Merge branch 'master' into aniso

73 files changed, 1693 insertions, 874 deletions

diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a179f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+language: python
+
+python:
+  - "2.7"
+  - "3.5"
+
+os:
+  - linux
+
+sudo: false
+
+addons:
+  apt:
+    packages:
+      - libboost-all-dev
+      - nvidia-common
+      - nvidia-current
+      - nvidia-cuda-toolkit
+      - nvidia-cuda-dev
+env:
+    - CUDA=yes
+    - CUDA=no
+
+before_install:
+  - if [[ "$TRAVIS_PYTHON_VERSION" == "2.7" ]]; then
+      wget https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh -O miniconda.sh;
+    else
+      wget https://repo.continuum.io/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh -O miniconda.sh;
+    fi
+  - bash miniconda.sh -b -p $HOME/miniconda
+  - export PATH="$HOME/miniconda/bin:$PATH"
+  - conda config --set always_yes yes --set changeps1 no
+  - conda update conda
+
+install:
+  - conda install python=$TRAVIS_PYTHON_VERSION six numpy scipy cython
+  - conda info -a
+  - cd build/linux
+  - ./autogen.sh
+  - if [ $CUDA == yes ]; then ./configure --prefix=$HOME/astra --with-python --with-cuda; else ./configure --prefix=$HOME/astra --with-python --without-cuda; fi
+  - make -j 4
+  - make install
+
+script:
+  - LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$HOME/astra/lib/:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH PYTHONPATH=$HOME/astra/python/:$PYTHONPATH python -c "import astra"
diff --git a/build/linux/Makefile.in b/build/linux/Makefile.in
index 3018674..a199bf6 100644
--- a/build/linux/Makefile.in
+++ b/build/linux/Makefile.in
@@ -62,8 +62,6 @@ PYCPPFLAGS  := $(CPPFLAGS)
 PYCPPFLAGS  += -I../include
 PYLDFLAGS = $(LDFLAGS)
 PYLDFLAGS   += -L$(abs_top_builddir)/.libs
-LIBS		+= -l$(PYLIBVER)
-LDFLAGS += -L$(PYLIBDIR)
 endif
 
 # This is below where PYCPPFLAGS copies CPPFLAGS.  The python code is built
@@ -97,6 +95,11 @@ ifeq ($(cuda),yes)
 MEXFLAGS += -DASTRA_CUDA
 endif
 
+ifeq ($(python),yes)
+MEXPYLDFLAGS='$$LDFLAGS $(LDFLAGS) -L$(PYLIBDIR)'
+MEXPYLIBS=$(MEXLIBS) -l$(PYLIBVER)
+endif
+
 endif
 
 LIBDIR=/usr/local/lib
@@ -147,6 +150,7 @@ BASE_OBJECTS=\
 	src/ParallelProjectionGeometry3D.lo \
 	src/ParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D.lo \
 	src/PlatformDepSystemCode.lo \
+	src/PluginAlgorithm.lo \
 	src/ProjectionGeometry2D.lo \
 	src/ProjectionGeometry3D.lo \
 	src/Projector2D.lo \
@@ -252,7 +256,6 @@ MATLAB_MEX=\
 	matlab/mex/astra_mex_direct_c.$(MEXSUFFIX)
 
 ifeq ($(python),yes)
-ALL_OBJECTS+=src/PluginAlgorithm.lo
 MATLAB_MEX+=matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.$(MEXSUFFIX)
 endif
 
@@ -267,6 +270,11 @@ mex: $(MATLAB_MEX)
 
 %.$(MEXSUFFIX): %.o $(MATLAB_CXX_OBJECTS) libastra.la
 	$(MEX) LDFLAGS=$(MEXLDFLAGS) $(MEXFLAGS) $(LIBS) $(MEXLIBS) -lastra -output $* $*.o $(MATLAB_CXX_OBJECTS)
+
+ifeq ($(python),yes)
+matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.$(MEXSUFFIX): matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.o $(MATLAB_CXX_OBJECTS) libastra.la
+	$(MEX) LDFLAGS=$(MEXPYLDFLAGS) $(MEXFLAGS) $(LIBS) $(MEXPYLIBS) -lastra -output matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c $< $(MATLAB_CXX_OBJECTS)
+endif
 endif
 
 ifeq ($(python),yes)
@@ -307,8 +315,10 @@ ifeq ($(cuda),yes)
 ifeq ($(gen_static_libs),yes)
 	@$(NVCC) $(NVCCFLAGS) -c $(<) -o $*.o >/dev/null 2>&1
 endif
-	@# Generate a .d file, with target name $*.lo
-	@$(NVCC) $(NVCCFLAGS) -M $(<) -MT $(*F).lo -odir $(*D) -o $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d
+	@# Generate a .d file, and change the target name in it from .o to .lo
+	@$(NVCC) $(NVCCFLAGS) -M $(<) -odir $(*D) -o $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d2
+	@sed '1s/\.o :/.lo :/' < $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d2 > $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d
+	@rm -f $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d2
 	@# Generate empty targets for all dependencies listed in the .d file.
 	@# This mimics gcc's -MP option.
 	@for x in `cat $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d`; do if test a$$x != a: -a a$$x != a\\; then echo -e "\n$$x:\n" >> $(*D)/$(DEPDIR)/$(*F).d; fi; done
@@ -411,7 +421,7 @@ $(srcdir)/configure: $(srcdir)/configure.ac
 	@echo "configure.ac has been changed. Regenerating configure script"
 	cd $(srcdir) && $(SHELL) ./autogen.sh
 
-.PHONY: all mex test clean distclean install install-libraries
+.PHONY: all mex test clean distclean install install-libraries py python-root-install install-python
 
 # don't remove intermediate files:
 .SECONDARY:
diff --git a/build/msvc/gen.py b/build/msvc/gen.py
index 999710f..cc69a62 100644
--- a/build/msvc/gen.py
+++ b/build/msvc/gen.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 from __future__ import print_function
 import sys
 import os
+import codecs
+import six
 
 vcppguid = "8BC9CEB8-8B4A-11D0-8D11-00A0C91BC942" # C++ project
 siguid = "2150E333-8FDC-42A3-9474-1A3956D46DE8" # project group 
@@ -428,7 +430,10 @@ P_astra["files"].sort()
 
 projects = [ P_astra, F_astra_mex, P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 ]
 
-bom = "\xef\xbb\xbf"
+if six.PY2:
+  bom = "\xef\xbb\xbf"
+else:
+  bom = codecs.BOM_UTF8.decode("utf-8")
 
 class Configuration:
   def __init__(self, debug, cuda, x64):
diff --git a/cuda/2d/sart.cu b/cuda/2d/sart.cu
index e5cb5bb..c8608a3 100644
--- a/cuda/2d/sart.cu
+++ b/cuda/2d/sart.cu
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ SART::SART() : ReconAlgo()
 	projectionCount = 0;
 	iteration = 0;
 	customOrder = false;
+
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
 }
 
 
@@ -98,6 +100,7 @@ void SART::reset()
 	projectionCount = 0;
 	iteration = 0;
 	customOrder = false;
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
 
 	ReconAlgo::reset();
 }
@@ -200,10 +203,10 @@ bool SART::iterate(unsigned int iterations)
 			// BP, mask, and add back
 			// TODO: Try putting the masking directly in the BP
 			zeroVolumeData(D_tmpData, tmpPitch, dims);
-			callBP_SART(D_tmpData, tmpPitch, D_projData, projPitch, angle, 1.0f);
+			callBP_SART(D_tmpData, tmpPitch, D_projData, projPitch, angle, fRelaxation);
 			processVol<opAddMul>(D_volumeData, D_maskData, D_tmpData, volumePitch, dims);
 		} else {
-			callBP_SART(D_volumeData, volumePitch, D_projData, projPitch, angle, 1.0f);
+			callBP_SART(D_volumeData, volumePitch, D_projData, projPitch, angle, fRelaxation);
 		}
 
 		if (useMinConstraint)
diff --git a/cuda/2d/sart.h b/cuda/2d/sart.h
index 7dcd641..eff9ecf 100644
--- a/cuda/2d/sart.h
+++ b/cuda/2d/sart.h
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ public:
 
 	virtual float computeDiffNorm();
 
+	void setRelaxation(float r) { fRelaxation = r; }
+
 protected:
 	void reset();
 	bool precomputeWeights();
@@ -78,6 +80,8 @@ protected:
 	// Geometry-specific precomputed data
 	float* D_lineWeight;
 	unsigned int linePitch;
+
+	float fRelaxation;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/cuda/2d/sirt.cu b/cuda/2d/sirt.cu
index 162ee77..4baaccb 100644
--- a/cuda/2d/sirt.cu
+++ b/cuda/2d/sirt.cu
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ SIRT::SIRT() : ReconAlgo()
 	D_minMaskData = 0;
 	D_maxMaskData = 0;
 
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
+
 	freeMinMaxMasks = false;
 }
 
@@ -83,6 +85,8 @@ void SIRT::reset()
 	useVolumeMask = false;
 	useSinogramMask = false;
 
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
+
 	ReconAlgo::reset();
 }
 
@@ -139,6 +143,9 @@ bool SIRT::precomputeWeights()
 		processVol<opMul>(D_pixelWeight, D_maskData, pixelPitch, dims);
 	}
 
+	// Also fold the relaxation factor into pixel weights
+	processVol<opMul>(D_pixelWeight, fRelaxation, pixelPitch, dims);
+
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -253,6 +260,7 @@ bool SIRT::iterate(unsigned int iterations)
 
 		callBP(D_tmpData, tmpPitch, D_projData, projPitch, 1.0f);
 
+		// pixel weights also contain the volume mask and relaxation factor
 		processVol<opAddMul>(D_volumeData, D_pixelWeight, D_tmpData, volumePitch, dims);
 
 		if (useMinConstraint)
diff --git a/cuda/2d/sirt.h b/cuda/2d/sirt.h
index 21094a1..bc913f4 100644
--- a/cuda/2d/sirt.h
+++ b/cuda/2d/sirt.h
@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ public:
 	bool uploadMinMaxMasks(const float* minMaskData, const float* maxMaskData,
 	                       unsigned int pitch);
 
+	void setRelaxation(float r) { fRelaxation = r; }
+
 	virtual bool iterate(unsigned int iterations);
 
 	virtual float computeDiffNorm();
@@ -81,6 +83,8 @@ protected:
 	unsigned int minMaskPitch;
 	float* D_maxMaskData;
 	unsigned int maxMaskPitch;
+
+	float fRelaxation;
 };
 
 bool doSIRT(float* D_volumeData, unsigned int volumePitch,
diff --git a/cuda/3d/astra3d.cu b/cuda/3d/astra3d.cu
index 42cece2..dd6d551 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/astra3d.cu
+++ b/cuda/3d/astra3d.cu
@@ -263,6 +263,7 @@ public:
 	float* angles;
 	float fOriginSourceDistance;
 	float fOriginDetectorDistance;
+	float fRelaxation;
 
 	SConeProjection* projs;
 	SPar3DProjection* parprojs;
@@ -302,6 +303,8 @@ AstraSIRT3d::AstraSIRT3d()
 	pData->projs = 0;
 	pData->parprojs = 0;
 
+	pData->fRelaxation = 1.0f;
+
 	pData->initialized = false;
 	pData->setStartReconstruction = false;
 
@@ -380,6 +383,14 @@ bool AstraSIRT3d::enableSuperSampling(unsigned int iVoxelSuperSampling,
 	return true;
 }
 
+void AstraSIRT3d::setRelaxation(float r)
+{
+	if (pData->initialized)
+		return;
+
+	pData->fRelaxation = r;
+}
+
 bool AstraSIRT3d::enableVolumeMask()
 {
 	if (pData->initialized)
@@ -439,6 +450,8 @@ bool AstraSIRT3d::init()
 	if (!ok)
 		return false;
 
+	pData->sirt.setRelaxation(pData->fRelaxation);
+
 	pData->D_volumeData = allocateVolumeData(pData->dims);
 	ok = pData->D_volumeData.ptr;
 	if (!ok)
diff --git a/cuda/3d/astra3d.h b/cuda/3d/astra3d.h
index 1f1cee2..3345ab8 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/astra3d.h
+++ b/cuda/3d/astra3d.h
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ public:
 	bool enableSuperSampling(unsigned int iVoxelSuperSampling,
 	                         unsigned int iDetectorSuperSampling);
 
+	void setRelaxation(float r);
+
 	// Enable volume/sinogram masks
 	//
 	// This may optionally be called before init().
diff --git a/cuda/3d/mem3d.cu b/cuda/3d/mem3d.cu
index d09c203..9a239da 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/mem3d.cu
+++ b/cuda/3d/mem3d.cu
@@ -62,6 +62,25 @@ size_t availableGPUMemory()
 	return free;
 }
 
+int maxBlockDimension()
+{
+	int dev;
+	cudaError_t err = cudaGetDevice(&dev);
+	if (err != cudaSuccess) {
+		ASTRA_WARN("Error querying device");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	cudaDeviceProp props;
+	err = cudaGetDeviceProperties(&props, dev);
+	if (err != cudaSuccess) {
+		ASTRA_WARN("Error querying device %d properties", dev);
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	return std::min(props.maxTexture3D[0], std::min(props.maxTexture3D[1], props.maxTexture3D[2]));
+}
+
 MemHandle3D allocateGPUMemory(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z, Mem3DZeroMode zero)
 {
 	SMemHandle3D_internal hnd;
diff --git a/cuda/3d/mem3d.h b/cuda/3d/mem3d.h
index acb72cb..6fff80b 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/mem3d.h
+++ b/cuda/3d/mem3d.h
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ enum Mem3DZeroMode {
 };
 
 size_t availableGPUMemory();
+int maxBlockDimension();
 
 MemHandle3D allocateGPUMemory(unsigned int x, unsigned int y, unsigned int z, Mem3DZeroMode zero);
 
diff --git a/cuda/3d/sirt3d.cu b/cuda/3d/sirt3d.cu
index 4cb35c3..ba6a159 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/sirt3d.cu
+++ b/cuda/3d/sirt3d.cu
@@ -59,6 +59,8 @@ SIRT::SIRT() : ReconAlgo3D()
 
 	useMinConstraint = false;
 	useMaxConstraint = false;
+
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
 }
 
 
@@ -89,6 +91,8 @@ void SIRT::reset()
 	useVolumeMask = false;
 	useSinogramMask = false;
 
+	fRelaxation = 1.0f;
+
 	ReconAlgo3D::reset();
 }
 
@@ -196,6 +200,8 @@ bool SIRT::precomputeWeights()
 		// scale pixel weights with mask to zero out masked pixels
 		processVol3D<opMul>(D_pixelWeight, D_maskData, dims);
 	}
+	processVol3D<opMul>(D_pixelWeight, fRelaxation, dims);
+
 
 	return true;
 }
@@ -307,7 +313,7 @@ bool SIRT::iterate(unsigned int iterations)
 	}
 #endif
 
-
+		// pixel weights also contain the volume mask and relaxation factor
 		processVol3D<opAddMul>(D_volumeData, D_tmpData, D_pixelWeight, dims);
 
 		if (useMinConstraint)
diff --git a/cuda/3d/sirt3d.h b/cuda/3d/sirt3d.h
index bb3864a..5e93deb 100644
--- a/cuda/3d/sirt3d.h
+++ b/cuda/3d/sirt3d.h
@@ -48,6 +48,9 @@ public:
 	// init should be called after setting all geometry
 	bool init();
 
+	// Set relaxation factor. This may be called after init and before iterate.
+	void setRelaxation(float r) { fRelaxation = r; }
+
 	// setVolumeMask should be called after init and before iterate,
 	// but only if enableVolumeMask was called before init.
 	// It may be called again after iterate.
@@ -91,6 +94,8 @@ protected:
 	float fMinConstraint;
 	float fMaxConstraint;
 
+	float fRelaxation;
+
 	cudaPitchedPtr D_maskData;
 	cudaPitchedPtr D_smaskData;
 
diff --git a/include/astra/Algorithm.h b/include/astra/Algorithm.h
index 049417c..18c465f 100644
--- a/include/astra/Algorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/Algorithm.h
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public:
 	 *
 	 * @return initialized
 	 */
-	bool isInitialized();
+	bool isInitialized() const;
 
 	/** get a description of the class
 	 *
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ private:
 
 // inline functions
 inline std::string CAlgorithm::description() const { return "Algorithm"; };
-inline bool CAlgorithm::isInitialized() { return m_bIsInitialized; }
+inline bool CAlgorithm::isInitialized() const { return m_bIsInitialized; }
 
