Systems and methods for generating an X-ray image using a digital flat panel detector with a squircle shape are described. The flat panel X-ray detector contains a circuit board, a light imager electrically connected to the circuit board, and a scintillator coupled on the light imager. The detector has superellipse shape or a cornerless shape with a first substantially straight edge and a second substantially straight edge running substantially perpendicular to the first edge, wherein the first and second edges do not physically intersect with each other at 90 degrees. The flat panel detector with this shape can be used in an x-ray imaging system that uses the detector to detect x-rays and produce an x-ray image. With this shape, the active sensing area of the detector can be similar to those currently available with rectangular or square flat panel detectors, while using less material to create the detector.
