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RELEASE 5
USERS MANUAL

ENGINEERING DYNAMICS, INC.

2113 38TH STREET
KENNER, LOUISIANA 70065
U.S.A.

No part of this document may be

reproduced in any form, in an
electronic retrieval system or
otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher.

Copyright 1998 by
ENGINEERING DYNAMICS, INC.
Printed in U.S.A.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................
1.1 OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................
1.2 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION .............................................................................................

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2.0 GETTING STARTED .................................................................................................................

2.1 CREATING THE COLLAPSE RESULTS FILE .................................................................
2.2 BEGINNING A COLLAPSE VIEW SESSION ...................................................................
2.3 EXITING THE COLLAPSE VIEW SESSION ....................................................................

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3.0 FILE FEATURES .......................................................................................................................

3.1 OPEN ....................................................................................................................................
3.2 SAVE NPF AS ......................................................................................................................
3.3 SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................
3.4 PLOT .....................................................................................................................................
3.4.1 Screen ..........................................................................................................................
3.4.2 Title .............................................................................................................................
3.5 PAGE SETUP .......................................................................................................................
3.6 EXPORT ...............................................................................................................................
3.7 EXIT .....................................................................................................................................

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4.0 DISPLAY FEATURES ...............................................................................................................

4.1 ACTIVE/ISOMETRIC .........................................................................................................
4.2 FACE ....................................................................................................................................
4.3 PLAN ....................................................................................................................................
4.4 PLANE ..................................................................................................................................
4.4.1 3 Joints .........................................................................................................................
4.4.2 XY Plane .....................................................................................................................
4.4.3 XZ Plane ......................................................................................................................
4.4.4 YZ Plane ......................................................................................................................
4.4.5 XY Volume .................................................................................................................
4.4.6 XZ Volume ..................................................................................................................
4.4.7 YZ Volume ..................................................................................................................
4.4.8 Reset Volume ..............................................................................................................
4.5 SELECT ................................................................................................................................
4.6 RESET SELECT ...................................................................................................................
4.7 LABELING ...........................................................................................................................
4.8 ROTATE ...............................................................................................................................
4.9 2 LINE ..................................................................................................................................
4.10 SHADING ...........................................................................................................................
4.11 ZOOM BOX .......................................................................................................................
4.12 UNZOOM ...........................................................................................................................
4.13 VIEW ..................................................................................................................................
4.14 DEFLECTION FACTOR ...................................................................................................

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5.0 LOAD STEP FEATURES ..........................................................................................................

5.1 SPECIFIC .............................................................................................................................
5.2 NEXT ....................................................................................................................................

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5.3 PRIOR ...................................................................................................................................

5.4 SKIP ......................................................................................................................................
5.5 FIRST ....................................................................................................................................
5.6 LAST .....................................................................................................................................
5.7 AUTOVIEW .........................................................................................................................
5.8 SHOW GRAPH ....................................................................................................................

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6.0 JOINT FEATURES .....................................................................................................................

6.1 DETAILS ..............................................................................................................................
6.2 DISPLACEMENT ................................................................................................................
6.3 FIND .....................................................................................................................................

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7.0 MEMBER FEATURES ...............................................................................................................

7.1 DETAILS ..............................................................................................................................
7.2 FIND .....................................................................................................................................

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8.0 PLATE FEATURES ...................................................................................................................

8.1 DETAILS ..............................................................................................................................
8.2 FIND .....................................................................................................................................

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9.0 REPORT FEATURES .................................................................................................................

9.1 JOINT ...................................................................................................................................
9.1.1 Displacement ...............................................................................................................
9.1.2 Forces ..........................................................................................................................
9.2 MEMBER .............................................................................................................................
9.2.1 Stresses ........................................................................................................................
9.2.2 Internal Loads ..............................................................................................................
9.2.3 Strains ..........................................................................................................................
9.3 PLATE ..................................................................................................................................
9.3.1 Stresses ........................................................................................................................
9.4 PILE ......................................................................................................................................
9.4.1 Displacement ...............................................................................................................
9.4.2 Internal Load ...............................................................................................................
9.4.3 Capacity .......................................................................................................................
9.5 LOAD SUMMATION ..........................................................................................................
9.6 WORK ..................................................................................................................................
9.7 HISTORY .............................................................................................................................

