I posted this earlier in a different thread. I think it's more appropriate here.
Have you ever wondered how to draw a fluted column with the flutes spaced to give a 3D appearance? Here is one way to do it.
1. Draw a rectangle the size of your column. I used 3" by 12"
2. Near the top of the rectangle, draw a circle with the same diameter as the rectangle width.
3. Center both the rectangle and the circle horizontally.
4. Position the center of the circle on the top line of the rectangle.
5. Draw 5 angled lines at angles of 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 degrees.
6. Position the center of each line at the center of the circle. Attach and center horizontal works pretty good.
7. Mirror the angled lines horizontally.
7. Draw vertical lines beginning at the intersection of each angled line and the circle and one down the center of the rectangle.
8. Assign a bit to the vertical lines. I used a 3/16" ball nose.
9. For an actual 3D carve use the extrude and conform tools.
You can vary the number and angle of the lines to add or subtract flutes.
