What is the best structure to use for my goal?

Question

I am new to JavaFX but not new to Java. In fact I have my computer science degree training on java. It has been a number of years since I have worked hands on with Java as I have had a more website oriented role at my company since graduating, but we now need to rollout some new software and we have chosen JavaFX to accomplish this. I am currently reading "Pro JavaFX 2 A definitive guide to rich clients with java technology" by Apress in order to learn the small nuances of the javafx platform.
My question comes in regards to building the skeleton/structure of my program. Even after being half way through the book and moved on from the section that I believe would address this, I'm not sure the best route to go to accomplish my goals. Below are some wireframe pictures that will give you an idea of how the core structure of the program will work.
[Main Image|www.computech.com/images/temp/1.png]
This image shows the look and feel that will be seen the majority of the time. At the top left you have the car selection, top is the streaming weather information graph, on the left is the abbreviated Add Run where a user can input new data and the main area is where the user can see all of the data and information they have entered.
[Side Are Expanded|www.computech.com/images/temp/2.png]
Here is where my true question comes into play. When the user clicks the arrow button to expand the Add Run area I would like it to animate it to expose the rest of the information shown here and hide the logbook area. I feel that a modified accordian pane could accomplish this but because it is a horizontal / vertical hybrid I'm not sure if this is the best method.
[Streaming Weather Collapsed|www.computech.com/images/temp/3.png]
This is why I feel a typical accordian pane just won't cut it. Because the user also has the ability to collapse the streaming weather area to expose more information. So in a way it's almost like to accordian panes, one vertical and one horizontal yet sitting on top of each other. This is where I get pretty lost on the correct path to take.
[Logbook Only Expanded|www.computech.com/images/temp/4.png]
Here shows the logbook only expanded as much as possible.
To make it a little easier to see the different states I have also included a single image that shows all 4 states. [All 4 States|computech.com/images/temp/5.png]
As a newbie to JavaFX and rusty with Java in general, what is the best way to build my skeleton so that it can accomplish all 4 of my states, animate the opening and closing of each of the areas and allow me to easily change the content (the menu options at the top will primarily change the Options area which is on the left hand side).
Thanks for your help in advance.

Answer 1

Such beautiful and professional mockups. Which quite contradicts this:
As a newbie to JavaFX and rusty with Java in general, what is the best way to build my skeleton so that it can accomplish all 4 of my statesYou say that as if you want to believe there is some "novice" way of going about implementing such a professional looking piece of software. But you know just as well as I do that when your knowledge and skill level is low, you're only going to be able to achieve a dinky looking approximation of what you want to achieve and you're likely going to exceed whatever budget you have.
You have to keep working on your skill level first. You have such a wonderful mockup - I would do the same with your application. Create a mockup skeleton and keep tinkering with it until it looks like something you want to achieve. Don't create a full blown version, start with a simple test version. One step at a time, the thing to focus on is to not lose your grip on it. Make sure you make it work and you understand how and why it works. When you know the how and why, you're ready to do the thing for real. You're not going to learn that in a forum I'm afraid, it is going to be a couple of weeks of effort likely because you really do have to scratch that rust off of your Java knowledge first.