I have mastered creating custom data types and adding fields with CCK. Then I created and deployed a custom module with _form and _validate and _submit hooks.

I am not happy with the amount of massaging required with css and permissions to make the form usable, but this is not my question.

Now I would like to create a more sophisticated form with jquery to submit form and add content to page. I am at a bit of loss as how to get to this next level. I have been looking at tpl.php files, but this looks very rigid and more complicated as well. Can any provide a model or tutorial or point me in right direction.