 } // end namespace
 
diff --git a/include/astra/ArtAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/ArtAlgorithm.h
index d232b95..1ad9f3f 100644
--- a/include/astra/ArtAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/ArtAlgorithm.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ namespace astra {
  * \astra_xml_item_option{MinConstraintValue, float, 0, Minimum constraint value.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{UseMaxConstraint, bool, false, Use maximum value constraint.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{MaxConstraintValue, float, 255, Maximum constraint value.}
- * \astra_xml_item_option{Lamda, float, 1, The relaxation factor.}
+ * \astra_xml_item_option{Relaxation, float, 1, The relaxation factor.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{RayOrder, string, "sequential", the order in which the rays are updated. 'sequential' or 'custom'}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{RayOrderList, n by 2 vector of float, not used, if RayOrder='custom': use this ray order.  Each row consist of a projection id and detector id.}
  * 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *		cfg.option.UseMinConstraint = 'yes';\n 
  *		cfg.option.UseMaxConstraint = 'yes';\n
  *		cfg.option.MaxConstraintValue = 1024;\n
- *		cfg.option.Lamda = 0.7;\n
+ *		cfg.option.Relaxation = 0.7;\n
  *		cfg.option.RayOrder = 'custom';\n
  *		cfg.option.RayOrderList = [0\,0; 0\,2; 1\,0];\n
  *		alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create'\, cfg);\n
diff --git a/include/astra/AstraObjectFactory.h b/include/astra/AstraObjectFactory.h
index 325989e..6af9cd8 100644
--- a/include/astra/AstraObjectFactory.h
+++ b/include/astra/AstraObjectFactory.h
@@ -155,8 +155,11 @@ class _AstraExport CAlgorithmFactory : public CAstraObjectFactory<CAlgorithm, Al
 template <>
 inline CAlgorithm* CAstraObjectFactory<CAlgorithm, AlgorithmTypeList>::findPlugin(std::string _sType)
 	{
-		CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fac = CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getSingletonPtr();
-		return fac->getPlugin(_sType);
+		CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fac = CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getFactory();
+		if (fac)
+			return fac->getPlugin(_sType);
+		else
+			return 0;
 	}
 #endif
 
diff --git a/include/astra/AstraObjectManager.h b/include/astra/AstraObjectManager.h
index 895f955..ad89c2a 100644
--- a/include/astra/AstraObjectManager.h
+++ b/include/astra/AstraObjectManager.h
@@ -52,17 +52,49 @@ namespace astra {
  * among all ObjectManagers.
  */
 
+class CAstraObjectManagerBase {
+public:
+	virtual std::string getInfo(int index) const =0;
+	virtual void remove(int index) =0;
+	virtual std::string getType() const =0;
+};
 
-class CAstraIndexManager {
-protected:
-	/** The index of the previously stored data object.
+
+class CAstraIndexManager : public Singleton<CAstraIndexManager> {
+public:
+	CAstraIndexManager() : m_iLastIndex(0) { }
+
+	int store(CAstraObjectManagerBase* m) {
+		m_table[++m_iLastIndex] = m;
+		return m_iLastIndex;
+	}
+
+	CAstraObjectManagerBase* get(int index) const {
+		std::map<int, CAstraObjectManagerBase*>::const_iterator i;
+		i = m_table.find(index);
+		if (i != m_table.end())
+			return i->second;
+		else
+			return 0;
+	}
+
+	void remove(int index) {
+		std::map<int, CAstraObjectManagerBase*>::iterator i;
+		i = m_table.find(index);
+		if (i != m_table.end())
+			m_table.erase(i);
+	}
+
+private:
+	/** The index last handed out
 	 */
-	static int m_iPreviousIndex;
+	int m_iLastIndex;
+	std::map<int, CAstraObjectManagerBase*> m_table;
 };
 
 
 template <typename T>
-class CAstraObjectManager : public Singleton<CAstraObjectManager<T> >, CAstraIndexManager {
+class CAstraObjectManager : public CAstraObjectManagerBase {
 
 public:
 
@@ -117,7 +149,11 @@ public:
 	 */
 	void clear();
 
-	/** Get info.
+	/** Get info of object.
+	 */
+	std::string getInfo(int index) const;
+
+	/** Get list with info of all managed objects.
 	 */
 	std::string info();
 
@@ -149,9 +185,9 @@ CAstraObjectManager<T>::~CAstraObjectManager()
 template <typename T>
 int CAstraObjectManager<T>::store(T* _pDataObject) 
 {
-	m_iPreviousIndex++;
-	m_mIndexToObject[m_iPreviousIndex] = _pDataObject;
-	return m_iPreviousIndex;
+	int iIndex = CAstraIndexManager::getSingleton().store(this);
+	m_mIndexToObject[iIndex] = _pDataObject;
+	return iIndex;
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -180,15 +216,16 @@ T* CAstraObjectManager<T>::get(int _iIndex) const
 template <typename T>
 void CAstraObjectManager<T>::remove(int _iIndex)
 {
-	if (!hasIndex(_iIndex)) {
-		return;
-	}
 	// find data
 	typename map<int,T*>::iterator it = m_mIndexToObject.find(_iIndex);
+	if (it == m_mIndexToObject.end())
+		return;
 	// delete data
 	delete (*it).second;
 	// delete from map
-	m_mIndexToObject.erase(it);  
+	m_mIndexToObject.erase(it);
+
+	CAstraIndexManager::getSingleton().remove(_iIndex);
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -220,19 +257,29 @@ void CAstraObjectManager<T>::clear()
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Print info to string
 template <typename T>
+std::string CAstraObjectManager<T>::getInfo(int index) const {
+	typename map<int,T*>::const_iterator it = m_mIndexToObject.find(index);
+	if (it == m_mIndexToObject.end())
+		return "";
+	const T* pObject = it->second;
+	std::stringstream res;
+	res << index << " \t";
+	if (pObject->isInitialized()) {
+		res << "v     ";
+	} else {
+		res << "x     ";
+	}
+	res << pObject->description();
+	return res.str();
+}
+
+template <typename T>
 std::string CAstraObjectManager<T>::info() {
 	std::stringstream res;
 	res << "id  init  description" << std::endl;
 	res << "-----------------------------------------" << std::endl;
-	for (typename map<int,T*>::iterator it = m_mIndexToObject.begin(); it != m_mIndexToObject.end(); it++) {
-		res << (*it).first << " \t";
-		T* pObject = m_mIndexToObject[(*it).first];
-		if (pObject->isInitialized()) {
-			res << "v     ";
-		} else {
-			res << "x     ";
-		}
-		res << pObject->description() << endl;
+	for (typename map<int,T*>::const_iterator it = m_mIndexToObject.begin(); it != m_mIndexToObject.end(); it++) {
+		res << getInfo(it->first) << endl;
 	}
 	res << "-----------------------------------------" << std::endl;
 	return res.str();
@@ -247,42 +294,60 @@ std::string CAstraObjectManager<T>::info() {
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CProjector2DManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CProjector2D>{};
+class _AstraExport CProjector2DManager : public Singleton<CProjector2DManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CProjector2D>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "projector2d"; }
+};
 
 /**
  * This class contains functionality to store 3D projector objects.  A unique index handle will be 
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CProjector3DManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CProjector3D>{};
+class _AstraExport CProjector3DManager : public Singleton<CProjector3DManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CProjector3D>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "projector3d"; }
+};
 
 /**
  * This class contains functionality to store 2D data objects.  A unique index handle will be 
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CData2DManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data2D>{};
+class _AstraExport CData2DManager : public Singleton<CData2DManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data2D>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "data2d"; }
+};
 
 /**
  * This class contains functionality to store 3D data objects.  A unique index handle will be 
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CData3DManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data3D>{};
+class _AstraExport CData3DManager : public Singleton<CData3DManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data3D>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "data3d"; }
+};
 
 /**
  * This class contains functionality to store algorithm objects.  A unique index handle will be 
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CAlgorithmManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CAlgorithm>{};
+class _AstraExport CAlgorithmManager : public Singleton<CAlgorithmManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CAlgorithm>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "algorithm"; }
+};
 
 /**
  * This class contains functionality to store matrix objects.  A unique index handle will be 
  * assigned to each data object by which it can be accessed in the future.
  * Indices are always >= 1.
  */
-class _AstraExport CMatrixManager : public CAstraObjectManager<CSparseMatrix>{};
+class _AstraExport CMatrixManager : public Singleton<CMatrixManager>, public CAstraObjectManager<CSparseMatrix>
+{
+	virtual std::string getType() const { return "matrix"; }
+};
 
 
 } // end namespace
diff --git a/include/astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h b/include/astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h
index 4338994..18dd72f 100644
--- a/include/astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h
+++ b/include/astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h
@@ -79,7 +79,9 @@ public:
 
 		bool uploadToGPU();
 		bool downloadFromGPU(/*mode?*/);
-		virtual TPartList split(size_t maxSize, int div) = 0;
+		virtual void splitX(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div) = 0;
+		virtual void splitY(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div) = 0;
+		virtual void splitZ(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div) = 0;
 		virtual CPart* reduce(const CPart *other) = 0;
 		virtual void getDims(size_t &x, size_t &y, size_t &z) = 0;
 		size_t getSize();
@@ -93,7 +95,9 @@ public:
 
 		CVolumeGeometry3D* pGeom;
 
-		virtual TPartList split(size_t maxSize, int div);
+		virtual void splitX(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
+		virtual void splitY(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
+		virtual void splitZ(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
 		virtual CPart* reduce(const CPart *other);
 		virtual void getDims(size_t &x, size_t &y, size_t &z);
 
@@ -107,7 +111,9 @@ public:
 
 		CProjectionGeometry3D* pGeom;
 
-		virtual TPartList split(size_t maxSize, int div);
+		virtual void splitX(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
+		virtual void splitY(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
+		virtual void splitZ(TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div);
 		virtual CPart* reduce(const CPart *other);
 		virtual void getDims(size_t &x, size_t &y, size_t &z);
 
diff --git a/include/astra/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.h b/include/astra/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.h
index dc93a1a..bb5f2a7 100644
--- a/include/astra/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.h
+++ b/include/astra/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.h
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@ protected:
 	 */
 	bool setupGeometry();
 
+	/** Initialize CUDA algorithm. For internal use only.
+	 */
+	virtual void initCUDAAlgorithm();
 
 	/** The internally used CUDA algorithm object
 	 */ 
diff --git a/include/astra/CudaSartAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/CudaSartAlgorithm.h
index c22dc4f..e5e18f0 100644
--- a/include/astra/CudaSartAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/CudaSartAlgorithm.h
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ namespace astra {
  * \astra_xml_item{ProjectionDataId, integer, Identifier of a projection data object as it is stored in the DataManager.}
  * \astra_xml_item{ReconstructionDataId, integer, Identifier of a volume data object as it is stored in the DataManager.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{ReconstructionMaskId, integer, not used, Identifier of a volume data object that acts as a reconstruction mask. 0 = reconstruct on this pixel. 1 = don't reconstruct on this pixel.}
+ * \astra_xml_item_option{Relaxation, float, 1, The relaxation factor.}
  *
  * \par MATLAB example
  * \astra_code{
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *		cfg.ProjectionDataId = sino_id;\n
  *		cfg.ReconstructionDataId = recon_id;\n
  *		cfg.option.ReconstructionMaskId = mask_id;\n
+ *		cfg.option.Relaxation = 1.0;\n
  *		alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create'\, cfg);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('iterate'\, alg_id\, 10);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('delete'\, alg_id);\n
@@ -97,6 +99,14 @@ public:
 	 * @return description string
 	 */
 	virtual std::string description() const;
+
+protected:
+
+	/** Relaxation factor
+	 */
+	float m_fLambda;
+
+	virtual void initCUDAAlgorithm();
 };
 
 // inline functions
diff --git a/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm.h
index 929ac30..3cd8acc 100644
--- a/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm.h
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ namespace astra {
  * \astra_xml_item{ProjectionDataId, integer, Identifier of a projection data object as it is stored in the DataManager.}
  * \astra_xml_item{ReconstructionDataId, integer, Identifier of a volume data object as it is stored in the DataManager.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{ReconstructionMaskId, integer, not used, Identifier of a volume data object that acts as a reconstruction mask. 0 = reconstruct on this pixel. 1 = don't reconstruct on this pixel.}
+ * \astra_xml_item_option{Relaxation, float, 1, Relaxation parameter.}
  *
  * \par MATLAB example
  * \astra_code{
@@ -62,6 +63,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *		cfg.ProjectionDataId = sino_id;\n
  *		cfg.ReconstructionDataId = recon_id;\n
  *		cfg.option.ReconstructionMaskId = mask_id;\n
+ *		cfg.option.Relaxation = 1.0;\n
  *		alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create'\, cfg);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('iterate'\, alg_id\, 10);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('delete'\, alg_id);\n
@@ -93,8 +95,6 @@ public:
 	 */
 	virtual bool initialize(const Config& _cfg);
 
-	virtual void run(int _iNrIterations);
-
 	/** Initialize class.
 	 *
 	 * @param _pProjector		Projector Object. (Optional)
@@ -114,6 +114,12 @@ public:
 protected:
 	CFloat32VolumeData2D* m_pMinMask;
 	CFloat32VolumeData2D* m_pMaxMask;
+
+	/** Relaxation factor
+	 */
+	float m_fLambda;
+
+	virtual void initCUDAAlgorithm();
 };
 
 // inline functions
diff --git a/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.h b/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.h
index 379720e..60191cd 100644
--- a/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.h
+++ b/include/astra/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class AstraSIRT3d;
  *
  * The update step of pixel \f$v_j\f$ for iteration \f$k\f$ is given by:
  * \f[
- *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \alpha \sum_{i=1}^{M} \left( \frac{w_{ij}\left( p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}\right)}{\sum_{k=1}^{N} w_{ik}} \right) \frac{1}{\sum_{l=1}^{M}w_{lj}}
+ *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \lambda \sum_{i=1}^{M} \left( \frac{w_{ij}\left( p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}\right)}{\sum_{k=1}^{N} w_{ik}} \right) \frac{1}{\sum_{l=1}^{M}w_{lj}}
  * \f]
  *
  * \par XML Configuration
@@ -175,6 +175,7 @@ protected:
 	bool m_bAstraSIRTInit;
 	int m_iDetectorSuperSampling;
 	int m_iVoxelSuperSampling;
+	float m_fLambda;
 
 	void initializeFromProjector();
 };
diff --git a/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.h b/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.h
index c258f5c..acfb36f 100644
--- a/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.h
+++ b/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.h
@@ -319,10 +319,12 @@ class SIRTBPPolicy {
 	CFloat32ProjectionData2D* m_pTotalRayLength;
 	CFloat32VolumeData2D* m_pTotalPixelWeight;
 
+	float m_fRelaxation;
+
 public:
 
 	FORCEINLINE SIRTBPPolicy();
-	FORCEINLINE SIRTBPPolicy(CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pReconstruction, CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pSinogram, CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pTotalPixelWeight, CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pTotalRayLength); 
+	FORCEINLINE SIRTBPPolicy(CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pReconstruction, CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pSinogram, CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pTotalPixelWeight, CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pTotalRayLength, float _fRelaxation);
 	FORCEINLINE ~SIRTBPPolicy();
 
 	FORCEINLINE bool rayPrior(int _iRayIndex);
diff --git a/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.inl b/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.inl
index 0c0eddd..f300761 100644
--- a/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.inl
+++ b/include/astra/DataProjectorPolicies.inl
@@ -712,12 +712,14 @@ SIRTBPPolicy::SIRTBPPolicy()
 SIRTBPPolicy::SIRTBPPolicy(CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pReconstruction, 
 						   CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pSinogram, 
 						   CFloat32VolumeData2D* _pTotalPixelWeight, 
-						   CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pTotalRayLength) 
+						   CFloat32ProjectionData2D* _pTotalRayLength,
+						   float _fRelaxation)
 {
 	m_pReconstruction = _pReconstruction;
 	m_pSinogram = _pSinogram;
 	m_pTotalPixelWeight = _pTotalPixelWeight;
 	m_pTotalRayLength = _pTotalRayLength;
+	m_fRelaxation = _fRelaxation;
 }
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	
 SIRTBPPolicy::~SIRTBPPolicy() 
@@ -739,7 +741,7 @@ void SIRTBPPolicy::addWeight(int _iRayIndex, int _iVolumeIndex, float32 _fWeight
 {
 	float32 fGammaBeta = m_pTotalPixelWeight->getData()[_iVolumeIndex] * m_pTotalRayLength->getData()[_iRayIndex];
 	if ((fGammaBeta > 0.001f) || (fGammaBeta < -0.001f)) {
-		m_pReconstruction->getData()[_iVolumeIndex] += _fWeight * m_pSinogram->getData()[_iRayIndex] / fGammaBeta;
+		m_pReconstruction->getData()[_iVolumeIndex] += _fWeight * m_fRelaxation * m_pSinogram->getData()[_iRayIndex] / fGammaBeta;
 	}
 }
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/include/astra/PluginAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/PluginAlgorithm.h
index 667e813..cbd80fc 100644
--- a/include/astra/PluginAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/PluginAlgorithm.h
@@ -29,62 +29,37 @@ $Id$
 #ifndef _INC_ASTRA_PLUGINALGORITHM
 #define _INC_ASTRA_PLUGINALGORITHM
 
