Merge branch 'master' into parvec

23 files changed, 1245 insertions, 273 deletions

diff --git a/python/astra/PyIncludes.pxd b/python/astra/PyIncludes.pxd
index 540aad4..61425c9 100644
--- a/python/astra/PyIncludes.pxd
+++ b/python/astra/PyIncludes.pxd
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/VolumeGeometry2D.h" namespace "astra":
 		float32 getWindowMaxX()
 		float32 getWindowMaxY()
 		Config* getConfiguration()
+		bool isEqual(CVolumeGeometry2D*)
 
 cdef extern from "astra/Float32Data2D.h" namespace "astra":
 	cdef cppclass CFloat32CustomMemory:
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/ProjectionGeometry2D.h" namespace "astra":
 		float32 getProjectionAngle(int)
 		float32 getDetectorWidth()
 		Config* getConfiguration()
+		bool isEqual(CProjectionGeometry2D*)
 
 cdef extern from "astra/Float32Data2D.h" namespace "astra::CFloat32Data2D":
 	cdef enum TWOEDataType "astra::CFloat32Data2D::EDataType":
@@ -147,7 +149,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/Float32ProjectionData2D.h" namespace "astra":
 cdef extern from "astra/Algorithm.h" namespace "astra":
 	cdef cppclass CAlgorithm:
 		bool initialize(Config)
-		void run(int)
+		void run(int) nogil
 		bool isInitialized()
 
 cdef extern from "astra/ReconstructionAlgorithm2D.h" namespace "astra":
@@ -228,6 +230,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/Float32VolumeData3DMemory.h" namespace "astra":
 		int getRowCount()
 		int getColCount()
 		int getSliceCount()
+		bool isInitialized()
 
 
 
@@ -259,6 +262,7 @@ cdef extern from "astra/Float32ProjectionData3DMemory.h" namespace "astra":
 		int getDetectorColCount()
 		int getDetectorRowCount()
 		int getAngleCount()
+		bool isInitialized()
 
 cdef extern from "astra/Float32Data3D.h" namespace "astra":
 	cdef cppclass CFloat32Data3D:
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/__init__.py b/python/astra/__init__.py
index 6c15d30..515d9a2 100644
--- a/python/astra/__init__.py
+++ b/python/astra/__init__.py
@@ -34,11 +34,12 @@ from . import algorithm
 from . import projector
 from . import projector3d
 from . import matrix
+from . import plugin
 from . import log
 from .optomo import OpTomo
 
 import os
-try:
-    astra.set_gpu_index(int(os.environ['ASTRA_GPU_INDEX']))
-except KeyError:
-    pass
+
+if 'ASTRA_GPU_INDEX' in os.environ:
+    L = [ int(x) for x in os.environ['ASTRA_GPU_INDEX'].split(',') ]
+    astra.set_gpu_index(L)
diff --git a/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx b/python/astra/algorithm_c.pyx
index 966d3d7..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
 
@@ -73,7 +72,9 @@ cdef CAlgorithm * getAlg(i) except NULL:
 
 def run(i, iterations=0):
     cdef CAlgorithm * alg = getAlg(i)
-    alg.run(iterations)
+    cdef int its = iterations
+    with nogil:
+        alg.run(its)
 
 
 def get_res_norm(i):
diff --git a/python/astra/astra.py b/python/astra/astra.py
index 26b1ff0..61c26ee 100644
--- a/python/astra/astra.py
+++ b/python/astra/astra.py
@@ -49,10 +49,30 @@ def version(printToScreen=False):
     """
     return a.version(printToScreen)
 
-def set_gpu_index(idx):
+def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
     """Set default GPU index to use.
     
     :param idx: GPU index
     :type idx: :class:`int`
     """
-    a.set_gpu_index(idx)
+    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 342a214..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
 
@@ -31,7 +31,11 @@ import six
 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()
@@ -43,23 +47,28 @@ IF HAVE_CUDA==True:
 ELSE:
   def setGPUIndex():
     pass
+cdef extern from "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h" namespace "astra":
+    cdef cppclass SGPUParams:
+        vector[int] GPUIndices
+        size_t memory
+cdef extern from "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h" namespace "astra::CCompositeGeometryManager":
+    void setGlobalGPUParams(SGPUParams&)
 
