I just noticed the PCFs you wrote for traderlady and bcochrane in the Formula for the High at the most recent Swing High topic.

Maybe something similar would work here to get around the 10-bar lookback. Those PCFs seem to go back 50 bars...

... except we'd be looking for the Highest Low of the most recent Swing High and the Lowest High of the most recent Swing Low.

Just a thought.

Well I don't really have a way to color the price bars (but we could use dots I guess). More importantly, resetting the direction of the trend and then starting to count again requires either storing a variable or some sort of recursive function (and recursive functions make for very long PCFs).

If we don't reset, we can plot something like the following using a Custom PCF Indicator and the Histogram Plot Style. The magnitude is how many bars back it had to look for the bar to be clear of other bars.

So a large magnitude can represent a long trend but seems more likely to represent weak performance of that particular bar versus the trend. I almost wonder if putting 100 / in front of the fomula would make the results more intuitive (although that is a bit simplistic and probably not the best way to "reverse" the magnitude of the bar).

IIF(L > H1, 1, IIF(H < L1, -1, IIF(L > MINH2.1, 2, IIF(H < MAXL2.1, -2, IIF(L > MINH3.1, 3, IIF(H < MAXL3.1, -3, IIF(L > MINH4.1, 4, IIF(H < MAXL4.1, -4, IIF(L > MINH5.1, 5, IIF(H < MAXL5.1, -5, IIF(L > MINH6.1, 6, IIF(H < MAXL6.1, -6, IIF(L > MINH7.1, 7, IIF(H < MAXL7.1, -7, IIF(L > MINH8.1, 8, IIF(H < MAXL8.1, -8, IIF(L > MINH9.1, 9, IIF(H < MAXL9.1, -9, IIF(L > MINH10.1, 10, IIF(H < MAXL10.1, -10, IIF(L > MINH11.1, 11, IIF(H < MAXL11.1, -11, IIF(L > MINH12.1, 12, IIF(H < MAXL12.1, -12, IIF(L > MINH13.1, 13, IIF(H < MAXL13.1, -13, IIF(L > MINH14.1, 14, IIF(H < MAXL14.1, -14, IIF(L > MINH15.1, 15, IIF(H < MAXL15.1, -15, IIF(L > MINH16.1, 16, IIF(H < MAXL16.1, -16, IIF(L > MINH17.1, 17, IIF(H < MAXL17.1, -17, IIF(L > MINH18.1, 18, IIF(H < MAXL18.1, -18, IIF(L > MINH19.1, 19, IIF(H < MAXL19.1, -19, IIF(L > MINH20.1, 20, IIF(H < MAXL20.1, -20, IIF(L > MINH21.1, 21, IIF(H < MAXL21.1, -21, IIF(L > MINH22.1, 22, IIF(H < MAXL22.1, -22, IIF(L > MINH23.1, 23, IIF(H < MAXL23.1, -23, IIF(L > MINH24.1, 24, IIF(H < MAXL24.1, -24, IIF(L > MINH25.1, 25, IIF(H < MAXL25.1, -25, IIF(L > MINH26.1, 26, IIF(H < MAXL26.1, -26, IIF(L > MINH27.1, 27, IIF(H < MAXL27.1, -27, IIF(L > MINH28.1, 28, IIF(H < MAXL28.1, -28, IIF(L > MINH29.1, 29, IIF(H < MAXL29.1, -29, IIF(L > MINH30.1, 30, IIF(H < MAXL30.1, -30, IIF(L > MINH31.1, 31, IIF(H < MAXL31.1, -31, IIF(L > MINH32.1, 32, IIF(H < MAXL32.1, -32, IIF(L > MINH33.1, 33, IIF(H < MAXL33.1, -33, IIF(L > MINH34.1, 34, IIF(H < MAXL34.1, -34, IIF(L > MINH35.1, 35, IIF(H < MAXL35.1, -35, IIF(L > MINH36.1, 36, IIF(H < MAXL36.1, -36, IIF(L > MINH37.1, 37, IIF(H < MAXL37.1, -37, IIF(L > MINH38.1, 38, IIF(H < MAXL38.1, -38, IIF(L > MINH39.1, 39, IIF(H < MAXL39.1, -39, IIF(L > MINH40.1, 40, IIF(H < MAXL40.1, -40, IIF(L > MINH41.1, 41, IIF(H < MAXL41.1, -41, IIF(L > MINH42.1, 42, IIF(H < MAXL42.1, -42, IIF(L > MINH43.1, 43, IIF(H < MAXL43.1, -43, IIF(L > MINH44.1, 44, IIF(H < MAXL44.1, -44, IIF(L > MINH45.1, 45, IIF(H < MAXL45.1, -45, IIF(L > MINH46.1, 46, IIF(H < MAXL46.1, -46, IIF(L > MINH47.1, 47, IIF(H < MAXL47.1, -47, IIF(L > MINH48.1, 48, IIF(H < MAXL48.1, -48, IIF(L > MINH49.1, 49, IIF(H < MAXL49.1, -49, IIF(L > MINH50.1, 50, IIF(H < MAXL50.1, -50, 0))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

But I think it can identify trends which aren't there because it doesn't reset and can look back too far as a result.

