The C3D file format was conceived and developed by Dr. Andrew Dainis (ADTech) for the AMASS 3D photogrammetry software.  It would not have been possible to write this manual without the assistance of Dr. Andrew Dainis, as well as a great many C3D users who have provided sample data when requested and have answered my many questions over the years.  I should also like to thank Craig Smith, who was probably the first person (outside ADTech and the NIH) to visualize the full potential of the C3D format for the motion capture industry and lobby for it to become a standard format.  Special thanks are also due to Dr. Steven Stanhope for his support of numerous C3D users around the world over a great many years, as well as his persistence and efforts to develop software that can be of real use to everyone.

Particular thanks is due to Dr. Andrew Dainis who gave permission to refer to, and quote from, the AMASS User’s and Reference Manuals, has graciously answered many questions about the details of the format and contributed several chapters that clarify many of the internal details, history and development of the C3D specification.  Without his help and encouragement, this manual would not exist.