Even as an older iteration, Version 7 introduced several "hot" features that remain relevant today:

Occasionally, developers offer limited trials or "viewer" versions. These are the safest ways to explore the interface without financial commitment.

If you are enrolled in a design school, you can often access Matrix at a fraction of the retail cost. Final Thoughts

Since Matrix is built on Rhino, learning Rhino is the first step. They offer a generous 90-day full-featured trial.