I've always dreaded the tedious task laying out the mortises for Mission tables. This time I drew up 'templates' in AutoCad...then printed, cut and stuck 'em to the pieces with 3M Super77. I always use an odd number of spindles, so I drew a reference line at the center of the template, marked the middle of the workpiece and lined 'em up. Muuuuuch easier than measuring and marking 17 mortises. I happen to have access to a large plotter, but I've also taped 'regular' printer paper together to make large template drawings.
KC