-def credits():
-    six.print_("""
-All Scale Tomographic Reconstruction Antwerp Toolbox (ASTRA-Toolbox)
-was developed at the University of Antwerp by
-    * Prof. dr. Joost Batenburg
-    * Andrei Dabravolski
-    * Gert Merckx
-    * Willem Jan Palenstijn
-    * Tom Roelandts
-    * Prof. dr. Jan Sijbers
-    * dr. Wim van Aarle
-    * Sander van der Maar
-    * dr. Gert Van Gompel
 
-Python interface written by
-    * Daniel M. Pelt (CWI, Amsterdam)""")
+def credits():
+    six.print_("""The ASTRA Toolbox has been developed at the University of Antwerp and CWI, Amsterdam by
+ * Prof. dr. Joost Batenburg
+ * Prof. dr. Jan Sijbers
+ * Dr. Jeroen Bedorf
+ * Dr. Folkert Bleichrodt
+ * Dr. Andrei Dabravolski
+ * Dr. Willem Jan Palenstijn
+ * Dr. Tom Roelandts
+ * Dr. Wim van Aarle
+ * Dr. Gert Van Gompel
+ * Sander van der Maar, MSc.
+ * Gert Merckx, MSc.
+ * Daan Pelt, MSc.""")
 
 
 def use_cuda():
@@ -72,8 +81,40 @@ def version(printToScreen=False):
     else:
         return getVersion()
 
-def set_gpu_index(idx):
+IF HAVE_CUDA==True:
+  def set_gpu_index(idx, memory=0):
+    import collections
+    cdef SGPUParams params
     if use_cuda()==True:
-        ret = setGPUIndex(idx)
+        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
+        setGlobalGPUParams(params)
+        ret = setGPUIndex(params.GPUIndices[0])
         if not ret:
-            six.print_("Failed to set GPU " + str(idx))
+            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/creators.py b/python/astra/creators.py
index 4cd7f2d..82fd9d1 100644
--- a/python/astra/creators.py
+++ b/python/astra/creators.py
@@ -57,20 +57,24 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
 ``create_vol_geom(N)``:
     :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`N \\times N`.
 
-``create_vol_geom((M, N))``:
-    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`M \\times N`.
+``create_vol_geom((Y, X))``:
+    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X`.
 
-``create_vol_geom(M, N)``:
-    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`M \\times N`.
+``create_vol_geom(Y, X)``:
+    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X`.
 
-``create_vol_geom(M, N, minx, maxx, miny, maxy)``:
-    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`M \\times N`, windowed as :math:`minx \\leq x \\leq maxx` and :math:`miny \\leq y \\leq maxy`.
+``create_vol_geom(Y, X, minx, maxx, miny, maxy)``:
+    :returns: A 2D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X`, windowed as :math:`minx \\leq x \\leq maxx` and :math:`miny \\leq y \\leq maxy`.
 
-``create_vol_geom((M, N, Z))``:
-    :returns: A 3D volume geometry of size :math:`M \\times N \\times Z`.
+``create_vol_geom((Y, X, Z))``:
+    :returns: A 3D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X \\times Z`.
+
+``create_vol_geom(Y, X, Z)``:
+    :returns: A 3D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X \\times Z`.
+
+``create_vol_geom(Y, X, Z, minx, maxx, miny, maxy, minz, maxz)``:
+    :returns: A 3D volume geometry of size :math:`Y \\times X \\times Z`, windowed as :math:`minx \\leq x \\leq maxx` and :math:`miny \\leq y \\leq maxy` and :math:`minz \\leq z \\leq maxz` .
 
-``create_vol_geom(M, N, Z)``:
-    :returns: A 3D volume geometry of size :math:`M \\times N \\times Z`.
 
 """
     vol_geom = {'option': {}}
@@ -122,6 +126,17 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
         vol_geom['GridRowCount'] = varargin[0]
         vol_geom['GridColCount'] = varargin[1]
         vol_geom['GridSliceCount'] = varargin[2]
+    # astra_create_vol_geom(row_count, col_count, slice_count, min_x, max_x, min_y, max_y, min_z, max_z)
+    elif len(varargin) == 9:
+        vol_geom['GridRowCount'] = varargin[0]
+        vol_geom['GridColCount'] = varargin[1]
+        vol_geom['GridSliceCount'] = varargin[2]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMinX'] = varargin[3]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMaxX'] = varargin[4]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMinY'] = varargin[5]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMaxY'] = varargin[6]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMinZ'] = varargin[7]
+        vol_geom['option']['WindowMaxZ'] = varargin[8]
     return vol_geom
 
 
@@ -148,7 +163,7 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
 :type V: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
 :returns: A parallel-beam projection geometry.
 
