Top 3 N00B mistakes in Scratch

There are lots of ways things can go wrong when you first learn how to code in Scratch, and after teaching hundreds of introductory Scratch classes, Mr. T has seen all of them. "It's amazing how often the same little problems come up during the first lesson," says the veteran tech teacher. "The list goes on and on, but there are three that come up so often that I try to mention them in every lesson."
00:41 Noob Mistake #3: Less Epic, Please!
01:45 Noob Mistake #2: Don't Forget To Reset
03:36 Noob Mistake #1: Don't Push The Blue Button
Our honorable mention noob mistake is white and checkerboard backgrounds. This video discusses how to get rid of them: • How to remove white an...
Music Credit: Losing My Mind by NEFFEX, KZbin Audio Library License
===========INTRODUCING ANDY! ===========
In this episode we meet our newest character, a moody middle schooler named Andy who has big ideas but not enough Scratch skills to pull them off. Andy did a vocal appearance in our tutorial on removing white and checkerboard backgrounds, but this is his first starring role in an Atomec Studios production, and we have big hopes for his future career with us. The character was designed by our artist, Miss Lynne, and voiced by Mr. Tomec
Check out Andy's Room, a Scratch project that shows off all the lip syncs and animation we did for this episode: scratch.mit.edu/projects/8499...
And here's Andy's Scratch story project GOJIRA vs. VIN DEESLE: scratch.mit.edu/projects/8499...
========TRY OUT OUR LIP SYNC TOOLKIT========
Andy's lip sync animations were created using our new lip sync toolkit, which premiered last episode. If you want to try animating fun lip sync animations in your own projects, just visit our project page at scratch.mit.edu/projects/8449... and drag the lip sprite into your backpack. Deploy it in any project by removing your sprite's mouth and replacing it with the animated mouth. This week we've added a whole new set of slightly more cartoony lip animations to the project!
To use the custom block, just type the sounds you want to speak into the white input bubble and edit the text by adding the number 5 to add a 0.5-second delay or a 1 to add a 0.1-second delay. See the video for a full tutorial.
=========================================
You'll find more of the Scratch files we used to create our tutorials in this studio: scratch.mit.edu/studios/32681076
Created by Atomec Studios and narrated by veteran tech educator Andrew Tomec, SCRATCH HACKS is a new series of quick and simple Scratch coding tutorials aimed at beginner- to intermediate-level coders. Scratch Hacks aim to take the fear factor out of coding with byte-sized video tutorials that offer tips and advice on the most common questions and problems that arise when youngsters first take up coding in Scratch. In his work as a Canadian elementary school teacher, Mr. T has taught hundreds of introductory coding classes to children from kindergarten up. "I was struck by how often the same simple questions arise in every class I teach. Learning to code is like learning any other language, and these compact lessons will help give learners the vocabulary they need to express themselves in the digital world."
Illustrations by Lynne Anderson
@MissLynne71 on Scratch
WHAT IS ATOMEC STUDIOS?
Atomec Studios is a non-profit learning initiative that aims to put the A into STEAM with fun and accessible learning that emphasizes creative expression over algorithms. We believe that kids learn best when set free to pursue their own unique passions, a goal that's been aided tremendously by the growth of powerful, kid-friendly software like MIT's Scratch, that unlock the world of animation, storytelling, game production, music composition and digital art.
For more information about our online content and real-world workshops and teacher training, visit our website at atomec.com.
#scratch #coding #mistakes #tutorial #lipsync #tutorial #griffpatch

[@atomecstudios]

Do you have a favorite Scratch Noob Mistake you want us to mention in a future episode? Leave your suggestions in the comments.

[@printAndplaylab]

nice

[@printAndplaylab]

Hey I got a video idea! What if I like to play your game with WASD controls, but you want to play with arrow keys, what can you do?

[@PerfectionReincarnated]

​@@printAndplaylab let them play with both. So simple.

[@jboydayz]

Could you please have guided missles shooting at each other.

[@TheOneAndOnlyEpicStick]

when you press hidden buttons!

[@bilyez]

Nice! When i was a beginner on scratch i didn't knew that a bitmap/ vector button even existed or i was scared pressing it

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks! You're not alone there. These noob errors aren't the obvious ones that a lot of scratchers would come up with. They come out of teaching hundreds of kids literally from scratch and seeing the things that trip them up on Day 1.

[@bilyez]

@@atomecstudios Hehe thanks! I still remember day 1... when i understood like 5 blocks.. and somehow i knew what was x and y coordinates was! Thanks for replying!!!1!!!!!1! Hope your channel will grow quickly!!

