The program uses a client-server architecture, implemented using object-oriented programming. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is developed according to a continual improvement process, with a new version released every four months. The first official release included the first commercially available polyhedral mesher, offering faster model convergence compared to an equivalent tetrahedral mesh. A unique feature was a generalized polyhedral cell formulation, allowing the solver to handle any mesh type imported. STAR-CCM+ was announced at the 2004 AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference in Reno, Nevada. STAR-CCM+ aimed to take advantage of more modern programming methods and to provide an expandable framework.

STAR-CD was widely used most notably in the automotive industry.

Development work on STAR-CCM+ was started after a decision was taken to design a new, integrated CFD tool to replace the existing product STAR-CD which had been developed during the 1980s and 1990s by Computational Dynamics Ltd, a spin-off company from an Imperial College London CFD research group.

Star ccm+ 2020.3