displayed every 2.00.
Price Scale Major Line Style: This option expands to display the same options as the Date Scale Major Line Style.
Price Scale Minor Line Style: This option expands to display the same options as the Date Scale Minor Line Style.
Chart Only: When selected the grid lines will display on the chart area only. If you have other tools that are displayed in a separate view such as volume, then deselecting this option will also display the grid lines over these tool areas as well.
Display Grid Lines: Can nominate to display both the Date and Price lines or only the Date or the Price lines.