Disclosed is a computer implemented method (200) of processing a bitmap image (110) including at least one shape defined by at least one line (113-115). The method processes the image to form a plurality of boundaries, each boundary representing an enclosed path (410-424). The boundaries also define at least one enclosed region (425-429) representing a graphical object. Line elements are detected (310) together with associated regions (430-465) in the graphical object. The method determines line statistics (325) corresponding to at least one of the boundaries of the object based on the detected line elements and performs shape recognition (1010) on at least one of the boundaries based on said line statistics. The method recognizes (1020,1045) at least one part of the object as a shape and stores a description of the shape.