diff --git a/Memory.xml b/Memory.xml
index 29efd1857..a9421e8f6 100644
--- a/Memory.xml
+++ b/Memory.xml
@@ -819,6 +819,8 @@
                 <Group name="block" description="The map block structure.">
                     <Offset name="vein_vector" description="Mineral veins, objects holding tile types under ice, etc..."/>
                     <Offset name="vegetation_vector" description="All the plants in this block, including farm plats."/>
+                    <Offset name="effect_vector" description="Effect objects present in the block."/>
+                    <Offset name="item_idx_vector" description="Indexes of item objects present in the block."/>
                     <Offset name="type" description="16x16 x 2B tile type values"/>
                     <Offset name="designation" description="16x16 * 4B designation fields"/>
                     <Offset name="occupancy" description="16x16 * 4B occupancy fields" />
@@ -2143,6 +2145,8 @@
             <Group name="Maps">
                 <Group name="block">
                     <Offset name="mystery_offset" value="0x2C" />
+                    <Offset name="item_idx_vector" value="0x3C" />
+                    <Offset name="effect_vector" value="0x4C" />
                     <Offset name="vegetation_vector" value="0x64" />
                     <Offset name="type" value="0x7e" />
                     <Offset name="designation" value="0x280" />
diff --git a/library/include/dfhack/modules/Items.h b/library/include/dfhack/modules/Items.h
index a69f657e1..bc520f87e 100644
--- a/library/include/dfhack/modules/Items.h
+++ b/library/include/dfhack/modules/Items.h
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ public:
     std::string getItemDescription(const dfh_item & item, Materials * Materials);
     /// get a short name for an item
     std::string getItemClass(int32_t index);
+    std::string getItemClass(const dfh_item & item);
     /// read an item, including the extra attributes
     bool readItem(uint32_t itemptr, dfh_item & item);
     /// write item base (position and flags only = t_item part of dfh_item)
diff --git a/library/modules/Items.cpp b/library/modules/Items.cpp
index fdf57105c..b17c52e38 100644
--- a/library/modules/Items.cpp
+++ b/library/modules/Items.cpp
@@ -525,6 +525,11 @@ int32_t Items::getItemOwnerID(const DFHack::dfh_item &item)
     return -1;
 }
 
+std::string Items::getItemClass(const dfh_item & item)
+{
+    return getItemClass(item.matdesc.itemType);
+}
+
 std::string Items::getItemClass(int32_t index)
 {
     std::map<int32_t, ItemDesc *>::iterator it;
diff --git a/tools/playground/CMakeLists.txt b/tools/playground/CMakeLists.txt
index 14db195b8..7b15e6d39 100644
--- a/tools/playground/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tools/playground/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@ DFHACK_TOOL(dfdigger2 digger2.cpp)
 # itemdesignator - change some item designations (dump, forbid, on-fire) for all
 #                  items of a given type and material
 # Author: belal
-# FIXME: turned off. there is no reliable Items module.
-#DFHACK_TOOL(dfitemdesignator itemdesignator.cpp)
+DFHACK_TOOL(dfitemdesignator itemdesignator.cpp)
 
 # catsplosion - Accelerates pregnancy
 # Author: Zhentar
diff --git a/tools/playground/itemdesignator.cpp b/tools/playground/itemdesignator.cpp
index 35e1cfdf6..a1211c013 100644
--- a/tools/playground/itemdesignator.cpp
+++ b/tools/playground/itemdesignator.cpp
@@ -1,202 +1,38 @@
-// Item dump
+// Item designator
 
 #include <iostream>
 #include <iomanip>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <climits>
-#include <integers.h>
 #include <vector>
 using namespace std;
 
-#include <DFTypes.h>
-#include <DFHackAPI.h>
-#include <DFMemInfo.h>
+#include <DFHack.h>
+#include <dfhack/DFVector.h>
+using namespace DFHack;
 