-``create_proj_geom('fanflat', det_width, det_count, angles, source_origin, source_det)``:
+``create_proj_geom('fanflat', det_width, det_count, angles, source_origin, origin_det)``:
 
 :param det_width: Size of a detector pixel.
 :type det_width: :class:`float`
@@ -157,7 +172,7 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
 :param angles: Array of angles in radians.
 :type angles: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
 :param source_origin: Position of the source.
-:param source_det: Position of the detector
+:param origin_det: Position of the detector
 :returns: A fan-beam projection geometry.
 
 ``create_proj_geom('fanflat_vec', det_count, V)``:
@@ -180,7 +195,7 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
 :type angles: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
 :returns: A parallel projection geometry.
 
-``create_proj_geom('cone', detector_spacing_x, detector_spacing_y, det_row_count, det_col_count, angles, source_origin, source_det)``:
+``create_proj_geom('cone', detector_spacing_x, detector_spacing_y, det_row_count, det_col_count, angles, source_origin, origin_det)``:
 
 :param detector_spacing_*: Distance between two adjacent detector pixels.
 :type detector_spacing_*: :class:`float`
@@ -192,8 +207,8 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
 :type angles: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
 :param source_origin: Distance between point source and origin.
 :type source_origin: :class:`float`
-:param source_det: Distance between the detector and origin.
-:type source_det: :class:`float`
+:param origin_det: Distance between the detector and origin.
+:type origin_det: :class:`float`
 :returns: A cone-beam projection geometry.
 
 ``create_proj_geom('cone_vec', det_row_count, det_col_count, V)``:
@@ -242,7 +257,7 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
         return {'type':'parallel_vec', 'DetectorCount':args[0], 'Vectors':args[1]}
     elif intype == 'fanflat':
         if len(args) < 5:
-            raise Exception('not enough variables: astra_create_proj_geom(fanflat, det_width, det_count, angles, source_origin, source_det)')
+            raise Exception('not enough variables: astra_create_proj_geom(fanflat, det_width, det_count, angles, source_origin, origin_det)')
         return {'type': 'fanflat', 'DetectorWidth': args[0], 'DetectorCount': args[1], 'ProjectionAngles': args[2], 'DistanceOriginSource': args[3], 'DistanceOriginDetector': args[4]}
     elif intype == 'fanflat_vec':
         if len(args) < 2:
@@ -256,7 +271,7 @@ This method can be called in a number of ways:
         return {'type':'parallel3d', 'DetectorSpacingX':args[0], 'DetectorSpacingY':args[1], 'DetectorRowCount':args[2], 'DetectorColCount':args[3],'ProjectionAngles':args[4]}
     elif intype == 'cone':
         if len(args) < 7:
-            raise Exception('not enough variables: astra_create_proj_geom(cone, detector_spacing_x, detector_spacing_y, det_row_count, det_col_count, angles, source_origin, source_det)')
+            raise Exception('not enough variables: astra_create_proj_geom(cone, detector_spacing_x, detector_spacing_y, det_row_count, det_col_count, angles, source_origin, origin_det)')
         return {'type':	'cone','DetectorSpacingX':args[0], 'DetectorSpacingY':args[1], 'DetectorRowCount':args[2],'DetectorColCount':args[3],'ProjectionAngles':args[4],'DistanceOriginSource':	args[5],'DistanceOriginDetector':args[6]}
     elif intype == 'cone_vec':
         if len(args) < 3:
diff --git a/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx b/python/astra/data2d_c.pyx
index 42854b3..2242d3b 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
 
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ from cython cimport view
 cimport PyData2DManager
 from .PyData2DManager cimport CData2DManager
 
+cimport PyProjector2DManager
+from .PyProjector2DManager cimport CProjector2DManager
+
 cimport PyXMLDocument
 from .PyXMLDocument cimport XMLDocument
 
