Methods and systems for mapping cardiac electrical activity employ a cardiac catheter having a plurality of spines mounted at the distal end, each spine having a plurality of electrodes. Electrical signal data are obtained from the heart via the electrodes, and respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines are sensed. An electroanatomic map of the heart is derived from the signal data, and presented as a graphic representation of the respective intracardiac locations and orientations of the spines, with distinctive graphical indicia of at least portions of the spines. The method is further carried out by displaying the electroanatomic map, and responsively to the displayed electroanatomic map, adjusting at least one of the locations and orientations of at least one of the spines.
