A method, device, and computer program product for capturing projection images of an object are provided. An x-ray beam source is moved by a control unit on a path into a plurality of positions, in which an x-ray beam is transmitted. An x-ray beam detector is moved by the control unit into a plurality of positions, in which the x-ray beam, penetrating the object, is detected. The x-ray beam source and/or the x-ray beam detector are moved on a calculated path around the object, at a constant distance between the x-ray beam source and the x-ray beam detector or the object. The path is described by an nth degree polynomial and determined by the control unit through an optimization of a path along the central x-ray beam. The polynomial is selected such that a safety clearance with respect to the object is maintained and a distance between the x-ray beam detector and the object is minimized.
