Method and apparatus for forming color image

A color image forming apparatus connected to a host computer to receive image forming data generated in the host computer, comprising:

• a first image data generator disposed within a first image processor disposed in the color image forming apparatus, which generates first image data image-processed into a format suitable for use in a color image forming engine;
• a second image data generator disposed in a second image processor disposed outside of the color image forming apparatus, which generates second image data image-processed into a format suitable for use in the color image forming engine;
• and
• an image data controller disposed within the color image forming apparatus and which receives at least one of the first and second image data and which selectively outputs the at least one of first and second image data to the color image forming engine.

A color image forming system comprising:

• a color image forming apparatus having therein a first data image generator which generates first image data;
• a second image generator which generates second image data and is external to the color image forming apparatus;
• an image data controller which receives the first and the second image data, selectively outputs the first and the second image data;
• and
• a color image forming engine which receives the first and the second data from the image data controller and which is disposed in the color image forming apparatus.