1. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for vectorizing a document image which contains a clip-art image, the method comprising: a selection step of segmenting the document image into areas and selecting the clip-art image area; a discrimination step of discriminating the type of clip-art image area; an area segmentation step of further segmenting the clip-art image area into areas in accordance with the type of clip-art image discriminated; and a conversion step of converting the clip-art image obtained in said area segmentation step into vector data.