Sounds like it would be a cool project. I'll try to help, time and energy permitting.
I'd love to learn more about interface design.

Seriously though, considering how big of a chunk this is to chew through... why not develop a blender add on?  I don't mean, why not, as in you shoud... but what are the pros and cons of that direction? 

Hi, my namez: "NO, Bad Kitteh, NO!"  Whaz yurs?
BadKittehCo Store  BadKittehCo Freebies and product support