-#ifdef ASTRA_PYTHON
-
-#include "astra/Algorithm.h"
-#include "astra/Singleton.h"
-#include "astra/XMLDocument.h"
-#include "astra/XMLNode.h"
-
-// Slightly hackish forward declaration of PyObject
-struct _object;
-typedef _object PyObject;
+#include "astra/Globals.h"
 
+#include <map>
+#include <string>
 
 namespace astra {
-class _AstraExport CPluginAlgorithm : public CAlgorithm {
-
-public:
-
-    CPluginAlgorithm(PyObject* pyclass);
-    ~CPluginAlgorithm();
-
-    bool initialize(const Config& _cfg);
-    void run(int _iNrIterations);
-
-private:
-    PyObject * instance;
 
-};
+class CAlgorithm;
 
-class _AstraExport CPluginAlgorithmFactory : public Singleton<CPluginAlgorithmFactory> {
+class _AstraExport CPluginAlgorithmFactory {
 
 public:
+    CPluginAlgorithmFactory() { }
+    virtual ~CPluginAlgorithmFactory() { }
 
-    CPluginAlgorithmFactory();
-    ~CPluginAlgorithmFactory();
+    virtual CAlgorithm * getPlugin(const std::string &name) = 0;
 
-    CPluginAlgorithm * getPlugin(std::string name);
+    virtual bool registerPlugin(std::string name, std::string className) = 0;
+    virtual bool registerPlugin(std::string className) = 0;
 
-    bool registerPlugin(std::string name, std::string className);
-    bool registerPlugin(std::string className);
-    bool registerPluginClass(std::string name, PyObject * className);
-    bool registerPluginClass(PyObject * className);
+    virtual std::map<std::string, std::string> getRegisteredMap() = 0;
     
-    PyObject * getRegistered();
-    std::map<std::string, std::string> getRegisteredMap();
-    
-    std::string getHelp(std::string name);
+    virtual std::string getHelp(const std::string &name) = 0;
+
+    static void registerFactory(CPluginAlgorithmFactory *factory) { m_factory = factory; }
+	static CPluginAlgorithmFactory* getFactory() { return m_factory; }
 
 private:
-    PyObject * pluginDict;
-    PyObject *inspect, *six;
+    static CPluginAlgorithmFactory *m_factory;
 };
 
-PyObject* XMLNode2dict(XMLNode node);
-
 }
 
 #endif
-
-#endif
diff --git a/include/astra/Projector2D.h b/include/astra/Projector2D.h
index a1ea0ce..c7a899d 100644
--- a/include/astra/Projector2D.h
+++ b/include/astra/Projector2D.h
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ public:
 	 *
 	 * @return initialized successfully
 	 */
-	bool isInitialized();
+	bool isInitialized() const;
 
 	/** get a description of the class
 	 *
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ private:
 };
 
 // inline functions
-inline bool CProjector2D::isInitialized() { return m_bIsInitialized; }
+inline bool CProjector2D::isInitialized() const { return m_bIsInitialized; }
 inline CProjectionGeometry2D* CProjector2D::getProjectionGeometry() { return m_pProjectionGeometry; }
 inline CVolumeGeometry2D* CProjector2D::getVolumeGeometry() { return m_pVolumeGeometry; }
 
diff --git a/include/astra/Projector3D.h b/include/astra/Projector3D.h
index 1ef1ba7..88ca2be 100644
--- a/include/astra/Projector3D.h
+++ b/include/astra/Projector3D.h
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ public:
 	 *
 	 * @return initialized successfully
 	 */
-	bool isInitialized();
+	bool isInitialized() const;
 
 	/** get a description of the class
 	 *
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ private:
 };
 
 // inline functions
-inline bool CProjector3D::isInitialized() { return m_bIsInitialized; }
+inline bool CProjector3D::isInitialized() const { return m_bIsInitialized; }
 inline CProjectionGeometry3D* CProjector3D::getProjectionGeometry() { return m_pProjectionGeometry; }
 inline CVolumeGeometry3D* CProjector3D::getVolumeGeometry() { return m_pVolumeGeometry; }
 
diff --git a/include/astra/SartAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/SartAlgorithm.h
index eb4c61e..cdae029 100644
--- a/include/astra/SartAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/SartAlgorithm.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *
  * The update step of pixel \f$v_j\f$ for projection \f$phi\f$ and iteration \f$k\f$ is given by:
  * \f[
- *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \frac{\sum_{p_i \in P_\phi} \left(  \lambda \frac{p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}} {\sum_{r=1}^{N}w_{ir} }    \right)} {\sum_{p_i \in P_\phi}w_{ij}}
+ *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \lambda \frac{\sum_{p_i \in P_\phi} \left(  \frac{p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}} {\sum_{r=1}^{N}w_{ir} }    \right)} {\sum_{p_i \in P_\phi}w_{ij}}
  * \f]
  *
  * \par XML Configuration
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ namespace astra {
  * \astra_xml_item_option{MaxConstraintValue, float, 255, Maximum constraint value.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{ProjectionOrder, string, "sequential", the order in which the projections are updated. 'sequential', 'random' or 'custom'}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{ProjectionOrderList, vector of float, not used, if ProjectionOrder='custom': use this order.}
+ * \astra_xml_item_option{Relaxation, float, 1, The relaxation parameter.}
  *
  * \par MATLAB example
  * \astra_code{
@@ -76,7 +77,8 @@ namespace astra {
  *		cfg.option.UseMaxConstraint = 'yes';\n
  *		cfg.option.MaxConstraintValue = 1024;\n
  *		cfg.option.ProjectionOrder = 'custom';\n
-*		cfg.option.ProjectionOrderList = randperm(100);\n
+ *		cfg.option.ProjectionOrderList = randperm(100);\n
+ *		cfg.option.Relaxation = 1.0;\n
  *		alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create'\, cfg);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('iterate'\, alg_id\, 10);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('delete'\, alg_id);\n
@@ -215,6 +217,8 @@ protected:
 	//< Current index in the projection order array.
 	int m_iCurrentProjection;
 
+	//< Relaxation parameter
+	float m_fLambda;
 };
 
 // inline functions
diff --git a/include/astra/SirtAlgorithm.h b/include/astra/SirtAlgorithm.h
index 05b3fa9..8044d09 100644
--- a/include/astra/SirtAlgorithm.h
+++ b/include/astra/SirtAlgorithm.h
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *
  * The update step of pixel \f$v_j\f$ for iteration \f$k\f$ is given by:
  * \f[
- *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \alpha \sum_{i=1}^{M} \left( \frac{w_{ij}\left( p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}\right)}{\sum_{k=1}^{N} w_{ik}} \right) \frac{1}{\sum_{l=1}^{M}w_{lj}}
+ *	v_j^{(k+1)} = v_j^{(k)} + \lambda \sum_{i=1}^{M} \left( \frac{w_{ij}\left( p_i - \sum_{r=1}^{N} w_{ir}v_r^{(k)}\right)}{\sum_{k=1}^{N} w_{ik}} \right) \frac{1}{\sum_{l=1}^{M}w_{lj}}
  * \f]
  *
  * \par XML Configuration
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ namespace astra {
  * \astra_xml_item_option{MinConstraintValue, float, 0, Minimum constraint value.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{UseMaxConstraint, bool, false, Use maximum value constraint.}
  * \astra_xml_item_option{MaxConstraintValue, float, 255, Maximum constraint value.}
+ * \astra_xml_item_option{Relaxation, float, 1, The relaxation factor.}
  *
  * \par XML Example
  * \astra_code{
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *		&lt;Option key="UseMinConstraint" value="yes"/&gt;\n
  *		&lt;Option key="UseMaxConstraint" value="yes"/&gt;\n
  *		&lt;Option key="MaxConstraintValue" value="1024"/&gt;\n
+ *		&lt;Option key="Relaxation" value="1"/&gt;\n
  *		&lt;/Algorithm&gt;
  * }
  *
@@ -88,6 +90,7 @@ namespace astra {
  *		cfg.option.UseMinConstraint = 'yes';\n 
  *		cfg.option.UseMaxConstraint = 'yes';\n
  *		cfg.option.MaxConstraintValue = 1024;\n
+ *		cfg.option.Relaxation = 1.0;\n
  *		alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create'\, cfg);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('iterate'\, alg_id\, 10);\n
  *		astra_mex_algorithm('delete'\, alg_id);\n
@@ -136,6 +139,10 @@ protected:
 	 */
 	int m_iIterationCount;
 
+	/** Relaxation parameter
+	 */
+	float m_fLambda;
+
 public:
 	
 	// type of the algorithm, needed to register with CAlgorithmFactory
diff --git a/include/astra/Utilities.h b/include/astra/Utilities.h
index 3ae0e6c..8d7c44d 100644
--- a/include/astra/Utilities.h
+++ b/include/astra/Utilities.h
@@ -50,40 +50,40 @@ public:
 
 //< Parse string as int.
 //< Throw exception on failure.
-int stringToInt(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport int stringToInt(const std::string& s);
 
 //< Parse string as float.
 //< Throw exception on failure.
-float stringToFloat(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport float stringToFloat(const std::string& s);
 
 //< Parse string as double.
 //< Throw exception on failure.
-double stringToDouble(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport double stringToDouble(const std::string& s);
 
 template<typename T>
-T stringTo(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport T stringTo(const std::string& s);
 
 //< Parse comma/semicolon-separated string as float vector.
 //< Throw exception on failure.
-std::vector<float> stringToFloatVector(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport std::vector<float> stringToFloatVector(const std::string& s);
 
 //< Parse comma/semicolon-separated string as double vector.
 //< Throw exception on failure.
-std::vector<double> stringToDoubleVector(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport std::vector<double> stringToDoubleVector(const std::string& s);
 
 template<typename T>
-std::vector<T> stringToVector(const std::string& s);
+_AstraExport std::vector<T> stringToVector(const std::string& s);
 
 
 
 //< Generate string from float.
-std::string floatToString(float f);
+_AstraExport std::string floatToString(float f);
 
 //< Generate string from double.
-std::string doubleToString(double f);
+_AstraExport std::string doubleToString(double f);
 
 template<typename T>
-std::string toString(T f);
+_AstraExport std::string toString(T f);
 
 }
 
diff --git a/matlab/mex/astra_mex_c.cpp b/matlab/mex/astra_mex_c.cpp
index fdf4f33..f499528 100644
--- a/matlab/mex/astra_mex_c.cpp
+++ b/matlab/mex/astra_mex_c.cpp
@@ -36,10 +36,14 @@ $Id$
 #include "mexInitFunctions.h"
 
 #include "astra/Globals.h"
+#include "astra/AstraObjectManager.h"
+
 #ifdef ASTRA_CUDA
 #include "../cuda/2d/darthelper.h"
 #include "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h"
 #endif
+
+
 using namespace std;
 using namespace astra;
 
@@ -144,10 +148,51 @@ void astra_mex_version(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+void astra_mex_info(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[])
+{
+	if (nrhs < 2) {
+		mexErrMsgTxt("Usage: astra_mex('info', index/indices);\n");
+		return;
+	}
+
+	for (int i = 1; i < nrhs; i++) {
+		int iDataID = (int)(mxGetScalar(prhs[i]));
+		CAstraObjectManagerBase *ptr;
+		ptr = CAstraIndexManager::getSingleton().get(iDataID);
+		if (ptr) {
+			mexPrintf("%s\t%s\n", ptr->getType().c_str(), ptr->getInfo(iDataID).c_str());
+		}
+	}
+
+}
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+void astra_mex_delete(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[])
+{
+	if (nrhs < 2) {
+		mexErrMsgTxt("Usage: astra_mex('delete', index/indices);\n");
+		return;
+	}
+
+	for (int i = 1; i < nrhs; i++) {
+		int iDataID = (int)(mxGetScalar(prhs[i]));
+		CAstraObjectManagerBase *ptr;
+		ptr = CAstraIndexManager::getSingleton().get(iDataID);
+		if (ptr)
+			ptr->remove(iDataID);
+	}
+
+}
+
+
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 static void printHelp()
 {
 	mexPrintf("Please specify a mode of operation.\n");
-	mexPrintf("   Valid modes: version, use_cuda, credits\n");
+	mexPrintf("   Valid modes: version, use_cuda, credits, set_gpu_index, info, delete\n");
 }
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -178,6 +223,10 @@ void mexFunction(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[],
 		astra_mex_credits(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs); 
 	} else if (sMode == std::string("set_gpu_index")) {
 		astra_mex_set_gpu_index(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
+	} else if (sMode == std::string("info")) {
+		astra_mex_info(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
+	} else if (sMode == std::string("delete")) {
+		astra_mex_delete(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
 	} else {
 		printHelp();
 	}
diff --git a/matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.cpp b/matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.cpp
index 177fcf4..4ed534e 100644
--- a/matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.cpp
+++ b/matlab/mex/astra_mex_plugin_c.cpp
@@ -37,9 +37,63 @@ $Id$
 
 #include "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h"
 
+#include <Python.h>
+
 using namespace std;
 using namespace astra;
 
+static void fixLapackLoading()
+{
+    // When running in Matlab, we need to force numpy
+    // to use its internal lapack library instead of
+    // Matlab's MKL library to avoid errors. To do this,
+    // we set Python's dlopen flags to RTLD_NOW|RTLD_DEEPBIND
+    // and import 'numpy.linalg.lapack_lite' here. We reset
+    // Python's dlopen flags afterwards.
+    PyObject *sys = PyImport_ImportModule("sys");
+    if (sys != NULL) {
+        PyObject *curFlags = PyObject_CallMethod(sys, "getdlopenflags", NULL);
+        if (curFlags != NULL) {
+            PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(sys, "setdlopenflags", "i", 10); // RTLD_NOW|RTLD_DEEPBIND
+            if (retVal != NULL) {
+                PyObject *lapack = PyImport_ImportModule("numpy.linalg.lapack_lite");
+                if (lapack != NULL) {
+                    Py_DECREF(lapack);
+                }
+                PyObject *retVal2 = PyObject_CallMethod(sys, "setdlopenflags", "O",curFlags);
+                if (retVal2 != NULL) {
+                    Py_DECREF(retVal2);
+                }
+                Py_DECREF(retVal);
+            }
+            Py_DECREF(curFlags);
+        }
+        Py_DECREF(sys);
+    }
+}
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+/** astra_mex_plugin('init');
+ *
+ * Initialize plugin support by initializing python and importing astra
+ */
+void astra_mex_plugin_init()
+{
+    if(!Py_IsInitialized()){
+        Py_Initialize();
+        PyEval_InitThreads();
+    }
+
+#ifndef _MSC_VER
+    fixLapackLoading();
+#endif
+
+    // Importing astra may be overkill, since we only need to initialize
+    // PythonPluginAlgorithmFactory from astra.plugin_c.
+    PyObject *mod = PyImport_ImportModule("astra");
+    Py_XDECREF(mod);
+}
+
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 /** astra_mex_plugin('get_registered');
@@ -48,7 +102,11 @@ using namespace astra;
  */
 void astra_mex_plugin_get_registered(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[])
 {
-    astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getSingletonPtr();
+    astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getFactory();
+    if (!fact) {
+        mexPrintf("Plugin support not initialized.");
+        return;
+    }
     std::map<std::string, std::string> mp = fact->getRegisteredMap();
     for(std::map<std::string,std::string>::iterator it=mp.begin();it!=mp.end();it++){
         mexPrintf("%s: %s\n",it->first.c_str(), it->second.c_str());
@@ -62,9 +120,13 @@ void astra_mex_plugin_get_registered(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const
  */
 void astra_mex_plugin_register(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[])
 {
+    astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getFactory();
+    if (!fact) {
+        mexPrintf("Plugin support not initialized.");
+        return;
+    }
     if (2 <= nrhs) {
         string class_name = mexToString(prhs[1]);
-        astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getSingletonPtr();
         fact->registerPlugin(class_name);
     }else{
         mexPrintf("astra_mex_plugin('register', class_name);\n");
@@ -78,9 +140,13 @@ void astra_mex_plugin_register(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArra
  */
 void astra_mex_plugin_get_help(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[], int nrhs, const mxArray* prhs[])
 {
+    astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getFactory();
+    if (!fact) {
+        mexPrintf("Plugin support not initialized.");
+        return;
+    }
     if (2 <= nrhs) {
         string name = mexToString(prhs[1]);
-        astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getSingletonPtr();
         mexPrintf((fact->getHelp(name)+"\n").c_str());
     }else{
         mexPrintf("astra_mex_plugin('get_help', name);\n");
@@ -116,12 +182,14 @@ void mexFunction(int nlhs, mxArray* plhs[],
 	initASTRAMex();
 
