Andrews' Pitchfork

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This tool was developed by Alan Andrews. Andrews' Pitchfork consists of three parallel lines usually drawn from three consecutive major peaks or troughs. The three parallel lines formed by Andrews' Pitchfork can help predict channels of support and resistance in a trending market.

The three trend lines are drawn as follows:

  1. The first centerline at the left-most point that you selected and it passes right between the right-most points. This centerline is known as the handle of the pitchfork.
  2. The second and the third trend lines begin at the right-most points and are drawn parallel to the centerline. These trend lines are known as the tines of the pitchfork.


Inserting Andrews' Pitchfork

  1. Select one of three ways to insert Andrews' Pitchfork:
    • In the menu select Insert, point to Drawing and click Andrews' Pitchfork.
    • Click the Andrews' Pitchfork Drawing AndrewsPitchFork.png icon on the Drawing toolbar.
    • Click the arrow next to the Drawing Tools Show Hide Drawing Tools.png icon on the Main toolbar and select Andrews' Pitchfork from the menu.
  2. The cursor will change to the Andrews' Pitchfork APF pointer.gif .
  3. In the Chart Area click where the pitchfork's handle is to begin.
  4. In the Chart Area click where the first tine is to begin.
  5. In the Chart Area click where the second tine is to begin.


Moving Andrews' Pitchfork

To move Andrews' Pitchfork without changing its shape:

  1. Drag the cursor to Andrews' Pitchfork that is to be moved.
  2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png.
  3. Then keeping the left mouse button pressed drag the drawing tool to the desired position.
  4. Release the button.


Reshaping Andrews' Pitchfork

To reshape Andrews' Pitchfork (change its direction or the distance between its tines):

  1. Drag the cursor to Andrews' Pitchfork that is to be reshaped.
  2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png.
  3. Left-click Andrews' Pitchfork and 3 small squares will appear at the handle and the tines of the pitchfork.
  4. Drag one of these squares till the drawing tool becomes of the desired shape.
  5. Release the button.


Formatting Andrews' Pitchfork

In MultiCharts one can change the settings of Andrews' Pitchfork. All the changes are performed in the Format Andrews' Pitchfork window.

Each instance of an Andrews' pitchfork has its own Format window. The number (if there are 2 or more Andrews' pitchforks in the same Chart Window) are shown in the titlebar of each Format Andrews' Pitchfork window.

One can change the settings of Andrews' Pitchfork: the color, style and weight of the handle, base and the tines. One can choose any element of the pitchfork to be displayed or hidden. It is also possible to change the time and price coordinates of Andrews' Pitchfork.


Setting Style

  1. Access the Format Andrews' Pitchfork window.
    To access the Format Andrews' Pitchfork window:
    1. Drag the cursor to the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted.
    2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png, then double-click.
    Or
    1. Drag the cursor to the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted.
    2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png, then right-click.
    3. Select Format 'Andrews' Pitchfork'… from the shortcut menu.
    Or
    1. In the Format Objects window select the Drawings tab.
    2. Select the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted and press the Format… button.
  2. Select the Data tab.
  3. To display or hide any elements of the pitchfork check or uncheck the Handle, Base, Tine 1 or Tine 2 check boxes.
  4. In the Color column, using the drop-down lists, select any of the preset 40 colors for the handle, base and tines or click the Others… button to select the custom colors.
  5. In the Style column, using the drop-down lists, select the desired styles for the handle, base and tines.
  6. In the Weight column, using the drop-down lists, select the desired weights for the handle, base and tines.
  7. Check the Use as Default check box to use these settings as the default settings when creating other Andrews' Pitchforks.
  8. Click OK.


Setting Coordinates Precisely

  1. Access the Format Andrews' Pitchfork window.
    To access the Format Andrews' Pitchfork window:
    1. Drag the cursor to the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted.
    2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png, then double-click.
    Or
    1. Drag the cursor to the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted.
    2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png, then right-click.
    3. Select Format 'Andrews' Pitchfork'… from the shortcut menu.
    Or
    1. In the Format Objects window select the Drawings tab.
    2. Select the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be formatted and press the Format… button.
  2. Select the Properties tab.
  3. In the Coordinates section enter the desired time coordinates in the Handle Date, Tine 1 Date and Tine 2 Date fields or use the drop-down calendars.
  4. In the Coordinates section enter the desired price coordinates in the Handle Value, Tine 1 Value and Tine 2 Value fields.
  5. Click OK.


Cloning Andrews' Pitchfork

To clone an Andrews' Pitchfork:

  1. Drag the cursor to the Andrews' pitchfork that is to be cloned.
  2. The cursor Pointer Pointer.png will change into Hand Hand.png, then right-click.
  3. Select Clone Drawing from the shortcut menu.