@@ -54,6 +57,8 @@ import operator
 from six.moves import reduce
 
 cdef CData2DManager * man2d = <CData2DManager * >PyData2DManager.getSingletonPtr()
+cdef CProjector2DManager * manProj = <CProjector2DManager * >PyProjector2DManager.getSingletonPtr()
+
 
 cdef extern from "CFloat32CustomPython.h":
     cdef cppclass CFloat32CustomPython:
@@ -166,7 +171,6 @@ def store(i, data):
     cdef CFloat32Data2D * pDataObject = getObject(i)
     fillDataObject(pDataObject, data)
 
-
 def get_geometry(i):
     cdef CFloat32Data2D * pDataObject = getObject(i)
     cdef CFloat32ProjectionData2D * pDataObject2
@@ -181,6 +185,27 @@ def get_geometry(i):
         raise Exception("Not a known data object")
     return geom
 
+cdef CProjector2D * getProjector(i) except NULL:
+    cdef CProjector2D * proj = manProj.get(i)
+    if proj == NULL:
+        raise Exception("Projector not initialized.")
+    if not proj.isInitialized():
+        raise Exception("Projector not initialized.")
+    return proj
+
+def check_compatible(i, proj_id):
+    cdef CProjector2D * proj = getProjector(proj_id)
+    cdef CFloat32Data2D * pDataObject = getObject(i)
+    cdef CFloat32ProjectionData2D * pDataObject2
+    cdef CFloat32VolumeData2D * pDataObject3
+    if pDataObject.getType() == TWOPROJECTION:
+        pDataObject2 = <CFloat32ProjectionData2D * >pDataObject
+        return pDataObject2.getGeometry().isEqual(proj.getProjectionGeometry())
+    elif pDataObject.getType() == TWOVOLUME:
+        pDataObject3 = <CFloat32VolumeData2D * >pDataObject
+        return pDataObject3.getGeometry().isEqual(proj.getVolumeGeometry())
+    else:
+        raise Exception("Not a known data object")
 
 def change_geometry(i, geom):
     cdef Config *cfg
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..811d1e4 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
 
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ def store(i,data):
 
 def dimensions(i):
     cdef CFloat32Data3D * pDataObject = getObject(i)
-    return (pDataObject.getWidth(),pDataObject.getHeight(),pDataObject.getDepth())
+    return (pDataObject.getDepth(),pDataObject.getHeight(),pDataObject.getWidth())
 
 def delete(ids):
     try:
diff --git a/python/astra/experimental.pyx b/python/astra/experimental.pyx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bb73a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/experimental.pyx
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 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/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# distutils: language = c++
+# distutils: libraries = astra
+
+include "config.pxi"
+
+IF HAVE_CUDA==True:
+
+    import six
+    from .PyIncludes cimport *
+    from libcpp.vector cimport vector
+
+    cdef extern from "astra/CompositeGeometryManager.h" namespace "astra":
+        cdef cppclass CCompositeGeometryManager:
+            bool doFP(CProjector3D *, vector[CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory *], vector[CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory *])
+            bool doBP(CProjector3D *, vector[CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory *], vector[CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory *])
+
+    cdef extern from *:
+        CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory * dynamic_cast_vol_mem "dynamic_cast<astra::CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory*>" (CFloat32Data3D * ) except NULL
+        CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory * dynamic_cast_proj_mem "dynamic_cast<astra::CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory*>" (CFloat32Data3D * ) except NULL
+
+    cimport PyProjector3DManager
+    from .PyProjector3DManager cimport CProjector3DManager
+    cimport PyData3DManager
+    from .PyData3DManager cimport CData3DManager
+
+    cdef CProjector3DManager * manProj = <CProjector3DManager * >PyProjector3DManager.getSingletonPtr()
+    cdef CData3DManager * man3d = <CData3DManager * >PyData3DManager.getSingletonPtr()
+
+    def do_composite(projector_id, vol_ids, proj_ids, t):
+        cdef vector[CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory *] vol
+        cdef CFloat32VolumeData3DMemory * pVolObject
+        cdef CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory * pProjObject
+        for v in vol_ids:
+            pVolObject = dynamic_cast_vol_mem(man3d.get(v))
+            if pVolObject == NULL:
+                raise Exception("Data object not found")
+            if not pVolObject.isInitialized():
+                raise Exception("Data object not initialized properly")
+            vol.push_back(pVolObject)
+        cdef vector[CFloat32ProjectionData3DMemory *] proj
+        for v in proj_ids:
+            pProjObject = dynamic_cast_proj_mem(man3d.get(v))
+            if pProjObject == NULL:
+                raise Exception("Data object not found")
+            if not pProjObject.isInitialized():
+                raise Exception("Data object not initialized properly")
+            proj.push_back(pProjObject)
+        cdef CCompositeGeometryManager m
+        cdef CProjector3D * projector = manProj.get(projector_id) # may be NULL
+        if t == "FP":
+            if not m.doFP(projector, vol, proj):
+                raise Exception("Failed to perform FP")
+        else:
+            if not m.doBP(projector, vol, proj):
+                raise Exception("Failed to perform BP")
+
+    def do_composite_FP(projector_id, vol_ids, proj_ids):
+        do_composite(projector_id, vol_ids, proj_ids, "FP")
+
+    def do_composite_BP(projector_id, vol_ids, proj_ids):
+        do_composite(projector_id, vol_ids, proj_ids, "BP")
diff --git a/python/astra/extrautils.pyx b/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
index 998f5cb..2c7771e 100644
--- a/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/extrautils.pyx
@@ -1,28 +1,29 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#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++
+
 
