Merged gsoc work. Created better data structure for selections, replaced SPObject children list, improved spray tool, split tests to separate executables

(bzr r15047)

39 files changed, 405 insertions, 403 deletions

diff --git a/src/ui/clipboard.cpp b/src/ui/clipboard.cpp
index 14e9fdf32..66b13ed9d 100644
--- a/src/ui/clipboard.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/clipboard.cpp
@@ -510,8 +510,8 @@ bool ClipboardManagerImpl::pasteSize(SPDesktop *desktop, bool separately, bool a
 
         // resize each object in the selection
         if (separately) {
-            std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=selection->itemList();
-            for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
+            auto itemlist= selection->items();
+            for(auto i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
                 SPItem *item = *i;
                 if (item) {
                     Geom::OptRect obj_size = item->desktopVisualBounds();
@@ -527,8 +527,8 @@ bool ClipboardManagerImpl::pasteSize(SPDesktop *desktop, bool separately, bool a
         else {
             Geom::OptRect sel_size = selection->visualBounds();
             if ( sel_size ) {
-                sp_selection_scale_relative(selection, sel_size->midpoint(),
-                                            _getScale(desktop, min, max, *sel_size, apply_x, apply_y));
+                sp_object_set_scale_relative(selection, sel_size->midpoint(),
+                                             _getScale(desktop, min, max, *sel_size, apply_x, apply_y));
             }
         }
         pasted = true;
@@ -566,8 +566,8 @@ bool ClipboardManagerImpl::pastePathEffect(SPDesktop *desktop)
                 desktop->doc()->importDefs(tempdoc);
                 // make sure all selected items are converted to paths first (i.e. rectangles)
                 sp_selected_to_lpeitems(desktop);
-                std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=selection->itemList();
-                for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
+                auto itemlist= selection->items();
+                for(auto i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
                     SPItem *item = *i;
                     _applyPathEffect(item, effectstack);
                 }
@@ -649,9 +649,9 @@ Glib::ustring ClipboardManagerImpl::getShapeOrTextObjectId(SPDesktop *desktop)
 void ClipboardManagerImpl::_copySelection(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
 {
     // copy the defs used by all items
-    std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=selection->itemList();
+    auto itemlist= selection->items();
     cloned_elements.clear();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
+    for(auto i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
         SPItem *item = *i;
         if (item) {
             _copyUsedDefs(item);
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ void ClipboardManagerImpl::_copySelection(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
 
     // copy the representation of the items
     std::vector<SPObject*> sorted_items;
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i)
+    for(auto i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i)
         sorted_items.push_back(*i);
     sort(sorted_items.begin(),sorted_items.end(),sp_object_compare_position_bool);
 
@@ -827,8 +827,8 @@ void ClipboardManagerImpl::_copyUsedDefs(SPItem *item)
             SPObject *mask = item->mask_ref->getObject();
             _copyNode(mask->getRepr(), _doc, _defs);
             // recurse into the mask for its gradients etc.
-            for (SPObject *o = mask->children ; o != NULL ; o = o->next) {
-                SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(o);
+            for(auto& o: mask->children) {
+                SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&o);
                 if (childItem) {
                     _copyUsedDefs(childItem);
                 }
@@ -845,8 +845,8 @@ void ClipboardManagerImpl::_copyUsedDefs(SPItem *item)
     }
 
     // recurse
-    for (SPObject *o = item->children ; o != NULL ; o = o->next) {
-        SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(o);
+    for(auto& o: item->children) {
+        SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&o);
         if (childItem) {
             _copyUsedDefs(childItem);
         }
@@ -882,8 +882,8 @@ void ClipboardManagerImpl::_copyPattern(SPPattern *pattern)
         _copyNode(pattern->getRepr(), _doc, _defs);
 
         // items in the pattern may also use gradients and other patterns, so recurse
-        for ( SPObject *child = pattern->firstChild() ; child ; child = child->getNext() ) {
-            SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(child);
+        for (auto& child: pattern->children) {
+            SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&child);
             if (childItem) {
                 _copyUsedDefs(childItem);
             }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/align-and-distribute.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/align-and-distribute.cpp
index 6006093ed..ed9ec3b0a 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/align-and-distribute.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/align-and-distribute.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ void ActionAlign::do_action(SPDesktop *desktop, int index)
     Inkscape::Preferences *prefs = Inkscape::Preferences::get();
     bool sel_as_group = prefs->getBool("/dialogs/align/sel-as-groups");
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+    std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
     if (selected.empty()) return;
 
     const Coeffs &a = _allCoeffs[index];
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ private :
         Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
         if (!selection) return;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
         if (selected.empty()) return;
 
