Learning to write user interface

Question

Dear All,
With zero experience in writing LV user interface, we needs to write a User-Interface program for end-user data entry of "structured command script" (text with specific keyword_command)
Basically, we need to have the LV equivalent of some basic window commands, like
list box for user to select one from several keyword_commands
push button  to 'enter' 'save' etc.
radio button to select options (like inch vs. mm) 
a graphic plot showing the  'execution'    (like the x-y grid inspection (template).vi in the motion find-example)   
drop down menu (like File in windows)
Grateful pointers for beginner's learning resources on user interface.
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Depending on your version, all of these things exist in the LabVIEW palettes, you just have to place them on your front panel. Just look through the different palette, since there aren't many palettes. If you want controls which look like the MS ones, go for the Dialog Controls palette, which uses OS specific controls. The tricky bit is the menu, which can be controlled through code, or from the Edit menu.
After placing all things on your FP, however, the real trick is connecting the code to those things. Here is a standard passage I provide to beginners (although I don't know how much of that applies to user interface):
To learn more about LabVIEW, I suggest you try searching this site and google for LabVIEW tutorials. Here and here are a couple you can start with and here are some tutorial videos. You can also contact your local NI office and join one of their courses.
In addition, I suggest you read the LabVIEW style guide and the LabVIEW user manual (Help>>Search the LabVIEW Bookshelf).
You can try searching this site for a presentation called "the good, the bad and the ugly", which deals in UI design, but is not a tutorial. You can also try the LAVA forums UI board (I believe they have one), but read what's there instead of bombarding them with questions. Above all, this will have to take your time. You can't write an LV program without learning LV (and that's relatively easy).
Try to take over the world!