Training Mode
Overview
One of the best ways to test a strategy is to use the Optuma Training Mode. In this mode, it is possible to go back in time and hide all the recent data from the chart, and then add the bars one click at a time, simulating real data coming onto the charts. All technical tools and indicators update with every bar that is added so it is possible to manually test the strategy to see if the tools give the signals that you are expecting.
Turning on Training Mode
Located on the left-hand side of the Optuma window is the Actions Bar. To enable training mode, open a chart and left-click the Training Mode button, or press Ctrl+T for the keyboard shortcut.
Once enabled, a “Training On” watermark will be displayed on the chart and the Training Mode interface will become available:
Training Mode Interface
When Training Mode is enabled, the right-hand side panel will expand automatically. Above the Layers section will be a new Training Panel area.
The interface contains the following items:
Current Training Date: Date of the last bar being displayed on the chart. Any bars past this date will be hidden from view. Left-clicking on this property will display the Date selector, and clicking on the month will allow you to select the year, or click again to select the decade.
Period: Time Interval to be added/removed from the chart per click.
Amount: Number of Intervals to be added/removed at one time.
Remove \ Add bars from the chart: Allows you to add or remove bars from the chart. The number of bars removed is set by the Period and Amount.
Enter, Enter Short, Enter Long, Exit, and Show Report are all part of the Trade Tracker and are covered here.
Using Training Mode
With the Training Mode enabled on a chart, you can hide bars from view. To do this, you will first need to set the Time Interval and Interval amounts you want to use.
With the Training Mode Interface, set the Period, and Amount as desired. Once this has been done you can click the - button to hide bars on the chart. Alternatively, you can adjust the Training Date, to hide a large group of bars at once by clicking on the date in the Training Panel which brings up a calendar.
Alternatively, there is an additional line added to the History slider which can also be used to hide/show bars on the chart. With Training Mode active, dragging this line on the history slider will adjust the Training Date to the required position:
As bars are added/removed from the chart, any tools applied will update as well:
Video
This video is pulled from the Optuma 101 course that you can access here. This course takes you through the basics of Optuma and helps you get up and running and using Optuma to its full potential. In this video, Darren Hawkins, MSTA, will take you through the use of the Training Mode and Trade Tracker in Optuma.