Not sure what technology to use here..

Hey all,

My first post here, glad I found this site.  Here is my issue, I am use to form over data applications but now I need to do more.  In more of a visual realm now, I need to not only use data, but have the ability to visualize a model representation of the data.  I'm just not sure what the options are and what the best way to go about this is.  My first thought was I needed a directx form that I can load a model into, but I'm not sure how I would change things in the model from the data, such as colors, lengths, widths, etc.  I don't really need a big technical response, I just want to know what the standard is today for doing something like this (or at least the most efficent way, since the program is not 100% visual) and I will go learn about it.  Thanks for any help at all.