An imaging system for use in acquiring image data of a subject, comprising: an annular gantry housing configured to encircle a region of the subject, and in which is positioned a source of radiation; an image detector movable within the annular gantry housing; a memory system configured to store an optimal path having a start position, an end position, and a non-circular path from the start position to the end position of the image detector, including both physical movement of the image detector and timing of image data collection, wherein the optimal path is based on an analysis of test image data acquired from a plurality of subjects to acquire the image data; and a processor (22, 26) configured to execute instructions from the memory system to: drive movement of the image detector from the start position to the end position along the non-circular path, detect radiation with the image detector at a selected rate as the image detector moves along the non-circular path, and form a three-dimensional reconstruction of the region of the subject based at least in part on the detected radiation; wherein the non-circular path is a non-symmetrical non-circular path. an annular gantry housing configured to encircle a region of the subject, and in which is positioned a source of radiation; an image detector movable within the annular gantry housing; a memory system configured to store an optimal path having a start position, an end position, and a non-circular path from the start position to the end position of the image detector, including both physical movement of the image detector and timing of image data collection, wherein the optimal path is based on an analysis of test image data acquired from a plurality of subjects to acquire the image data; and a processor (22, 26) configured to execute instructions from the memory system to: drive movement of the image detector from the start position to the end position along the non-circular path, detect radiation with the image detector at a selected rate as the image detector moves along the non-circular path, and form a three-dimensional reconstruction of the region of the subject based at least in part on the detected radiation; wherein the non-circular path is a non-symmetrical non-circular path. a memory system configured to store an optimal path having a start position, an end position, and a non-circular path from the start position to the end position of the image detector, including both physical movement of the image detector and timing of image data collection, wherein the optimal path is based on an analysis of test image data acquired from a plurality of subjects to acquire the image data; and a processor (22, 26) configured to execute instructions from the memory system to: drive movement of the image detector from the start position to the end position along the non-circular path, detect radiation with the image detector at a selected rate as the image detector moves along the non-circular path, and form a three-dimensional reconstruction of the region of the subject based at least in part on the detected radiation; wherein the non-circular path is a non-symmetrical non-circular path. drive movement of the image detector from the start position to the end position along the non-circular path, detect radiation with the image detector at a selected rate as the image detector moves along the non-circular path, and form a three-dimensional reconstruction of the region of the subject based at least in part on the detected radiation; wherein the non-circular path is a non-symmetrical non-circular path.