Woah youre still alive XD grats man on beating the odds! ah well~ peace

GOD I just hate when people compare SMBZ to othe flashes. it sorta makes me feel that if I made a flash movie people are LIE OMG SMBZ ROXERS MY BOXERS. Dude ur flash is actually better than SMBZ becasue you actaully made improvements casue it took you 2 years to make FFSX6. It turned out well. SMBZ7 it was pretty good... but u were right about not having any improvements. I stick with you on that part. IT always cause problems with people when someone talks about SMBZ.

1st of all SMBZ is just a flash movie it isn;t like OMG ITS SUPER MAN TAKING A PISS.

2nd comapring to someon elses flash to SMBZ gets people [pissed off and quit or stop making sprite movies.

3rd All of you have a useless life if you are just wating on the computer all day taking a shoit on the chair until the next one comes out. Go out and hang out with friends ur girlfriend. JUst be patient till the next one comes out.

4th. STOP COMPARING TO OTHER FLASHES WITH SMBZ.

Also, BDX did you even start Super SMash allstars? If so, what perecentage?

THank you for listening i mean reading xD.

yea but no offense but your review sucked, all it was was you trying to figure out a way to talk down to the guy, and your little flashes are no better, you barely have fighting scenes in it, you make the viewer press buttons and they watch the same scene over and over again, then the characters talk for a long time and its over, in each one of those sonic flashes you make, I can tell your very jealous of the fact that ppl prefer SMBZ over ur Sonic RPG flash series. Thats all i wanted to say, and the fact that you reply to this in a negative way will just prove how jealous you are.

Most animators I've talked to find that the sweetspot is at 6x8.
9x12's are nice but alot of people ive talked to say its a bit large and overwhelming if you are going from a 4x5 to that.

I guess if you originally started at a 9x12 you wouldnt find it as akward.

Its normal for a tablet to be awkward at first but by pratice you'll eventually get used to it. Mine took me around a week.

I think mine is 4 X 6 inches... I could be wrong; I'm no good at guessing length. Regardless, it's a small tablet, smaller than yours, it seems. However, I still love it to death. I picked up on easier-than-mouse drawing in minutes.

That said, I don't think there is a 'good size.' You just need to keep practicing.

As for the buttons on the pen, it's hard to say since I don't know how you hold it... If you hold it in the traditional 'index finger on top, thumb on one side, middle finger on opposite' fashion, make the buttons point towards your palm. They should be in between your thumb and middle finger. This seems to work for me.

But I think I need more information on what's so hard about drawing with the tablet. Say what you want to draw, but what makes drawing it so difficult. I don't know if it's a technical problem with the tablet or if it's just experience-related.

I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 6x8. Like Luis said, having too large a tablet is an awkward switch. I regret getting an A4-sized one myself, but I can adjust it to compensate for its size so there aren't any real problems. Plus, if you can afford a Wacom Cintiq model, the dilemma isn't so bad because you'll have greater drawing ability through hand-eye coordination whatever size you get your hands on. I recommend an A5 Intuos3. Cintiq if you can afford the luxury. For animating in Flash you really don't need a huge tablet.

My tablet is 4x6, and it works just fine for me. You can go bigger if you want but its extra money and it doesn't really matter, its just whatever you get used to.

Mine's a wacom, and it has pressure sensitivity, which is a must. I reccomend wacom despite being more expensive, I've tried other cheaper brands but they're terrible and they break easily.

It's going to feel funny at first. It sure did for me. You have to just keep practising with it until you get the right feel. I usually hold my pen so that the button on the side can be pressed by my index finger. Once again, you just have to get used to it, which takes a lot of practise.

Tablets are definately a lot better than mice, so its definately worthwhile to get good at using one. Once you learn, your artistic technique won't be nearly as limited as it is with a mouse, and you'll excell like you never would be able to with a mouse.

If you have a Wacom, you're not limited to a box, you can use the whole tablet, but if you want to draw, get bigger than a mousepad size, I have that, and it makes me hate drawing on the computer.

I use the pen entirely. I managed to pick up on its mouse-like function with a bit of practice.

Oh yeah, another thing you might want to try to do is experiment with different zoom percentages.