 	// SWITCH (MODE)
-	if (sMode ==  std::string("get_registered")) { 
-		astra_mex_plugin_get_registered(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs); 
-    }else if (sMode ==  std::string("get_help")) { 
-        astra_mex_plugin_get_help(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs); 
-    }else if (sMode ==  std::string("register")) { 
-		astra_mex_plugin_register(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs); 
+	if (sMode == "init") {
+		astra_mex_plugin_init();
+	} else if (sMode ==  std::string("get_registered")) {
+		astra_mex_plugin_get_registered(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
+	}else if (sMode ==  std::string("get_help")) {
+		astra_mex_plugin_get_help(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
+	}else if (sMode ==  std::string("register")) {
+		astra_mex_plugin_register(nlhs, plhs, nrhs, prhs);
 	} else {
 		printHelp();
 	}
diff --git a/matlab/mex/mexInitFunctions.cpp b/matlab/mex/mexInitFunctions.cpp
index bd3df2c..7245af2 100644
--- a/matlab/mex/mexInitFunctions.cpp
+++ b/matlab/mex/mexInitFunctions.cpp
@@ -23,5 +23,13 @@ void initASTRAMex(){
     if(!astra::CLogger::setCallbackScreen(&logCallBack)){
         mexErrMsgTxt("Error initializing mex functions.");
     }
+
     mexIsInitialized=true;
+
+
+    // If we have support for plugins, initialize them.
+    // (NB: Call this after setting mexIsInitialized, to avoid recursively
+    //      calling initASTRAMex)
+    mexEvalString("if exist('astra_mex_plugin_c') == 3; astra_mex_plugin_c('init'); end");
+
 }
diff --git a/matlab/tools/opTomo.m b/matlab/tools/opTomo.m
index 71dfb1e..04b3634 100644
--- a/matlab/tools/opTomo.m
+++ b/matlab/tools/opTomo.m
@@ -44,11 +44,9 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
         vol_id
         fp_alg_id
         bp_alg_id
+        proj_id
         % ASTRA IDs handle
         astra_handle
-        % geometries
-        proj_geom;
-        vol_geom;
     end % properties
     
     properties ( SetAccess = private, GetAccess = public )
@@ -139,6 +137,17 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
                     error(['Only type ' 39 'cuda' 39 ' is supported ' ...
                            'for 3D geometries.'])
                 end
+
+                % setup projector
+                cfg = astra_struct('cuda3d');
+                cfg.ProjectionGeometry = proj_geom;
+                cfg.VolumeGeometry = vol_geom;
+                cfg.option.GPUindex = gpu_index;
+
+                % create projector
+                op.proj_id = astra_mex_projector3d('create', cfg);
+                % create handle to ASTRA object, for cleaning up
+                op.astra_handle = opTomo_helper_handle(op.proj_id);
                 
                 % create a function handle
                 op.funHandle = @opTomo_intrnl3D;
@@ -148,8 +157,6 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
             % pass object properties
             op.proj_size   = proj_size;
             op.vol_size    = vol_size;
-            op.proj_geom   = proj_geom;
-            op.vol_geom    = vol_geom;
             op.cflag       = false;
             op.sweepflag   = false;
 
@@ -169,10 +176,12 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
             if issparse(x)
                 x = full(x);
             end
-            
-            % convert input to single
-            if isa(x, 'single') == false
+
+            if isa(x, 'double')
+                isdouble = true;
                 x = single(x);
+            else
+                isdouble = false;
             end
             
             % the multiplication
@@ -180,6 +189,10 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
             
             % make sure output is column vector
             y = y(:);
+
+            if isdouble
+                y = double(y);
+            end
             
         end % multiply
         
@@ -194,7 +207,7 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
         function y = opTomo_intrnl2D(op,x,mode)
                        
             if mode == 1              
-                % X is passed as a vector, reshape it into an image.             
+                % x is passed as a vector, reshape it into an image.             
                 x = reshape(x, op.vol_size);
                 
                 % Matlab data copied to ASTRA data
@@ -206,7 +219,7 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
                 % retrieve Matlab array
                 y = astra_mex_data2d('get_single', op.sino_id);
             else
-                % X is passed as a vector, reshape it into a sinogram.
+                % x is passed as a vector, reshape it into a sinogram.
                 x = reshape(x, op.proj_size);
                 
                 % Matlab data copied to ASTRA data
@@ -218,6 +231,7 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
                 % retrieve Matlab array
                 y = astra_mex_data2d('get_single', op.vol_id);
             end
+
         end % opTomo_intrnl2D
         
         
@@ -225,55 +239,16 @@ classdef opTomo < opSpot
         function y = opTomo_intrnl3D(op,x,mode)
             
             if mode == 1
-                % X is passed as a vector, reshape it into an image
+                % x is passed as a vector, reshape it into an image
                 x = reshape(x, op.vol_size);
                 
-                % initialize output
-                y = zeros(op.proj_size, 'single');
-                
-                % link matlab array to ASTRA
-                vol_id  = astra_mex_data3d_c('link', '-vol', op.vol_geom, x, 0);
-                sino_id = astra_mex_data3d_c('link', '-sino', op.proj_geom, y, 1);
-                
-                % initialize fp algorithm
-                cfg = astra_struct('FP3D_CUDA');
-                cfg.ProjectionDataId = sino_id;
-                cfg.VolumeDataId     = vol_id;
-                
-                alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create', cfg);
-                             
                 % forward projection
-                astra_mex_algorithm('iterate', alg_id);
-                
-                % cleanup
-                astra_mex_data3d('delete', vol_id);
-                astra_mex_data3d('delete', sino_id);
-                astra_mex_algorithm('delete', alg_id);
+                y = astra_mex_direct('FP3D', op.proj_id, x);
             else
-                % X is passed as a vector, reshape it into projection data
+                % x is passed as a vector, reshape it into projection data
                 x = reshape(x, op.proj_size);
-                
-                % initialize output
-                y = zeros(op.vol_size,'single');
-                
-                % link matlab array to ASTRA
-                vol_id  = astra_mex_data3d_c('link', '-vol', op.vol_geom, y, 1);
-                sino_id = astra_mex_data3d_c('link', '-sino', op.proj_geom, x, 0);
                                 
-                % initialize bp algorithm
-                cfg = astra_struct('BP3D_CUDA');
-                cfg.ProjectionDataId     = sino_id;
-                cfg.ReconstructionDataId = vol_id;
-                
-                alg_id = astra_mex_algorithm('create', cfg);
-
-                % backprojection
-                astra_mex_algorithm('iterate', alg_id);
-                
-                % cleanup
-                astra_mex_data3d('delete', vol_id);
-                astra_mex_data3d('delete', sino_id);
-                astra_mex_algorithm('delete', alg_id);
+                y = astra_mex_direct('BP3D', op.proj_id, x);
             end 
         end % opTomo_intrnl3D
         
diff --git a/python/astra/PyIndexManager.pxd b/python/astra/PyIndexManager.pxd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c1ad502
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/PyIndexManager.pxd
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
+#
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
+#
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
+#
+#
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+from libcpp.string cimport string
+
+from .PyIncludes cimport *
+
+cdef extern from "astra/AstraObjectManager.h" namespace "astra":
+    cdef cppclass CAstraObjectManagerBase:
+        string getInfo(int)
+        void remove(int)
+        string getType()
+    cdef cppclass CAstraIndexManager:
+        CAstraObjectManagerBase* get(int)
+
+cdef extern from "astra/AstraObjectManager.h" namespace "astra::CAstraIndexManager":
+    cdef CAstraIndexManager* getSingletonPtr()
+
diff --git a/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx b/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx
index 3231c1f..4e96578 100644
--- a/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx
@@ -1,29 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/astra.py b/python/astra/astra.py
index 9328b6b..61c26ee 100644
--- a/python/astra/astra.py
+++ b/python/astra/astra.py
@@ -56,3 +56,23 @@ def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
     :type idx: :class:`int`
     """
     a.set_gpu_index(idx, memory)
+
+def delete(ids):
+    """Delete an astra object.
+    
+    :param ids: ID or list of ID's to delete.
+    :type ids: :class:`int` or :class:`list`
+    
+    """
+    return a.delete(ids)
+
+def info(ids):
+    """Print info about an astra object.
+    
+    :param ids: ID or list of ID's to show.
+    :type ids: :class:`int` or :class:`list`
+    
+    """
+    return a.info(ids)
+
+
diff --git a/python/astra/astra_c.pyx b/python/astra/astra_c.pyx
index 2a9c816..8e30e69 100644
--- a/python/astra/astra_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/astra_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ from .utils import wrap_from_bytes
 from libcpp.string cimport string
 from libcpp.vector cimport vector
 from libcpp cimport bool
+cimport PyIndexManager
+from .PyIndexManager cimport CAstraObjectManagerBase
+
 cdef extern from "astra/Globals.h" namespace "astra":
     int getVersion()
     string getVersionString()
@@ -51,6 +54,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h" namespace "astra":
 cdef extern from "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h" namespace "astra::CCompositeGeometryManager":
     void setGlobalGPUParams(SGPUParams&)
 
+
 def credits():
     six.print_("""The ASTRA Toolbox has been developed at the University of Antwerp and CWI, Amsterdam by
  * Prof. dr. Joost Batenburg
@@ -77,12 +81,12 @@ def version(printToScreen=False):
     else:
         return getVersion()
 
-def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
-    import types
+IF HAVE_CUDA==True:
+  def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
     import collections
     cdef SGPUParams params
     if use_cuda()==True:
-        if not isinstance(idx, collections.Iterable) or isinstance(idx, types.StringTypes):
+        if not isinstance(idx, collections.Iterable) or isinstance(idx, six.string_types + (six.text_type,six.binary_type)):
             idx = (idx,)
         params.memory = memory
         params.GPUIndices = idx
@@ -90,3 +94,27 @@ def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
         ret = setGPUIndex(params.GPUIndices[0])
         if not ret:
             six.print_("Failed to set GPU " + str(params.GPUIndices[0]))
+ELSE:
+  def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
+    raise NotImplementedError("CUDA support is not enabled in ASTRA")
+
+def delete(ids):
+    import collections
+    cdef CAstraObjectManagerBase* ptr
+    if not isinstance(ids, collections.Iterable) or isinstance(ids, six.string_types + (six.text_type,six.binary_type)):
+        ids = (ids,)
+    for i in ids:
+        ptr = PyIndexManager.getSingletonPtr().get(i)
+        if ptr:
+            ptr.remove(i)
+
+def info(ids):
+    import collections
+    cdef CAstraObjectManagerBase* ptr
+    if not isinstance(ids, collections.Iterable) or isinstance(ids, six.string_types + (six.text_type,six.binary_type)):
+        ids = (ids,)
+    for i in ids:
+        ptr = PyIndexManager.getSingletonPtr().get(i)
+        if ptr:
+            s = ptr.getType() + six.b("\t") + ptr.getInfo(i)
+            six.print_(wrap_from_bytes(s))
diff --git a/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx b/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx
index 801fd8e..65e80ce 100644
--- a/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/data3d.py b/python/astra/data3d.py
index e5ef6b0..f143659 100644
--- a/python/astra/data3d.py
+++ b/python/astra/data3d.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def get_single(i):
     :returns: :class:`numpy.ndarray` -- The object data.
 
     """
-    return g.get_single(i)
+    return d.get_single(i)
 
 def store(i,data):
     """Fill existing 3D object with data.
diff --git a/python/astra/data3d_c.pyx b/python/astra/data3d_c.pyx
index 3b27ab7..207d9a5 100644
--- a/python/astra/data3d_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/data3d_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/experimental.pyx b/python/astra/experimental.pyx
index aafc002..9bb73a2 100644
--- a/python/astra/experimental.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/experimental.pyx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Copyright: 2010-2015, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
-#            2014-2015, CWI, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
 # Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
 # Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/extrautils.pyx b/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
index 998f5cb..5bc315f 100644
--- a/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,27 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 def clipCircle(img):
 	cdef int i,j
diff --git a/python/astra/functions.py b/python/astra/functions.py
index e38b5bc..3f4aa82 100644
--- a/python/astra/functions.py
+++ b/python/astra/functions.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def add_noise_to_sino(sinogram_in, I0, seed=None):
     sinogram_out = -max_sinogramRaw * np.log(sinogramCT_D)
 
     if not isinstance(sinogram_in, np.ndarray):
-        at.data2d.store(sinogram_in, sinogram_out)
+        data2d.store(sinogram_in, sinogram_out)
 
     if not seed==None:
         np.random.set_state(curstate)
diff --git a/python/astra/log_c.pyx b/python/astra/log_c.pyx
index 55c63e6..0d187e9 100644
--- a/python/astra/log_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/log_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/matrix_c.pyx b/python/astra/matrix_c.pyx
index d099a75..f5c0938 100644
--- a/python/astra/matrix_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/matrix_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/optomo.py b/python/astra/optomo.py
index 4a64150..dd10713 100644
--- a/python/astra/optomo.py
+++ b/python/astra/optomo.py
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
             return self._matvec(v)
         return scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator.__mul__(self, v)
 
-    def reconstruct(self, method, s, iterations=1, extraOptions = {}):
+    def reconstruct(self, method, s, iterations=1, extraOptions = None):
         """Reconstruct an object.
 
         :param method: Method to use for reconstruction.
@@ -172,6 +172,8 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         :param extraOptions: Extra options to use during reconstruction (i.e. for cfg['option']).
         :type extraOptions: :class:`dict`
         """
+        if extraOptions is None:
+            extraOptions={}
         s = self.__checkArray(s, self.sshape)
         sid = self.data_mod.link('-sino',self.pg,s)
         v = np.zeros(self.vshape,dtype=np.float32)
diff --git a/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx b/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx
index 8d6816b..ee04853 100644
--- a/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
@@ -32,21 +32,25 @@ import inspect
 from libcpp.string cimport string
 from libcpp cimport bool
 
-cdef CPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = getSingletonPtr()
+cdef CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = getSingletonPtr()
 
 from . import utils
 
-cdef extern from "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra":
-    cdef cppclass CPluginAlgorithmFactory:
+cdef extern from "src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra":
+    cdef cppclass CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory:
         bool registerPlugin(string className)
         bool registerPlugin(string name, string className)
         bool registerPluginClass(object className)
         bool registerPluginClass(string name, object className)
         object getRegistered()
-        string getHelp(string name)
+        string getHelp(string &name)
+
+cdef extern from "src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra::CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory":
+    cdef CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory* getSingletonPtr()
 
 cdef extern from "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory":
-    cdef CPluginAlgorithmFactory* getSingletonPtr()
+    # NB: Using wrong pointer type here for convenience
+    cdef void registerFactory(CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory *)
 
 def register(className, name=None):
     if inspect.isclass(className):
@@ -65,3 +69,6 @@ def get_registered():
 
