1. A simulator for facilitating virtual welding activity, comprising: a logic processor based subsystem operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive orbital welding environment that emulates welding setup and activity on a section of virtual pipe having at least one virtual weld joint; displaying means operatively connected to the logic processor based subsystem for visually depicting the interactive welding environment, wherein said displaying means depicts the section of virtual pipe; a pendant or hand-held input device for performing setup and virtual welding activity on the at least one virtual weld joint in real time.