         //Check 2 or more selected objects
@@ -477,7 +477,9 @@ private :
         // xGap and yGap are the minimum space required between bounding rectangles.
         double const xGap = removeOverlapXGap.get_value();
         double const yGap = removeOverlapYGap.get_value();
-        removeoverlap(_dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->itemList(), xGap, yGap);
+        auto tmp = _dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->items();
+        std::vector<SPItem *> vec(tmp.begin(), tmp.end());
+        removeoverlap(vec, xGap, yGap);
 
         // restore compensation setting
         prefs->setInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", saved_compensation);
@@ -508,8 +510,9 @@ private :
         int saved_compensation = prefs->getInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", SP_CLONE_COMPENSATION_UNMOVED);
         prefs->setInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", SP_CLONE_COMPENSATION_UNMOVED);
 
-        graphlayout(_dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->itemList());
-
+        auto tmp = _dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->items();
+        std::vector<SPItem *> vec(tmp.begin(), tmp.end());
+        graphlayout(vec);
         // restore compensation setting
         prefs->setInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", saved_compensation);
 
@@ -568,7 +571,7 @@ private :
         Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
         if (!selection) return;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
         if (selected.empty()) return;
 
         //Check 2 or more selected objects
@@ -634,7 +637,8 @@ private :
         Inkscape::Preferences *prefs = Inkscape::Preferences::get();
         int saved_compensation = prefs->getInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", SP_CLONE_COMPENSATION_UNMOVED);
         prefs->setInt("/options/clonecompensation/value", SP_CLONE_COMPENSATION_UNMOVED);
-        std::vector<SPItem*> x(_dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->itemList());
+        auto tmp = _dialog.getDesktop()->getSelection()->items();
+        std::vector<SPItem*> x(tmp.begin(), tmp.end());
         unclump (x);
 
         // restore compensation setting
@@ -665,7 +669,7 @@ private :
         Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
         if (!selection) return;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
         if (selected.empty()) return;
 
         //Check 2 or more selected objects
@@ -759,7 +763,7 @@ private :
         Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
         if (!selection) return;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
 
         //Check 2 or more selected objects
         if (selected.size() < 2) return;
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/clonetiler.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/clonetiler.cpp
index 97767e604..1fa7a6c71 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/clonetiler.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/clonetiler.cpp
@@ -1256,7 +1256,7 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_change_selection(Inkscape::Selection *selection, Gtk
         return;
     }
 
-    if (selection->itemList().size() > 1) {
+    if (boost::distance(selection->items()) > 1) {
         gtk_widget_set_sensitive (buttons, FALSE);
         gtk_label_set_markup (GTK_LABEL(status), _("<small>More than one object selected.</small>"));
         return;
@@ -1922,12 +1922,12 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_trace_hide_tiled_clones_recursively(SPObject *from)
     if (!trace_drawing)
         return;
 
-    for (SPObject *o = from->firstChild(); o != NULL; o = o->next) {
-        SPItem *item = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(o);
-        if (item && clonetiler_is_a_clone_of(o, NULL)) {
+    for (auto& o: from->children) {
+        SPItem *item = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&o);
+        if (item && clonetiler_is_a_clone_of(&o, NULL)) {
             item->invoke_hide(trace_visionkey); // FIXME: hide each tiled clone's original too!
         }
-        clonetiler_trace_hide_tiled_clones_recursively (o);
+        clonetiler_trace_hide_tiled_clones_recursively (&o);
     }
 }
 
@@ -1993,7 +1993,7 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_unclump(GtkWidget */*widget*/, void *)
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
 
     // check if something is selected
-    if (selection->isEmpty() || selection->itemList().size() > 1) {
+    if (selection->isEmpty() || boost::distance(selection->items()) > 1) {
         desktop->getMessageStack()->flash(Inkscape::WARNING_MESSAGE, _("Select <b>one object</b> whose tiled clones to unclump."));
         return;
     }
@@ -2003,9 +2003,9 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_unclump(GtkWidget */*widget*/, void *)
 
     std::vector<SPItem*> to_unclump; // not including the original
 
-    for (SPObject *child = parent->firstChild(); child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (child, obj)) {
-            to_unclump.push_back((SPItem*)child);
+    for (auto& child: parent->children) {
+        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (&child, obj)) {
+            to_unclump.push_back((SPItem*)&child);
         }
     }
 
@@ -2023,8 +2023,8 @@ guint CloneTiler::clonetiler_number_of_clones(SPObject *obj)
 
     guint n = 0;
 
-    for (SPObject *child = parent->firstChild(); child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (child, obj)) {
+    for (auto& child: parent->children) {
+        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (&child, obj)) {
             n ++;
         }
     }
@@ -2042,7 +2042,7 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_remove(GtkWidget */*widget*/, GtkWidget *dlg, bool d
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
 
