An image processing apparatus has a separation unit for separating objects constituting an image input by an image input unit, a setting unit for setting a criterion to determine whether or not a separated object is stored, and a determination unit for determining whether the separated object is stored based on the criterion set by the setting unit. The image processing apparatus also has a unit for displaying the separated object, responding to a user access via an interface unit, when the separated object is determined to be stored by the determination unit and storing the separated object such that the separated object can be reused.