The Spiral Data Tato -- A Curiously Complex Origami CD Case by oschene
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[This instructable appears here under the Instructables.com Terms of Service. It also appears here under my terms of service. Mine say that this content is free as in speech and free as in beer. If you paid to see this content, you've been imposed upon. Ask for your money back and buy yourself a beer.]

The Spiral Data Tato is an origami CD or DVD case of the origata or tsutsumi ilk, that is, a complicated presentation model, intended as a gift for an honored recipient. Tato is a Japanese word that means purse or wallet.

The Spiral Data Tato opens and closes, using a charming innovation we like to call The Origami Zipper. It is available in American letter paper and in A4 versions and I have made some .DOC files (editable in MS Word or in OO Writer), in case you want to make a mix CD or display the contents of the disk on the outside of the model.

This is not a quick and simple fold and is not intended to be. There are several quick and simple origami CD holders out there, if that's what you looking for -- I highly recommend Tom Hull's American CD Case. This model is for the discerning hunter of geek chic, the intrepid seeker of cheap thrills and complex beauty for its own sake. It's also for the little nerdy guy who thinks he can get that beautiful blonde in Calculus 102 to talk to him, if he could only get her to listen to his ultimate roadtrip mix CD...yeah, buddy, this will do the trick. But you better have some conversation prepared for when she does talk to you and not just stand there, babbling on and on the way you do. All right? All right, let's fold.
 
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Step 1: Crease Patterns

Spiral_Data_Tato_Fitful_Flog.jpg
With most origami models, you start with a piece of paper and move from step to step, making landmark creases and folding this part to that. And this model can be folded that way. Trouble is, the American letter paper version starts out dividing the width of the paper into nine even sections; the A4 version needs eleven even sections. I could show you how that works, but it involves math and a leap of logic or two and maybe 90% of the readers will click out at that point. If you want to learn more about this, try here. The rest of you, come with me and download a crease pattern.

The American letter paper version is 8½ inches by 11 inches -- this is the one you want if you live in the US or in Canada.

The A4 version is 210 mm by 297 mm -- this is the one you want if you don't live in the US or in Canada.

Why are they different? It has nothing to do with my wonted (and much vaunted) hostility to the metric system, if that's what you're thinking. No, it's just that the arithmetic works out slightly differently with the change of width. The A4 version has a couple more folds in it and makes a rather prettier model. All part of life's rich pageant.

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higgsboson23 says: Dec 17, 2012. 7:28 PM
This is amazing! Thank you so much for posting these instructions.
elroboto says: Dec 8, 2012. 4:36 AM
This is a great instructable and I would like to make some mix cds for gifts using this. However, sadly the .doc files are no longer working. Could something be done about it? I would love to print the songs, but I guess I could also do it all by hand.
Cheers!
oschene (author) says: Dec 8, 2012. 5:48 AM
Don't know what's up with that -- that's a link to a file on Instructables' servers. But don't let it slow you down, the files can be found here:
http://origami.oschene.com/files-to-support-an-instructable/
origami crane says: Jan 16, 2012. 3:04 PM
there's actually an origami boulder site that sells a piece of scrunched up paper for $10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

go here
http://origamiboulder.com/
coolo52 says: Feb 22, 2012. 2:10 PM
why would anyone pay $10 for wadded up paper???