 def clipCircle(img):
 	cdef int i,j
diff --git a/python/astra/functions.py b/python/astra/functions.py
index 13ca911..9927eee 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 f16329f..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
 
@@ -53,19 +53,19 @@ cdef extern from "astra/Logging.h" namespace "astra::CLogger":
 
 def log_debug(sfile, sline, message):
     cstr = list(map(six.b,(sfile,message)))
-    debug(cstr[0],sline,cstr[1])
+    debug(cstr[0],sline,"%s",<char*>cstr[1])
 
 def log_info(sfile, sline, message):
     cstr = list(map(six.b,(sfile,message)))
-    info(cstr[0],sline,cstr[1])
+    info(cstr[0],sline,"%s",<char*>cstr[1])
 
 def log_warn(sfile, sline, message):
     cstr = list(map(six.b,(sfile,message)))
-    warn(cstr[0],sline,cstr[1])
+    warn(cstr[0],sline,"%s",<char*>cstr[1])
 
 def log_error(sfile, sline, message):
     cstr = list(map(six.b,(sfile,message)))
-    error(cstr[0],sline,cstr[1])
+    error(cstr[0],sline,"%s",<char*>cstr[1])
 
 def log_enable():
     enable()
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 2937d9c..dde719e 100644
--- a/python/astra/optomo.py
+++ b/python/astra/optomo.py
@@ -86,7 +86,15 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
 
         self.proj_id = proj_id
 
-        self.T = OpTomoTranspose(self)
+        self.transposeOpTomo = OpTomoTranspose(self)
+        try:
+            self.T = self.transposeOpTomo
+        except AttributeError:
+            # Scipy >= 0.16 defines self.T using self._transpose()
+            pass
+
+    def _transpose(self):
+        return self.transposeOpTomo
 
     def __checkArray(self, arr, shp):
         if len(arr.shape)==1:
@@ -103,21 +111,7 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         :param v: Volume to forward project.
         :type v: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
         """
-        v = self.__checkArray(v, self.vshape)
-        vid = self.data_mod.link('-vol',self.vg,v)
-        s = np.zeros(self.sshape,dtype=np.float32)
-        sid = self.data_mod.link('-sino',self.pg,s)
-
-        cfg = creators.astra_dict('FP'+self.appendString)
-        cfg['ProjectionDataId'] = sid
-        cfg['VolumeDataId'] = vid
-        cfg['ProjectorId'] = self.proj_id
-        fp_id = algorithm.create(cfg)
-        algorithm.run(fp_id)
-
-        algorithm.delete(fp_id)
-        self.data_mod.delete([vid,sid])
-        return s.flatten()
+        return self.FP(v, out=None).ravel()
 