-struct matGlosses 
-{
-    vector<DFHack::t_matgloss> plantMat;
-    vector<DFHack::t_matgloss> woodMat;
-    vector<DFHack::t_matgloss> stoneMat;
-    vector<DFHack::t_matgloss> metalMat;
-    vector<DFHack::t_matgloss> creatureMat;
-};
-
-string getMaterialType(DFHack::t_item item, const string & itemtype,const matGlosses & mat)
-{
-    // plant thread seeds
-    if(itemtype == "item_plant" || itemtype == "item_thread" || itemtype == "item_seeds" || itemtype == "item_leaves" )
-    {
-        if(item.material.type >= 0 && item.material.type < mat.plantMat.size())
-        {
-            return mat.plantMat[item.material.type].id;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            return "some invalid plant material";
-        }
-    }
-    else if (itemtype == "item_drink") // drinks must have different offset for materials
-    {
-        return "Booze or something";
-    }
-    // item_skin_raw item_bones item_skull item_fish_raw item_pet item_skin_tanned item_shell
-    else if(itemtype == "item_skin_raw" ||
-            itemtype == "item_skin_tanned" ||
-            itemtype == "item_fish_raw" ||
-            itemtype == "item_pet" ||
-            itemtype == "item_shell" ||
-            itemtype == "item_horn"||
-            itemtype == "item_skull" ||
-            itemtype == "item_bones" ||
-            itemtype == "item_corpse" ||
-            itemtype == "item_meat"
-            )
-    {
-        if(item.material.type >= 0 && item.material.type < mat.creatureMat.size())
-            return mat.creatureMat[item.material.type].id;
-        return "bad material";
-    }
-    else if(itemtype == "item_wood")
-    {
-        if(item.material.type >= 0 && item.material.type < mat.woodMat.size())
-            return mat.woodMat[item.material.type].id;
-        return "bad material";
-    }
-    else if(itemtype == "item_bar")
-    {
-        if(item.material.type >= 0 && item.material.type < mat.metalMat.size())
-            return mat.metalMat[item.material.type].id;
-        return "bad material";
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        /*
-    Mat_Wood,
-    Mat_Stone,
-    Mat_Metal,
-    Mat_Plant,
-    Mat_Leather = 10,
-    Mat_SilkCloth = 11,
-    Mat_PlantCloth = 12,
-    Mat_GreenGlass = 13,
-    Mat_ClearGlass = 14,
-    Mat_CrystalGlass = 15,
-    Mat_Ice = 17,
-    Mat_Charcoal =18,
-    Mat_Potash = 19,
-    Mat_Ashes = 20,
-    Mat_PearlAsh = 21,
-    Mat_Soap = 24,
-    */
-        switch (item.material.type)
-        {
-        case DFHack::Mat_Wood:
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.woodMat.size())
-                return mat.woodMat[item.material.index].id;
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Stone:
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.stoneMat.size())
-                return mat.stoneMat[item.material.index].id;
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Metal:
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.metalMat.size())
-                return mat.metalMat[item.material.index].id;
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        //case DFHack::Mat_Plant:
-        case DFHack::Mat_PlantCloth:
-            //return mat.plantMat[item.material.index].id;
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.plantMat.size())
-                return string(mat.plantMat[item.material.index].id) + " plant";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case 3: // bone
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " bone";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case 25: // fat
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " fat";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case 23: // tallow
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " tallow";
-            return "bad material";
-        case 9: // shell
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " shell";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Leather: // really a generic creature material. meat for item_food, leather for item_box...
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id);
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_SilkCloth:
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " silk";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Soap:
-            if(item.material.index >= 0 && item.material.index < mat.creatureMat.size())
-                return string(mat.creatureMat[item.material.index].id) + " soap";
-            return "bad material";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_GreenGlass:
-            return "Green Glass";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_ClearGlass:
-            return "Clear Glass";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_CrystalGlass:
-            return "Crystal Glass";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Ice:
-            return "Ice";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_Charcoal:
-            return "Charcoal";
-            
-        /*case DFHack::Mat_Potash:
-            return "Potash";*/
-        
-        case DFHack::Mat_Ashes:
-            return "Ashes";
-            
-        case DFHack::Mat_PearlAsh:
-            return "Pearlash";
-            
-        default:
-            cout << "unknown material hit: " << item.material.type << " " << item.material.index  << " " << itemtype << endl;
-            return "Invalid";
-        }
-    }   
-    return "Invalid";
-}
-void printItem(DFHack::t_item item, const string & typeString,const matGlosses & mat)
-{
-    cout << dec << "Item at x:" << item.x << " y:" << item.y << " z:" << item.z << endl;
-    cout << "Type: " << (int) item.type << " " << typeString << " Address: " << hex << item.origin << endl;
-    cout << "Material: ";
-
-    string itemType = getMaterialType(item,typeString,mat);
-    cout << itemType << endl;
-}
 int main ()
 {
 
-    DFHack::ContextManager DF ("Memory.xml");
+    DFHack::ContextManager CM ("Memory.xml");
+    DFHack::Context * DF;
+    DFHack::VersionInfo *mem;
+    DFHack::Gui * Gui;
+    DFHack::Materials * Mats;
+    DFHack::Items * Items;
     cout << "This utility lets you mass-designate items by type and material." << endl
          << "Like set on fire all MICROCLINE item_stone..." << endl
          << "Some unusual combinations might be untested and cause the program to crash..."<< endl
          << "so, watch your step and backup your fort" << endl;
     try
     {
-        DF.Attach();
+        DF = CM.getSingleContext();
+        DF->Attach();
+        mem = DF->getMemoryInfo();
+        Gui = DF->getGui();
+        Mats = DF->getMaterials();
+        Mats->ReadAllMaterials();
+        Items = DF->getItems();
     }
     catch (exception& e)
     {
@@ -206,64 +42,27 @@ int main ()
         #endif
         return 1;
     }
-    DFHack::memory_info *mem = DF.getMemoryInfo();
-    DF.Suspend();
-    DF.InitViewAndCursor();
-    matGlosses mat;
-    DF.ReadPlantMatgloss(mat.plantMat);
-    DF.ReadWoodMatgloss(mat.woodMat);
-    DF.ReadStoneMatgloss(mat.stoneMat);
-    DF.ReadMetalMatgloss(mat.metalMat);
-    DF.ReadCreatureMatgloss(mat.creatureMat);
+    DFHack::Process * p = DF->getProcess();
+    DFHack::OffsetGroup* itemGroup = mem->getGroup("Items");
+    unsigned vector_addr = itemGroup->getAddress("items_vector");
+    DFHack::DfVector <uint32_t> p_items (p, vector_addr);
+    uint32_t numItems = p_items.size();
 