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10.0 GRAPH FEATURES ................................................................................................................

10.1 DEFINE AXES ...................................................................................................................
10.2 FORMAT ............................................................................................................................
10.2.1 Graph Title ................................................................................................................
10.2.2 Major Grid Lines .......................................................................................................
10.2.3 Tick Marks ................................................................................................................
10.2.4 Axis Label .................................................................................................................

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11.0 WINDOW FEATURES ............................................................................................................

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12.0 HELP FEATURES ....................................................................................................................

12.1 CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................
12.2 EDI WEB SITE ...................................................................................................................
12.3 ABOUT COLLVUE ...........................................................................................................

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SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW
The collapse analysis view program, called Collapse View (Collvue), is an interactive
graphics post processor that allows for the reviewing of non-linear analysis results in the
same environment as Precede and Postvue. The program allows for viewing of deflected
shapes, including the displacement of element sub-segments, and the gradual
plastification of elements for any load increment. The program also provides extensive
plot and report capabilities that allow for the structure elasto-plastic history and failure
mechanism to be represented graphically or in report form.
Collapse View requires a collapse analysis results or restart file, created by the
Collapse program module. The results file contains all collapse analysis information
required to execute the Collapse View program including analysis results and most
model information. In addition to the collapse analysis restart or results file, a SACS
model file may also be specified to be read by the Collapse View program. The SACS
model file is only required if views, faces or plans defined in the model are to be used or
if two line representation of non-tubular members is desired
Note:

If a model file is to be input along with a collapse analysis

restart file, the model file should be specified as the second
file on the command line.

Output from Collapse View consists of plot files and report files. Plot files may be
output in SACS NPF. Report files are generated as ASCII text files.

1.2 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

Before executing Collapse View for the first time, the SACS system configuration file
should be generated using the SACS Executive. Collapse View accesses the
configuration file name "configg.sac" defined by environmental variable "SACGCFG".
Data from the configuration file is used in all subsequent executions and may be edited
using the SACS Executive. If the configuration file is not found or if the file does not
exist, the Collapse View program will exit with a "configuration file not found" error
message.
Note:

The environmental variable "SACGCFG" must contain the full path

name of the configuration file including the filename.

The configuration parameters used in Collapse View may be changed for the current
session using the File/Setup option.

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SECTION 2

GETTING STARTED

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2.0 GETTING STARTED
2.1 CREATING THE COLLAPSE RESULTS FILE
The Collapse View interactive plastic analysis review program requires that analysis
results and general model information be stored in a collapse analysis results file (restart
file). The Collapse program module must be used to generate this file prior to initiating
the Collapse View session.

2.2 BEGINNING A COLLAPSE VIEW SESSION

The Collapse View plastic analysis review session may also be started by selecting
Collapse View from the SACS Executive and selecting a collapse analysis restart file
and the SACS model file. The Executive will also prompt the user if all load steps or
selected load steps are to be read into Collapse View.
Note:

The model file name is optional and is required only if model

views, faces or plans are to be used and/or non-tubular cross
sections are to be displayed using the double line feature.

2.3 EXITING THE COLLAPSE VIEW SESSION

Select the File/Exit menu command to exit the Collapse View session. If the plot and/or
reports have been created to a file, the plot and/or report are saved using the default file
names.

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SECTION 3

FILE FEATURES

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3.0 FILE FEATURES
3.1 OPEN
The Open command is used to import an existing Collapse analysis results or restart file.

3.2 SAVE NPF AS

This assigns the name to the Neutral Picture File.

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3.3 SETTINGS
This allows the user to view the structure with 2 lines or shading. It also allows the timed
wait for Autoview and allows the user to omit a number of load steps from the end of the
restart file, or read a given number of steps from the start of restart file. The scale factor
for zoom can also be set from this option.

3.4 PLOT
3.4.1 Screen
The screen command plots the display window contents to the print device.

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3.4.2 Title
Allows the user to assign a title to a plot.

3.5 PAGE SETUP

Allows the user to assign margins and draw borders around the margins and create color
plots.

