Stephen,

Maya is VERY different from FormZ. I've used FormZ for about 6 years.

The beauty of Maya is that there is a modelling/construction history. That way you can for example tweak your profiles for a loft and the lofted surface is updated in real time.

And as you remarked, Maya is an animation tool while FormZ is not. Fundemental difference. This is where you will probably need to focus your learning. There are no tools that carry over from FormZ in this respect.

Also, Maya has one of the most powerful dynamics systems out there. This eases many common animation tasks that involve real-world forces.

You'll both love and hate Maya within days. If you are already competent at modelling I would focus on lighting and texturing in Maya. Then on to animation. IMHO.

By the way, I do miss a good bevelling/rounding tool a la FormZ in Maya.

Can't have it all... where would you put it? (Steven Wright)