I'm assuming this is how all tablets function, but where you hold the pen translates proportionally to your computer monitor. It's not like a mouse where you have to lift and drag all the time; if you want to recenter the cursor, you just put the pen in the center of the tablet.

That said, if you're zoomed out too far in a drawing program, small details are almost impossible. Zooming in will give you much more breathing room and allow you to make wider strokes with your hand.

Then you just need to experiment with things like brush sizes (if you use the brush, that is, which you should try out if you're not) and pressure sensitivity.

If you want my opinion, pressure sensitivity is a MUST. For one, it's really feels at home to know that how hard you press down on the tablet changes the stroke size. This, for me at least, instinctively gives you more control over your hand.

Also, it makes managing strokes easier. If you want to continue a stroke, you can press lightly to position the brush, then press harder to smooth out the line as you need it.

...I probably strayed WAY off topic to what you want to know about tablets, but really, it's about trying new things to find out what's for you. For me, it's brush stroke drawing with pressure sensitivity enabled. Once you feel like you're in control of the drawing tools and the tablet itself, drawing gets much easier.

People need to learn how to accept criticism. I admit the fact that there was a review I hated for a reason on behalf of Power Star 4.5, which lead me to having a hate flash about me by Davebot, but yours has logic.

And as for the tablet, I'm not sure what size is really good. In fact, it's all varied. I have one that's so big, I can't even fit it on my desk, but nevertheless, I use it well. It doesn't really mean you have to have a big one. And as for the pen, I know it's weird at first, but it takes time to get used to it.

6x8 is plenty

Sonic is fucking gay. He used to be slightly cool, until every 8 year old with flash started to make "sprite movies" of him. Now I hate his guts.

Oh and I forgot to add that I'm sick off seeing Sonic furry porn everywhere as well.

I use a 6 x 8 Wacom Graphire 3, still works great, nothing too small or too big. Anything smaller for me is a bitch to animate with, but still good. It takes a matter of practice, and just get one that's at a good price, good size and see if it works well.

You wouldn't need an uber sized tablet to make amazing things, it matters on the person really :)

Hi men i hard you some real sprites here a link to help http://www.spriters-resource.com/sega /
I hope i help you inof

youl get used to it. it always feel wierd at first even if its small eventually your hand will adapt to it. and for the fags who send you hate mail. STOP SUCKING SO MUTCH DICK ITS AN OPINION. damn i mean its like wen a narutard goes insane. i thought it was great. also about the improvements. wat else is there to improve on. i mean its sprites alvin has already done an amazing job on smbz 6. he put 3D effects on part 7 and more effects. its spriting wat else can the guy do. theres nothing more to improve on then putting less diolog in the movie. and about the graphics once again its sprites thats as high as you go even the original video games dont have the graphics you want so you alvin all of us cant improve graphics wen it comes to sprites. i respect your opinion and i have nothing against it but as for those 2 reasons was pretty damn bitchy and demanding. and also wen you sayd its too mutch like dbz with mindless fghting. its called super mario bros Z for a reason

I use a relatively small wacom, i just can't get used to drawing with the A4 sized ones, as for the pen, i never found those uncomfortable, i probably have a seriously bad pen grip though so i dunno

submission: Super Mario bros Z ep.7
date: October 1, 2008

That was a very GREAT episode i know people have been pestering you (me being one of them) but it was worth 16 months.

and to Devilstar: okay 1 you cant even make a better flash than Alvin so i laugh at you. 2 U have nooo Taste whatsoever why not just go back to your hole and watch Barney. and 3 YOUR FLASHES ARE CRAP compare to Alvins and SMBZ deserves a 9000/9000.
P.S. 5 YOU CANT MAKE A BETTER FLASH THAN ALVIN!!!!!! TY

LOL!

i could not agree with you more about reviews and such a useless review should be:

score:10, subject: great, review: this was awesome

crap like that is voted helpful just because the gave them a good score your review on smbz is a spinning image of what a helpful review should be you have so many ways to make it better i don't understand how people could think it wasn't a helpful review and sadly "the debate" on the review is most likely just because your you if i said that it would be useless in a matter of seconds here is an example: http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/revi ews/408967/467/score look for stampers review how would that even be considered helpful? (i know its useless but how it says there is a debate) so yeah NG reviews have gone to shit.....

lol, arguing about internet cartoons about children's video game characters

Oh Newgrounds I love you.

