How do I begin please

Do I open Photoshop CS5 first or FF. The main thing I wanted this is to put grunge effects on top of some of my images and use some as backgrounds (in which case I cannot seem how to get the filter over or under my starting image. I cannot find any 123 instructions. I was so enthused but now I am very frustrated (1:30 AM here) I have used many plugins in CS5 and have not had a problem yet. Even tried some tutorials on utube but they were terrible and not for beginners. Before I give up and go back to Tapaz I would like to get one image the way I like it. Anybody I also use Lightroom which is where I would initially get my images in the first place. No mention of that
Thanks Shri

Thank you Sphinx but I cannot figure out how to even use the software. I open my image in CS5 then duplicate the layer and where do I go from there? After I get the plugin there is nothing to explain what I do. How do I use the filters? When I tried using a rust one and hit apply it took about ten minutes and then just came out as a very dark image. When I try to use the sliders things don't happen. There must be some tutorials somewhere on how to use these filters. I am assuming from the lack of instructions that I will not buy the programme but I would have liked to at least try the trial. I guess these filters may be for Pros but since I have had no trouble using Nik or Topaz I thought I could figure it out. Thanks for trying.

I have got it installed and working in CS5 - I just do not know HOW I use the filters with my images?

Thank you GMM. I don't know why FF would not start with that simple instruction. I can see I have to play a bit but I am looking forward to trying in the next few weeks. I have another question. I tried the rust filter and it shows as rust with patches of transparent layer on it. How do I get my image where the transparent layer is? Thank you.

That did not work for me. I have to open up CS5 before I can go to filters and filterforge.

Here is what I do. Open CS5 and choose the image I want to work on. Do a duplicate layer copy of that image. Go to filterforge and choose the filter I want, in this case rust. When I click on the filter it just shows the filter with some of the layer transparent in the window. I don't know where my image is. How do I get this rust filter to go on top of my image? I am missing something here. I have tried to find tutorials to no avail. Thank you.

No, the original image cannot be seen through the transparent area. That is what is so frustrating. Today is not a good day to try a screen shot but I will when I have time. Thanks.