 def get_help(name):
     return utils.wrap_from_bytes(fact.getHelp(six.b(name)))
+
+# Register python plugin factory with astra
+registerFactory(fact)
diff --git a/python/astra/projector3d_c.pyx b/python/astra/projector3d_c.pyx
index aec9cde..e355e38 100644
--- a/python/astra/projector3d_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/projector3d_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/projector_c.pyx b/python/astra/projector_c.pyx
index 77c64a4..53d38c3 100644
--- a/python/astra/projector_c.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/projector_c.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
diff --git a/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.cpp b/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..617c0f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,372 @@
+/*
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+           2014-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
+
+Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
+
+This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
+
+
+The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+*/
+
+#ifdef ASTRA_PYTHON
+
+#include "PythonPluginAlgorithm.h"
+
+#include "astra/Logging.h"
+#include "astra/Utilities.h"
+#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
+#include <boost/algorithm/string/split.hpp>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <string>
+
+#include <Python.h>
+#include "bytesobject.h"
+
+namespace astra {
+
+
+
+void logPythonError(){
+    if(PyErr_Occurred()){
+        PyObject *ptype, *pvalue, *ptraceback;
+        PyErr_Fetch(&ptype, &pvalue, &ptraceback);
+        PyErr_NormalizeException(&ptype, &pvalue, &ptraceback);
+        PyObject *traceback = PyImport_ImportModule("traceback");
+        if(traceback!=NULL){
+            PyObject *exc;
+            if(ptraceback==NULL){
+                exc = PyObject_CallMethod(traceback,"format_exception_only","OO",ptype, pvalue);
+            }else{
+                exc = PyObject_CallMethod(traceback,"format_exception","OOO",ptype, pvalue, ptraceback);
+            }
+            if(exc!=NULL){
+                PyObject *six = PyImport_ImportModule("six");
+                if(six!=NULL){
+                    PyObject *iter = PyObject_GetIter(exc);
+                    if(iter!=NULL){
+                        PyObject *line;
+                        std::string errStr = "";
+                        while(line = PyIter_Next(iter)){
+                            PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",line);
+                            if(retb!=NULL){
+                                errStr += std::string(PyBytes_AsString(retb));
+                                Py_DECREF(retb);
+                            }
+                            Py_DECREF(line);
+                        }
+                        ASTRA_ERROR("%s",errStr.c_str());
+                        Py_DECREF(iter);
+                    }
+                    Py_DECREF(six);
+                }
+                Py_DECREF(exc);
+            }
+            Py_DECREF(traceback);
+        }
+        if(ptype!=NULL) Py_DECREF(ptype);
+        if(pvalue!=NULL) Py_DECREF(pvalue);
+        if(ptraceback!=NULL) Py_DECREF(ptraceback);
+    }
+}
+
+
+CPluginAlgorithm::CPluginAlgorithm(PyObject* pyclass){
+    instance = PyObject_CallObject(pyclass, NULL);
+    if(instance==NULL) logPythonError();
+}
+
+CPluginAlgorithm::~CPluginAlgorithm(){
+    if(instance!=NULL){
+        Py_DECREF(instance);
+        instance = NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+bool CPluginAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg){
+    if(instance==NULL) return false;
+    PyObject *cfgDict = XMLNode2dict(_cfg.self);
+    PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(instance, "astra_init", "O",cfgDict);
+    Py_DECREF(cfgDict);
+    if(retVal==NULL){
+        logPythonError();
+        return false;
+    }
+    m_bIsInitialized = true;
+    Py_DECREF(retVal);
+    return m_bIsInitialized;
+}
+
+void CPluginAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations){
+    if(instance==NULL) return;
+    PyGILState_STATE state = PyGILState_Ensure();
+    PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(instance, "run", "i",_iNrIterations);
+    if(retVal==NULL){
+        logPythonError();
+    }else{
+        Py_DECREF(retVal);
+    }
+    PyGILState_Release(state);
+}
+
+CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory(){
+    if(!Py_IsInitialized()){
+        Py_Initialize();
+        PyEval_InitThreads();
+    }
+    pluginDict = PyDict_New();
+    inspect = PyImport_ImportModule("inspect");
+    six = PyImport_ImportModule("six");
+}
+
+CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::~CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory(){
+    if(pluginDict!=NULL){
+        Py_DECREF(pluginDict);
+    }
+    if(inspect!=NULL) Py_DECREF(inspect);
+    if(six!=NULL) Py_DECREF(six);
+}
+
+PyObject * getClassFromString(std::string str){
+    std::vector<std::string> items;
+    boost::split(items, str, boost::is_any_of("."));
+    PyObject *pyclass = PyImport_ImportModule(items[0].c_str());
+    if(pyclass==NULL){
+        logPythonError();
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    PyObject *submod = pyclass;
+    for(unsigned int i=1;i<items.size();i++){
+        submod = PyObject_GetAttrString(submod,items[i].c_str());
+        Py_DECREF(pyclass);
+        pyclass = submod;
+        if(pyclass==NULL){
+            logPythonError();
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+    return pyclass;
+}
+
+bool CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPlugin(std::string name, std::string className){
+    PyObject *str = PyBytes_FromString(className.c_str());
+    PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str(), str);
+    Py_DECREF(str);
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPlugin(std::string className){
+    PyObject *pyclass = getClassFromString(className);
+    if(pyclass==NULL) return false;
+    bool ret = registerPluginClass(pyclass);
+    Py_DECREF(pyclass);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+bool CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPluginClass(std::string name, PyObject * className){
+    PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str(), className);
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPluginClass(PyObject * className){
+    PyObject *astra_name = PyObject_GetAttrString(className,"astra_name");
+    if(astra_name==NULL){
+        logPythonError();
+        return false;
+    }
+    PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",astra_name);
+    if(retb!=NULL){
+        PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict,PyBytes_AsString(retb),className);
+        Py_DECREF(retb);
+    }else{
+        logPythonError();
+    }
+    Py_DECREF(astra_name);
+    return true;
+}
+
+CAlgorithm * CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::getPlugin(const std::string &name){
+    PyObject *className = PyDict_GetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str());
+    if(className==NULL) return NULL;
+    CPluginAlgorithm *alg = NULL;
+    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
+        std::string str = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(className));
+        PyObject *pyclass = getClassFromString(str);
+        if(pyclass!=NULL){
+            alg = new CPluginAlgorithm(pyclass);
+            Py_DECREF(pyclass);
+        }
+    }else{
+        alg = new CPluginAlgorithm(className);
+    }
+    return alg;
+}
+
+PyObject * CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::getRegistered(){
+    Py_INCREF(pluginDict);
+    return pluginDict;
+}
+
+std::map<std::string, std::string> CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::getRegisteredMap(){
+    std::map<std::string, std::string> ret;
+    PyObject *key, *value;
+    Py_ssize_t pos = 0;
+    while (PyDict_Next(pluginDict, &pos, &key, &value)) {
+        PyObject *keystr = PyObject_Str(key);
+        if(keystr!=NULL){
+            PyObject *valstr = PyObject_Str(value);
+            if(valstr!=NULL){
+                PyObject * keyb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",keystr);
+                if(keyb!=NULL){
+                    PyObject * valb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",valstr);
+                    if(valb!=NULL){
+                        ret[PyBytes_AsString(keyb)] = PyBytes_AsString(valb);
+                        Py_DECREF(valb);
+                    }
+                    Py_DECREF(keyb);
+                }
+                Py_DECREF(valstr);
+            }
+            Py_DECREF(keystr);
+        }
+        logPythonError();
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+std::string CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory::getHelp(const std::string &name){
+    PyObject *className = PyDict_GetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str());
+    if(className==NULL){
+        ASTRA_ERROR("Plugin %s not found!",name.c_str());
+        PyErr_Clear();
+        return "";
+    }
+    std::string ret = "";
+    PyObject *pyclass;
+    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
+        std::string str = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(className));
+        pyclass = getClassFromString(str);
+    }else{
+        pyclass = className;
+    }
+    if(pyclass==NULL) return "";
+    if(inspect!=NULL && six!=NULL){
+        PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(inspect,"getdoc","O",pyclass);
+        if(retVal!=NULL){
+            if(retVal!=Py_None){
+                PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",retVal);
+                if(retb!=NULL){
+                    ret = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(retb));
+                    Py_DECREF(retb);
+                }
+            }
+            Py_DECREF(retVal);
+        }else{
+            logPythonError();
+        }
+    }
+    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
+        Py_DECREF(pyclass);
+    }
+    return ret;
+}
+
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory);
+
+#if PY_MAJOR_VERSION >= 3
+PyObject * pyStringFromString(std::string str){
+    return PyUnicode_FromString(str.c_str());
+}
+#else
+PyObject * pyStringFromString(std::string str){
+    return PyBytes_FromString(str.c_str());
+}
+#endif
+
+PyObject* stringToPythonValue(std::string str){
+    if(str.find(";")!=std::string::npos){
+        std::vector<std::string> rows, row;
+        boost::split(rows, str, boost::is_any_of(";"));
+        PyObject *mat = PyList_New(rows.size());
+        for(unsigned int i=0; i<rows.size(); i++){
+            boost::split(row, rows[i], boost::is_any_of(","));
+            PyObject *rowlist = PyList_New(row.size());
+            for(unsigned int j=0;j<row.size();j++){
+                PyList_SetItem(rowlist, j, PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(row[j])));
+            }
+            PyList_SetItem(mat, i, rowlist);
+        }
+        return mat;
+    }
+    if(str.find(",")!=std::string::npos){
+        std::vector<std::string> vec;
+        boost::split(vec, str, boost::is_any_of(","));
+        PyObject *veclist = PyList_New(vec.size());
+        for(unsigned int i=0;i<vec.size();i++){
+            PyList_SetItem(veclist, i, PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(vec[i])));
+        }
+        return veclist;
+    }
+    try{
+        return PyLong_FromLong(StringUtil::stringToInt(str));
+    }catch(const StringUtil::bad_cast &){
+        try{
+            return PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(str));
+        }catch(const StringUtil::bad_cast &){
+            return pyStringFromString(str);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+PyObject* XMLNode2dict(XMLNode node){
+    PyObject *dct = PyDict_New();
+    PyObject *opts = PyDict_New();
+    if(node.hasAttribute("type")){
+        PyObject *obj = pyStringFromString(node.getAttribute("type").c_str());
+        PyDict_SetItemString(dct, "type", obj);
+        Py_DECREF(obj);
+    }
+    std::list<XMLNode> nodes = node.getNodes();
+    std::list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin();
+    while(it!=nodes.end()){
+        XMLNode subnode = *it;
+        if(subnode.getName()=="Option"){
+            PyObject *obj;
+            if(subnode.hasAttribute("value")){
+                obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getAttribute("value"));
+            }else{
+                obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent());
+            }
+            PyDict_SetItemString(opts, subnode.getAttribute("key").c_str(), obj);
+            Py_DECREF(obj);
+        }else{
+            PyObject *obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent());
+            PyDict_SetItemString(dct, subnode.getName().c_str(), obj);
+            Py_DECREF(obj);
+        }
+        ++it;
+    }
+    PyDict_SetItemString(dct, "options", opts);
+    Py_DECREF(opts);
+    return dct;
+}
+
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h b/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ea4c6fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+/*
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+           2014-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
+
+Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
+
+This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
+
+
+The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+*/
+
+#ifndef _INC_PYTHONPLUGINALGORITHM
+#define _INC_PYTHONPLUGINALGORITHM
+
+#ifdef ASTRA_PYTHON
+
+#include "astra/Algorithm.h"
+#include "astra/Singleton.h"
+#include "astra/XMLDocument.h"
+#include "astra/XMLNode.h"
+#include "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h"
+
+#include <Python.h>
+
+namespace astra {
+class CPluginAlgorithm : public CAlgorithm {
+
+public:
+
+    CPluginAlgorithm(PyObject* pyclass);
+    ~CPluginAlgorithm();
+
+    bool initialize(const Config& _cfg);
+    void run(int _iNrIterations);
+
+private:
+    PyObject * instance;
+
+};
+
+class CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory : public CPluginAlgorithmFactory, public Singleton<CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory> {
+
+public:
+
+    CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory();
+    virtual ~CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory();
+
+    virtual CAlgorithm * getPlugin(const std::string &name);
+
+    virtual bool registerPlugin(std::string name, std::string className);
+    virtual bool registerPlugin(std::string className);
+    bool registerPluginClass(std::string name, PyObject * className);
+    bool registerPluginClass(PyObject * className);
+
+    PyObject * getRegistered();
+    virtual std::map<std::string, std::string> getRegisteredMap();
+
+    virtual std::string getHelp(const std::string &name);
+
+private:
+    PyObject * pluginDict;
+    PyObject *inspect, *six;
+};
+
+PyObject* XMLNode2dict(XMLNode node);
+
+}
+
+
+#endif
+
+#endif
diff --git a/python/astra/utils.pyx b/python/astra/utils.pyx
index 07727ce..34d1902 100644
--- a/python/astra/utils.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/utils.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
 # distutils: language = c++
 # distutils: libraries = astra
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import six
 if six.PY3:
     import builtins
 else:
-    import __builtin__
+    import __builtin__ as builtins
 from libcpp.string cimport string
 from libcpp.vector cimport vector
 from libcpp.list cimport list
@@ -95,14 +95,14 @@ cdef void readDict(XMLNode root, _dc):
     dc = convert_item(_dc)
     for item in dc:
         val = dc[item]
-        if isinstance(val, __builtins__.list) or isinstance(val, tuple):
+        if isinstance(val, builtins.list) or isinstance(val, tuple):
             val = np.array(val,dtype=np.float64)
         if isinstance(val, np.ndarray):
             if val.size == 0:
                 break
             listbase = root.addChildNode(item)
             contig_data = np.ascontiguousarray(val,dtype=np.float64)
-            data = <double*>np.PyArray_DATA(contig_data) 
+            data = <double*>np.PyArray_DATA(contig_data)
             if val.ndim == 2:
                 listbase.setContent(data, val.shape[1], val.shape[0], False)
             elif val.ndim == 1:
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ cdef void readDict(XMLNode root, _dc):
             if item == six.b('type'):
                 root.addAttribute(< string > six.b('type'), <string> wrap_to_bytes(val))
             else:
+                if isinstance(val, builtins.bool):
+                    val = int(val)
                 itm = root.addChildNode(item, wrap_to_bytes(val))
 
 cdef void readOptions(XMLNode node, dc):
@@ -131,7 +133,7 @@ cdef void readOptions(XMLNode node, dc):
         val = dc[item]
         if node.hasOption(item):
             raise Exception('Duplicate Option: %s' % item)
-        if isinstance(val, __builtins__.list) or isinstance(val, tuple):
+        if isinstance(val, builtins.list) or isinstance(val, tuple):
             val = np.array(val,dtype=np.float64)
         if isinstance(val, np.ndarray):
             if val.size == 0:
@@ -147,6 +149,8 @@ cdef void readOptions(XMLNode node, dc):
             else:
                 raise Exception("Only 1 or 2 dimensions are allowed")
         else:
+            if isinstance(val, builtins.bool):
+                val = int(val)
             node.addOption(item, wrap_to_bytes(val))
 
 cdef configToDict(Config *cfg):
diff --git a/python/builder.py b/python/builder.py
index 018b26b..dcd62d8 100644
--- a/python/builder.py
+++ b/python/builder.py
@@ -1,28 +1,28 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Copyright: 2010-2016, iMinds-Vision Lab, University of Antwerp
+#            2013-2016, CWI, Amsterdam
 #
-#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
-#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
-#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+# Contact: astra@uantwerpen.be
+# Website: http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox
 #
+# This file is part of the ASTRA Toolbox.
 #
-#This file is part of the Python interface to the
-#All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox ("ASTRA Toolbox").
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-#it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-#the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-#(at your option) any later version.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
 #
-#The Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-#but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-#MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
-#GNU General Public License for more details.
+# The ASTRA Toolbox is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
 #
-#You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-#along with the Python interface to the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 import sys
 import os
 import numpy as np
@@ -70,12 +70,16 @@ ext_modules = [ ]
 ext_modules = cythonize("astra/*.pyx", language_level=2)
 cmdclass = { 'build_ext': build_ext }
 
+for m in ext_modules:
+  if m.name == 'astra.plugin_c':
+    m.sources.append('astra/src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.cpp')
+
 setup (name = 'PyASTRAToolbox',
        version = '1.7.1',
        description = 'Python interface to the ASTRA-Toolbox',
        author='D.M. Pelt',
        author_email='D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl',
-       url='http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/',
+       url='http://sf.net/projects/astra-toolbox',
        #ext_package='astra',
        #ext_modules = cythonize(Extension("astra/*.pyx",extra_compile_args=extra_compile_args,extra_linker_args=extra_compile_args)),
        license='GPLv3',
diff --git a/python/conda/build.sh b/python/conda/build.sh
index 814ea7e..13ae3f8 100644
--- a/python/conda/build.sh
+++ b/python/conda/build.sh
@@ -5,12 +5,4 @@ if [ $MAKEOPTS == '<UNDEFINED>' ]
   then
     MAKEOPTS=""
 fi
-make $MAKEOPTS install-libraries
-make $MAKEOPTS python-root-install
-LIBPATH=lib
-if [ $ARCH == 64 ]
-  then
-    LIBPATH+=64
-fi
-cp -P $CUDA_ROOT/$LIBPATH/libcudart.so.* $PREFIX/lib
-cp -P $CUDA_ROOT/$LIBPATH/libcufft.so.* $PREFIX/lib
+make $MAKEOPTS python-root-install
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/conda/libastra/build.sh b/python/conda/libastra/build.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e1d9700
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/conda/libastra/build.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+cd build/linux
+./autogen.sh
+./configure --with-cuda=$CUDA_ROOT --prefix=$PREFIX
+if [ $MAKEOPTS == '<UNDEFINED>' ]
+  then
+    MAKEOPTS=""
+fi
+make $MAKEOPTS install-libraries
+LIBPATH=lib
+if [ $ARCH == 64 ]
+  then
+    LIBPATH+=64
+fi
+cp -P $CUDA_ROOT/$LIBPATH/libcudart.so.* $PREFIX/lib
+cp -P $CUDA_ROOT/$LIBPATH/libcufft.so.* $PREFIX/lib
diff --git a/python/conda/libastra/meta.yaml b/python/conda/libastra/meta.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..73fa0d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/conda/libastra/meta.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package:
+  name: libastra
+  version: '1.8b'
+
+source:
+  git_url: https://github.com/astra-toolbox/astra-toolbox.git
+  #git_tag: v1.7.1 # Change to 1.8 after release
+
+build:
+  number: 0
+  script_env:
+    - CUDA_ROOT
+    - MAKEOPTS
+
+about:
+  home: http://www.astra-toolbox.com
+  license: GPLv3
+  summary: 'The ASTRA Toolbox is a Python toolbox of high-performance GPU primitives for 2D and 3D tomography.'
+
+# See
+# http://docs.continuum.io/conda/build.html for
+# more information about meta.yaml
diff --git a/python/conda/meta.yaml b/python/conda/meta.yaml
index 7e4679b..e6a7f52 100644
--- a/python/conda/meta.yaml
+++ b/python/conda/meta.yaml
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 package:
   name: astra-toolbox
-  version: '1.7.1'
+  version: '1.8b'
 
 source:
   git_url: https://github.com/astra-toolbox/astra-toolbox.git
-  git_tag: v1.7.1
+  #git_tag: v1.7.1 # Change to 1.8 after release
 
 build:
   number: 0
@@ -29,10 +29,11 @@ requirements:
     - numpy
     - scipy
     - six
+    - libastra ==1.8b
 
 
 about:
-  home: http://sourceforge.net/p/astra-toolbox/wiki/Home/
+  home: http://www.astra-toolbox.com
   license: GPLv3
   summary: 'The ASTRA Toolbox is a Python toolbox of high-performance GPU primitives for 2D and 3D tomography.'
 
