Right, with FS9 your search to find a 'graphical panel editor' as freeware may be limited. I do not know of any.
With versions up to 2002 there was the excellent freeware 'CFGEdit', this has now been turned into a commercial program for FS9, 'Panel Studio' here:
www.fspanelstudio.com/It is a very good program, and if you are serious about good panel design, it is a must and very simple to use.
You may have to bite the bullet and cough up $29 I think.
Ivor