[@Sunny59146]

Another noob mistake that happens using Scratch is sound effects. When you are using, "play sound effect until done", it means that the rest of the code after will wait until the sound effects stops to continue. However, when you use "start sound effect", it means it'll start playing the effect, but while it plays the code will continue. I also see the mistake used with the "forever" block. if you put "start sound effect", it will repeated start the effect. But if you put "play sound effect until done' it'll play the sound, and when it's done, it'll repeat. Trust me, it's simple, but it drove me mad!

[@atomecstudios]

Yes, that's a classic noob mistake. I talk about this topic at length in my video on syncing audio with actions in Scratch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6mYdq1pmJ10bKc

[@RandomEG1234]

i actually used to do that but i figured stuff out on my own sometimes.

[@mixalispapa4711]

You can also do a wait () seconds.

[@Pajanimations]

Summary: Oversizing is terrible Restart placements Convert button is the self destruct button

[@atomecstudios]

That's a pretty good summary. You could add lots of other ideas, but in our experience (we've taught beginner Scratch to literally thousands of kids) these are the mistakes and frustrations that come up most often on Day 1 of learning Scratch .

[@xaigamer3129]

as usual, loved to see what you talked about next!

[@xaigamer3129]

Also R.I.P Andy's projects, they had lots of potential, but sadly he was oblivious to the constitution for pro scratchers. Oh and also i love the new hacker cat! it could use more scratchish features like the original though.

[@atomecstudios]

I thought Miss Lynne did a fantastic job updating Scratch Cat's appearance to a more realistic art style, while still keeping the look and feel consistent with the original. What did you think was missing from this version? Thanks for watching, btw!

[@xaigamer3129]

@@atomecstudios the face is different and it's not cartoony or lifelike enough to encapsulate the face of the original hacker cat. hope this helps!

[@RealYoLeaff]

0:31 SO FUNNY WARNING

[@annateresa8869]

true

[@musicmanjoe7117]

That intro was so good I got shivers.

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks, man!

[@Jesoysauce]

I love this video, it's very funny and helpful

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks! That's exactly what we were aiming for!

[@Cold-Ice-Creem]

another idea for bitmap: if you're making a pixel game, then this will be helpful! AND another idea for vector: if you're making a hard-coded game, use vector sprites, don't forget NOT to click the blue button!

[@atomecstudios]

Yes, bitmaps do have their uses, especially if you're into pixel art. The problem is that Scratch beginners don't know the difference between the two modes and why each one is useful.

[@modesties]

if only I could have tested this (I didn’t have my extensions so I couldn’t even stand looking at the editor or purple [I can’t even imagine seeing anything but dark blue in the navbar color and grey for the editor header color] for even 2 more seconds, and I was on an iPhone) before telling someone the default was bitmap

[@Thecutecyanbird]

This really nice!

[@atomecstudios]

Thank you!

[@magentapink4828]

The reset mistake was one that took me ages to figure out when I first started using scratch.

[@atomecstudios]

I've taught a LOT of beginners (hundreds of them), and this is definitely the error that comes up most often on Day 1.

[@prash_sh]

0:15 the offline editor: am i a joke to you? 2:54 ScratchJr: am i a joke to you?

[@atomecstudios]

You're right, of course. I'd forgotten that Scratch Jr. resets all the sprites when you click the stop sign.

[@jordyjordan5]

Incase you didnt know about the white background thing, theres another way to remove it, first select bitmap, then click on the fill icon, next select it on the orange diagonal line, and click the white background.

[@atomecstudios]

We did mention that in the tutorial. It used to be my go-to method, but AI software like remove.bg has been a game changer.

[@BarhamaniacsThePineapple4300]

0:53 thing I used and gave credit

[@atomecstudios]

Nice work! I would have left a comment on your vid, but msgs are switched off.

[@BarhamaniacsThePineapple4300]

I used that cello sound for Bowgart and the lyrics for Tawkerr. 0:53 Bowgart 0:56 Tawkerr

[@charlimurray7664]

the forget to reset is a classic

[@midpour]

Amazing editing!

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks a lot!

[@midpour]

@@atomecstudios No problem man!

[@baonguyen4557]

I used to make 2 out of 3 mistakes when i was new scratcher

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. Thanks for your honesty! I've taught the same introductory Scratch lesson probably 200 times now, and it's remarkable how often the same little mistakes come up.

[@thegoof2763]

Which one did u not?