maybe i should sell origami boulders for $10
Jimi27 says: Jan 26, 2012. 9:01 PM
If you have a large format printer you can set up the A4 version to double up on super B size (13 x 19) paper for printing out. Plenty of room for the entire drawing twice.
origami crane says: Jan 16, 2012. 3:00 PM
the creasing took AGES but it's a very beautiful and useful origami model.
origami crane says: Jan 16, 2012. 2:58 PM
cool! thee creasing patterns are very similar to the origamispring into action. i just made one yesterday
lukestanmore says: Oct 31, 2011. 3:16 PM
This is well beyond excellent! Well done, I will be trying this over the next few days as soon as I have time. I will re-draw the folding lines on Techsoft 2D Design and laser cut/score the paper, this also opens the possibility to engrave text on the paper, creating a traditional feel to the gift. Thank you very much!
Jimi27 says: Aug 28, 2011. 1:28 PM
Great Instructable! The creasing may be time consuming and the folding is a little tricky at first but once you've done about two the folding becomes a snap. The how to fold videos were very helpful!!! This is a wonderful project for when you want to give someone a special gift of a mix CD or a DVD video.
The Nomlack says: Feb 9, 2011. 4:41 PM
Cool! this is just like spring into action
paperairplanecreator says: Jan 7, 2011. 1:34 PM
Jefferson Airplane FTW
dodgedehaven says: Nov 26, 2010. 7:36 AM
Bravo!  This is a clever fold, and a beautiful Instructable.  I wholeheartedly concur with your philosophy of origami.
emihackr97 says: Oct 1, 2010. 7:39 PM
wow i've done it! its wonderful!
Men, pots some more 'ibles like this one.
Valeil says: Aug 15, 2010. 4:06 PM
lol Americadians
Vinka says: Jun 29, 2010. 1:56 PM
HI! This cd case is the coolness!! Will make one as soon as I'm done with the uber cleaning going on in my house. Also, I'm with the 10% that wants to know how this is folded step by step (not that I'm against the templates, I love those) but the link to the diagrams page is broken. Does anyone know where to get them?
fenixmita says: May 21, 2010. 9:32 AM
my bad xD, forgot to fold =P
Came out cool, thanks!
fenixmita says: May 21, 2010. 9:27 AM
hi there, awesome instructable.
I've got this far into the steps... But I'm using size A4, and the edges are too long to fit in like in the video... =(
sideshowzimmie says: Feb 11, 2009. 4:10 AM
Now that is just awesome! I printed out the pdf with no page scaling but it missed a couple of lines. I think it's because my printer can't print edge to edge, but I'm not sure. I made one, but realized it was just a little too small. I mean, it's okay.. but not like yours! :(
oschene (author) says: Feb 11, 2009. 5:37 AM
Did you use the A4 pdf with A4? The 8.5 x 11 model won't work on A4.
sideshowzimmie says: Feb 11, 2009. 7:02 AM
I did! :) Half of the flap that you fold in on the A4 version didn't exist on my printed paper. I'm gonna check the settings on the printer later on
Zenosythe says: Apr 7, 2010. 5:40 PM
This happened to me too, but i was using the 8.5 x 11 Word model and paper. Im trying it with the A4 model and paper, hopefully it will fit :P
crosszxcvbnm says: Feb 25, 2010. 4:11 PM
for me this part was a little hard then it started to get easer. now i'm making the cd case for my friends. i can make some money thank u
oschene (author) says: Feb 25, 2010. 5:26 PM
Please read the license -- no commercial use without prior arrangement.
andamas says: Feb 3, 2010. 7:14 AM
 Excellent Piece, if you prepare the folds carefully, it almost closes itself. Thank you very much!
tubajoey1 says: Feb 17, 2009. 3:04 PM
I love how you pointed out the Ubuntu disk...LINUX PWNS ALL!!!
froggyman says: Feb 17, 2009. 3:26 PM
i 2nd that do i hear a third
froggyman says: Feb 17, 2009. 6:29 PM
there are better linux distros than UBUNTU. For old/slow computers use SLAX For "regular" computers use RedHat, Debian or DreamLinux my opinion
tubajoey1 says: Feb 17, 2009. 7:00 PM
Yeah, Ubuntu is aimed more towards the beginning linux user. While I have been with Ubuntu for over a year now and feel like I know it, I still use ubuntu. Mainly because i have a sony vaio, and the support for the stuff in it is horrible. Mainly in the wireless card area. But Fedora is nice as well, and I had it for a bit, but I had to stay connected with an ethernet cable. But yeah...anyone reading this should try linux if you havent already. You can even dual boot and not harm your winblows...or mac. Very nice ible BTW...lol
froggyman says: Feb 17, 2009. 7:22 PM
i agree, but dont do a dual boot, untill you are sure you want that Linux distro. and know what you are doing with it and understand the functions. I dont even have it installed on my computer, its on a 16GB Adata jump drive(which i got for $30, I felt like i was stealling it from him...), this way works very well and you dont have to worry about your Computer Crashing and loosing your data if you are unsure about how to "use" and install Linux. Plus this way i basicly have my "computer" with me, i just need a ahh... well computer. i had a friend who knew nothing about linux except that he want it on his computer, so he found some random distro, thinking they are all the same just a different GUI (they arent btw), so he did a full install on his primary HDD. Lost all of his data on his computer and currently has no OS on it or data, told him to install on an external HDD or flash, but he didnt listen! ohh well
tubajoey1 says: Feb 17, 2009. 8:30 PM
HAHAHA!!! Thats a nifty little way of using linux that I have also been meaning to do for a bit. But my primary OS is Ubuntu 7.10 (its the latest one I know works with vaio) and I am experimenting with xp as a virtual machine. I dont think I could ever go back to windows...or at least not as a primary OS.
oschene (author) says: Feb 18, 2009. 3:30 AM
I'm largely stuck with Windows because I use a vector drawing program that doesn't work under WINE and linux has no functional equivalent. (Yes, I have tried them all.)

But I dual boot to Kubuntu and like it very well, though I could wish it gave me more control over my X settings.
hanelyp says: Dec 27, 2009. 7:03 PM
I use inkscape myself.  A fairly good SVG based vector drawing program, works on a range of desktop systems.  What program are you using, and what does it do special?
oschene (author) says: Dec 28, 2009. 2:59 AM
 I use CorelDraw -- it's simply more powerful and easier to use that Inkscape. I look forward to the day when open source vector drawing programs offer the same resources, but that isn't today.
tubajoey1 says: Feb 18, 2009. 6:16 PM
You could try to edit the programing a bit with that vector drawing program. I personally dont know how that is done, but I heard one can produce some surprising results. And I recall hearing about a vector drawing program for linux...but dont recall the name of it...maybe its just in my head...
Rosselyn says: Dec 22, 2009. 4:39 PM
Buenisimo, hace rato andaba buscando como hacerlo pero al principio en el video no se entendia Thanks!!
lightis says: Dec 21, 2009. 1:38 PM
Thanks! This was amazing! Just wondering if you have a pdf template for where to add text like on the cover on the first slide?
oschene (author) says: Dec 21, 2009. 3:16 PM
 Try step 9.
london_kitty5 says: Nov 22, 2009. 6:57 AM
Gonna make one today!!  Many thanks!
Leyendecker says: Oct 12, 2009. 9:38 PM
 that was brilliant :)
and SO much fun to do! you've explained it really well..thanks!
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