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Whilst searching for a solution I stumbled upon Animate object along path and deform accordingly

I am creating a logo for a new software project I am working on, the finished logo will have two dolphins either side of a infinity loop, I want these dolphins to be correctly deformed along the curve.
I will also create an animated 'loading indicator' with the dolphin moving arrond the loop.

I have downloaded a Dolphin from TurboSquid and getting it to follow the path is no problem, but I am having trouble with the curve deform.
It's difficault tweaking the Origin to be just right, I want the dolphin to be exactly along the path, but it is going all over the place.

enter image description here

The curve is not quite 2D:

enter image description here

On the Curve Modifer, deformation axis is set the X.

Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a better technique? Any pointers to tutorals?

Thanks. :-)

Update

Thanks guys for all your help.
I have had a little play arround with armatures and control objects, I have made a lot of progress but as you can see I have two issues:

  1. The first bone (Bone02 in .blend file) seems to be stuck in position (it does have tracking constraint).
  2. The mid-section (Bone05) is rotated causing the body twist.

enter image description here

(I have also updated the repo)

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  • $\begingroup$ could you please share your file? (Simplify your dolphin if you don't want anyone to steal it) $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Oct 12, 2019 at 10:48
  • $\begingroup$ @moonboots Thanks - I create a little GitHub repo with the files - One with armature, I don't know if that would be better - I have also just seen this video which maybe could help me $\endgroup$
    – Luke T O'Brien
    Commented Oct 12, 2019 at 11:58
  • $\begingroup$ I thought you didn't have any armature and that you wanted to apply a simple curve modifier on an object. With an armature the solution would be different. Please tell me if the simple curve modifier could satisfy you? $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Oct 12, 2019 at 12:03
  • $\begingroup$ if you want to use armature you might have your answer here: blender.stackexchange.com/questions/133012/… $\endgroup$
    – moonboots
    Commented Oct 12, 2019 at 12:05

1 Answer 1

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If you want to use an armature, follow the Batfinger's tuto here.

If you want to use a simple Curve modifier, you need to make sure that the position of your object on the curve. What you should do is:

  • Choose a vertex in your curve, where your animation is supposed to begin.
  • Make it the curve's origin.
  • Make it the curve’s first point. To do so, enable the Bsurfaces addon, select the vertex, in the Tools panel > Tools > Bsurfaces > click Set First Points.
  • Now put your dolphin object at the exact same point.
  • Move it on the right axis so that it follows the curve.
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