[@hyperpanda2024]

well, I already know all of those, but great job showcasing the mistakes that beginners make!

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks. We had a lot of fun making this one.

[@hyperpanda2024]

@@atomecstudios you're welcome!

[@FanticDaBest]

Have you posted the animation with the dinosaur? It's really funny and I wanna watch it, and if you did, what is your scratch account? I'll be sure to follow!

[@atomecstudios]

Yes! You can find it at scratch.mit.edu/projects/849913969. Our Scratch account is @AtomecStudios

[@MammottIsKing777]

give me the link for the project with the upside down dinosaur thing

[@atomecstudios]

It's actually a trilogy now! scratch.mit.edu/studios/33854414

[@Pugsbyy]

3:51 I skipped 10 seconds and encountered Andy screaming louder than my headphones can handle

[@atomecstudios]

Sorry, we've tried to get him to chill a little, but Andy's a very poor listener.

[@Moonfall12]

bruh my ears can handle it

[@NinjaSailer]

the funniest part is not andy, but the fact that u called bitmap the BLUE BUTTON XDDD

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. Most of the kids who watch this don't have a clue what a bitmap is, but hopefully they all understand "blue".

[@NinjaSailer]

i understand lol, but overall i honestly think this could help others and children.@@atomecstudios

[@PinnedComparisonsYT]

andy has the eye twitching pass 💀 also this is amazing! Love the voices!

[@Pinothy]

lol

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks! We had a lot of fun making this one.

[@brainpasz]

But bitmaps are pixel. Are good for mario pixel

[@printAndplaylab]

Hey I got a video idea! What if I like to play your game with WASD controls, but you want to play with arrow keys, what can you do?

[@atomecstudios]

That's definitely a useful thing to know. Not sure if we can make a whole video about this, though, as it can be explained in just a few seconds.

[@-_lIl_-]

in your controls, instead of having only or , make it into < or >

[@printAndplaylab]

@@-_lIl_- ik

[@jaydenrawlinson5951]

Man he is very good his tutorials made me better scratcher

[@atomecstudios]

Awww, thanks! Comments like that are why we work so hard!

[@modesties]

Hold on, is the stop sign and green flag on the left, and the fullscreen on the right an extension or Scratch 3.0 thing?

[@atomecstudios]

Ummm, I do have some extensions running (Scratch add-ons), including a pause button, which you can see right next to the green flag, but I think what you're describing is just the vanilla screen layout for Scratch 3.0.

[@modesties]

@@atomecstudios Okay yeah I just checked on the scratch wiki and they changed the fullscreen from blue, moved it to the right, and moved the green flag and stop sign to the left. And I was wondering because I also saw the pause button.

[@modesties]

@@atomecstudios Alright, yeah read my about me on this channel.

[@catastic9287]

I used to make these mistakes lol

[@DevXP]

0:43☝🤓actually a 1993 rx7 has 255 horsepower, yeah I'm losing braincells... but really I prefer a GTO TT.

[@rectro480]

when i was a starter i kept thinking that if i put a sprite in the air it would come back down

[@atomecstudios]

What an awesome story! We've all been noobs at something before, and stories like yours help to remind remind us how far we've come.

[@julmik2]

0:22 new scratcher is scratch addons user?

[@RealYoLeaff]

2:07 ANOTHER FUNNY BIT

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. Poor Andy! His frustration seems to delight kids so much!

[@jaytheninjajay9979]

Yeah right!

[@suyantosuyanto2859]

6:21 no no you cant use the web try using the bitmap and click the fill bucket and set color/op/brightness to none and click the white and Booommmm you have a png image right now

[@printAndplaylab]

can I send project to you?

[@Sikco-1111]

3:52 my guy just broke the sound barrier whit his own voice💀💀💀

[@Daniyaluigi]

I Never Made Those Mistakes When I Started Scratch

[@FanticDaBest]

I remixed the first project Andy made and made it work lol

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. You must be @Sandvich4! Andy says thanks for the EPIC remix!

[@realafarzan]

the intro is the best thing ever

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks! We're very proud of it!

[@stevetr-rblx]

you can just reupload that vector svg file

[@Luke50789]

This is your most popular video now that’s good😉

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks for noticing!! Yes, we're very proud of this one. Can I ask what you liked so much about this one? We have some ideas, but we'd like to hear from our viewers as we plan future episodes.

[@Luke50789]

@@atomecstudios I liked that you made the video because of some projects have they’re sprites hidden so thank you

[@atomecstudios]

@@Luke50789 Yes, we publish all the art we create for our tutorials and encourage kids to remix and make something cool with our characters. Thanks for your comment!