Yeah, using dots until v18 allows us to paint price bars is fine. I know the devs are working hard on that as we speak ;)

And resetting swing direction is always the sticky bit without being able to store variables and do some looping. I've never done much with recursion, mostly because I've never had to, and because thinking recursively makes my head hurt. :)

Your solution seems really cool. Would never had thought of plotting a histogram to indicate the number of bars from the HL or LH to the clear bar. Very cool!!

I was the one who actually turned Julia onto the Clear Method which she highlighted in a 2011 webinar with Michael. I gave Ron Black a heads-up before the webinar, and he attended. Later he emailed me suggesting using a 5-bar lookback which he observed worked pretty well. But I'm thinking we'd need more like 10 bars since some of the swing examples in his own articles exceed 5 bars. 

I'll start with 10 bars as the PCF stands now and see how it goes. Can always adjust later. The Clear Method ain't the holy grail but it does provide a specific unambiguous objective definition of swing reversals, and anything that helps in v17 works for me. I really don't want to go back to StockFinder even though the programmer in me misses writing code. Always wanted to combine Clear Method swings and basic Dow theory (higher highs, higher lows, etc...) to combine swings into trends. I know v17 can't handle that. LOL.

Thanks, Bruce!

Whoops, looks like you edited the post while I was responding. Reading latest version now.

I think I modified my post after you started replying. The new longer formula should be better (I think the short version actually had a logic error).

That latest PCF looks a lot longer than the original. :)

I'll wait until I hear back before I start noodling around. Looking back too far may indeed be an issue. And you keep mentioning "trends" while I refer to "swings" ... just want to make sure we're on the same page ... to me a trend consists of multiple swings, up and down, as long as the trend continues in the same direction. 

The Clear Method isn't trying to identify trend reversals, just swing reversals. Hope that makes sense.

D*mn it, I'm still not typing fast enough. :)

I'll try your new longer formula. Your concept is very Guru-Jedi-Ninja-RockStar-Genius like.

Bruce, you're awesome. Take a coffee break - you've earned it.

The clear method really only gives you information about the strength of a single bar versus previous bars.

So if I were going to use either swing or trend terminology, I would think a clear bar might indicate a swing, but not a trend.

That said, if we are counting the number of bars required for the bar to be clear, we could be getting an indication of the strength of that bar vs the trend. The bigger the count, the weaker that bar is versus any existing trend (although it could also signal the start of a breakout from a consolidation).

And a long series of low magnitude counts in the same direction would probably constitute an actual trend. When the magnitude starts to increase, the individual bars are getting weaker versus the trend (and thus, the trend itself would be weakening or maybe even disappearing altogether).

I agree with your second sentence: "... a clear bar might indicate a swing."

The rest I'm a little fuzzy on, but we may both be saying the same thing differently so no worries. Going to sleep on it and reread your reply. Let me kick the tires. I never imagined a histogram with counts so I'm not sure how that'll play out. I wasn't really thinking about the strength of a bar or a trend - I was just thinking of identifying swing reversal points. The histogram is a bonus. :)

Actually, I just got the meaning of your last sentence. There's hope for me yet. LOL.

Thanks, Bruce!

Rewatching that webinar now. Really miss Julia. <sigh>

If anyone is interested in the Clear Method, I've got a link to the orignal article above. Ron Black also wrote a follow-up article a few months later that you can look up.

Julia also does a great job explaining the concept in her webinar. Worth watching.

And Bruce's v17 PCF will soon be world famous. :)

Bruce,

I know Julia has moved on from Worden, but around the 43-minute mark of her webinar she admitted both her and Michael couldn't come up with a "Clear Method" PCF ... she offered to buy dinner for anyone who came up with a viable PCF. Of course the time variability of the swings stumped her.

You might want to take her up on it. :)

Are the zero crossings the CLEAR buy, sell signals?

Thanks

diceman,

I turned off my computer last night and went for a looong walk in some gorgeous weather, so I haven't tried Bruce's PCF yet.

For me the Clear Method is just an objective technique for identifying when price changes direction (i.e., price "swings"). The original author really doesn't talk about "signals" or "systems" ... the indicator (a "clear bar") tells you when price has started a new upswing or a new downswing based on the statistical concept of overlapping distributions, which are just considered "noise". When one distribution (bar) "clears" another, you can say price has changed.

I'd check out the PDF (link above). It's a short quick read, clear (pun intended) and concise. A few minutes tops. If you're going to use Bruce's Jedi Master Histogram you should probably understand the original concept first. If you have time and are interested Julia's webinar (link above) is must see TV. 

Having said all that, Bruce took the idea to a whole new level with a histogram that counts back from the current "clear bar" to the latest highest-low or lowest-high. I still haven't wrapped my head around how this translates to "strength" of bars or trends, but I have to play around with it and kick the tires.

