ThinkOrSwim study customization

The Volatility Box studies plot and read correctly the moment they are imported, with no customization required. Styling them is optional. This covers the standard ThinkOrSwim actions for changing how the studies look on your charts, so the levels stand out against your own chart theme.

Before you start

• The four study files imported into ThinkOrSwim. If you have not imported them, see Install the ThinkOrSwim studies first.
• A chart loaded with a symbol from the bundle so a model is plotting. The studies are named ti_vbd for the Daily models and ti_vbh for the Hourly models, each in an aggressive and a conservative version.

Open the study settings

1. Click the Studies icon at the top right of the chart, or right-click the chart and choose Studies.
2. Choose Edit Studies.
3. In the list on the left, select the Volatility Box study you want to change, for example ti_vbh aggressive.

The right side of the dialog shows that study’s settings. Changes here apply to the selected study only, so style each model separately if you want the Daily and Hourly bands to look different.

Change colors and line style

In the study’s settings, each plot has a gear or settings control next to it. From there you can set the standard ThinkOrSwim properties for any plot:

• Color. Pick a color that reads clearly against your chart background. Lighter colors stand out on dark themes; darker colors stand out on light themes.
• Line weight. A heavier line makes a level easier to see; keep it light enough that it does not cover the candles.
• Line style. Solid, dashed, or dotted, which is a quick way to tell one plot from another at a glance.

Click Apply, then OK. The chart redraws with the new styling.

Changing the styling does not change the levels. The bands plot at the same prices; only their appearance changes.

Save the look as a study set

Once a chart is styled the way you want, save it so you do not restyle every symbol. Open the chart settings, save the current studies as a study set or save the chart settings, and give it a name you will recognize. Loading that set on another chart applies the same studies and styling at once.

Saving the styling this way also survives the weekly update. When you re-import the bundle and click Yes to replace, ThinkOrSwim keeps the styling tied to the existing study files, so your charts update without being restyled.

Verify it worked

Load a symbol from the bundle and confirm the bands plot in the colors and line styles you set. Switch to another chart and apply the saved study set; the same styling should carry over.

Troubleshooting

• Changes did not stick. Confirm you clicked Apply and OK rather than Cancel. Cancel discards the edits.
• Nothing plots after styling. The symbol is not in the bundle, or a Daily study is on an intraday chart. Match the model to the timeframe and check the bundle’s symbol list.
• Styling reset after a weekly update. The replace prompt was answered No, which imports the files fresh. Re-import and click Yes to keep existing settings tied to the studies.

Related

• Install the ThinkOrSwim studies
• Generate the ThinkOrSwim studies
• Weekly indicator updates
• Reading the models