Yes.
Cut the pillars flush with the top of the cake. each tier is on a plate and the legs of the plate fit inside the pillars in the lower cake.
Ditto what Debi said.. lol
Seriously, when I do a stacked cake I use the hidden pillars exclusively. Makes a good sturdy cake. I have even transported a 3 tier completely assembled and had no problems.
Illustrated common cake support systems:
http://tinyurl.com/y22z72
(With complete and accurate directions.)
If you click on any of the support system pics, more info is given which will probably answer a lot of your questions.
More on SPS system:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-561846-.html
(See Leahs post.)
Illustrated "how to cut level dowels" by indydebi:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-434013-.html
HTH
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