diff --git a/src/ArtAlgorithm.cpp b/src/ArtAlgorithm.cpp
index b59bd93..526c263 100644
--- a/src/ArtAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/ArtAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -156,8 +156,12 @@ bool CArtAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	// "Lambda" is replaced by the more descriptive "Relaxation"
 	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Lambda", 1.0f);
-	CC.markOptionParsed("Lambda");
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation", m_fLambda);
+	if (!_cfg.self.hasOption("Relaxation"))
+		CC.markOptionParsed("Lambda");
+	CC.markOptionParsed("Relaxation");
 
 	// success
 	m_bIsInitialized = _check();
@@ -232,7 +236,7 @@ map<string,boost::any> CArtAlgorithm::getInformation()
 {
 	map<string, boost::any> res;
 	res["RayOrder"] = getInformation("RayOrder");
-	res["Lambda"] = getInformation("Lambda");
+	res["Relaxation"] = getInformation("Relaxation");
 	return mergeMap<string,boost::any>(CReconstructionAlgorithm2D::getInformation(), res);
 };
 
@@ -240,7 +244,7 @@ map<string,boost::any> CArtAlgorithm::getInformation()
 // Information - Specific
 boost::any CArtAlgorithm::getInformation(std::string _sIdentifier) 
 {
-	if (_sIdentifier == "Lambda")	{ return m_fLambda; }
+	if (_sIdentifier == "Relaxation")	{ return m_fLambda; }
 	if (_sIdentifier == "RayOrder") {
 		vector<float32> res;
 		for (int i = 0; i < m_iRayCount; i++) {
diff --git a/src/AstraObjectManager.cpp b/src/AstraObjectManager.cpp
index c49f273..46eae4b 100644
--- a/src/AstraObjectManager.cpp
+++ b/src/AstraObjectManager.cpp
@@ -31,13 +31,13 @@ $Id$
 
 namespace astra {
 
-int CAstraIndexManager::m_iPreviousIndex = 0;
-
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CProjector2D>);
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CProjector3D>);
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data2D>);
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CFloat32Data3D>);
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CAlgorithm>);
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraObjectManager<CSparseMatrix>);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CProjector2DManager);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CProjector3DManager);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CData2DManager);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CData3DManager);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAlgorithmManager);
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CMatrixManager);
+
+DEFINE_SINGLETON(CAstraIndexManager);
 
 } // end namespace
diff --git a/src/CompositeGeometryManager.cpp b/src/CompositeGeometryManager.cpp
index 96b28e9..084ba8c 100644
--- a/src/CompositeGeometryManager.cpp
+++ b/src/CompositeGeometryManager.cpp
@@ -45,14 +45,15 @@ along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 #include <cstring>
 #include <sstream>
+#include <climits>
 
 #ifndef USE_PTHREADS
 #include <boost/thread/mutex.hpp>
 #include <boost/thread.hpp>
 #endif
 
-namespace astra {
 
+namespace astra {
 
 SGPUParams* CCompositeGeometryManager::s_params = 0;
 
@@ -98,6 +99,9 @@ CCompositeGeometryManager::CCompositeGeometryManager()
 
 bool CCompositeGeometryManager::splitJobs(TJobSet &jobs, size_t maxSize, int div, TJobSet &split)
 {
+	int maxBlockDim = astraCUDA3d::maxBlockDimension();
+	ASTRA_DEBUG("Found max block dim %d", maxBlockDim);
+
 	split.clear();
 
 	for (TJobSet::const_iterator i = jobs.begin(); i != jobs.end(); ++i)
@@ -111,7 +115,22 @@ bool CCompositeGeometryManager::splitJobs(TJobSet &jobs, size_t maxSize, int div
 		//    b. split input part
 		//    c. create jobs for new (input,output) subparts
 
-		TPartList splitOutput = pOutput->split(maxSize/3, div);
+		TPartList splitOutput;
+		pOutput->splitZ(splitOutput, maxSize/3, UINT_MAX, div);
+#if 0
+		TPartList splitOutput2;
+		for (TPartList::iterator i_out = splitOutput.begin(); i_out != splitOutput.end(); ++i_out) {
+			boost::shared_ptr<CPart> outputPart = *i_out;
+			outputPart.get()->splitX(splitOutput2, UINT_MAX, UINT_MAX, 1);
+		}
+		splitOutput.clear();
+		for (TPartList::iterator i_out = splitOutput2.begin(); i_out != splitOutput2.end(); ++i_out) {
+			boost::shared_ptr<CPart> outputPart = *i_out;
+					outputPart.get()->splitY(splitOutput, UINT_MAX, UINT_MAX, 1);
+		}
+		splitOutput2.clear();
+#endif
+
 
 		for (TJobList::const_iterator j = L.begin(); j != L.end(); ++j)
 		{
@@ -139,8 +158,21 @@ bool CCompositeGeometryManager::splitJobs(TJobSet &jobs, size_t maxSize, int div
 
 				size_t remainingSize = ( maxSize - outputPart->getSize() ) / 2;
 
-				TPartList splitInput = input->split(remainingSize, 1);
+				TPartList splitInput;
+				input->splitZ(splitInput, remainingSize, maxBlockDim, 1);
 				delete input;
+				TPartList splitInput2;
+				for (TPartList::iterator i_in = splitInput.begin(); i_in != splitInput.end(); ++i_in) {
+					boost::shared_ptr<CPart> inputPart = *i_in;
+					inputPart.get()->splitX(splitInput2, UINT_MAX, maxBlockDim, 1);
+				}
+				splitInput.clear();
+				for (TPartList::iterator i_in = splitInput2.begin(); i_in != splitInput2.end(); ++i_in) {
+					boost::shared_ptr<CPart> inputPart = *i_in;
+					inputPart.get()->splitY(splitInput, UINT_MAX, maxBlockDim, 1);
+				}
+				splitInput2.clear();
+
 				ASTRA_DEBUG("Input split into %d parts", splitInput.size());
 
 				for (TPartList::iterator i_in = splitInput.begin();
@@ -327,10 +359,14 @@ static size_t ceildiv(size_t a, size_t b) {
 	return (a + b - 1) / b;
 }
 
-static size_t computeVerticalSplit(size_t maxBlock, int div, size_t sliceCount)
+static size_t computeLinearSplit(size_t maxBlock, int div, size_t sliceCount)
 {
 	size_t blockSize = maxBlock;
-	size_t blockCount = ceildiv(sliceCount, blockSize);
+	size_t blockCount;
+	if (sliceCount <= blockSize)
+		blockCount = 1;
+	else
+		blockCount = ceildiv(sliceCount, blockSize);
 
 	// Increase number of blocks to be divisible by div
 	size_t divCount = div * ceildiv(blockCount, div);
@@ -410,7 +446,17 @@ SPar3DProjection* getProjectionVectors(const CParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D* p
 
 
 template<class V>
-static void translateProjectionVectors(V* pProjs, int count, double dv)
+static void translateProjectionVectorsU(V* pProjs, int count, double du)
+{
+	for (int i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
+		pProjs[i].fDetSX += du * pProjs[i].fDetUX;
+		pProjs[i].fDetSY += du * pProjs[i].fDetUY;
+		pProjs[i].fDetSZ += du * pProjs[i].fDetUZ;
+	}
+}
+
+template<class V>
+static void translateProjectionVectorsV(V* pProjs, int count, double dv)
 {
 	for (int i = 0; i < count; ++i) {
 		pProjs[i].fDetSX += dv * pProjs[i].fDetVX;
@@ -420,8 +466,58 @@ static void translateProjectionVectors(V* pProjs, int count, double dv)
 }
 
 
+static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometryU(const CProjectionGeometry3D* pProjGeom, int u, int size)
+{
+	// First convert to vectors, then translate, then convert into new object
 
-static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometry(const CProjectionGeometry3D* pProjGeom, int v, int size)
+	const CConeProjectionGeometry3D* conegeom = dynamic_cast<const CConeProjectionGeometry3D*>(pProjGeom);
+	const CParallelProjectionGeometry3D* par3dgeom = dynamic_cast<const CParallelProjectionGeometry3D*>(pProjGeom);
+	const CParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D* parvec3dgeom = dynamic_cast<const CParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D*>(pProjGeom);
+	const CConeVecProjectionGeometry3D* conevec3dgeom = dynamic_cast<const CConeVecProjectionGeometry3D*>(pProjGeom);
+
+	if (conegeom || conevec3dgeom) {
+		SConeProjection* pConeProjs;
+		if (conegeom) {
+			pConeProjs = getProjectionVectors<SConeProjection>(conegeom);
+		} else {
+			pConeProjs = getProjectionVectors<SConeProjection>(conevec3dgeom);
+		}
+
+		translateProjectionVectorsU(pConeProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), u);
+
+		CProjectionGeometry3D* ret = new CConeVecProjectionGeometry3D(pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(),
+		                                                              pProjGeom->getDetectorRowCount(),
+		                                                              size,
+		                                                              pConeProjs);
+
+
+		delete[] pConeProjs;
+		return ret;
+	} else {
+		assert(par3dgeom || parvec3dgeom);
+		SPar3DProjection* pParProjs;
+		if (par3dgeom) {
+			pParProjs = getProjectionVectors<SPar3DProjection>(par3dgeom);
+		} else {
+			pParProjs = getProjectionVectors<SPar3DProjection>(parvec3dgeom);
+		}
+
+		translateProjectionVectorsU(pParProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), u);
+
+		CProjectionGeometry3D* ret = new CParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D(pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(),
+		                                                                  pProjGeom->getDetectorRowCount(),
+		                                                                  size,
+		                                                                  pParProjs);
+
+		delete[] pParProjs;
+		return ret;
+	}
+
+}
+
+
+
+static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometryV(const CProjectionGeometry3D* pProjGeom, int v, int size)
 {
 	// First convert to vectors, then translate, then convert into new object
 
@@ -438,7 +534,7 @@ static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometry(const CProjectionGeometry
 			pConeProjs = getProjectionVectors<SConeProjection>(conevec3dgeom);
 		}
 
-		translateProjectionVectors(pConeProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), v);
+		translateProjectionVectorsV(pConeProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), v);
 
 		CProjectionGeometry3D* ret = new CConeVecProjectionGeometry3D(pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(),
 		                                                              size,
@@ -457,7 +553,7 @@ static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometry(const CProjectionGeometry
 			pParProjs = getProjectionVectors<SPar3DProjection>(parvec3dgeom);
 		}
 
-		translateProjectionVectors(pParProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), v);
+		translateProjectionVectorsV(pParProjs, pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(), v);
 
 		CProjectionGeometry3D* ret = new CParallelVecProjectionGeometry3D(pProjGeom->getProjectionCount(),
 		                                                                  size,
@@ -476,17 +572,110 @@ static CProjectionGeometry3D* getSubProjectionGeometry(const CProjectionGeometry
 // - each no bigger than maxSize
 // - number of sub-parts is divisible by div
 // - maybe all approximately the same size?
-CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::split(size_t maxSize, int div)
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::splitX(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
+{
+	if (true) {
+		// Split in vertical direction only at first, until we figure out
+		// a model for splitting in other directions
+
+		size_t sliceSize = ((size_t) pGeom->getGridSliceCount()) * pGeom->getGridRowCount();
+		int sliceCount = pGeom->getGridColCount();
+		size_t m = std::min(maxSize / sliceSize, maxDim);
+		size_t blockSize = computeLinearSplit(m, div, sliceCount);
+
+		int rem = sliceCount % blockSize;
+
+		ASTRA_DEBUG("From %d to %d step %d", -(rem / 2), sliceCount, blockSize);
+
+		for (int x = -(rem / 2); x < sliceCount; x += blockSize) {
+			int newsubX = x;
+			if (newsubX < 0) newsubX = 0;
+			int endX = x + blockSize;
+			if (endX > sliceCount) endX = sliceCount;
+			int size = endX - newsubX;
+
+			CVolumePart *sub = new CVolumePart();
+			sub->subX = this->subX + newsubX;
+			sub->subY = this->subY;
+			sub->subZ = this->subZ;
+
+			ASTRA_DEBUG("VolumePart split %d %d %d -> %p", sub->subX, sub->subY, sub->subZ, (void*)sub);
+
+			double shift = pGeom->getPixelLengthX() * newsubX;
+
+			sub->pData = pData;
+			sub->pGeom = new CVolumeGeometry3D(size,
+			                                   pGeom->getGridRowCount(),
+			                                   pGeom->getGridSliceCount(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinX() + shift,
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinY(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinZ(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinX() + shift + size * pGeom->getPixelLengthX(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMaxY(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMaxZ());
+
+			out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::splitY(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
 {
-	TPartList ret;
+	if (true) {
+		// Split in vertical direction only at first, until we figure out
+		// a model for splitting in other directions
+
+		size_t sliceSize = ((size_t) pGeom->getGridColCount()) * pGeom->getGridSliceCount();
+		int sliceCount = pGeom->getGridRowCount();
+		size_t m = std::min(maxSize / sliceSize, maxDim);
+		size_t blockSize = computeLinearSplit(m, div, sliceCount);
+
+		int rem = sliceCount % blockSize;
+
+		ASTRA_DEBUG("From %d to %d step %d", -(rem / 2), sliceCount, blockSize);
+
+		for (int y = -(rem / 2); y < sliceCount; y += blockSize) {
+			int newsubY = y;
+			if (newsubY < 0) newsubY = 0;
+			int endY = y + blockSize;
+			if (endY > sliceCount) endY = sliceCount;
+			int size = endY - newsubY;
 
+			CVolumePart *sub = new CVolumePart();
+			sub->subX = this->subX;
+			sub->subY = this->subY + newsubY;
+			sub->subZ = this->subZ;
+
+			ASTRA_DEBUG("VolumePart split %d %d %d -> %p", sub->subX, sub->subY, sub->subZ, (void*)sub);
+
+			double shift = pGeom->getPixelLengthY() * newsubY;
+
+			sub->pData = pData;
+			sub->pGeom = new CVolumeGeometry3D(pGeom->getGridColCount(),
+			                                   size,
+			                                   pGeom->getGridSliceCount(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinX(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinY() + shift,
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinZ(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMaxX(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinY() + shift + size * pGeom->getPixelLengthY(),
+			                                   pGeom->getWindowMaxZ());
+
+			out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::splitZ(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList& out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
+{
 	if (true) {
 		// Split in vertical direction only at first, until we figure out
 		// a model for splitting in other directions
 
 		size_t sliceSize = ((size_t) pGeom->getGridColCount()) * pGeom->getGridRowCount();
 		int sliceCount = pGeom->getGridSliceCount();
-		size_t blockSize = computeVerticalSplit(maxSize / sliceSize, div, sliceCount);
+		size_t m = std::min(maxSize / sliceSize, maxDim);
+		size_t blockSize = computeLinearSplit(m, div, sliceCount);
 
 		int rem = sliceCount % blockSize;
 
@@ -519,11 +708,9 @@ CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::spl
 			                                   pGeom->getWindowMaxY(),
 			                                   pGeom->getWindowMinZ() + shift + size * pGeom->getPixelLengthZ());
 
-			ret.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
+			out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
 		}
 	}
-
-	return ret;
 }
 
 CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart* CCompositeGeometryManager::CVolumePart::clone() const
@@ -630,7 +817,7 @@ CCompositeGeometryManager::CPart* CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::re
 	if (_vmin == _vmax) {
 		sub->pGeom = 0;
 	} else {
-		sub->pGeom = getSubProjectionGeometry(pGeom, _vmin, _vmax - _vmin);
+		sub->pGeom = getSubProjectionGeometryV(pGeom, _vmin, _vmax - _vmin);
 	}
 
 	ASTRA_DEBUG("Reduce projection from %d - %d to %d - %d", this->subZ, this->subZ + pGeom->getDetectorRowCount(), this->subZ + _vmin, this->subZ + _vmax);
@@ -639,17 +826,58 @@ CCompositeGeometryManager::CPart* CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::re
 }
 
