1. A method for generating a bone mask, comprising the steps of: acquiring an image data set; pre-processing the image data set to automatically calculate at least one or more seed points and one or more structure edges; generating a preliminary bone mask from the image data set; automatically determining a vascular structure using the one or more seed points, the one or more structure edges, and the image data; and subtracting the vascular structure from the preliminary bone mask to generate a bone mask.