     // check if something is selected
-    if (selection->isEmpty() || selection->itemList().size() > 1) {
+    if (selection->isEmpty() || boost::distance(selection->items()) > 1) {
         desktop->getMessageStack()->flash(Inkscape::WARNING_MESSAGE, _("Select <b>one object</b> whose tiled clones to remove."));
         return;
     }
@@ -2052,9 +2052,9 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_remove(GtkWidget */*widget*/, GtkWidget *dlg, bool d
 
 // remove old tiling
     GSList *to_delete = NULL;
-    for (SPObject *child = parent->firstChild(); child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (child, obj)) {
-            to_delete = g_slist_prepend (to_delete, child);
+    for (auto& child: parent->children) {
+        if (clonetiler_is_a_clone_of (&child, obj)) {
+            to_delete = g_slist_prepend (to_delete, &child);
         }
     }
     for (GSList *i = to_delete; i; i = i->next) {
@@ -2120,7 +2120,7 @@ void CloneTiler::clonetiler_apply(GtkWidget */*widget*/, GtkWidget *dlg)
     }
 
     // Check if more than one object is selected.
-    if (selection->itemList().size() > 1) {
+    if (boost::distance(selection->items()) > 1) {
         desktop->getMessageStack()->flash(Inkscape::ERROR_MESSAGE, _("If you want to clone several objects, <b>group</b> them and <b>clone the group</b>."));
         return;
     }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/document-properties.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/document-properties.cpp
index 88fefe4f2..053549b73 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/document-properties.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/document-properties.cpp
@@ -1176,12 +1176,7 @@ void DocumentProperties::changeEmbeddedScript(){
     for (std::vector<SPObject *>::const_iterator it = current.begin(); it != current.end(); ++it) {
         SPObject* obj = *it;
         if (id == obj->getId()){
-
-            int count=0;
-            for ( SPObject *child = obj->children ; child; child = child->next )
-            {
-                count++;
-            }
+            int count = (int) obj->children.size();
 
             if (count>1)
                 g_warning("TODO: Found a script element with multiple (%d) child nodes! We must implement support for that!", count);
@@ -1225,8 +1220,11 @@ void DocumentProperties::editEmbeddedScript(){
             //XML Tree being used directly here while it shouldn't be.
             Inkscape::XML::Node *repr = obj->getRepr();
             if (repr){
-                SPObject *child;
-                while (NULL != (child = obj->firstChild())) child->deleteObject();
+                auto tmp = obj->children | boost::adaptors::transformed([](SPObject& o) { return &o; });
+                std::vector<SPObject*> vec(tmp.begin(), tmp.end());
+                for (auto &child: vec) {
+                    child->deleteObject();
+                }
                 obj->appendChildRepr(xml_doc->createTextNode(_EmbeddedContent.get_buffer()->get_text().c_str()));
 
                 //TODO repr->set_content(_EmbeddedContent.get_buffer()->get_text());
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/export.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/export.cpp
index effbfc74d..670e4c8b5 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/export.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/export.cpp
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ void Export::onBatchClicked ()
 
 void Export::updateCheckbuttons ()
 {
-    gint num = SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->itemList().size();
+    gint num = (gint) boost::distance(SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->items());
     if (num >= 2) {
         batch_export.set_sensitive(true);
         batch_export.set_label(g_strdup_printf (ngettext("B_atch export %d selected object","B_atch export %d selected objects",num), num));
@@ -749,14 +749,14 @@ void Export::onAreaToggled ()
         case SELECTION_SELECTION:
             if ((SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection())->isEmpty() == false) {
 
-                sp_selection_get_export_hints (SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection(), filename, &xdpi, &ydpi);
+                sp_object_set_get_export_hints(SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection(), filename, &xdpi, &ydpi);
 
                 /* If we still don't have a filename -- let's build
                    one that's nice */
                 if (filename.empty()) {
                     const gchar * id = "object";
-                    const std::vector<XML::Node*> reprlst = SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->reprList();
-                    for(std::vector<XML::Node*>::const_iterator i=reprlst.begin(); reprlst.end() != i; ++i) {
+                    auto reprlst = SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->xmlNodes();
+                    for(auto i=reprlst.begin(); reprlst.end() != i; ++i) {
                         Inkscape::XML::Node * repr = *i;
                         if (repr->attribute("id")) {
                             id = repr->attribute("id");
@@ -946,7 +946,7 @@ void Export::onExport ()
     if (batch_export.get_active ()) {
         // Batch export of selected objects
 
