Why don't I get a 3D view of the device

If your simulation window looks like figure [*] and not like figure [*]. It means either you do not have any 3D acceleration hardware on your computer, or you do not have the drivers for it installed. If you have an ATI/Nvidia/Intel graphics card check that the drivers are installed. Currently, not having working 3D hardware will not affect your ability to perform simulations. This is not a gpvdm bug it's a driver/hardware issue on your computer.

Figure: gpvdm with working 3D acceleration hardware.
Image 3d

Figure: gpvdm with no 3D acceleration hardware.
Image no_3d