Some people can't acept the fact that something they like is hated. But some people take stuff like that way to seriosuly. I mean look at stupid fantard's PM at u, she is protecting something she loves. But let me say that again: She is protecting a internet flash series that is loved and compared by variouse fan fags and that she loved to shove up her... well I'll stop there. But the point is that these kinds of noobs need to stop hatting others for something like and deal with it. Of course, I wasn't saying u hated Alvin-Earthworm and his work if I made it sound like I did. At least he finally posted Episode 7...
Oh, and I did check out ur site. Its cool :)

@ Hatemail: You're both idiots for calling each other idiots like it's possessive.

Swain said wacom intuos 3 at the very minimum. thats the one I have and I love it.

as for alvin. I liked the movie.

I wonder whats the age of that asshole with the Pm. 14? these day´s kids :)

I have my haters too but they always get pwnt because their opinion doesnt matter at all.

i like how any review thats a 9 or 10 no matter how poorly written it may be, will never be deleted

Can't say I can help, but I think some people on DA will be able. Try there if you can.
Your review on SMBZ7 did seem a bit harsh, but at least you offered some constructive critisism. Although the fight scenes, for me at least, are really neat, it does seem that Alvin didn't make improvements. So there's that. Your call on the Bowser Kindom actors didn't seem right to me. Alvin probably added them as a cameo for allowing him to participate in their Smash Kingdom series and for the tribute they gave him in one of the episodes. Whatever the reason is for Alvin for not using voice actors for some characters, I also think it would be an improvement. So overall, you made a great review, but a bit harsh at the same time. No real problem in that though, your entitled to leave your opinion the way you want it.
As for the fanboys telling you that your flashes suck in comparison to his, they don't have the right. I don't find your flash movies to be more or less entertaining than SMBZ. Your a great artist. Just try to avoid/ignore those guys. They add to the problems Alvin already has and are a nuisance overall.

@ 2) Wait, your asking what way you should hold a pen/pencil? Well in my opinion no particular way... You should hold it in a way your fingers feel comfortable and you can still draw.

@ 1) What's a tablet O_o

Idiots are everywhere, BlackDevil.
Some you have to deal with, some you have to ignore, and some you just have to put in their place.

I lol'd at that idrkam or whatever his/her/its name was. Truly a waste of oxygen.

As for FFSX:6, you did a good job on that one mate.

Now as for for smbz:7, I liked it too, I dunno what to say, but it does seem very mainstream and repetitive.

Cheers,
-Kog

@ Previous comment: Oh, I guess practicing with those led pencils with buttons on the side would be good? Im not sure about the size of the pen. Yea I guess the last part of 2 would do it... holding to the buttons I guess.

It's because the characters of Bowser Kingdom were already voiced. And if they weren't voiced, it would be just any random koopa or goomba. And since the other character's haven't been voiced from the beginning, there is no real need for voice actors for them. Nevertheless, it would be pretty good if he did use that.

I had a feeling there would be backlash over your review. A few years ago I would have done the same, but now I prefer to see a well thought out and constructive review rather than one liners like "Z0MG. Y0U R0X0R5". I have the same problem on my Deviantart account.
While we're on the subject though, I'll give you feedback on your various points in the review.

I am aware that the dialogue was very long and drawn out this time compared to previous episodes. I was trying to add more story rather than fight scenes. Needless to say, I have seen whole episodes of DBZ where not a single punch was thrown, so it really wasn't that bad in comparison.

As for Araskin's characters talking in their short cameo. It was a more effective means for fans of Bowser's Kingdom to know that it was Jeff and Hal rather than some random Koopa and Goomba.
The fact I don't make everyone else have dialogue isn't laziness, it's due to the fact that I just don't want to add it. I prefer having text boxes so I can use my imagination to make them sound how I want. It doesn't help that I tend to be picky when it comes to VA's. I won't lie to you either, a few of the VA's in your FFSX series are cringe worthy.

