A computer-implemented method for visualizing an object includes the steps of providing a simulated environment; rendering, with at least one processor, at least one virtual object based at least partially on the simulated environment, a viewable angle of the at least one virtual object, and object characteristics associated with the at least one virtual object, the object characteristics comprising at least one of the following: reflectance, transmittance, attenuation, or any combination thereof, and changing a viewable angle of the at least one virtual object in response to user input. A system and a computer program product for implementing the aforementioned method includes appropriately communicatively connected hardware components.