I've build a ton of the required dependencies for Blender. Im almost successful. I am stuck now at what I though wouldn't even be a problem, and that is python. Python.h cannot be found. I can't install python-dev as I get this error with apt:

python2.5-dev: Depends: python2.5 (= 2.5.2-11.1maemo3+0m5) but 2.5.4-1maemo5 is to be installed

I decided to build python2.5 from source using apt-get source python2.5-dev. Took a while, but I build it and installed it. Headers are still not available.

Im still new with the scratchbox environment, what am I missing?

wow! i would be very interested in that. as i use blender for 3D-pictures, presentations and video-editing.

unfortunately can't help.

i had the 3D-modeller/raytracer "arts of illusion" running in easy-debian. running under java 6 this was (as expected) very slow.

Just some thoughts. Which repos are enabled? Maybe the older version is in a different one.

You could change the control dependencies in apt to accept the newer version that's available or use -f.

I had thought there was some compatibility problem between scratchbox and python 2.5, though.

Thanks Flandry, you gave me a good brain jog there. I don't know why I was even trying to build it using the X86 target. I switched to Armel and set my repositories properly. After doing updates, the python-dev package installed fine. It took a bit of effort, but I was able to rebuild mesa under arm as well. Ill register the project as soon as I have a prelim build for those interested. FYI, its from the SVN, so I believe it is 2.5.

Cool! I'd love to test it for you.

still having the missing Python.h issue, though its sitting in /usr/include/python2.5/Python.h
jeez what a pain.

Have you tried:
export PYTHON=python-2.5
or something... before building in scratchbox?
Some packages need that (mypaint f.i)
If I had a n900 I'd try to build Blender too...
Good luck!

made lots of progress, I want to move all of these leaf threads into one:
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=32775