I dont know what u mean....From my experience in maya(only have maya 5) when u move one vertice and it moves the ones around it...its a continous surface and when u move that vert it will keep its tangency to the entire surface but it wont move the vertices you haven't touched.

Also sub'ds are great if you have access to using them. I dont know what the PLE provides if it allows u to use sub'ds. But they are becoming more popular to use cause of their eez to use and texture.

If you need help getting started in Maya just post back here and its great for me to go back and help people out. From what i read your not knew to 3D but if u need help with tools and such.

Im far far far from knowing everything and still need to improve alot but as far as tool go i know what alot of them do and if i dont know it will help both of us.