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3.6 EXPORT
Allows the user to save the file in a Neutral Picture Format, DXF Format or as a
Windows Meta File.

3.7 EXIT
This command is used to exit the Collapse results review session. Collapse View
prompts the user to save any reports or plots that were generated to a file that were not
previously saved.

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SECTION 4

DISPLAY FEATURES

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4.0 DISPLAY FEATURES
4.1 ACTIVE/ISOMETRIC
The Active/Isometric command displays all active joints, members, plates and shells in a
three dimensional perspective view. If a display volume is set (see Section 4.4), then all
active joints and elements within the specified volume are displayed.

4.2 FACE
If the SACS model file was specified on the command line when beginning the Collapse
View session, this feature allows the user to select the plane of a predefined face to be
displayed. An out of plane tolerance may be entered in the property box.
Note:

This feature requires that a model file be input into the Collapse
View program in addition to the Collapse results or restart file.

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4.3 PLAN
This feature allows the user to select the plane of a predefined plan to be displayed. The
desired plan is selected from the property box. The out of plane tolerance may be entered
in the property box..
Note:

This feature requires that a model file be input into the Collapse
View program in addition to the Collapse results or restart file.

4.4 PLANE
The Plane display command activates the Display/Plane sub-menu allowing access to
plane and volume display commands. Planes or volumes containing joints that are
located in the specified plane and/or volume and any active member or plate elements
connected to the joints are shown. The plane display features allow for an out of plane
tolerance to be specified in the property.
Note:

Only member or plate elements that have all connecting joints

shown are included on the display.

In addition to displaying volume contents, volume display features deactivate everything

lying outside of the specified volume. Therefore, once a volume is activated, the
ResetVol option must be used to display joints and elements lying outside of the
volume(s) designated. The XY, XZ and YZ volume features may be used in conjunction
with each other to define cubes that are to be displayed.
4.4.1 3 Joints
A plane view may be defined by any three joints that are not aligned along a line, using
this option. The first two joints picked define the line used as the horizontal display axis
of the plane. The third joint picked is used to define plane to be displayed.
Note:

The plane is displayed such that the line defined by the first two
joints is aligned horizontally and is displayed from left to right
on the display.

4.4.2 XY Plane
A global XY plane, defined by a global Z (vertical) coordinate input in the property box,
may be displayed using this feature. An out of plane tolerance may be specified with this
option.
4.4.3 XZ Plane
A global XZ plane, defined by a global Y coordinate input in the property box, may be
displayed using this feature. An out of plane tolerance may be specified with this option.
4.4.4 YZ Plane
A global YZ plane, defined by a global X coordinate input in the property box, may be
displayed using this feature. An out of plane tolerance may be specified with this option.

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4.4.5 XY Volume
A volume defined between two global XY planes may be designated for display using
the XY Volume feature. The volume is defined by the minimum and maximum global Z
coordinates specified in the property box and any XZ and/or YZ volumes already
activated.
4.4.6 XZ Volume
A volume defined between two global XZ planes may be designated for display using the
XZ Volume feature. The volume is defined by the minimum and maximum global Y
coordinates specified in the property box and any XY and/or YZ volumes already
activated.
4.4.7 YZ Volume
A volume defined between two global YZ planes may be designated for display using the
YZ Volume feature. The volume is defined by the minimum and maximum global X
coordinates specified in the property box and any XY and/or XZ volumes already
activated.
4.4.8 Reset Volume
This option resets the volume range coordinates to the default values of -4 and 4 for XY,
XZ and YZ volumes.

4.5 SELECT
The Select option allows the user to select display options and to include and/or exclude
portions of the structure for display purposes.