[@printAndplaylab]

so the stage is only 480 x 360

[@Moonfall12]

2:23 ANDY AT THE TEACHER'S SEAT??

[@romenyesayan3855]

3:51 rage scream

[@LambdaCreates]

0:01 When you realize Scratch is a block based programming language When you realize Andy is typing... 💀 or is he using Scratch Addons?

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. We like to think he's Tweeting about the amazing work he's doing.

[@AvidBlueYT]

@@atomecstudiosLooks like he is typing on the number pad. Maybe typing values?

[@walid99564]

1:08 epic space compat what the??. NOOOOOOOOO

[@printAndplaylab]

amazing

[@fireball528]

i want to fix his game anyway link?

[@atomecstudios]

Andy has his own Scratch account, and his work is published there. @andyepicscratcher.

[@spencerdumlao1654]

5:32 Backpack : Here we go again

[@pillowstatic]

As an Andy who's well-versed in Scratch, I feel kinda offended

[@atomecstudios]

Noobs gonna noob! Not much we can all do about it, except maybe roll our eyes.

[@spencerdumlao1654]

Plan to be a astornaut?

[@atomecstudios]

We're trying to inspire kids to reach for the stars.

[@spencerdumlao1654]

0:17 umm, your score is going crazy because your touching the finish line or the start line.

[@GotANewAccount]

1:53 ok but why did the car have to hit him there💀

[@atomecstudios]

In his belly button?

[@GotANewAccount]

@@atomecstudios THAT WAS NOT HIS BELLY BUTTON BRO💀

[@LnZ4395]

Imagine someone makes a game with all of those mistakes.

[@atomecstudios]

Pretty sure Andy has found a way!

[@printAndplaylab]

Dare: try to make a 3d game

[@AlienDeveloperYT]

Lots of people have done that already, I’ve made my own 3D object renderer without tutorials!

[@LeshaTheBeginner]

Also me: made a primitive 3d platformer

[@TheOneAndOnlyEpicStick]

hbu

[@WindowsDrawer]

Easy bro

[@FLoriN2]

griffpatch did it.

[@ChatterDoesMatter]

i never make mistakes when i was a new scratcher, i make simple games and i am a wuick learner

[@bunanadouradinha]

3:51 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

[@user-dq3kv4hh8s]

i saw andy duplicated the car sprite

[@tomchannel1234]

0:29 You forgot to remove the background

[@atomecstudios]

Andy has a lot to learn about proper game design, obviously!

[@tomchannel1234]

Nope but Andy is said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@printAndplaylab]

so yeah

[@printAndplaylab]

but can I share a project with you?

[@atomecstudios]

So I don't think you're allowed to post links here. If you'd like to share something, maybe you can go do it on our Scratch profile page.

[@richterdavidoliver7782]

You are Epic.❤

[@atomecstudios]

That's very sweet of you to say!

[@Cleacat]

How to make a 3d game

[@baonguyen4557]

VERY VERY HARD!

[@Cleacat]

@@baonguyen4557 not really

[@printAndplaylab]

@@baonguyen4557 I dissagre

[@baonguyen4557]

@@printAndplaylab ok

[@Cleacat]

@@printAndplaylab its very hard but not very very

[@H_fromDiscord_real]

Andy really made me lose 3 brain cells lol

[@atomecstudios]

Only 3?!! Consider yourself lucky.

[@sussermananim]

Epilepsy warning at 1:22

[@EmM-zb7zt]

I did that in 3rd grade and my teacher saw me do it

[@TealplushiePlays]

here started andy lore

[@atomecstudios]

Technically, he made an uncredited appearance here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oILWcpR4e7WZpaM

[@spiderbatkids5317]

GG most popular Atomec Studios video!!🎉

[@woodstockthemighty]

Try using templates if you're stuck.

[@atomecstudios]

Andy's not stuck. He's just stubborn.

[@woodstockthemighty]

@@atomecstudios Yea, but there ARE tons of templates to HELP you.

[@ComputerFan7252]

1:23 OUCH

[@-_lIl_-]

I feel like another mistake would be when there is a winning line or an area where if you go on it you get points, and the mistake is that you don't make sure that they cannot do it too fast, so the points counter just skyrockets

[@atomecstudios]

Yes! That's one other mistake Andy made in his Super Street Racer 3 game. You can see that the score counter is goign crazy before the race even starts.

