What if you have a screenshot of a trading indicator but no source code? The image can provide a visual reference for building a custom NinjaTrader indicator, even when the original NinjaScript or underlying calculations are not available In this tutorial, we use Xen AI for NinjaTrader to create a Smart Money Concepts indicator from a reference image, generate the NinjaScript project, check that it builds successfully and install the finished Add-On into NinjaTrader.
Watch a NinjaTrader Indicator Created from an Image
The video follows the complete workflow from uploading the original reference image to displaying the generated Smart Money Concepts indicator on a NinjaTrader chart.
Watch the NinjaTrader AI indicator tutorial on YouTube
Turn a Visual Trading Idea into NinjaScript
The reference image gives Xen information about the indicator you want to create and how it should appear on the chart. In this example, the goal is a Smart Money Concepts indicator that displays market-structure features such as BOS, CHOCH, order blocks, fair value gaps, and liquidity areas.
A screenshot does not include the indicator's source code or reveal the calculations used to generate its signals. Xen therefore interprets the visible features and generates a NinjaScript implementation based on what can be identified from the image and any additional instructions you provide. You can then refine the first version through follow-up requests. For example, you can change the calculations, colours, labels, configurable settings or other chart behaviour without starting a new project.
Build, Install and Test the Indicator
Generating the NinjaScript is only the first stage. Xen can run a Build Check against the generated project to identify compilation problems before installing the indicator. In the demonstration, the generated indicator passes the check without build errors The finished project is then exported as a NinjaTrader Add-On, installed into NinjaTrader 8 and attached to a chart. This lets you compare the generated indicator with the original visual reference using actual chart data.
A successful build confirms that the NinjaScript compiles, but it does not confirm that every calculation or signal matches the methodology behind the original indicator. This is particularly important when working from an image because the screenshot shows the output, not the logic that produced it. Test the generated indicator across the instruments, timeframes and market conditions you intend to use. If the behaviour differs from what you expect, you can update the Xen project with more specific requirements and test it again.
Different Ways to Build NinjaTrader Indicators with Xen
An image is useful when you have a visual example but no source code. Xen can also build indicators from plain-English requirements or work with existing NinjaScript when you already have a project that needs to be reviewed, repaired or extended.
The starting point therefore depends on what you already have: describe the indicator when you have an idea, provide an image when you have a visual reference, or attach the NinjaScript when you already have source code.
