A visualization system for wellbore and drillstring data includes a graphics processor for creating a wire mesh model of a well and drillstring based on datasets of depth-varying parameters of the well. A graphics system maps appropriate textures to the wire mesh models, which are then displayed on a graphics display. A user interface facilitates user navigation along the length of the well to any selected location therein, and further permits user adjustment of orientation of the displayed renderings. The data is sufficient to permit calculation of fluid velocity in the wellbore at any selected location. The fluid velocity is presented as a velocity profile in the rendered visualization of the wellbore and drillstring to provide the user with a visual indication of fluid velocity in the wellbore as the user navigates the visualization along the length of the wellbore and drillstring.