1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a preview creating unit that creates a preview image indicating a result of processing an image based on setting specified for the image; a display unit that displays the preview image; a judging unit that judges whether a second setting item that is newly selected on the preview image is mutually exclusive with a first setting item that has already been selected on the preview image; a display control unit that displays on the display unit, when the second setting item is mutually exclusive with the first setting item, an area corresponding to the second setting item differently from other areas; and a notifying unit that notifies, when the area is selected, why the second setting item cannot be set.