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The display options check boxes are used to designate whether or not disconnected joints
(joints with no active members connected), members, member offsets, plates and plate
offsets are to be displayed.
The Joint Ranges frame allows up to 4 joint ranges to be defined. Joint numbers within
the specified ranges may be designated to be either included or excluded from the
display by selecting the Include or Exclude button, respectively. When the joint ranges
are designated as Included, only joints within the specified ranges are active for display
purposes. When the ranges are designated as Excluded, joints within the specified ranges
are deactivated or excluded for display purposes.
Up to 20 Member and/or plate groups may be specified to be included or excluded from
the display. When groups are designated as Included, only elements that have all incident
joints active and are assigned to one of the specified groups are considered active for
display. When groups are designated as Excluded, all elements assigned to one of the
specified groups are excluded or deactivated from the display. The 'Member groups only'
check box designates whether only member groups are to be included or excluded
(checked), or member and plate groups are to be included or excluded (unchecked).
Click the Plastic button to open the plasticity level options window shown below. Enter
the five levels of plasticity to be displayed.

4.6 RESET SELECT

This command allows the user to reset the select options back to their default values.

4.7 LABELING
The Display/Labeling features allow for joints, members and/or plates to be labeled on
the display. In general, label sub-menu items are toggles that turn the feature on or off.

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4.8 ROTATE
The Rotate features allow the active display to be rotated about the global X, Y or Z
axes.

4.9 2 LINE
This toggle designates whether structural members are to be displayed as single or
double lines.

4.10 SHADING
Select the Shading menu check if members displayed as two lines are to be shown with
shading.

4.11 ZOOM BOX

This option expands the area within the designated window so that it fills the entire
display area.

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4.12 UNZOOM
This option returns any zoomed display to its original unzoomed form.

4.13 VIEW
The View display menu command activates the Display/View sub-menu shown below.
View features require that a model file be input into the Collapse View program in
addition to the plastic analysis results or restart file.

4.14 DEFLECTION FACTOR

Allows the user to factor the deflections for display purposes.

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SECTION 5

LOAD STEP FEATURES

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5.0 LOAD STEP FEATURES
The Load Step menu commands allow the user to designate the active or displayed load
increment. The current load increment is displayed using the current display settings and
deflection factor.
Note:

A deflection factor may be specified in order to exaggerate the

displacements of a particular load increment. Select the
Deflection Factor under the Display Menu.

5.1 SPECIFIC
The results for any one particular load condition may be displayed by selecting this
command and then entering the load increment number on the data line. The results for
the load increment specified are displayed according to the current display settings and
deflection factor.

5.2 NEXT
Select the Next command to display the next load increment or step.

5.3 PRIOR
Select the Prior command to display the previous load increment or step.

5.4 SKIP
This command skips the next load increment and displays the load step following the
next one.

5.5 FIRST
This command displays the results of the first load increment.

5.6 LAST
This command displays the analysis results of the last load increment.

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5.7 AUTOVIEW
The Autoview command displays load steps automatically beginning with the current
load step. Load steps are displayed according to the current display settings. The delay
time between load steps may be specified on the Setup Window by selecting the Setup
command of the File menu. Load increments are displayed until the last load increment
is displayed.
Note:

The Autoview feature may be stopped at any load step by pressing

the Escape key.

5.8 SHOW GRAPH

The Show Graph command displays the current graph at the bottom right corner of the
display area. This feature allows for the structure to be displayed simultaneously with the
graph generated.
The corresponding structure shape and analysis results can be displayed for any point on
the graph by clicking on the point on the graph. The current load increment is set to the
load increment corresponding to the point.
Note:

When force, deflection or reaction is graphed versus load step,

values for force, deflection or reaction are plotted as a point
for each load step. These points on the graph are connected by a
straight line. Therefore, when a position on the line is selected,
the closest point representing a load step is used.

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SECTION 6

JOINT FEATURES

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6.0 JOINT FEATURES
6.1 DETAILS
The joint name, coordinates and fixity for a joint may be displayed on the property box
shown below with this option. After selecting the Display command, select the joint
whose coordinates are to be displayed.

6.2 DISPLACEMENT
Gives the XYZ displacement of a selected joint at a specific load step.

6.3 FIND
The coordinates and fixity of any joint may be displayed by selecting this option by
specifying the joint number in the Joint number field in the property box. If the joint is
included on the display, an x will point to the joint.

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SECTION 7

MEMBER FEATURES

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7.0 MEMBER FEATURES
7.1 DETAILS
Allows the user to display member data for selected members.