 
-CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::split(size_t maxSize, int div)
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::splitX(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList &out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
+{
+	if (true) {
+		// Split in vertical direction only at first, until we figure out
+		// a model for splitting in other directions
+
+		size_t sliceSize = ((size_t) pGeom->getDetectorRowCount()) * pGeom->getProjectionCount();
+		int sliceCount = pGeom->getDetectorColCount();
+		size_t m = std::min(maxSize / sliceSize, maxDim);
+		size_t blockSize = computeLinearSplit(m, div, sliceCount);
+
+		int rem = sliceCount % blockSize;
+
+		for (int x = -(rem / 2); x < sliceCount; x += blockSize) {
+			int newsubX = x;
+			if (newsubX < 0) newsubX = 0;
+			int endX = x + blockSize;
+			if (endX > sliceCount) endX = sliceCount;
+			int size = endX - newsubX;
+
+			CProjectionPart *sub = new CProjectionPart();
+			sub->subX = this->subX + newsubX;
+			sub->subY = this->subY;
+			sub->subZ = this->subZ;
+
+			ASTRA_DEBUG("ProjectionPart split %d %d %d -> %p", sub->subX, sub->subY, sub->subZ, (void*)sub);
+
+			sub->pData = pData;
+
+			sub->pGeom = getSubProjectionGeometryU(pGeom, newsubX, size);
+
+			out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::splitY(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList &out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
 {
-	TPartList ret;
+	// TODO
+	out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(clone()));
+}
 
+void CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::splitZ(CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList &out, size_t maxSize, size_t maxDim, int div)
+{
 	if (true) {
 		// Split in vertical direction only at first, until we figure out
 		// a model for splitting in other directions
 
 		size_t sliceSize = ((size_t) pGeom->getDetectorColCount()) * pGeom->getProjectionCount();
 		int sliceCount = pGeom->getDetectorRowCount();
-		size_t blockSize = computeVerticalSplit(maxSize / sliceSize, div, sliceCount);
+		size_t m = std::min(maxSize / sliceSize, maxDim);
+		size_t blockSize = computeLinearSplit(m, div, sliceCount);
 
 		int rem = sliceCount % blockSize;
 
@@ -669,14 +897,12 @@ CCompositeGeometryManager::TPartList CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart:
 
 			sub->pData = pData;
 
-			sub->pGeom = getSubProjectionGeometry(pGeom, newsubZ, size);
+			sub->pGeom = getSubProjectionGeometryV(pGeom, newsubZ, size);
 
-			ret.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
+			out.push_back(boost::shared_ptr<CPart>(sub));
 		}
 	}
 
-	return ret;
-
 }
 
 CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart* CCompositeGeometryManager::CProjectionPart::clone() const
diff --git a/src/CudaDataOperationAlgorithm.cpp b/src/CudaDataOperationAlgorithm.cpp
index 15886a4..82b676b 100644
--- a/src/CudaDataOperationAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/CudaDataOperationAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ bool CCudaDataOperationAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 	node = _cfg.self.getSingleNode("DataId");
 	ASTRA_CONFIG_CHECK(node, "CCudaDataOperationAlgorithm", "No DataId tag specified.");
 	vector<string> data = node.getContentArray();
-	for (vector<string>::iterator it = data.begin(); it != data.end(); it++){
+	for (vector<string>::iterator it = data.begin(); it != data.end(); ++it){
 		int id = StringUtil::stringToInt(*it);
 		m_pData.push_back(dynamic_cast<CFloat32Data2D*>(CData2DManager::getSingleton().get(id)));
 	}
diff --git a/src/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.cpp b/src/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.cpp
index 5a1910c..2798434 100644
--- a/src/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.cpp
+++ b/src/CudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D.cpp
@@ -329,6 +329,20 @@ bool CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::setupGeometry()
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+void CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::initCUDAAlgorithm()
+{
+	bool ok;
+
+	ok = setupGeometry();
+	ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
+
+	ok = m_pAlgo->allocateBuffers();
+	ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
+}
+
+
+//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Iterate
 void CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::run(int _iNrIterations)
 {
@@ -339,13 +353,7 @@ void CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::run(int _iNrIterations)
 	const CVolumeGeometry2D& volgeom = *m_pReconstruction->getGeometry();
 
 	if (!m_bAlgoInit) {
-
-		ok = setupGeometry();
-		ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
-
-		ok = m_pAlgo->allocateBuffers();
-		ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
-
+		initCUDAAlgorithm();
 		m_bAlgoInit = true;
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/CudaSartAlgorithm.cpp b/src/CudaSartAlgorithm.cpp
index d202847..bf97224 100644
--- a/src/CudaSartAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/CudaSartAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ bool CCudaSartAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		CC.markOptionParsed("ProjectionOrderList");
 	}
 
-
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation", 1.0f);
+	CC.markOptionParsed("Relaxation");
 
 	return true;
 }
@@ -123,12 +124,26 @@ bool CCudaSartAlgorithm::initialize(CProjector2D* _pProjector,
 	if (!m_bIsInitialized)
 		return false;
 
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
+
 	m_pAlgo = new astraCUDA::SART();
 	m_bAlgoInit = false;
 
 	return true;
 }
 
+//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+void CCudaSartAlgorithm::initCUDAAlgorithm()
+{
+	CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::initCUDAAlgorithm();
+
+	astraCUDA::SART* pSart = dynamic_cast<astraCUDA::SART*>(m_pAlgo);
+
+	pSart->setRelaxation(m_fLambda);
+}
+
+
 
 } // namespace astra
 
diff --git a/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm.cpp b/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm.cpp
index 33e381a..c8dc677 100644
--- a/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ CCudaSirtAlgorithm::CCudaSirtAlgorithm()
 
 	m_pMinMask = 0;
 	m_pMaxMask = 0;
+
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -86,6 +88,8 @@ bool CCudaSirtAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 	}
 	CC.markOptionParsed("MaxMaskId");
 
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation", 1.0f);
+	CC.markOptionParsed("Relaxation");
 
 	m_pAlgo = new astraCUDA::SIRT();
 	m_bAlgoInit = false;
@@ -108,41 +112,30 @@ bool CCudaSirtAlgorithm::initialize(CProjector2D* _pProjector,
 
 	m_pAlgo = new astraCUDA::SIRT();
 	m_bAlgoInit = false;
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
 
 	return true;
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Iterate
-void CCudaSirtAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
+
+void CCudaSirtAlgorithm::initCUDAAlgorithm()
 {
-	// check initialized
-	ASTRA_ASSERT(m_bIsInitialized);
+	CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::initCUDAAlgorithm();
 
-	if (!m_bAlgoInit) {
-		// We only override the initialisation step to copy the min/max masks
+	astraCUDA::SIRT* pSirt = dynamic_cast<astraCUDA::SIRT*>(m_pAlgo);
 
-		bool ok = setupGeometry();
+	if (m_pMinMask || m_pMaxMask) {
+		const CVolumeGeometry2D& volgeom = *m_pReconstruction->getGeometry();
+		const float *pfMinMaskData = 0;
+		const float *pfMaxMaskData = 0;
+		if (m_pMinMask) pfMinMaskData = m_pMinMask->getDataConst();
+		if (m_pMaxMask) pfMaxMaskData = m_pMaxMask->getDataConst();
+		bool ok = pSirt->uploadMinMaxMasks(pfMinMaskData, pfMaxMaskData, volgeom.getGridColCount());
 		ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
-
-		ok = m_pAlgo->allocateBuffers();
-		ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
-
-		if (m_pMinMask || m_pMaxMask) {
-			const CVolumeGeometry2D& volgeom = *m_pReconstruction->getGeometry();
-			astraCUDA::SIRT* pSirt = dynamic_cast<astraCUDA::SIRT*>(m_pAlgo);
-			const float *pfMinMaskData = 0;
-			const float *pfMaxMaskData = 0;
-			if (m_pMinMask) pfMinMaskData = m_pMinMask->getDataConst();
-			if (m_pMaxMask) pfMaxMaskData = m_pMaxMask->getDataConst();
-			ok = pSirt->uploadMinMaxMasks(pfMinMaskData, pfMaxMaskData, volgeom.getGridColCount());
-			ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
-		}
-
-		m_bAlgoInit = true;
 	}
 
-	CCudaReconstructionAlgorithm2D::run(_iNrIterations);
+	pSirt->setRelaxation(m_fLambda);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.cpp b/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.cpp
index 605c470..c819f8e 100644
--- a/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.cpp
+++ b/src/CudaSirtAlgorithm3D.cpp
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D::CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D()
 	m_iGPUIndex = -1;
 	m_iVoxelSuperSampling = 1;
 	m_iDetectorSuperSampling = 1;
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -128,6 +129,8 @@ bool CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation");
+
 	initializeFromProjector();
 
 	// Deprecated options
@@ -135,6 +138,7 @@ bool CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 	m_iDetectorSuperSampling = (int)_cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("DetectorSuperSampling", m_iDetectorSuperSampling);
 	m_iGPUIndex = (int)_cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("GPUindex", m_iGPUIndex);
 	m_iGPUIndex = (int)_cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("GPUIndex", m_iGPUIndex);
+
 	CC.markOptionParsed("VoxelSuperSampling");
 	CC.markOptionParsed("DetectorSuperSampling");
 	CC.markOptionParsed("GPUIndex");
@@ -164,6 +168,8 @@ bool CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D::initialize(CProjector3D* _pProjector,
 		clear();
 	}
 
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
+
 	// required classes
 	m_pProjector = _pProjector;
 	m_pSinogram = _pSinogram;
@@ -224,6 +230,8 @@ void CCudaSirtAlgorithm3D::run(int _iNrIterations)
 
 		ASTRA_ASSERT(ok);
 
+		m_pSirt->setRelaxation(m_fLambda);
+
 		m_bAstraSIRTInit = true;
 
 	}
diff --git a/src/FilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm.cpp b/src/FilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm.cpp
index c195578..ccbfec6 100644
--- a/src/FilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/FilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -117,12 +117,10 @@ bool CFilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		int angleCount = projectionIndex.size();
 		int detectorCount = m_pProjector->getProjectionGeometry()->getDetectorCount();
 
+		// TODO: There is no need to allocate this. Better just
+		// create the CFloat32ProjectionData2D object directly, and use its
+		// memory.
 		float32 * sinogramData2D = new float32[angleCount* detectorCount];
-		float32 ** sinogramData = new float32*[angleCount];
-		for (int i = 0; i < angleCount; i++)
-		{
-			sinogramData[i] = &(sinogramData2D[i * detectorCount]);
-		}
 
 		float32 * projectionAngles = new float32[angleCount];
 		float32 detectorWidth = m_pProjector->getProjectionGeometry()->getDetectorWidth();
@@ -130,6 +128,8 @@ bool CFilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		for (int i = 0; i < angleCount; i ++) {
 			if (projectionIndex[i] > m_pProjector->getProjectionGeometry()->getProjectionAngleCount() -1 )
 			{
+				delete[] sinogramData2D;
+				delete[] projectionAngles;
 				ASTRA_ERROR("Invalid Projection Index");
 				return false;
 			} else {
@@ -139,7 +139,6 @@ bool CFilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 				{
 					sinogramData2D[i*detectorCount+ iDetector] = m_pSinogram->getData2D()[orgIndex][iDetector];
 				}
-//				sinogramData[i] = m_pSinogram->getSingleProjectionData(projectionIndex[i]);
 				projectionAngles[i] = m_pProjector->getProjectionGeometry()->getProjectionAngle((int)projectionIndex[i] );
 
 			}
@@ -148,6 +147,9 @@ bool CFilteredBackProjectionAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		CParallelProjectionGeometry2D * pg = new CParallelProjectionGeometry2D(angleCount, detectorCount,detectorWidth,projectionAngles);
 		m_pProjector = new CParallelBeamLineKernelProjector2D(pg,m_pReconstruction->getGeometry());
 		m_pSinogram = new CFloat32ProjectionData2D(pg, sinogramData2D);
+
+		delete[] sinogramData2D;
+		delete[] projectionAngles;
 	}
 
 	// TODO: check that the angles are linearly spaced between 0 and pi
diff --git a/src/Float32VolumeData3DMemory.cpp b/src/Float32VolumeData3DMemory.cpp
index af45cb9..14adb1a 100644
--- a/src/Float32VolumeData3DMemory.cpp
+++ b/src/Float32VolumeData3DMemory.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ CFloat32VolumeData2D * CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory::fetchSliceZ(int _iSliceIndex)
 	CFloat32VolumeData2D* res = new CFloat32VolumeData2D(&volGeom);
 
 	// copy data
-	int iSliceCount = m_pGeometry->getGridSliceCount();
 	float * pfTargetData = res->getData();
 	for(int iRowIndex = 0; iRowIndex < iRowCount; iRowIndex++)
 	{
diff --git a/src/PluginAlgorithm.cpp b/src/PluginAlgorithm.cpp
index 9fc511a..1bcfbdb 100644
--- a/src/PluginAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/PluginAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -26,376 +26,11 @@ along with the ASTRA Toolbox. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 $Id$
 */
 
-#ifdef ASTRA_PYTHON
-
 #include "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h"
-#include "astra/Logging.h"
-#include "astra/Utilities.h"
-#include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
-#include <boost/algorithm/string/split.hpp>
-#include <iostream>
-#include <fstream>
-#include <string>
-
-#include <Python.h>
-#include "bytesobject.h"
 
 namespace astra {
 
+CPluginAlgorithmFactory *CPluginAlgorithmFactory::m_factory = 0;
 
-
-void logPythonError(){
-    if(PyErr_Occurred()){
-        PyObject *ptype, *pvalue, *ptraceback;
-        PyErr_Fetch(&ptype, &pvalue, &ptraceback);
-        PyErr_NormalizeException(&ptype, &pvalue, &ptraceback);
-        PyObject *traceback = PyImport_ImportModule("traceback");
-        if(traceback!=NULL){
-            PyObject *exc;
-            if(ptraceback==NULL){
-                exc = PyObject_CallMethod(traceback,"format_exception_only","OO",ptype, pvalue);
-            }else{
-                exc = PyObject_CallMethod(traceback,"format_exception","OOO",ptype, pvalue, ptraceback);
-            }
-            if(exc!=NULL){
-                PyObject *six = PyImport_ImportModule("six");
-                if(six!=NULL){
-                    PyObject *iter = PyObject_GetIter(exc);
-                    if(iter!=NULL){
-                        PyObject *line;
-                        std::string errStr = "";
-                        while(line = PyIter_Next(iter)){
-                            PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",line);
-                            if(retb!=NULL){
-                                errStr += std::string(PyBytes_AsString(retb));
-                                Py_DECREF(retb);
-                            }
-                            Py_DECREF(line);
-                        }
-                        ASTRA_ERROR("%s",errStr.c_str());
-                        Py_DECREF(iter);
-                    }
-                    Py_DECREF(six);
-                }
-                Py_DECREF(exc);
-            }
-            Py_DECREF(traceback);
-        }
-        if(ptype!=NULL) Py_DECREF(ptype);
-        if(pvalue!=NULL) Py_DECREF(pvalue);
-        if(ptraceback!=NULL) Py_DECREF(ptraceback);
-    }
-}
-
-
-CPluginAlgorithm::CPluginAlgorithm(PyObject* pyclass){
-    instance = PyObject_CallObject(pyclass, NULL);
-    if(instance==NULL) logPythonError();
-}
-
-CPluginAlgorithm::~CPluginAlgorithm(){
-    if(instance!=NULL){
-        Py_DECREF(instance);
-        instance = NULL;
-    }
-}
-
-bool CPluginAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg){
-    if(instance==NULL) return false;
-    PyObject *cfgDict = XMLNode2dict(_cfg.self);
-    PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(instance, "astra_init", "O",cfgDict);
-    Py_DECREF(cfgDict);
-    if(retVal==NULL){
-        logPythonError();
-        return false;
-    }
-    m_bIsInitialized = true;
-    Py_DECREF(retVal);
-    return m_bIsInitialized;
-}
-
-void CPluginAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations){
-    if(instance==NULL) return;
-    PyGILState_STATE state = PyGILState_Ensure();
-    PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(instance, "run", "i",_iNrIterations);
-    if(retVal==NULL){
-        logPythonError();
-    }else{
-        Py_DECREF(retVal);
-    }
-    PyGILState_Release(state);
 }
 
