Cycles Tool
Overview
The Cycles indicator is a drawing tool used to identify cyclical price activity (repeating peaks and troughs). By selecting a Start & End point, repeating intervals are drawn on the chart (both forwards and backwards) with semi-circles being drawn at the base of the tool, to indicate mid-cycle peaks. The Cycle intervals can be set in the Properties (eg 90 bars, 90 calendar days, etc) or dynamically adjusted by left-clicking and dragging an interval line.
Multiple cycles can be shown by dragging the first green vertical line for the next cycle, and both cycles will be repeated:
Alternatively, the average of the cycles can be projected instead, with standard deviation zones (here in blue).
To add the tool to your chart, select the tool from the Cycles tool group, and left-click on the first bar you want to calculate the tool from. Next, left-click on the bar where you want to calculate the cycles end. Optuma will then draw the tool using the default settings.
Actions & Properties
Actions
Remove from Cycle: When the tool is set up with multiple cycles in the order, this action allows you to remove one of those cycles from the sequence.
Add to Toolbar: Adds the selected tool to your custom toolbar.
Apply Settings to All: When multiple Cycles Tools have been applied to a chart, page or workbook, this action can be used to apply the settings of the one selected to other instances of the tool. This is a great time saver if an adjustment is made to the tool - such as line colour - as this allows all the other Cycles Tools in the chart, page or entire workbook to be updated instantly.
Copy Tool: Allows you to copy the selected tool, which can then be pasted onto a different chart window.
Move to Back: If the tool is displaying in front of other tools or indicators clicking this action will move the tool view to the background.
Move to Front: If the tool is displaying behind other tools or indicators on the chart, clicking this action will bring the tool to the forefront.
Set Time Alert: Selecting this action will set a Time Alert at the value the Vertical Line is positioned.
Restore Default Settings: Click this action if you have adjusted the default settings of the tool, and wish to return to the standard properties originally installed with Optuma.
Save Settings as Default: If you have adjusted any of the tool’s properties (colour, for example) you can save the adjustments as your new default setting. Each time you apply a new Cycles Tool to a chart, the tool will display using the new settings.
Delete: Deletes the tool from the chart.
Properties
Tool Name: Allows you to adjust the name of the tool, as it’s displayed in the Structure Panel.
Show Vertical Lines: Untick this checkbox to hide the vertical interval lines from view.
Line Over All Views: Tick this checkbox to extend the Cycle tool lines across multiple views on the chart (a Volume window for example).
Project Cycles: This property controls which direction the cycle lines will be displayed, either Forward, Reverse or Both.
Cycles to Project: Set to show All cycles or a Fixed Number.
Number of Cycles: When Fixed Number selected above, specify the number of cycles to show.
Show Labels: When selected the date and cycle size will be displayed for each Cycle line.
Project Average Cycles: When multiple cycles have been selected, this option will show the average of the selected cycles.
Standard Deviation Zone Style: When average cycles projected, this option allows you to select the colour, transparency, and visibility of the zones.
Lock to Round Numbers: As it is possible to vary the cycle length by simply dragging one of the cycle lines as demonstrated above, the result can be a cycle size that includes a decimal value, e.g. 24.18 bars. This option ensures that the Cycle length is displayed in whole numbers only.
Lock Cycles: This option prevents any accidental Cycle length adjustment when working with other tools on the chart.
Time Control: This drop-down list gives you the option to select the time unit used for the cycles. There are 8 options available:
- Bars
- Seconds
- Minutes
- Days
- Weeks
- Months
- Years
- Astro (Degrees) - requires Astro tool module
Cycle Size: This value represents the number of units per cycle. For example, if set to 144, and Time Control was set to Bars, each cycle would represent 144 bars (a decimal value can be entered).
Extend To Bar: This sets where the cycle interval lines will extend to. This can be set to extend to the Low or High of a bar, or if set to None the lines will be fully extended.
Divisions: This is a “Harmonics” setting which is an integer and is set to 1 by default. When it is set to “2”, each cycle is then divided by 2 and an extra harmonic line is added. When it is set to “3” the cycle is divided into thirds (and 2 extra harmonic lines are added).
Division Style: When Divisions is selected this expands to set the division line width, colour, transparency, etc.
Base Line Style: This expands to display the same property selection as the Division Style.
Interval Line Style: This expands to display the same property selection as the Division Style.
Tool Transparency: Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the tool. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.
Visible: Un-tick this checkbox to hide the tool from the chart.