7.2 FIND
Member find will locate the member within the structure. As well as, display in member
details.

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SECTION 8

PLATE FEATURES

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8.0 PLATE FEATURES
8.1 DETAILS
Information for individual plates includes the plate name, the plate group to which it is
assigned and the connecting joints may be displayed using this option.

8.2 FIND
This option allows the user to locate a specific plate within the structure.

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SECTION 9

REPORT FEATURES

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9.0 REPORT FEATURES
The Report features provide the capability to report model and plastic analysis
information to either the Collapse View Report window or to an external report file.
Upon selecting any of the report features, the Report Options dialog is activated.
The portion of the structure to include for reporting may be designated using the joint,
member and/or group filters. The load steps to be included may be specified using the
Load Step filter.
Note:

Reports are generated only for items that meet all filter criteria
specified. For example, if active members is selected and a list
of groups is specified, only members belonging to listed groups
that are active on the display screen are reported.

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9.1 JOINT
The joint report features generate joint information for all joints meeting the joint
selection criteria.
9.1.1 Displacement
This command generates a joint displacement report.
9.1.2 Forces
The joint reaction report contains reactions for support joints meeting the designated
joint selection criteria for the load steps designated.

9.2 MEMBER
The member report features generate reports containing member analysis results
including internal stresses and internal loads.

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9.2.1 Stresses
Select the Stress command to create a stress report for each member meeting the report
selection criteria. Member internal stresses at each member sub-segment along the
member length are included in the Stress report.
9.2.2 Internal Loads
Select the Internal Loads command to create an internal load report for each member
meeting the report selection criteria. Member internal loads at each member sub-segment
along the member length are included in the Internal Loads report.
9.2.3 Strains
This option allows the users to report strains for specified members or for given steps.

9.3 PLATE
9.3.1 Stresses
Allows the users to report plate stresses for selected plates and load steps.

9.4 PILE
9.4.1 Displacement
This option allows the user to report pile displacements for selected piles and load steps.
9.4.2 Internal Load
The internal load in the selected pile, for specific load steps can be reported using this
option.
9.4.3 Capacity
This option allows the users to report the axial capacity initialization for selected piles
and specified load steps.

9.5 LOAD SUMMATION

The Load Summation command creates a loading summary report for each of the load
steps designated.

9.6 WORK
This option allows the user to report the work done, in deforming the structure for
specific load steps and selected joints.

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9.7 HISTORY
Select the History command to create a plastic analysis history report. The history report
contains a step by step documentation of the events occurring during the analysis.
Critical events such as change in member plasticity, member unloading, formation of
hinge, local buckling, joint failure, joint collapse, etc. are documented for each load step.

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SECTION 10

GRAPH FEATURES

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10.0 GRAPH FEATURES
10.1 DEFINE AXES
Allows the users to define X and Y axes settings.

10.2 FORMAT
The graph layout or style settings may be designated on the Graph Style settings window.
Select the Format command to open the Graph Format Settings Window shown below.

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10.2.1 Graph Title

Enter the graph title, if any, in the Title text box.
10.2.2 Major Grid Lines
Solid or dashed major grid lines may be used along either axis by selecting the Solid or
Dashed button in the X-axis or Y-Axis frame. Major grid lines may be omitted along
either axis by selecting the button next to grid line type None.
10.2.3 Tick Marks
Tick marks may be placed between major grid lines by checking the Show tick marks
box. The number of tick marks between major grid lines may also be specified.
10.2.4 Axis Label
Specify the axis label in the axis label text box.

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SECTION 11

WINDOW FEATURES

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11.0 WINDOW FEATURES
This allows the user to activate either the graphic window or the structural display
window.

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SECTION 12

HELP FEATURES

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12.0 HELP FEATURES
12.1 CONTENTS
Selecting the Contents menu activates the help file browse facility. The user may browse
through the list of keywords and terms that are provided. The appropriate menu item is
referenced for keywords and terms listed. In addition, the manual section containing
detailed information is referenced for each item.

12.2 EDI WEB SITE

This option allows the user to open Microsoft Internet Explorer and go to EDIs web
site. The minimum requirement for the Internet Explorer is version 3.02 upwards.

12.3 ABOUT COLLVUE

This option allows the user to view the release version of Collapse View.

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