-        gint num = (desktop->getSelection()->itemList()).size();
+        gint num = (gint) boost::distance(desktop->getSelection()->items());
         gint n = 0;
 
         if (num < 1) {
@@ -960,8 +960,8 @@ void Export::onExport ()
 
         gint export_count = 0;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=desktop->getSelection()->itemList();
-        for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i = itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end() && !interrupted ;++i){
+        auto itemlist= desktop->getSelection()->items();
+        for(auto i = itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end() && !interrupted ;++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
 
             prog_dlg->set_data("current", GINT_TO_POINTER(n));
@@ -1001,12 +1001,13 @@ void Export::onExport ()
                     MessageCleaner msgFlashCleanup(desktop->messageStack()->flashF(Inkscape::IMMEDIATE_MESSAGE,
                                                    _("Exporting file <b>%s</b>..."), safeFile), desktop);
                     std::vector<SPItem*> x;
+                    std::vector<SPItem*> selected(desktop->getSelection()->items().begin(), desktop->getSelection()->items().end());
                     if (!sp_export_png_file (doc, path.c_str(),
                                              *area, width, height, dpi, dpi,
                                              nv->pagecolor,
                                              onProgressCallback, (void*)prog_dlg,
                                              TRUE,  // overwrite without asking
-                                             hide ? (desktop->getSelection()->itemList()) : x
+                                             hide ? selected : x
                                             )) {
                         gchar * error = g_strdup_printf(_("Could not export to filename %s.\n"), safeFile);
 
@@ -1091,12 +1092,13 @@ void Export::onExport ()
 
         /* Do export */
         std::vector<SPItem*> x;
+        std::vector<SPItem*> selected(desktop->getSelection()->items().begin(), desktop->getSelection()->items().end());
         ExportResult status = sp_export_png_file(desktop->getDocument(), path.c_str(),
                               Geom::Rect(Geom::Point(x0, y0), Geom::Point(x1, y1)), width, height, xdpi, ydpi,
                               nv->pagecolor,
                               onProgressCallback, (void*)prog_dlg,
                               FALSE,
-                              hide ? (desktop->getSelection()->itemList()) : x
+                              hide ? selected : x
                                                 );
         if (status == EXPORT_ERROR) {
             gchar * safeFile = Inkscape::IO::sanitizeString(path.c_str());
@@ -1162,15 +1164,14 @@ void Export::onExport ()
             break;
         }
         case SELECTION_SELECTION: {
-        	std::vector<XML::Node*> reprlst;
             SPDocument * doc = SP_ACTIVE_DOCUMENT;
             bool modified = false;
 
             bool saved = DocumentUndo::getUndoSensitive(doc);
             DocumentUndo::setUndoSensitive(doc, false);
-            reprlst = desktop->getSelection()->reprList();
+            auto reprlst = desktop->getSelection()->xmlNodes();
 
-            for(std::vector<Inkscape::XML::Node*>::const_iterator i=reprlst.begin(); reprlst.end() != i; ++i) {
+            for(auto i=reprlst.begin(); reprlst.end() != i; ++i) {
                 Inkscape::XML::Node * repr = *i;
                 const gchar * temp_string;
                 Glib::ustring dir = Glib::path_get_dirname(filename.c_str());
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/filter-effects-dialog.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/filter-effects-dialog.cpp
index 97fa47f2f..8dbc90cc5 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/filter-effects-dialog.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/filter-effects-dialog.cpp
@@ -84,9 +84,7 @@ static int input_count(const SPFilterPrimitive* prim)
         return 2;
     else if(SP_IS_FEMERGE(prim)) {
         // Return the number of feMergeNode connections plus an extra
-        int count = 1;
-        for(const SPObject* o = prim->firstChild(); o; o = o->next, ++count){};
-        return count;
+        return (int) (prim->children.size() + 1);
     }
     else
         return 1;
@@ -655,7 +653,7 @@ private:
     void select_svg_element(){
         Inkscape::Selection* sel = _desktop->getSelection();
         if (sel->isEmpty()) return;
-        Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->reprList()[0];
+        Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->xmlNodes().front();
         if (!node || !node->matchAttributeName("id")) return;
 
         std::ostringstream xlikhref;
@@ -1024,11 +1022,10 @@ public:
     // FuncNode can be in any order so we must search to find correct one.
     SPFeFuncNode* find_node(SPFeComponentTransfer* ct)
     {
-        SPObject* node = ct->children;
         SPFeFuncNode* funcNode = NULL;
         bool found = false;
-        for(;node;node=node->next){
-            funcNode = SP_FEFUNCNODE(node);
+        for(auto& node: ct->children) {
+            funcNode = SP_FEFUNCNODE(&node);
             if( funcNode->channel == _channel ) {
                 found = true;
                 break;
@@ -1192,7 +1189,7 @@ protected:
 
         _locked = true;
 
