26. In a digital processing means, a method of identifying handwritten annotation areas of an input image having handwritten annotation areas and machine printed text areas, said method comprising the steps of: a) morphologically processing a region of said input image having a plurality of handwritten and machine printed characters to produce an image having a plurality of remaining pixels concentrated in either said machine printed text areas or said handwritten annotation areas; b) morphologically processing said plurality of remaining pixels to produce a mask image substantially masking either said machine printed text areas or said handwritten annotation areas; and c) using said mask image to produce a destination image, said destination image identifying substantially only said machine printed text or said handwritten annotations areas.
28. The method as recited in claim 26 wherein said mask image is formed by the steps of: a) extracting seed pixels in substantially only said handwritten annotation or machine printed text areas; and b) filling said seed pixels by a fillclip operation to a clipping mask, said clipping mask comprising substantially solid regions of ON pixels over said handwritten annotation areas and said machine printed text areas.