As for the overall graphic and animation. Ep 7 was started a few months after I had finished ep 6, then I took a year hiatus from using flash. You really think I was working on it during the whole 16 months? The only reason I haven't improved is because I haven't used it in ages and admittedly got a little rusty.
I do intend to attempt on taking things up a notch in ep 8. How I will do that is for me to find out. I will cut down on the hit sparks in future though.
Oh yeah, as for the "Lame DBZ fighting style". It's not called Super Mario bros Z for nothing.

Anyways, those are my views on the critique for ep 7. I'm hoping to improve at least slightly by the next episode.
I wish us both luck in our future endeavors.

That guy that sent that PM. He was pathetic. You and Alvin-Earthworm are two of my favorite sprite movie makers. You both have different ways of making your movies and people just start comparing your work to SMBZ and its just stupid. I hate it when people do that. By the way your site is AWESOME!!! Good luck on episode 7.

MichaelXL

Hi BDX, whats up? You're movies rock, and so do you man. I like how you do your own thing, and you're not intimidated by others, standing by your opinion of Alvin (an opinion you KNOW has credence when HE agrees).

Anyway, I was somewhat curious about something, because I'm also seeking to get into the world of sprite animations/ games. I noticed in Episode 6 during the GB move, it looks like Sonic does one of Knuckles' attacks. (The downward fist slam) How'd you manage this?

sorry man but im gonna have to disagree with you review, it really sounds like you made it our of pure jelousy, I mean im not saying it wasnt a bad review or anything, it just thats what it sounds like, you can bitch me out all you want but im just saying...unless hes your rival or something then yeah I can understand

I've had 2 tablets so far both 8 inch by 6 inch they've worked pretty well for me so far. comfy size that i use on my lap or desk and mine reaches the whole screen and still has hotkeys on the side. i just turn the pan ntil i find a point that i dont end up bumping the button. I dunno 8inch by 6 inch works for me. BTW good luck on improving your drawing skills. I'm trying to do the same and i understand its not easy at all. I thought you did good on the sonic picture on deviant art tho.
Mines http://democ.deviantart.com/ if ya wanna look at my stuff and give some constructive critisizim.

Hi there! I've read through some of your comments over the months, and it seems that you really don't hate Alvin-Earthworm, but more likely his fanbase of those using crappy "one-liners." I see your point, too! When reviewing something, cognitive brain function and all that other jubk is important to use instead of saying: "ZOMG BEST MOVI EVAR L33T TXT LOL OTHR FLASH SUX COMPARD 2 SMBZ U BICH!!!!!!!" I'm glad you're one of those people who uses their brain power to offer constructive criticism instead of support saying to the world "I'm a big dumbass. Please blam me for being dumb." Even though Alvin-Earthworm is good, I could never say he's the best. To me, no man is ever the "best." I just see if it's of good quality and that's it! If it's not, it's not. That is simply their problem. But long story short, I'm glad that you don't hate Alvin, but at the same time, use intelligence to review flash even if it looks flashy. You're truly a powerful man. I wish you and other flash artists like you the best of luck!

By the way, I wish I knew about the tablet! If I did, maybe I could've helped you out a bit. But we all can't get what we want, now can we? Enoguh from me! Enjoy your life in... I think it was Canada, wasn't it? Or was it Brooklyn? Can't remeber! Whatever. Bye Bye!!

Lol, I read the person who sent you the PM it was hilarious... Aren't lots of flashes getting one liners? Espicially the ones that are front page? [ Excuse me for my spelling If I got anything wrong ]

... how much hatemail are you getting..?

when is ffsx episode 7 coming out cuz tht series is awesome

Oh yeah, did you buy flash ?

i enjoy all your flashes. they combine all the things i like: final fantasy, dbz, sonic, and megaman. i hope you come up with something that i would play for hours.

i only came here coz..u know im a fan of ure FFSX series and waiting for the next one to come up.So....when is it gonna come up?

and another thing for that andinator guy...he's an asswhole...one of the first reasons i came to newgrounds was bcoz i wanted to watch FFSX series..and if he's gonna insult it..then you kick him in the ass or balls...-_-