     def rmatvec(self,s):
         """Implements the transpose operator.
@@ -125,21 +119,7 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         :param s: The projection data.
         :type s: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
         """
-        s = self.__checkArray(s, self.sshape)
-        sid = self.data_mod.link('-sino',self.pg,s)
-        v = np.zeros(self.vshape,dtype=np.float32)
-        vid = self.data_mod.link('-vol',self.vg,v)
-
-        cfg = creators.astra_dict('BP'+self.appendString)
-        cfg['ProjectionDataId'] = sid
-        cfg['ReconstructionDataId'] = vid
-        cfg['ProjectorId'] = self.proj_id
-        bp_id = algorithm.create(cfg)
-        algorithm.run(bp_id)
-
-        algorithm.delete(bp_id)
-        self.data_mod.delete([vid,sid])
-        return v.flatten()
+        return self.BP(s, out=None).ravel()
 
     def __mul__(self,v):
         """Provides easy forward operator by *.
@@ -152,7 +132,7 @@ 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.
@@ -164,7 +144,9 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         :param extraOptions: Extra options to use during reconstruction (i.e. for cfg['option']).
         :type extraOptions: :class:`dict`
         """
-        self.__checkArray(s, self.sshape)
+        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)
         vid = self.data_mod.link('-vol',self.vg,v)
@@ -179,6 +161,70 @@ class OpTomo(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         self.data_mod.delete([vid,sid])
         return v
 
+    def FP(self,v,out=None):
+        """Perform forward projection.
+
+        Output must have the right 2D/3D shape. Input may also be flattened.
+
+        Output must also be contiguous and float32. This isn't required for the
+        input, but it is more efficient if it is.
+
+        :param v: Volume to forward project.
+        :type v: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
+        :param out: Array to store result in.
+        :type out: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
+        """
+
+        v = self.__checkArray(v, self.vshape)
+        vid = self.data_mod.link('-vol',self.vg,v)
+        if out is None:
+            out = np.zeros(self.sshape,dtype=np.float32)
+        sid = self.data_mod.link('-sino',self.pg,out)
+
+        cfg = creators.astra_dict('FP'+self.appendString)
+        cfg['ProjectionDataId'] = sid
+        cfg['VolumeDataId'] = vid
+        cfg['ProjectorId'] = self.proj_id
+        fp_id = algorithm.create(cfg)
+        algorithm.run(fp_id)
+
+        algorithm.delete(fp_id)
+        self.data_mod.delete([vid,sid])
+        return out
+
+    def BP(self,s,out=None):
+        """Perform backprojection.
+
+        Output must have the right 2D/3D shape. Input may also be flattened.
+
+        Output must also be contiguous and float32. This isn't required for the
+        input, but it is more efficient if it is.
+
+        :param : The projection data.
+        :type s: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
+        :param out: Array to store result in.
+        :type out: :class:`numpy.ndarray`
+        """
+        s = self.__checkArray(s, self.sshape)
+        sid = self.data_mod.link('-sino',self.pg,s)
+        if out is None:
+            out = np.zeros(self.vshape,dtype=np.float32)
+        vid = self.data_mod.link('-vol',self.vg,out)
+
+        cfg = creators.astra_dict('BP'+self.appendString)
+        cfg['ProjectionDataId'] = sid
+        cfg['ReconstructionDataId'] = vid
+        cfg['ProjectorId'] = self.proj_id
+        bp_id = algorithm.create(cfg)
+        algorithm.run(bp_id)
+
+        algorithm.delete(bp_id)
+        self.data_mod.delete([vid,sid])
+        return out
+
+
+
+
 class OpTomoTranspose(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
     """This object provides the transpose operation (``.T``) of the OpTomo object.
 
@@ -189,6 +235,11 @@ class OpTomoTranspose(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
         self.parent = parent
         self.dtype = np.float32
         self.shape = (parent.shape[1], parent.shape[0])
+        try:
+            self.T = self.parent
+        except AttributeError:
+            # Scipy >= 0.16 defines self.T using self._transpose()
+            pass
 
     def _matvec(self, s):
         return self.parent.rmatvec(s)
@@ -196,6 +247,9 @@ class OpTomoTranspose(scipy.sparse.linalg.LinearOperator):
     def rmatvec(self, v):
         return self.parent.matvec(v)
 
