Hi Rebecca,
As a beta tester for both Rhino and Matrix, I have an
opinion…but there are some very important considerations for
the user that may not be obvious in the beginning.
First, understand that Matrix is a plug-in for Rhino. If you learn
Rhino or Rhino Gold you will have all the tools necessary to migrate
to Matrix. The biggest difference betwen Matrix and Rhino is that
Matrix incorporate s “Builders”, automeated scripts which can
accelerate the build of the CAD model dramatically.
I can build a simple domed ring in Rhino in about fifteen minutes,
but I can do the same iece in Matrix is 45 seconds or less, and then
make limit less variations of that piece in only a few keystrokes.
But it comes at a price. First there are the dollars for the intial
outlay, the dollars and time for the training and the cost of the
time necessary to become proficient…a few months of constant
work, at least. Then add in the cost of yearly licensing/support
fees and the inevitable “updates”, some of which have been quite
buggy on release.
Rhino Gold, as you have apparently learned has a flatter learning
curve and there is a FREE worldwide group of users, just as there is
with Rhino.
Remember, this is not a casual decision. SOMEONE in your
organization will e tasked with using these tools and it is a full
time job, not something a hands-on owner can easily incorporate into
an already hectic schedule.
Hint: Train two or more people, one of them being YOU!
IMO, Rhino Gold is an excellent bridge between Rhino and Matrix and
may be all you ever need. Matrix has become a more mature software
and it becomes increasingly hard to add more features that are
actually benficial, while Rhino Gold is not only still “maturing”,
it’s doing so with knowledge gained from where others have gone
before.
But, to answer your question, yes, it’s easy to move to Matrix from
Rhino Gold IF you find you really need to.
Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter
www.thelittlecameras.com