In this paper a feasible way toward the automation for plate forming by line heating method is proposed. For this a mechanical model representing the line heating phenomenon is adopted and a reasonable algorithm is introduced to search the heating path under the given heating conditions, which can produce the surface very similar to the given surface. A computer program system has been developed according to the proposed algorithm here. It has been applied to two curved shapes to show its validity. From the results it has been found that the proposed algorithm and the developed computer program system give a good result and can be a possible way getting to the automation system of plate forming by the line heating method.