how do I work filter??

Hey, I just downloaded photoshop 7.0 today. I also found a plug in called gif -x. I installed both and tried follow a tutorial's instructions. The tutorial said I had to open the pic I wanted to edit, select it, then I had to select Filter - Ulead Effects - then the gif -x thing. But when I click on the filter button, all the selections under it, including 'Ulead Effects' were dimmed. I couldn't use any filter functions! Am I selecting the pic right?? Whats wrong??

If it's any help, the pic I wanted to edit was a .gif.

so ya just downloaded photoshop???
was it from kazaa by any chance.... or maybe a warez site?
haha

Joe Schmoe....

Learn to use Photoshop's native tools first, then worry about plugins. It'll likely do whatever GIF-X does, easily. (Don't know about it, don't care about it, don't need it). Do you even know whether the GIF-X plugin works with version 7? And if it does, do you have any clue about how to troubleshoot your file with respect to the "dimming problem"? RTFM is the best, most succinct advice I can offer, and I don't mean that in a mean way. R'ingTFM is a great way to learn. You need to do some serious studying and quit bothering us folks on the Adobe forum with the exact same inane question until you get some experience under your belt.

No, it's a free 30 day trial from the site.

Look utopian, I don't want to learn how to use photoshop for good, like I said, it's a 30 day trial. I only want to make my waving flag and I'm done forever. I don't want any experience under my belt. Also I probably will be happy with whatever I get as long as the flag waves, I don't care about any dimming problems.

So can you just help me with my simple question and I'll stop 'bothering us folks'.

I have the same plug-in...Ive had it for many months and its never come un-dimmed(is that a word?) as far as i can tell it doesnt do anything and i just got rid of it