-        SPObject* child = o->children;
+        SPObject* child = o->firstChild();
 
         if(SP_IS_FEDISTANTLIGHT(child))
             _light_source.set_active(0);
@@ -1217,7 +1214,7 @@ private:
         if(prim) {
             _locked = true;
 
-            SPObject* child = prim->children;
+            SPObject* child = prim->firstChild();
             const int ls = _light_source.get_active_row_number();
             // Check if the light source type has changed
             if(!(ls == -1 && !child) &&
@@ -1251,8 +1248,8 @@ private:
         _light_box.show_all();
 
         SPFilterPrimitive* prim = _dialog._primitive_list.get_selected();
-        if(prim && prim->children)
-            _settings.show_and_update(_light_source.get_active_data()->id, prim->children);
+        if(prim && prim->firstChild())
+            _settings.show_and_update(_light_source.get_active_data()->id, prim->firstChild());
     }
 
     FilterEffectsDialog& _dialog;
@@ -1438,8 +1435,8 @@ void FilterEffectsDialog::FilterModifier::update_selection(Selection *sel)
     }
 
     std::set<SPObject*> used;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=sel->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
+    auto itemlist= sel->items();
+    for(auto i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
         SPObject *obj = *i;
         SPStyle *style = obj->style;
         if (!style || !SP_IS_ITEM(obj)) {
@@ -1519,8 +1516,8 @@ void FilterEffectsDialog::FilterModifier::on_selection_toggled(const Glib::ustri
         if((*iter)[_columns.sel] == 1)
             filter = 0;
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=sel->itemList();
-        for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
+        auto itemlist= sel->items();
+        for(auto i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
             SPItem * item = *i;
             SPStyle *style = item->style;
             g_assert(style != NULL);
@@ -1808,26 +1805,25 @@ void FilterEffectsDialog::PrimitiveList::update()
         bool active_found = false;
         _dialog._primitive_box->set_sensitive(true);
         _dialog.update_filter_general_settings_view();
-        for(SPObject *prim_obj = f->children;
-                prim_obj && SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(prim_obj);
-                prim_obj = prim_obj->next) {
-            SPFilterPrimitive *prim = SP_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(prim_obj);
-            if(prim) {
-                Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *_model->append();
-                row[_columns.primitive] = prim;
-
-                //XML Tree being used directly here while it shouldn't be.
-                row[_columns.type_id] = FPConverter.get_id_from_key(prim->getRepr()->name());
-                row[_columns.type] = _(FPConverter.get_label(row[_columns.type_id]).c_str());
-                
-                if (prim->getId()) {
-                    row[_columns.id] =  Glib::ustring(prim->getId());
-                }
-                
-                if(prim == active_prim) {
-                    get_selection()->select(row);
-                    active_found = true;
-                }
+        for(auto& prim_obj: f->children) {
+            SPFilterPrimitive *prim = SP_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(&prim_obj);
+            if(!prim) {
+                break;
+            }
+            Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *_model->append();
+            row[_columns.primitive] = prim;
+
+            //XML Tree being used directly here while it shouldn't be.
+            row[_columns.type_id] = FPConverter.get_id_from_key(prim->getRepr()->name());
+            row[_columns.type] = _(FPConverter.get_label(row[_columns.type_id]).c_str());
+
+            if (prim->getId()) {
+                row[_columns.id] =  Glib::ustring(prim->getId());
+            }
+
+            if(prim == active_prim) {
+                get_selection()->select(row);
+                active_found = true;
             }
         }
 
@@ -2214,11 +2210,12 @@ const Gtk::TreeIter FilterEffectsDialog::PrimitiveList::find_result(const Gtk::T
     if(SP_IS_FEMERGE(prim)) {
         int c = 0;
         bool found = false;
-        for(const SPObject* o = prim->firstChild(); o; o = o->next, ++c) {
-            if(c == attr && SP_IS_FEMERGENODE(o)) {
-                image = SP_FEMERGENODE(o)->input;
+        for (auto& o: prim->children) {
+            if(c == attr && SP_IS_FEMERGENODE(&o)) {
+                image = SP_FEMERGENODE(&o)->input;
                 found = true;
             }
+            ++c;
         }
         if(!found)
             return target;
@@ -2405,21 +2402,23 @@ bool FilterEffectsDialog::PrimitiveList::on_button_release_event(GdkEventButton*
             if(SP_IS_FEMERGE(prim)) {
                 int c = 1;
                 bool handled = false;
-                for(SPObject* o = prim->firstChild(); o && !handled; o = o->next, ++c) {
-                    if(c == _in_drag && SP_IS_FEMERGENODE(o)) {
+                for (auto& o: prim->children) {
+                    if(c == _in_drag && SP_IS_FEMERGENODE(&o)) {
                         // If input is null, delete it
                         if(!in_val) {
 
