There is described a method for simulating an imaging process for an organ, the method comprising: retrieving from a memory a 3D volume model of the organ, the 3D volume model describing a 3D structure of the organ and a distribution of density within the 3D structure, the 3D structure representing a surface and internal features of the organ; generating a slice of the 3D model according to a position and an orientation of an imaging device, the slice including a cross-section of the surface and the internal features; rendering an image in accordance with the slice; and displaying the image.