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Setting up footprint charts in NinjaTrader 8 doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide walks you through every step, from downloading NinjaTrader to placing your first trade with footprint data on screen. Whether you’re connecting a sim account or going live, you’ll have a fully configured footprint workspace by the end of this article.
Step 1: Download and Install NinjaTrader 8
Head to ninjatrader.com and download the latest version of NinjaTrader 8. The platform runs on Windows (Windows 10 or later recommended). If you’re on a Mac, you’ll need a Windows virtual machine via Parallels, Boot Camp, or a VPS.
Run the installer and follow the prompts. The default installation directory works fine for most traders. Once installed, launch NinjaTrader and you’ll see the Control Center, the main hub for everything in the platform.
Step 2: Connect a Data Feed
Footprint charts require tick-level market data. NinjaTrader supports two main data providers for futures:
- Rithmic: The most common choice for futures traders. Provides full depth-of-market data and is supported by most prop firms (Topstep, Apex, Earn2Trade). Low latency, reliable.
- CQG: An alternative data feed, also widely supported. Some brokers and prop firms route through CQG instead of Rithmic.
To connect your data feed, go to Connections > Configure in the Control Center. Select your provider, enter your credentials, and click Connect. You should see green status indicators confirming your connection.
If you don’t have a funded account yet, NinjaTrader’s built-in simulation mode (Sim101) provides delayed data. For real-time footprint analysis, you’ll need a live or sim account through a broker or prop firm that provides real-time tick data.
Step 3: Install a Footprint Indicator
NinjaTrader 8 includes basic volumetric bars (Order Flow+ suite), but these are limited in customization and analytical depth. Most serious footprint traders use a third-party indicator for more control and better visualization.
Installing SidiFootprint
SidiFootprint installs like any NinjaTrader add-on:
- Download the .zip file from the SidiFootprint website
- In NinjaTrader, go to Tools > Import > NinjaScript Add-On
- Select the downloaded .zip file
- Restart NinjaTrader when prompted
After restart, SidiFootprint appears in your indicator list. The 14-day free trial activates automatically, so you can explore all 910+ settings before committing.
Step 4: Create Your First Footprint Chart
Open a new chart: right-click in the Control Center’s instrument list, select your futures contract (e.g., NQ 09-26 for Nasdaq futures), and click New Chart.
Recommended Starting Settings
For your first footprint chart, use these settings:
- Instrument: NQ, ES, or your preferred futures contract
- Period: 5-minute bars (good balance between detail and readability)
- Data type: Minute (not Tick or Volume bars for your first setup)
- Days to load: 5 (keeps the chart manageable while learning)
Once your chart is open, add the footprint indicator: right-click the chart, select Indicators, find SidiFootprint in the list, and click Add. The default settings provide a solid starting point.
Understanding the Default View
With SidiFootprint’s default configuration, each bar displays bid and ask volume at every price level. The left number shows volume traded at the bid (sellers), the right number shows volume traded at the ask (buyers). Colors indicate which side dominated at each price level.
Step 5: Configure Key Features
Stacked Imbalance Detection
Stacked imbalances occur when multiple consecutive price levels show a strong imbalance between bid and ask volume. These zones often act as support or resistance. In SidiFootprint, imbalance detection is enabled by default. You can adjust the imbalance ratio (default is typically 300%) and the minimum number of stacked levels (default is 3) to fine-tune sensitivity.
VPOC and Naked VPOC Tracking
The VPOC (Volume Point of Control) is the price level with the highest traded volume in each bar. Naked VPOCs are VPOCs that price hasn’t revisited since they formed. SidiFootprint tracks these automatically, drawing horizontal lines from unvisited VPOCs that extend to the right of the chart.
These naked VPOCs serve as natural magnets for price. When planning trades, they provide clear profit targets or areas where you might expect a reaction.
Dual Profile System
SidiFootprint’s dual-profile system lets you display two independent profiles on the left and right side of each bar. For example, BidxAsk on the left and Delta on the right. This eliminates the need for multiple charts showing different footprint views of the same instrument.
Step 6: Set Up Your Trading Workspace
A productive footprint trading workspace typically includes:
- Primary chart: 5-minute with SidiFootprint (your main analysis chart)
- Entry chart: 1-minute or 2-minute for precise trade timing
- SuperDOM: NinjaTrader’s order entry ladder, positioned beside your charts
- Market internals: $TICK chart for broad market context (optional but recommended)
Save your workspace layout via File > Save Workspace As so you can reload it instantly each trading day.
Step 7: Place Your First Trade
Before trading live, practice in simulation. NinjaTrader’s Sim101 account lets you execute trades with simulated money while viewing real or delayed market data.
A Simple First Trade Setup
- Identify a stacked imbalance zone on your 5-minute footprint chart. Buy-side imbalances below price suggest support; sell-side imbalances above suggest resistance.
- Wait for price to approach the zone. Don’t anticipate; let price come to your level.
- Confirm on the 1-minute chart. Look for a rejection candle or a shift in delta at the imbalance zone.
- Enter via the SuperDOM with a predefined ATM strategy (stop and target already set).
- Target: The nearest naked VPOC or the opposing Value Area boundary.
This structure gives you a data-driven entry (imbalance zone), confirmation (lower timeframe reaction), and a defined exit (naked VPOC target). It’s simple, repeatable, and grounded in actual volume data rather than subjective pattern recognition.
Common Setup Issues and Fixes
Footprint bars appear empty: This usually means your data feed isn’t providing tick-level data. Check your connection status and ensure you’re connected to a data provider that supports Level 2 / tick data (Rithmic or CQG with appropriate subscription).
Chart loads slowly: Loading too many days of footprint data can strain your system. Start with 3-5 days and increase only if your hardware handles it well. SidiFootprint processes every tick, so more data means more processing.
Colors look wrong or hard to read: SidiFootprint gives you full control over every color in the visualization. Go into the indicator settings and adjust the color scheme to match your chart background and personal preference. There are no preset themes because every color is individually configurable.
Indicator doesn’t appear after installation: Make sure you restarted NinjaTrader after importing the add-on. If it still doesn’t appear, check Tools > NinjaScript Output for error messages.
Next Steps After Setup
Once your workspace is configured and you’re comfortable reading the footprint display, focus on building consistency in simulation before going live. Track every trade, note which setups worked and which didn’t, and refine your approach based on data rather than intuition.
Ready to add professional footprint analysis to your NinjaTrader setup? Start your free 14-day SidiFootprint trial and follow this guide to go from installation to your first footprint-based trade in under an hour.