                             //XML Tree being used directly here while it shouldn't be.
-                            sp_repr_unparent(o->getRepr());
+                            sp_repr_unparent(o.getRepr());
                             DocumentUndo::done(prim->document, SP_VERB_DIALOG_FILTER_EFFECTS,
                                                _("Remove merge node"));
                             (*get_selection()->get_selected())[_columns.primitive] = prim;
+                        } else {
+                            _dialog.set_attr(&o, SP_ATTR_IN, in_val);
                         }
-                        else
-                            _dialog.set_attr(o, SP_ATTR_IN, in_val);
                         handled = true;
+                        break;
                     }
+                    ++c;
                 }
                 // Add new input?
                 if(!handled && c == _in_drag && in_val) {
@@ -2938,7 +2937,7 @@ void FilterEffectsDialog::set_filternode_attr(const AttrWidget* input)
 
 void FilterEffectsDialog::set_child_attr_direct(const AttrWidget* input)
 {
-    set_attr(_primitive_list.get_selected()->children, input->get_attribute(), input->get_as_attribute().c_str());
+    set_attr(_primitive_list.get_selected()->firstChild(), input->get_attribute(), input->get_as_attribute().c_str());
 }
 
 void FilterEffectsDialog::set_attr(SPObject* o, const SPAttributeEnum attr, const gchar* val)
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/find.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/find.cpp
index 8b6067e82..b4f7902f5 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/find.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/find.cpp
@@ -740,22 +740,22 @@ std::vector<SPItem*> &Find::all_items (SPObject *r, std::vector<SPItem*> &l, boo
         return l; // we're not interested in metadata
     }
 
-    for (SPObject *child = r->firstChild(); child; child = child->getNext()) {
-        SPItem *item = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(child);
-        if (item && !child->cloned && !desktop->isLayer(item)) {
+    for (auto& child: r->children) {
+        SPItem *item = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&child);
+        if (item && !child.cloned && !desktop->isLayer(item)) {
             if ((hidden || !desktop->itemIsHidden(item)) && (locked || !item->isLocked())) {
-                l.insert(l.begin(),(SPItem*)child);
+                l.insert(l.begin(),(SPItem*)&child);
             }
         }
-        l = all_items (child, l, hidden, locked);
+        l = all_items (&child, l, hidden, locked);
     }
     return l;
 }
 
 std::vector<SPItem*> &Find::all_selection_items (Inkscape::Selection *s, std::vector<SPItem*> &l, SPObject *ancestor, bool hidden, bool locked)
 {
-	std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=s->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_reverse_iterator i=itemlist.rbegin(); itemlist.rend() != i; ++i) {
+	auto itemlist= s->items();
+    for(auto i=boost::rbegin(itemlist); boost::rend(itemlist) != i; ++i) {
         SPObject *obj = *i;
         SPItem *item = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(obj);
         g_assert(item != NULL);
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/font-substitution.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/font-substitution.cpp
index 76af412ca..abae8ea70 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/font-substitution.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/font-substitution.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ std::vector<SPItem*> FontSubstitution::getFontReplacedItems(SPDocument* doc, Gli
                  family = SP_TEXT(parent_text)->layout.getFontFamily(0);
                  // Add all the spans fonts to the set
                  gint ii = 0;
-                 for (SPObject *child = parent_text->firstChild() ; child ; child = child->getNext() ) {
+                 for (auto& child: parent_text->children) {
                      family = SP_TEXT(parent_text)->layout.getFontFamily(ii);
                      setFontSpans.insert(family);
                      ii++;
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/glyphs.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/glyphs.cpp
index 3b9a13bdb..9c1236ca9 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/glyphs.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/glyphs.cpp
@@ -516,8 +516,8 @@ void GlyphsPanel::setTargetDesktop(SPDesktop *desktop)
 void GlyphsPanel::insertText()
 {
     SPItem *textItem = 0;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=targetDesktop->selection->itemList();
-        for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
+    auto itemlist= targetDesktop->selection->items();
+        for(auto i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
             if (SP_IS_TEXT(*i) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(*i)) {
             textItem = *i;
             break;
@@ -617,8 +617,8 @@ void GlyphsPanel::selectionModifiedCB(guint flags)
 void GlyphsPanel::calcCanInsert()
 {
     int items = 0;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=targetDesktop->selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
+    auto itemlist= targetDesktop->selection->items();
+    for(auto i=itemlist.begin(); itemlist.end() != i; ++i) {
         if (SP_IS_TEXT(*i) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(*i)) {
             ++items;
         }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/grid-arrange-tab.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/grid-arrange-tab.cpp
index de84abd12..5872393ae 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/grid-arrange-tab.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/grid-arrange-tab.cpp
@@ -156,7 +156,11 @@ void GridArrangeTab::arrange()
     desktop->getDocument()->ensureUpToDate();
 