+    def _transpose(self):
+        return self.parent
+
     def __mul__(self,s):
         # Catch the case of a backprojection of 2D/3D data
         if isinstance(s, np.ndarray) and s.shape==self.parent.sshape:
diff --git a/python/astra/plugin.py b/python/astra/plugin.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e3528d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+#Copyright 2013 Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam
+#
+#Author: Daniel M. Pelt
+#Contact: D.M.Pelt@cwi.nl
+#Website: http://dmpelt.github.io/pyastratoolbox/
+#
+#
+#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 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.
+#
+#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/>.
+#
+#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+from . import plugin_c as p
+from . import log
+from . import data2d
+from . import data2d_c
+from . import data3d
+from . import projector
+import inspect
+import traceback
+
+class base(object):
+
+    def astra_init(self, cfg):
+        args, varargs, varkw, defaults = inspect.getargspec(self.initialize)
+        if not defaults is None:
+            nopt = len(defaults)
+        else:
+            nopt = 0
+        if nopt>0:
+            req = args[2:-nopt]
+            opt = args[-nopt:]
+        else:
+            req = args[2:]
+            opt = []
+
+        try:
+            optDict = cfg['options']
+        except KeyError:
+            optDict = {}
+
+        cfgKeys = set(optDict.keys())
+        reqKeys = set(req)
+        optKeys = set(opt)
+
+        if not reqKeys.issubset(cfgKeys):
+            for key in reqKeys.difference(cfgKeys):
+                log.error("Required option '" + key + "' for plugin '" + self.__class__.__name__ + "' not specified")
+            raise ValueError("Missing required options")
+
+        if not cfgKeys.issubset(reqKeys | optKeys):
+            log.warn(self.__class__.__name__ + ": unused configuration option: " + str(list(cfgKeys.difference(reqKeys | optKeys))))
+
+        args = [optDict[k] for k in req]
+        kwargs = dict((k,optDict[k]) for k in opt if k in optDict)
+        self.initialize(cfg, *args, **kwargs)
+
+class ReconstructionAlgorithm2D(base):
+
+    def astra_init(self, cfg):
+        self.pid = cfg['ProjectorId']
+        self.s = data2d.get_shared(cfg['ProjectionDataId'])
+        self.v = data2d.get_shared(cfg['ReconstructionDataId'])
+        self.vg = projector.volume_geometry(self.pid)
+        self.pg = projector.projection_geometry(self.pid)
+        if not data2d_c.check_compatible(cfg['ProjectionDataId'], self.pid):
+            raise ValueError("Projection data and projector not compatible")
+        if not data2d_c.check_compatible(cfg['ReconstructionDataId'], self.pid):
+            raise ValueError("Reconstruction data and projector not compatible")
+        super(ReconstructionAlgorithm2D,self).astra_init(cfg)
+
+class ReconstructionAlgorithm3D(base):
+
+    def astra_init(self, cfg):
+        self.pid = cfg['ProjectorId']
+        self.s = data3d.get_shared(cfg['ProjectionDataId'])
+        self.v = data3d.get_shared(cfg['ReconstructionDataId'])
+        self.vg = data3d.get_geometry(cfg['ReconstructionDataId'])
+        self.pg = data3d.get_geometry(cfg['ProjectionDataId'])
+        super(ReconstructionAlgorithm3D,self).astra_init(cfg)
+
+def register(className):
+    """Register plugin with ASTRA.
+    
+    :param className: Class name or class object to register
+    :type className: :class:`str` or :class:`class`
+    
+    """
+    p.register(className)
+
+def get_registered():
+    """Get dictionary of registered plugins.
+    
+    :returns: :class:`dict` -- Registered plugins.
+    
+    """
+    return p.get_registered()
+
+def get_help(name):
+    """Get help for registered plugin.
+    
+    :param name: Plugin name to get help for
+    :type name: :class:`str`
+    :returns: :class:`str` -- Help string (docstring).
+    
+    """
+    return p.get_help(name)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx b/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ee04853
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/astra/plugin_c.pyx
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+# 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/>.
+#
+# -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# distutils: language = c++
+# distutils: libraries = astra
+
+import six
+import inspect
+
+from libcpp.string cimport string
+from libcpp cimport bool
+
+cdef CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory *fact = getSingletonPtr()
+
+from . import utils
+
+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)
+
+cdef extern from "src/PythonPluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra::CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory":
+    cdef CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory* getSingletonPtr()
+
+cdef extern from "astra/PluginAlgorithm.h" namespace "astra::CPluginAlgorithmFactory":
+    # NB: Using wrong pointer type here for convenience
+    cdef void registerFactory(CPythonPluginAlgorithmFactory *)
+
+def register(className, name=None):
+    if inspect.isclass(className):
+        if name==None:
+            fact.registerPluginClass(className)
+        else:
+            fact.registerPluginClass(six.b(name), className)
+    else:
+        if name==None:
+            fact.registerPlugin(six.b(className))
+        else:
+            fact.registerPlugin(six.b(name), six.b(className))
+
+def get_registered():
+    return fact.getRegistered()
+
+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 8b978d7..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
 
