It seems that many modern cartographers have abandoned the concept of the extended profile. Since it is now easy to generate a dimensionally accurate profile from any angle using mapping software, is there any place for the continued use of the extended profile? Does modern mapping software even facilitate the creation of an extended profile?
I personally like the fact that the extended profile shows the entire length of the passage in a 2D view. Personally, I can more easily visualize a 3D concept by combining two clear 2D images, than by puzzling over two or more confusing quasi-3D images. Clearly, the extended profile has serious limitations; showing the relationship between loops over various levels, and dealing with a large number of closely-grouped passages are impossible.
A small cave I just started surveying is one that I feel could be well described with an extended profile. The three main branches are seperated by enough distance that they can stay connected and be plotted in different directions without overlap. I have never drawn a complete profile of any cave over 150' long, but I'm liking the way this one is turning out. Will the inclusion of an extended profile be other archaic feature (to go with hand drawing and MSpaint lettering) that will make my map an embarrassment?