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
-    const std::vector<SPItem*> items = selection ? selection->itemList() : std::vector<SPItem*>();
+    std::vector<SPItem*> items;
+    if (selection) {
+        items.insert(items.end(), selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
+    }
+
     for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i = items.begin();i!=items.end(); ++i){
         SPItem *item = *i;
         Geom::OptRect b = item->documentVisualBounds();
@@ -185,7 +189,7 @@ void GridArrangeTab::arrange()
     // require the sorting done before we can calculate row heights etc.
 
     g_return_if_fail(selection);
-    std::vector<SPItem*> sorted(selection->itemList());
+    std::vector<SPItem*> sorted(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
     sort(sorted.begin(),sorted.end(),sp_compare_y_position);
     sort(sorted.begin(),sorted.end(),sp_compare_x_position);
 
@@ -361,8 +365,7 @@ void GridArrangeTab::on_row_spinbutton_changed()
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop ? desktop->selection : 0;
     g_return_if_fail( selection );
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> const items = selection->itemList();
-    int selcount = items.size();
+    int selcount = (int) boost::distance(selection->items());
 
     double PerCol = ceil(selcount / NoOfColsSpinner.get_value());
     NoOfRowsSpinner.set_value(PerCol);
@@ -387,7 +390,7 @@ void GridArrangeTab::on_col_spinbutton_changed()
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop ? desktop->selection : 0;
     g_return_if_fail(selection);
 
-    int selcount = selection->itemList().size();
+    int selcount = (int) boost::distance(selection->items());
 
     double PerRow = ceil(selcount / NoOfRowsSpinner.get_value());
     NoOfColsSpinner.set_value(PerRow);
@@ -524,7 +527,10 @@ void GridArrangeTab::updateSelection()
     updating = true;
     SPDesktop *desktop = Parent->getDesktop();
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop ? desktop->selection : 0;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> const items = selection ? selection->itemList() : std::vector<SPItem*>();
+    std::vector<SPItem*> items;
+    if (selection) {
+        items.insert(items.end(), selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
+    }
 
     if (!items.empty()) {
         int selcount = items.size();
@@ -591,7 +597,7 @@ GridArrangeTab::GridArrangeTab(ArrangeDialog *parent)
     g_return_if_fail( selection );
     int selcount = 1;
     if (!selection->isEmpty()) {
-        selcount = selection->itemList().size();
+        selcount = (int) boost::distance(selection->items());
     }
 
 
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/icon-preview.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/icon-preview.cpp
index 8dd0ae489..a4fcc9947 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/icon-preview.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/icon-preview.cpp
@@ -359,8 +359,8 @@ void IconPreviewPanel::refreshPreview()
                 if ( sel ) {
                     //g_message("found a selection to play with");
 
-                	std::vector<SPItem*> const items = sel->itemList();
-                    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();!target && i!=items.end();++i){
+                	auto items = sel->items();
+                    for(auto i=items.begin();!target && i!=items.end();++i){
                         SPItem* item = *i;
                         gchar const *id = item->getId();
                         if ( id ) {
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/objects.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/objects.cpp
index 471097797..09ffc9c4c 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/objects.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/objects.cpp
@@ -330,12 +330,11 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_objectsChanged(SPObject */*obj*/)
 void ObjectsPanel::_addObject(SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row* parentRow)
 {
     if ( _desktop && obj ) {
-        for ( SPObject *child = obj->children; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-
-            if (SP_IS_ITEM(child))
+        for(auto& child: obj->children) {
+            if (SP_IS_ITEM(&child))
             {
-                SPItem * item = SP_ITEM(child);
-                SPGroup * group = SP_IS_GROUP(child) ? SP_GROUP(child) : 0;
+                SPItem * item = SP_ITEM(&child);
+                SPGroup * group = SP_IS_GROUP(&child) ? SP_GROUP(&child) : 0;
                 
                 //Add the item to the tree and set the column information
                 Gtk::TreeModel::iterator iter = parentRow ? _store->prepend(parentRow->children()) : _store->prepend();
@@ -362,14 +361,14 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_addObject(SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row* parentRow)
                 }
 
                 //Add an object watcher to the item
-                ObjectsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new ObjectsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, child);
-                child->getRepr()->addObserver(*w);
+                ObjectsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new ObjectsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, &child);
+                child.getRepr()->addObserver(*w);
                 _objectWatchers.push_back(w);
                 
