1. A simulator for facilitating simulated welding activity in a simulated environment, comprising: a logic processor based subsystem operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive simulation of an orbital welding environment that emulates an orbital welding system having a welding tractor configured to travel around a section of simulated pipe and welding operation with the orbital welding system on the section of simulated pipe having at least one simulated weld joint; a display device operatively connected to the logic processor based subsystem for visually depicting the simulation of the orbital welding environment, wherein said display device is configured to depict at least the section of simulated pipe having the at least one simulated weld joint; and a pendant for interactively performing setup of the orbital welding system and the welding operation with the orbital welding system on the at least one simulated weld joint in real time.