The algorithm proposed in this paper is summarised in Fig. 1: a target part is optimally “un-formed” (measured by the integral of total effective strain over the workpiece) to a flat blank, subject to kinematic constraints. An initial set of constraints is used to spe- cify a “forming strategy” (such as incrementally reducing the cur- vature of the part, or specifying a direction of motion for the part perimeter) and these constraints are iteratively refined based on predictions of the boundary conditions that must be applied to the workpiece during forming. An additional set of constraints is used to prescribe desired deformation characteristic