Rhino is the CAD software that Matrix is built on. If you know Rhino using Matrix is an easy step. Matrix was design to take Rhino and make it useful to Jewelers. Matrix is more then just a piece of software, it’s belonging to the community of users, and having the support of Gemvision. Jewelers buying Matrix are far more successful in CAD in the long run then Rhino users. This is just what I have seen; I’m not affiliated with Gemvision.
That said a lot is people use Matrix for a while, get good, and the training wheels come off. They find themselves using the Rhino functions a lot more. Learning Rhino is 95% applicable to learning Matrix. You can learn Rhino while you save up the cash to buy Matrix. Gemvision looks down on this method, because there is a lack of commitment. Learning CAD is a large commitment of time. When you fork over $7000 it also becomes a large commitment financially. This is another reason why Matrix users are more successful. They have to learn, or fear wasting $7000!
On the Internet there is a well established community of CAD/CAM enabled jewelers. I seek to create the same locally in the Chicago area. Over the next few years I will form a local Chicago guild or users group of people that can trust each other to share ideas and talents. Some people think I’m crazy because jewelers in the area have a hard time-sharing. I don’t believe this; I think no one has ever tried hard enough show people the benefits of such a group and to gather the people.