[@thesmartytor7447]

I’ve never done one of these lol

[@atomecstudios]

Well, I guess that's why they call you the smarty!

[@thesmartytor7447]

@@atomecstudios lol you are correct, i was called “smarty” because my iq is over 130

[@BFGBFW-ABC]

say to andy to turn on comments on his profile

[@atomecstudios]

I've told Andy he's allowed to switch his comments on again, but only on his profile. He's NOT allowed to reply!

[@BFGBFW-ABC]

why he can't reply? @@atomecstudios

[@susmitadas-xj5sb]

Im your 1k like

[@cristianospohr69]

4:29 MACINTOSH?!?!?1?!??!

[@atomecstudios]

You mean the sound effect? It's just a generic chime sound we downloaded. Don't think it's Mac

[@romenyesayan3855]

1:27 WEPUWEPUWEPUWPEUPWUEPUWPEUWPUEPWUEPWUPWEUPWE

[@prash_sh]

4:03 LOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOL

[@LeshaTheBeginner]

Me: Never made these mistakes.

[@atomecstudios]

Can you think of any other noob mistakes you might have made back int he day?

[@Supfearlol]

lets go a quick reshape in this little beauty and... what? why cant i- WHERE IS THE- WHAT THE GO AYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA i FeEl LiKe Im LoSiNg mA mInD

[@atomecstudios]

Hahahaha!

[@PatriciaCota-yh1xo]

3:51 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

[@FOurHUndReDTwEnTy636]

3:51 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@akramsworldcartoon5173]

I don't be like Andy anymore

[@atomecstudios]

That's good! Trust me, the world doesn't need any more Andys!

[@Sandraf-u1z]

I Didn't Made These Mistakes In Scratch

[@BFGBFW-ABC]

i use scratchardons

[@printAndplaylab]

1 step = 1 pixel

[@Axton678]

"NOoOOoOoOOoO"

[@BarhamaniacsThePineapple4300]

666 subs already? you must be doing something disturbing…

[@atomecstudios]

We just passed 700, so I'm glad to report we're no longer on shaky spiritual ground!

[@Sinasonjedprofuctions]

Pixels not miles

[@atomecstudios]

Try telling that to Andy! That kid is so stubborn!

[@cakelegend1235]

If you think you are good you must make a 4d game

[@rafashorts5428]

elipsy warning on 1:22😬

[@atomecstudios]

Thanks for the heads up. In the future I'll be more careful about posting stuff with flashing lights.

[@BFGBFW-ABC]

when i was a new scratcher i was not like him

[@Lilmk_2223]

No

[@Abhinava_Playz_YT]

noobs are really noobs if u say that this is not good they will reply "CAN U MAKE hUh hehhehehehehehehe U SUCK"

[@Axton678]

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

[@robod1378]

Only people with 3 functioning brain cells make these misstakes 💀

[@atomecstudios]

Got it. BTW, you spelled mistake wrong.

[@robod1378]

@@atomecstudiosmaybe i have that

[@robod1378]

Also that was supposed to be a roast

[@AJKat-bu9sq]

Bruh wth

[@atomecstudios]

You are correct, sir! We put a lot of fun little errors in Andy's Scratch project. Kind of like easter eggs.

[@Mattygezart]

Ha ha hi hi Crystal Keeper by ggengjie has griffpatch comment the steamist

[@Grayjpck15]

bruh 666 likes 😨

[@atomecstudios]

LOL. Whew. I fixed it.

[@Grayjpck15]

FINALLY

[@TlMEL0RD]

With the voice you’re making it feels like you’re trying to personally hurt anybody who is new to scratch I know that you need a reset button and other people dont but you don’t have to imitate a dumb voice trying to down talk them

[@atomecstudios]

It's sweet that you're sticking up for other kids, but nobody is trying to make new Scratchers feel bad. We've all made mistakes while learning something new, and when Andy overreacts to his own mistakes in a comical way, he's reminding us all not to take ourselves too seriously. I also want to remind you that people who have speech impediments aren't speaking in a "dumb voice". I've struggled with a speech impediment all my life, and since I voice the character of Andy, that's going to be exaggerated. My greatest wish has always been that people judge me based on what I have to say, rather than how I say it.

[@TlMEL0RD]

@@atomecstudios OK now I understand, but still whenever you make an example of people with an angry character it can seem pretty offensive

[@behnkeflores7244]

your scream is too loud

[@atomecstudios]

Andy is a bit of a diva, but I'll tell him to try and tone it down in the future.

[@printAndplaylab]

@AtomecStudios