<p>In modeling passage of an elongate well tool through a well, a computing system receives inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics of the well tool including three dimensional surface data characterizing the shape of outwardly facing, lateral surfaces of the well tool. The computing system also receives inputs representing a plurality of geometric characteristics of the well. The computing system determines a prediction of the force to pass the well tool through at least a portion of the well based on a comparison of the three dimensional surface data of the well tool and the plurality of geometric characteristics of the well.</p>