So, to make a long story short (LOL!) I'd recommend reading the 4-page PDF. If you like that check out Julia's webinar. And if you like that, check out Bruce's histogram on a bunch of charts. I really won't understand what the zero line crosses signify, if anything, until I check it out myself.

Given Bruce's mad skills I'm guessing he's onto something - I just don't know what yet. :)

i know what it is, I just wanted to avoid going through the PCF.

What Bruce created looks better vs the actual Clear Method.

Thanks

Got it ... I avoid going through Bruce's PCFs at all costs. They're genius but the syntax gives me a headache. LOL.

Looking forward to checking it out.

Thanks Bruce! Thanks diceman.

Bruce 

I was going through this article above there is some serious swing idea to entertain here... 

your formula that u made , can we overlay it on the price with two different colours  in V18  that you did as histogram??

And one non-related query in V18  do we have the facility to show area filled "only when WRSI14 crossed above 70 or below 30 levels ? or can that be customized to overlay when it happens ?? same with Stochastics 12-3-3 can area filled be shown when stochastics goes below 20 or goes above 80 ??

Thanks for the Post Al gorith, its some interesting idea...

Regards

Dhiren

I have sent you a copy of the most recent version I have made of the Clear Method-ish indicators via TCMail.

There really isn't a way to conditionally fill in TC2000.

Bruce this is Amazing , TC is going to the whole new level :) Brilliant work

thanks a lot 

Although one question in context to the Magnitude part.. 

if you see those high magnitude stand alone bars in histogram in any chart and your interpretation that when those individual bars increase in magnitude the bars are getting weaker so ... i m wondering is there a way to make a Parabolic SAR to show the increase of magnitude below and above the price ?? and mark the climax weak bar (with most increment) with another Dot on price or colour change?

I have sent you a copy of the most recent version I have made of the Clear Method-ish indicators via TCMail.

There are dots and the dots change color, but how these dots should be interpreted is entirely up to you (and I am not sure Parabolic SAR would be a good guide).

The yellow dots represent the most recent value cleared by the most recent bar in either direction.

The green dots represent the most recent cleared value below the most recent bar (unless that value currently has a yellow dot).

The red dots represent the most recent cleared value above the most recent bar (unless that value currently has a yellow dot).

Bruce this is fantabulous... fantastic and fabulous 

Thank you very much for taking time to build it you orchestrate the chart in such a wonderful manner that only thing left is to make money :)) 

Cheers

Dhiren

Bruce, can you send me your latest and greatist version?

Got it. Thanks, Bruce!

Bruce 

after testing and making good day trades . i just need some additional pcf from you.. in this method for STRENGHT OF MAGNITUDE...if its possible please

In your reply above Wednesday, August 09, 2017 1:25:25 PM

you said : bigger the count, the weaker that bar is versus any existing trend (although it could also signal the start of a breakout from a consolidation)

So my question is taking example of AMZN"

magnitude on daily chart for MAY 23,2018 was the highest BELOW zero so consider that as a " CLIMAX BAR" and next day stock MOVES HIGHER 

Another example BBY " on daily chart had a climax bar magnitude ABOVE ZERO MAY 22,2018 and next few bars were DOWNSIDE... 

Now my question is if i want to only scan that climax bar " up or down(which is the histogram biggest bar out of ordinary) do you think you can PCF the following

1) tallest HISTOGRAM BAR that can be plotted as pcf spike on price chart where the MAGNITUDE OF THE RED BARS IN THE COUNT of bars BELOW ZERO WAS THE HIGHEST before the GREEN bar histogram started "  and ENDED IN THE PAST please see attached AMZN image 

https://www.dhirenshah.com/clear-bar-1/

2) HISTOGRAM BAR that can be plotted as dot or pcf spike on price chart where the MAGNITUDE of the GREEN  BARS IN THE COUNT of bars ABOVE ZERO was the HIGHEST before the new RED BAR histogram started AND ENDED IN PAST please see attached link image of BBY"

https://www.dhirenshah.com/clear-2/

I want to sort and scan them 

thanks again 

I cannot think of a way to write such a formula which would be fast and short enough to be practical or post in the forums.

No worries Bruce then i guess will stick with best scan of eyeballing them :)) 

Cheers

Hello Bruce,

I would appreciate it if you could send me the latest PCF for the Clear Method.

Thanks!

Bruce, if I may have a copy as well.

Thanks

Got it.

Thanks Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Can I get a copy of the same.

Regards,

MK

Hi Bruce,

Appreciate if you can send me a copy of this.

Thanks in advance

Thanks Bruce. Appreciate it.

Regards,

MK

Hello Bruce, 

Can i also have a copy of the clear method pcf? 

Thanks for the support

 -MM

Bruce,

Pls forward copy of clear method indicator. Tks

Bruce, I would appreciate your Clear implementation. Thanks.

Bill Cochrane

Plz forward a copy to me as well.

Bruce, I have sent a request via TCMail - please send me. Thanks.

I have sent you a copy of the most recent version I have made of the Clear Method-ish indicators via TCMail.