An interface system and method for controlling a magnetic surgery system by displaying a virtual image of the device, adjusting the configuration of the device or the actuation controls to be applied to the device until the configuration of the displayed device assumes the configuration desired by the user, or selecting a desired target location for the tip, and causing a set of actuation controls to be applied to the actual device to cause the actual device to assume the configuration of the virtual device or to steer the device tip to the desired location.