WebCT - OpenSource Web-based GUI for Realtime X-ray Simulation
Written by: Iwan T. Mitchell, Jean Michel Létang, Llion M. Evans and Franck P. Vidal
Published on: Summary
Scan planning for X-ray CT systems can be difficult due to the large number of elements affecting scan quality. The use of X-ray simulation can answer feasibility questions, however existing methods are focused on experts who are familiar with XCT and programming knowledge. WebCT is a user-centric application for performing virtual XCT scans with the validated X-ray simulator gVirtualXray. Focused on accessibility, the interface allows changing all scanning parameters; from tube characteristics to detector energy response, while allowing full-scale simulation and reconstruction in minutes. WebCT is available as a free, open-source application, giving full control over a virtual lab-CT or synchrotron system. Configurations can be saved, shared, or even imported from many popular XCT dataset formats. We demonstrate in this paper the use of WebCT as a scan planning tool, using a simple CAD mockup to select filtration based on transmission before scanning.
Awards
Best paper award for tomography outreach tools - Vidal, F. P., Afshari, S., Ahmed, S., Atkins, C., Béchet, É., Corbí Bellot, A., ... Tugwell-Allsup, J. (2024). Müller, B., & Wang, G. (Eds.). "X-ray simulations with gVXR as a useful tool for education, data analysis, set-up of CT scans, and scanner development". Developments in X-Ray Tomography XV, SPIE Optics & Photonics 2024. DOI: 10.1117/12.3025315
Best poster presentation - Mitchell, I., Evans, L.M., & Vidal, F.P.: "WebCT: Fully Featured Browser-Based Interactive X-Ray Simulations for Scan Planning and Training". 6th Dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography Conference (dXCT 2022).
Publications
- Mitchell, I. T., Létang, J. M., Evans, L. M., & Vidal, F. P. (2025). WebCT - OpenSource Web-based GUI for Realtime X-ray Simulation. Tomography of Materials and Structures. doi:10.1016/j.tmater.2025.100057
- Vidal, F. P. et al (2024, Nov). X-ray simulations with gVXR as a useful tool for education, data analysis, set-up of CT scans, and scanner development. Developments in X-Ray Tomography XV, SPIE Optics & Photonics 2024. doi:10.1117/12.3025315 .
- Mitchell, I. T., Evans, L. M., & Vidal, F. P. (2022 , June). WebCT: fully featured browser-based interactive X-ray simulations for scan planning and training. 6th Dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography conference (dXCT MMXXII). poster presentation.
Citations
@article{MITCHELL2025100057,
author = {Mitchell, Iwan T. and L{\'e}tang, Jean Michel and
Evans, Llion Marc and Vidal, Franck P.},
doi = {10.1016/j.tmater.2025.100057},
issn = {2949-673X},
journal = {Tomography of Materials and Structures},
keywords = {X-ray Simulation; Computational modelling; X-ray computed tomography (XCT);
Non-destructive testing (NDT); Synchrotron tomography; User Interface (UI);
Experimental Planning},
pages = {100057},
title = {{WebCT - OpenSource Web-based GUI for Realtime X-ray Simulation}},
year = {2025}
}
@inproceedings{Vidal2024SPIE,
author = {Franck P. Vidal and Shaghayegh Afshari and Sharif Ahmed and
Carolyn Atkins and {\'E}ric B{\'e}chet and Alberto Corb{\'i} Bellot and
Stefan Bosse and Younes Chahid and Cheng-Ying Chou and Robert Culver and
Lewis Dixon and Johan Friemann and Amin Garbout and Cl{\'e}mentine Hatton and
Audrey Henry and Christophe Leblanc and Alberto Leonardi and
Jean Michel L{\'e}tang and Harry Lipscom and Tristan Manchester and
Bas Meere and Simon Middleburgh and Iwan Mitchell and Liam Perera and
Mart{\'i} Puig and Jenna Tugwell-Allsup},
title = {{X-ray simulations with gVXR as a useful tool for education,
data analysis, set-up of CT scans, and scanner development}},
volume = {13152},
booktitle = {Developments in X-Ray Tomography XV},
editor = {Bert M{\"u}ller and Ge Wang},
organization = {International Society for Optics and Photonics},
publisher = {SPIE},
pages = {131520W},
keywords = {X-ray imaging, Computed tomography (CT), Simulation,
Digital twinning, Graphics processor unit (GPU) programming,
Image registration, Digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR),
Machine learning},
year = {2024},
doi = {10.1117/12.3025315},
}
@inproceedings{Mitchell2022dXCT,
title = {{WebCT}: Fully Featured Browser-Based Interactive {X-ray}
Simulations for Scan Planning and Training},
author = {Iwan T. Mitchell and Llion M. Evans and Franck P. Vidal},
booktitle = {6th Dimensional X-ray Computed Tomography conference (dXCT MMXXII)},
month = jun,
year = 2022,
note = {poster presentation, winner of Best Poster Presentation Prize},
}