1. An X-ray imaging system for performing automated multi-step imaging of patient anatomy, comprising: an X-ray imaging device supporting automated movement of an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programmed steps; a multi-step programming interface enabling a user to select, (a) a start position for X-ray imaging at a first location of a portion of patient anatomy and (b) an end position for X-ray imaging at a second location of a portion of patient anatomy; a computation processor for automatically determining a series of pre-programmed steps comprising a plurality of incremental distances to be moved by said X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to said portion of patient anatomy in response to, (i) the selected start and end positions, (ii) the length of said portion of patient anatomy imaged in an individual step and (iii) the amount of overlap desired between successive X-ray images; and an imaging controller for initiating automated multi-step imaging of said portion of patient anatomy by said X-ray imaging device in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programmed steps and user command.