-void fixLapackLoading(){
-    // When running in Matlab, we need to force numpy
-    // to use its internal lapack library instead of
-    // Matlab's MKL library to avoid errors. To do this,
-    // we set Python's dlopen flags to RTLD_NOW|RTLD_DEEPBIND
-    // and import 'numpy.linalg.lapack_lite' here. We reset
-    // Python's dlopen flags afterwards.
-    PyObject *sys = PyImport_ImportModule("sys");
-    if(sys!=NULL){
-        PyObject *curFlags = PyObject_CallMethod(sys,"getdlopenflags",NULL);
-        if(curFlags!=NULL){
-            PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(sys, "setdlopenflags", "i",10);
-            if(retVal!=NULL){
-                PyObject *lapack = PyImport_ImportModule("numpy.linalg.lapack_lite");
-                if(lapack!=NULL){
-                    Py_DECREF(lapack);
-                }
-                PyObject_CallMethod(sys, "setdlopenflags", "O",curFlags);
-                Py_DECREF(retVal);
-            }
-            Py_DECREF(curFlags);
-        }
-        Py_DECREF(sys);
-    }
-}
-
-CPluginAlgorithmFactory::CPluginAlgorithmFactory(){
-    if(!Py_IsInitialized()){
-        Py_Initialize();
-        PyEval_InitThreads();
-    }
-#ifndef _MSC_VER
-    if(astra::running_in_matlab) fixLapackLoading();
-#endif
-    pluginDict = PyDict_New();
-    inspect = PyImport_ImportModule("inspect");
-    six = PyImport_ImportModule("six");
-}
-
-CPluginAlgorithmFactory::~CPluginAlgorithmFactory(){
-    if(pluginDict!=NULL){
-        Py_DECREF(pluginDict);
-    }
-    if(inspect!=NULL) Py_DECREF(inspect);
-    if(six!=NULL) Py_DECREF(six);
-}
-
-PyObject * getClassFromString(std::string str){
-    std::vector<std::string> items;
-    boost::split(items, str, boost::is_any_of("."));
-    PyObject *pyclass = PyImport_ImportModule(items[0].c_str());
-    if(pyclass==NULL){
-        logPythonError();
-        return NULL;
-    }
-    PyObject *submod = pyclass;
-    for(unsigned int i=1;i<items.size();i++){
-        submod = PyObject_GetAttrString(submod,items[i].c_str());
-        Py_DECREF(pyclass);
-        pyclass = submod;
-        if(pyclass==NULL){
-            logPythonError();
-            return NULL;
-        }
-    }
-    return pyclass;
-}
-
-bool CPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPlugin(std::string name, std::string className){
-    PyObject *str = PyBytes_FromString(className.c_str());
-    PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str(), str);
-    Py_DECREF(str);
-    return true;
-}
-
-bool CPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPlugin(std::string className){
-    PyObject *pyclass = getClassFromString(className);
-    if(pyclass==NULL) return false;
-    bool ret = registerPluginClass(pyclass);
-    Py_DECREF(pyclass);
-    return ret;
-}
-
-bool CPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPluginClass(std::string name, PyObject * className){
-    PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str(), className);
-    return true;
-}
-
-bool CPluginAlgorithmFactory::registerPluginClass(PyObject * className){
-    PyObject *astra_name = PyObject_GetAttrString(className,"astra_name");
-    if(astra_name==NULL){
-        logPythonError();
-        return false;
-    }
-    PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",astra_name);
-    if(retb!=NULL){
-        PyDict_SetItemString(pluginDict,PyBytes_AsString(retb),className);
-        Py_DECREF(retb);
-    }else{
-        logPythonError();
-    }
-    Py_DECREF(astra_name);
-    return true;
-}
-
-CPluginAlgorithm * CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getPlugin(std::string name){
-    PyObject *className = PyDict_GetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str());
-    if(className==NULL) return NULL;
-    CPluginAlgorithm *alg = NULL;
-    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
-        std::string str = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(className));
-    	PyObject *pyclass = getClassFromString(str);
-        if(pyclass!=NULL){
-            alg = new CPluginAlgorithm(pyclass);
-            Py_DECREF(pyclass);
-        }
-    }else{
-        alg = new CPluginAlgorithm(className);
-    }
-    return alg;
-}
-
-PyObject * CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getRegistered(){
-    Py_INCREF(pluginDict);
-    return pluginDict;
-}
-
-std::map<std::string, std::string> CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getRegisteredMap(){
-    std::map<std::string, std::string> ret;
-    PyObject *key, *value;
-    Py_ssize_t pos = 0;
-    while (PyDict_Next(pluginDict, &pos, &key, &value)) {
-        PyObject *keystr = PyObject_Str(key);
-        if(keystr!=NULL){
-            PyObject *valstr = PyObject_Str(value);
-            if(valstr!=NULL){
-                PyObject * keyb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",keystr);
-                if(keyb!=NULL){
-                    PyObject * valb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",valstr);
-                    if(valb!=NULL){
-                        ret[PyBytes_AsString(keyb)] = PyBytes_AsString(valb);
-                        Py_DECREF(valb);
-                    }
-                    Py_DECREF(keyb);
-                }
-                Py_DECREF(valstr);
-            }
-            Py_DECREF(keystr);
-        }
-        logPythonError();
-    }
-    return ret;
-}
-
-std::string CPluginAlgorithmFactory::getHelp(std::string name){
-    PyObject *className = PyDict_GetItemString(pluginDict, name.c_str());
-    if(className==NULL){
-        ASTRA_ERROR("Plugin %s not found!",name.c_str());
-        PyErr_Clear();
-        return "";
-    }
-    std::string ret = "";
-    PyObject *pyclass;
-    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
-        std::string str = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(className));
-        pyclass = getClassFromString(str);
-    }else{
-        pyclass = className;
-    }
-    if(pyclass==NULL) return "";
-    if(inspect!=NULL && six!=NULL){
-        PyObject *retVal = PyObject_CallMethod(inspect,"getdoc","O",pyclass);
-        if(retVal!=NULL){
-            if(retVal!=Py_None){
-                PyObject *retb = PyObject_CallMethod(six,"b","O",retVal);
-                if(retb!=NULL){
-                    ret = std::string(PyBytes_AsString(retb));
-                    Py_DECREF(retb);
-                }
-            }
-            Py_DECREF(retVal);
-        }else{
-            logPythonError();
-        }
-    }
-    if(PyBytes_Check(className)){
-        Py_DECREF(pyclass);
-    }
-    return ret;
-}
-
-DEFINE_SINGLETON(CPluginAlgorithmFactory);
-
-#if PY_MAJOR_VERSION >= 3
-PyObject * pyStringFromString(std::string str){
-    return PyUnicode_FromString(str.c_str());
-}
-#else
-PyObject * pyStringFromString(std::string str){
-    return PyBytes_FromString(str.c_str());
-}
-#endif
-
-PyObject* stringToPythonValue(std::string str){
-    if(str.find(";")!=std::string::npos){
-        std::vector<std::string> rows, row;
-        boost::split(rows, str, boost::is_any_of(";"));
-        PyObject *mat = PyList_New(rows.size());
-        for(unsigned int i=0; i<rows.size(); i++){
-            boost::split(row, rows[i], boost::is_any_of(","));
-            PyObject *rowlist = PyList_New(row.size());
-            for(unsigned int j=0;j<row.size();j++){
-                PyList_SetItem(rowlist, j, PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(row[j])));
-            }
-            PyList_SetItem(mat, i, rowlist);
-        }
-        return mat;
-    }
-    if(str.find(",")!=std::string::npos){
-        std::vector<std::string> vec;
-        boost::split(vec, str, boost::is_any_of(","));
-        PyObject *veclist = PyList_New(vec.size());
-        for(unsigned int i=0;i<vec.size();i++){
-            PyList_SetItem(veclist, i, PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(vec[i])));
-        }
-        return veclist;
-    }
-    try{
-        return PyLong_FromLong(StringUtil::stringToInt(str));
-    }catch(const StringUtil::bad_cast &){
-        try{
-            return PyFloat_FromDouble(StringUtil::stringToDouble(str));
-        }catch(const StringUtil::bad_cast &){
-            return pyStringFromString(str);
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-PyObject* XMLNode2dict(XMLNode node){
-    PyObject *dct = PyDict_New();
-    PyObject *opts = PyDict_New();
-    if(node.hasAttribute("type")){
-        PyObject *obj = pyStringFromString(node.getAttribute("type").c_str());
-        PyDict_SetItemString(dct, "type", obj);
-        Py_DECREF(obj);
-    }
-    std::list<XMLNode> nodes = node.getNodes();
-    std::list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin();
-    while(it!=nodes.end()){
-        XMLNode subnode = *it;
-        if(subnode.getName()=="Option"){
-            PyObject *obj;
-            if(subnode.hasAttribute("value")){
-                obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getAttribute("value"));
-            }else{
-                obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent());
-            }
-            PyDict_SetItemString(opts, subnode.getAttribute("key").c_str(), obj);
-            Py_DECREF(obj);
-        }else{
-            PyObject *obj = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent());
-            PyDict_SetItemString(dct, subnode.getName().c_str(), obj);
-            Py_DECREF(obj);
-        }
-        ++it;
-    }
-    PyDict_SetItemString(dct, "options", opts);
-    Py_DECREF(opts);
-    return dct;
-}
-
-}
-#endif
diff --git a/src/SartAlgorithm.cpp b/src/SartAlgorithm.cpp
index 9346160..8df3342 100644
--- a/src/SartAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/SartAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -151,6 +151,9 @@ bool CSartAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		CC.markOptionParsed("ProjectionOrderList");
 	}
 
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation", 1.0f);
+	CC.markOptionParsed("Relaxation");
+
 	// create data objects
 	m_pTotalRayLength = new CFloat32ProjectionData2D(m_pProjector->getProjectionGeometry());
 	m_pTotalPixelWeight = new CFloat32VolumeData2D(m_pProjector->getVolumeGeometry());
@@ -246,6 +249,7 @@ map<string,boost::any> CSartAlgorithm::getInformation()
 {
 	map<string, boost::any> res;
 	res["ProjectionOrder"] = getInformation("ProjectionOrder");
+	res["Relaxation"] = getInformation("Relaxation");
 	return mergeMap<string,boost::any>(CReconstructionAlgorithm2D::getInformation(), res);
 };
 
@@ -253,6 +257,8 @@ map<string,boost::any> CSartAlgorithm::getInformation()
 // Information - Specific
 boost::any CSartAlgorithm::getInformation(std::string _sIdentifier) 
 {
+	if (_sIdentifier == "Relaxation")
+		return m_fLambda;
 	if (_sIdentifier == "ProjectionOrder") {
 		vector<float32> res;
 		for (int i = 0; i < m_iProjectionCount; i++) {
@@ -272,9 +278,8 @@ void CSartAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 
 	m_bShouldAbort = false;
 
-	int iIteration = 0;
-
 	// data projectors
+	CDataProjectorInterface* pFirstForwardProjector;
 	CDataProjectorInterface* pForwardProjector;
 	CDataProjectorInterface* pBackProjector;
 
@@ -286,13 +291,13 @@ void CSartAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 			m_pProjector, 
 			SinogramMaskPolicy(m_pSinogramMask),														// sinogram mask
 			ReconstructionMaskPolicy(m_pReconstructionMask),											// reconstruction mask
-			SIRTBPPolicy(m_pReconstruction, m_pDiffSinogram, m_pTotalPixelWeight, m_pTotalRayLength),	// SIRT backprojection
+			SIRTBPPolicy(m_pReconstruction, m_pDiffSinogram, m_pTotalPixelWeight, m_pTotalRayLength, m_fLambda),	// SIRT backprojection
 			m_bUseSinogramMask, m_bUseReconstructionMask, true // options on/off
 		); 
 
 	// first time forward projection data projector,
 	// also computes total pixel weight and total ray length
-	pForwardProjector = dispatchDataProjector(
+	pFirstForwardProjector = dispatchDataProjector(
 			m_pProjector, 
 			SinogramMaskPolicy(m_pSinogramMask),														// sinogram mask
 			ReconstructionMaskPolicy(m_pReconstructionMask),											// reconstruction mask
@@ -303,16 +308,30 @@ void CSartAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 			m_bUseSinogramMask, m_bUseReconstructionMask, true											 // options on/off
 		);
 
+	// forward projection data projector
+	pForwardProjector = dispatchDataProjector(
+			m_pProjector,
+			SinogramMaskPolicy(m_pSinogramMask),														// sinogram mask
+			ReconstructionMaskPolicy(m_pReconstructionMask),											// reconstruction mask
+			CombinePolicy<DiffFPPolicy, TotalPixelWeightPolicy>(					// 2 basic operations
+				DiffFPPolicy(m_pReconstruction, m_pDiffSinogram, m_pSinogram),								// forward projection with difference calculation
+				TotalPixelWeightPolicy(m_pTotalPixelWeight)),												// calculate the total pixel weights
+			m_bUseSinogramMask, m_bUseReconstructionMask, true											 // options on/off
+		);
+
 
 
 	// iteration loop
-	for (; iIteration < _iNrIterations && !m_bShouldAbort; ++iIteration) {
+	for (int iIteration = 0; iIteration < _iNrIterations && !m_bShouldAbort; ++iIteration) {
 
 		int iProjection = m_piProjectionOrder[m_iIterationCount % m_iProjectionCount];
 	
 		// forward projection and difference calculation
 		m_pTotalPixelWeight->setData(0.0f);
-		pForwardProjector->projectSingleProjection(iProjection);
+		if (iIteration < m_iProjectionCount)
+			pFirstForwardProjector->projectSingleProjection(iProjection);
+		else
+			pForwardProjector->projectSingleProjection(iProjection);
 		// backprojection
 		pBackProjector->projectSingleProjection(iProjection);
 		// update iteration count
@@ -325,6 +344,7 @@ void CSartAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 	}
 
 
+	ASTRA_DELETE(pFirstForwardProjector);
 	ASTRA_DELETE(pForwardProjector);
 	ASTRA_DELETE(pBackProjector);
 
diff --git a/src/SirtAlgorithm.cpp b/src/SirtAlgorithm.cpp
index d9f3a65..ff25648 100644
--- a/src/SirtAlgorithm.cpp
+++ b/src/SirtAlgorithm.cpp
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ void CSirtAlgorithm::_clear()
 	m_pDiffSinogram = NULL;
 	m_pTmpVolume = NULL;
 
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
 	m_iIterationCount = 0;
 }
 
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ void CSirtAlgorithm::clear()
 	ASTRA_DELETE(m_pDiffSinogram);
 	ASTRA_DELETE(m_pTmpVolume);
 
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
 	m_iIterationCount = 0;
 }
 
@@ -128,6 +130,9 @@ bool CSirtAlgorithm::initialize(const Config& _cfg)
 		return false;
 	}
 
+	m_fLambda = _cfg.self.getOptionNumerical("Relaxation", 1.0f);
+	CC.markOptionParsed("Relaxation");
+
 	// init data objects and data projectors
 	_init();
 
@@ -152,6 +157,8 @@ bool CSirtAlgorithm::initialize(CProjector2D* _pProjector,
 	m_pSinogram = _pSinogram;
 	m_pReconstruction = _pReconstruction;
 
+	m_fLambda = 1.0f;
+
 	// init data objects and data projectors
 	_init();
 
@@ -248,7 +255,7 @@ void CSirtAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 			x = 1.0f / x;
 		else
 			x = 0.0f;
-		pfT[i] = x;
+		pfT[i] = m_fLambda * x;
 	}
 	pfT = m_pTotalRayLength->getData();
 	for (int i = 0; i < m_pTotalRayLength->getSize(); ++i) {
@@ -296,7 +303,7 @@ void CSirtAlgorithm::run(int _iNrIterations)
 		m_pTmpVolume->setData(0.0f);
 		pBackProjector->project();
 
-		// divide by pixel weights
+		// multiply with relaxation factor divided by pixel weights
 		(*m_pTmpVolume) *= (*m_pTotalPixelWeight);
 		(*m_pReconstruction) += (*m_pTmpVolume);
 
diff --git a/src/Utilities.cpp b/src/Utilities.cpp
index 4b80503..c9740bf 100644
--- a/src/Utilities.cpp
+++ b/src/Utilities.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ namespace StringUtil {
 
 int stringToInt(const std::string& s)
 {
-	double i;
+	int i;
 	std::istringstream iss(s);
 	iss.imbue(std::locale::classic());
 	iss >> i;
diff --git a/src/XMLNode.cpp b/src/XMLNode.cpp
index 40a9b22..cf268c2 100644
--- a/src/XMLNode.cpp
+++ b/src/XMLNode.cpp
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ vector<string> XMLNode::getContentArray() const
 	vector<string> res(iSize);
 	// loop all list item nodes
 	list<XMLNode> nodes = getNodes("ListItem");
-	for (list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin(); it != nodes.end(); it++) {
+	for (list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin(); it != nodes.end(); ++it) {
 		int iIndex = it->getAttributeNumerical("index");
 		string sValue = it->getAttribute("value");
 		ASTRA_ASSERT(iIndex < iSize);
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ vector<float32> XMLNode::getOptionNumericalArray(string _sKey) const
 	if (!hasOption(_sKey)) return vector<float32>();
 
 	list<XMLNode> nodes = getNodes("Option");
-	for (list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin(); it != nodes.end(); it++) {
+	for (list<XMLNode>::iterator it = nodes.begin(); it != nodes.end(); ++it) {
 		if (it->getAttribute("key") == _sKey) {
 			vector<float32> vals = it->getContentNumericalArray();
 			return vals;