Cannot edit downloaded AI file

[ekoenig61]

I downloaded a sample creative cloud file - an ai file that shows a beauty product with a nice swirly background. (Image 170439591) This is for a product placement campaign I am working on and I realize I will need to purchase the extended license. I wanted to see what the image would look like with my product image before purchasing.  It made sense to me that I would use AI to identify and delete the layer where the bottle of product was in the sample file and replace it with the real product image for my campaign. I have downloaded the file, read through the forums... I've tried ungrouping, I've tried looking at separate layers, etc. -- the long and short of it is -- I can't figure out how I am supposed to remove/replace the product image in the downloaded ai file --- seems like I can delete the whole image or none of it.  Could someone tell me what I am doing wrong please?  I looked through forums and tutorials and am just not finding the answer.  Seemed like it should be a basic function, but I'm sure not figuring it out. Thanks in advance.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

So you did not purchase yet?

In that case you don't have an AI file yet, but only a raster image, where you can't delete parts of it.

[ekoenig61]

So I am supposed to plunk down $79 for the extended license without knowing whether it is the image I want to use for my campaign?  There are lots of wonderful images and it's pretty difficult to determine how colors, etc. will work.

But I am very glad for your answer because I was beginning to think I was losing my mind!

Thank you

[sishamIAGD]

If you feel you have your answer please mark the post as so. Thanks