Image forming apparatus and image forming method

A method of forming an image at an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• storing image information and attribute information corresponding to the image information;
• receiving instructions input by a user for execution of a process on the image information;
• storing image condition information that corresponds to the process and that the attribute information must satisfy when the process is executed;
• comparing the attribute information with the stored image condition information;
• and
• changing a state of the receiving of instructions based on results of the comparing of the attribute information with the stored image condition information.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an operation section that includes an instruction section through which a user inputs instructions for execution of a process on image information;
• a comparison section configured to compare attribute information that corresponds to the image information with stored image condition information that corresponds to the process and that the attribute information must satisfy when the process is executed;
• and
• an operation control section in communication with the operation section and the comparison section and configured to change a state of the instruction section based on results of a comparison of the attribute information and the stored image condition information by the comparison section.