Patent ID: 8223398

Claim:
A print data generating apparatus to generate print data, which is to be used in a printing apparatus to form an image including a pixel-in-white and a base layer pixel, based on originally inputted image data representing the image, comprising: a color data generating unit configured to generate color data, which indicates color scale values of multiple colors being used in the image, based on the inputted image data; a white data generating unit configured to generate white data, which indicates color scale values of white being used in the image including the pixel-in-white and the base layer pixel, based on the inputted image data; a pixel marking unit configured to determine one of pixels in a white area to be a marked pixel, the white area being an area to be formed at least in a white colorant and including one of the pixel-in white and the base layer pixel; an examining unit configured to examine pixels within a predetermined range with respect to the marked pixel as to whether at least one of the examined pixels has the color scale value of white being zero, the predetermined range to be examined by the examining unit becoming greater when the color scale value of the white of the marked pixel is larger; a white outline pixel judging unit configured to examine the marked pixel among pixels included in the white area to judge as to whether the marked pixel is a white outline pixel composing an outline of the white area with reference to the white data, the white outline pixel judging unit being configured to determine that the marked pixel is the white outline pixel when at least one of the examined pixels has the color scale value of white being zero; and an outline-removed white data generating unit configured to generate outline-removed white data, which includes information to indicate that the outline of the white area is removed; and the outline-removed white data generating unit is configured to remove the outline of the white area by clearing the color scale values of white of the white outline pixel to zero.