-//    vector <string> objecttypes;
-//    DF.getClassIDMapping(objecttypes);
-    uint32_t numItems;
-    DF.InitReadItems(numItems);
-    map< string, map<string,vector<uint32_t> > > count;
+    map< string, map<string,vector< dfh_item > > > itemmap;
+    map< string, map< string, vector< dfh_item > > >::iterator it1;
     int failedItems = 0;
     map <string, int > bad_mat_items;
     for(uint32_t i=0; i< numItems; i++)
     {
-        DFHack::t_item temp;
-        DF.ReadItem(i,temp);
-        if(temp.type != -1) // this should be the case pretty much always
-        {
-            string typestr;
-            mem->resolveClassIDToClassname(temp.type,typestr);
-            string material = getMaterialType(temp,typestr,mat);
-            if (material != "Invalid")
-            {
-                count[typestr][material].push_back(i);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                if(bad_mat_items.count(typestr))
-                {
-                    int tmp = bad_mat_items[typestr];
-                    tmp ++;
-                    bad_mat_items[typestr] = tmp;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    bad_mat_items[typestr] = 1;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    
-    map< string, int >::iterator it_bad;
-    if(! bad_mat_items.empty())
-    {
-        cout << "Items with badly assigned materials:" << endl;
-        for(it_bad = bad_mat_items.begin(); it_bad!=bad_mat_items.end();it_bad++)
-        {
-            cout << it_bad->first << " : " << it_bad->second << endl;
-        }
+        DFHack::dfh_item temp;
+        Items->readItem(p_items[i],temp);
+        string typestr = Items->getItemClass(temp);
+        string material = Mats->getDescription(temp.matdesc);
+        itemmap[typestr][material].push_back(temp);
     }
-    map< string, map<string,vector<uint32_t> > >::iterator it1;
+
     int i =0;
-    for(it1 = count.begin(); it1!=count.end();it1++)
+    for( it1  = itemmap.begin(); it1!=itemmap.end();it1++)
     {
         cout << i << ": " << it1->first << "\n";
         i++;
@@ -271,8 +70,7 @@ int main ()
     if(i == 0)
     {
         cout << "No items found" << endl;
-        DF.FinishReadBuildings();
-        DF.Detach();
+        DF->Detach();
         return 0;
     }
     cout << endl << "Select an item type from the list:";
@@ -283,14 +81,14 @@ int main ()
     ss.str(in);
     ss >> number;
     int j = 0;
-    it1 = count.begin();
-    while(j < number && it1!=count.end())
+    it1 = itemmap.begin();
+    while(j < number && it1!=itemmap.end())
     {
         it1++;
         j++;
     }
     cout << it1->first << "\n";
-    map<string,vector<uint32_t> >::iterator it2;
+    map<string,vector<dfh_item> >::iterator it2;
     i=0;
     for(it2 = it1->second.begin();it2!=it1->second.end();it2++){
           cout << i << ":\t" << it2->first << " [" << it2->second.size() << "]" << endl;
@@ -302,7 +100,7 @@ int main ()
     getline(cin, in);
     ss.str(in);
     ss >> number2;
-    
+
     decideAgain:
     cout << "Select a designation - (d)ump, (f)orbid, (m)melt, set on fi(r)e :" << flush;
     string designationType;
@@ -310,19 +108,19 @@ int main ()
     DFHack::t_itemflags changeFlag = {0};
     if(designationType == "d" || designationType == "dump")
     {
-        changeFlag.bits.dump = 1;
+        changeFlag.dump = 1;
     }
     else if(designationType == "f" || designationType == "forbid")
     {
-        changeFlag.bits.forbid = 1;
+        changeFlag.forbid = 1;
     }
     else if(designationType == "m" || designationType == "melt")
     {
-        changeFlag.bits.melt = 1;
+        changeFlag.melt = 1;
     }
     else if(designationType == "r" || designationType == "fire")
     {
-        changeFlag.bits.on_fire = 1;
+        changeFlag.on_fire = 1;
     }
     else
     {
@@ -337,14 +135,11 @@ int main ()
     }
     for(uint32_t k = 0;k< it2->second.size();k++)
     {
-        DFHack::t_item temp;
-        DF.ReadItem(it2->second[k],temp);
-        temp.flags.whole |= changeFlag.whole;
-        DF.WriteRaw(temp.origin+12,sizeof(uint32_t),(uint8_t *)&temp.flags.whole);
+        DFHack::dfh_item & t = it2->second[k];
+        t.base.flags.whole |= changeFlag.whole;
+        Items->writeItem(t);
     }
-
-    DF.FinishReadItems();
-    DF.Detach();
+    DF->Detach();
 #ifndef LINUX_BUILD
     cout << "Done. Press any key to continue" << endl;
     cin.ignore();