@@ -87,12 +87,18 @@ cdef CProjector3D * getObject(i) except NULL:
 
 def projection_geometry(i):
     cdef CProjector3D * proj = getObject(i)
-    return utils.configToDict(proj.getProjectionGeometry().getConfiguration())
+    cdef Config * cfg = proj.getProjectionGeometry().getConfiguration()
+    dct = utils.configToDict(cfg)
+    del cfg
+    return dct
 
 
 def volume_geometry(i):
     cdef CProjector3D * proj = getObject(i)
-    return utils.configToDict(proj.getVolumeGeometry().getConfiguration())
+    cdef Config * cfg = proj.getVolumeGeometry().getConfiguration()
+    dct = utils.configToDict(cfg)
+    del cfg
+    return dct
 
 
 def weights_single_ray(i, projection_index, detector_index):
diff --git a/python/astra/projector_c.pyx b/python/astra/projector_c.pyx
index 9aa868e..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
 
@@ -91,12 +91,18 @@ cdef CProjector2D * getObject(i) except NULL:
 
 def projection_geometry(i):
     cdef CProjector2D * proj = getObject(i)
-    return utils.configToDict(proj.getProjectionGeometry().getConfiguration())
+    cdef Config * cfg = proj.getProjectionGeometry().getConfiguration()
+    dct = utils.configToDict(cfg)
+    del cfg
+    return dct
 
 
 def volume_geometry(i):
     cdef CProjector2D * proj = getObject(i)
-    return utils.configToDict(proj.getVolumeGeometry().getConfiguration())
+    cdef Config * cfg = proj.getVolumeGeometry().getConfiguration()
+    dct = utils.configToDict(cfg)
+    del cfg
+    return dct
 
 
 def weights_single_ray(i, projection_index, detector_index):
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 ddb37aa..34d1902 100644
--- a/python/astra/utils.pyx
+++ b/python/astra/utils.pyx
@@ -1,37 +1,41 @@
-#-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-#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
 
 cimport numpy as np
 import numpy as np
 import six
+if six.PY3:
+    import builtins
+else:
+    import __builtin__ as builtins
 from libcpp.string cimport string
-from libcpp.list cimport list
 from libcpp.vector cimport vector
+from libcpp.list cimport list
 from cython.operator cimport dereference as deref, preincrement as inc
 from cpython.version cimport PY_MAJOR_VERSION
 
@@ -91,11 +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):
+            val = np.array(val,dtype=np.float64)
         if isinstance(val, np.ndarray):
             if val.size == 0:
                 break
             listbase = root.addChildNode(item)
-            data = <double*>np.PyArray_DATA(np.ascontiguousarray(val,dtype=np.float64)) 
+            contig_data = np.ascontiguousarray(val,dtype=np.float64)
+            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:
@@ -112,6 +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):
@@ -124,12 +133,15 @@ 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):
+            val = np.array(val,dtype=np.float64)
         if isinstance(val, np.ndarray):
             if val.size == 0:
                 break
             listbase = node.addChildNode(six.b('Option'))
             listbase.addAttribute(< string > six.b('key'), < string > item)
-            data = <double*>np.PyArray_DATA(np.ascontiguousarray(val,dtype=np.float64)) 
+            contig_data = np.ascontiguousarray(val,dtype=np.float64)
+            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:
@@ -137,6 +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):
@@ -202,7 +216,10 @@ cdef XMLNode2dict(XMLNode node):
     while it != nodes.end():
         subnode = deref(it)
         if castString(subnode.getName())=="Option":
-            opts[castString(subnode.getAttribute('key'))] = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getAttribute('value'))
+            if subnode.hasAttribute('value'):
+                opts[castString(subnode.getAttribute('key'))] = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getAttribute('value'))
+            else:
+                opts[castString(subnode.getAttribute('key'))] = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent())
         else:
             dct[castString(subnode.getName())] = stringToPythonValue(subnode.getContent())
         inc(it)