Image processing apparatus, image processing method and memory medium

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• designation means for designating a position on an image;
• setting means for setting a tolerable color difference;
• area extracting means for extracting an area consisting of pixels that are adjacent to the designated position and have a color that is within the tolerable color difference with respect to the color of the image at the designated position;
• extraction state display means for selectively displaying the pixels within the tolerable color difference including the pixel of the designated position on a display unit;
• and
• control means for activating said area extracting means in repeated manner to vary the set tolerable color difference while the input of an operator continues,
• wherein the area extracted by said area extracting means gradually becomes wider while the input of the operator continues.

A computer readable memory medium storing a program of an image processing method comprising:

• a designation step of designating a position on an image;
• a setting step of setting a tolerable color difference;
• an area extracting step of extracting an area consisting of pixels that are adjacent to the designated position and have a color that is within the tolerable color difference with respect to the color of the image at the designated position;
• an extraction state display step of selectively displaying pixels within the tolerable color difference including the pixel of the designated position on a display unit;
• and
• a control step of repeating said area extracting step by repeatedly varying the set tolerable color difference while the input of an operator continues,
• wherein the area extracted in said area extracting step gradually becomes wider while the input of the operator continues.