On a recent project, I had used the fluting tool path in Aspire. I used a 1/4" radius ball nose bit, at a depth of 1/8" and ramped in and out of the cut over a distance of 2". I also used the same bit on the edges of the column at depth of 3/16" just as a profile cut on the line. Plinth blocks from 1/2" material were added to the top and bottom of the column.
The cabinets were designed in eCabinets and cut on the ShopBot via the ShopBot Link.
I thought it came out great and it was pretty easy to set up and cut.