The C3D CFD code has been under development for several decades. The code has undergone several different versions beginning in the early 1980’s. Dr Ahti Suo-Anttila (PhD) is the primary developer of the C3D code and continues its support and development today. The initial numerical methods were both developed and improved upon at Sandia National Laboratories while working on Nuclear Reactor Safety projects. The various early versions of the code include, F2D, Isis-3D, CAFE-3D and finally the current commercial version C3d.

The C3D code is primarily used in combustion and fire simulations however it can perform most any general CFD simulation that the user may want.

C3d is not the same code as CIVIL3D by autodesk. The code name C3d is purely coincidental.