I came to FormZ after having a bit of formal AutoCad R14 and 3D StudioMAX training. My self-training in FormZ has combined r's and Trey's recommendations. The end result was a familiarity with each tool and many of the tool options. Some tools I haven't used since but a least I have a sense of what's there and what the possibilities are. After that I started on a self-imposed project with relative ease.
Nothing seems to level the learning curve more than work.
If you dont have got formZ yet, and if you still are not sure about formZ after trying out the demo version, you can get an evaluation copy with box, manuals, full software. It works in 45 days and it will give you an impression of what formZ can do. This is better than the about 1500 USD you have to spend with the complete package if you find out that this is not the program for you.