The present invention relates to a method of visualizing a downhole environment using a downhole visualization system. The downhole visualization system comprises a downhole tool string comprising one or more sensors, a downhole data processing means for processing the sensor signals to provide sensor data, an uphole data processing means for uphole processing and visualization, and a data communication link operable to convey the sensor data from the downhole data processing means to the uphole data processing means, the sensors being capable of generating sensor signals indicative of one or more physical parameters in the downhole environment. The downhole visualization system further comprises a downhole data buffering means capable of receiving the sensor data from the downhole data processing means and temporarily storing the sensor data in the downhole data buffering means.