1. A method for intelligently controlling the illumination and imaging of objects while being moved through a 3D imaging volume of a digital image capturing and processing system projecting a plurality of field of views (FOVs) through said 3D imaging volume during system operation, said method comprising the steps of: (a) as an object is being moved within said 3D imaging volume, and prior to illumination and imaging, determining an initial position for the object specifying the beginning of a projected trajectory which the object is likely to follow as the object is moved through said 3D imaging volume; (b) using said initial position to determine said projected trajectory of the object through said 3D imaging volume; (c) determining which said FOVs intersect with the determined projected trajectory of the object, passing through said 3D imaging volume; and (d) selectively illuminating only said FOVs determined in step (c) as the object is moved along its projected trajectory through said FOVs, and forming and detecting digital linear images of the object, for subsequent processing of information graphically represented in said digital linear images.