                 //If the item is a group, recursively add its children
                 if (group)
                 {
-                    _addObject( child, &row );
+                    _addObject( &child, &row );
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -389,9 +388,8 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_updateObject( SPObject *obj, bool recurse ) {
     //end mark
     if (recurse)
     {
-        for (SPObject * iter = obj->children; iter != NULL; iter = iter->next)
-        {
-            _updateObject(iter, recurse);
+        for (auto& iter: obj->children) {
+            _updateObject(&iter, recurse);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -468,8 +466,8 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_objectsSelected( Selection *sel ) {
     _selectedConnection.block();
     _tree.get_selection()->unselect_all();
     SPItem *item = NULL;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> const items = sel->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin(); i!=items.end(); ++i){
+    auto items = sel->items();
+    for(auto i=items.begin(); i!=items.end(); ++i){
         item = *i;
         if (setOpacity)
         {
@@ -506,19 +504,22 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_setCompositingValues(SPItem *item)
     SPGaussianBlur *spblur = NULL;
     if (item->style->getFilter())
     {
-        for(SPObject *primitive_obj = item->style->getFilter()->children; primitive_obj && SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(primitive_obj); primitive_obj = primitive_obj->next) {
-                if(SP_IS_FEBLEND(primitive_obj) && !spblend) {
-                    //Get the blend mode
-                    spblend = SP_FEBLEND(primitive_obj);
-                }
-                
-                if(SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(primitive_obj) && !spblur) {
-                    //Get the blur value
-                    spblur = SP_GAUSSIANBLUR(primitive_obj);
-                }
+        for (auto& primitive_obj: item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+            if (!SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(&primitive_obj)) {
+                break;
             }
+            if(SP_IS_FEBLEND(&primitive_obj) && !spblend) {
+                //Get the blend mode
+                spblend = SP_FEBLEND(&primitive_obj);
+            }
+
+            if(SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(&primitive_obj) && !spblur) {
+                //Get the blur value
+                spblur = SP_GAUSSIANBLUR(&primitive_obj);
+            }
+        }
     }
-    
+
     //Set the blend mode
     _fe_cb.set_blend_mode(spblend ? spblend->blend_mode : Inkscape::Filters::BLEND_NORMAL);
     
@@ -1278,9 +1279,9 @@ bool ObjectsPanel::_executeAction()
             break;
             case BUTTON_COLLAPSE_ALL:
             {
-                for (SPObject* obj = _document->getRoot()->firstChild(); obj != NULL; obj = obj->next) {
-                    if (SP_IS_GROUP(obj)) {
-                        _setCollapsed(SP_GROUP(obj));
+                for (auto& obj: _document->getRoot()->children) {
+                    if (SP_IS_GROUP(&obj)) {
+                        _setCollapsed(SP_GROUP(&obj));
                     }
                 }
                 _objectsChanged(_document->getRoot());
@@ -1390,9 +1391,10 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_setCollapsed(SPGroup * group)
 {
     group->setExpanded(false);
     group->updateRepr(SP_OBJECT_WRITE_NO_CHILDREN | SP_OBJECT_WRITE_EXT);
-    for (SPObject *iter = group->children; iter != NULL; iter = iter->next)
-    {
-        if (SP_IS_GROUP(iter)) _setCollapsed(SP_GROUP(iter));
+    for (auto& iter: group->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_GROUP(&iter)) {
+            _setCollapsed(SP_GROUP(&iter));
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -1503,11 +1505,14 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_blendChangedIter(const Gtk::TreeIter& iter, Glib::ustring bl
         if (blendmode != "normal") {
             gdouble radius = 0;
             if (item->style->getFilter()) {
-                for (SPObject *primitive = item->style->getFilter()->children; primitive && SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(primitive); primitive = primitive->next) {
-                    if (SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(primitive)) {
+                for (auto& primitive: item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+                    if (!SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(&primitive)) {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    if (SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(&primitive)) {
                         Geom::OptRect bbox = item->bounds(SPItem::GEOMETRIC_BBOX);
                         if (bbox) {
-                            radius = SP_GAUSSIANBLUR(primitive)->stdDeviation.getNumber();
+                            radius = SP_GAUSSIANBLUR(&primitive)->stdDeviation.getNumber();
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1515,13 +1520,16 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_blendChangedIter(const Gtk::TreeIter& iter, Glib::ustring bl
             SPFilter *filter = new_filter_simple_from_item(_document, item, blendmode.c_str(), radius);
             sp_style_set_property_url(item, "filter", filter, false);
         } else {
-            for (SPObject *primitive = item->style->getFilter()->children; primitive && SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(primitive); primitive = primitive->next) {
-                if (SP_IS_FEBLEND(primitive)) {
-                    primitive->deleteObject();
+            for (auto& primitive: item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+                if (!SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(&primitive)) {
+                    break;
+                }
+                if (SP_IS_FEBLEND(&primitive)) {
+                    primitive.deleteObject();
                     break;
                 }
             }
-            if (!item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+            if (!item->style->getFilter()->firstChild()) {
                 remove_filter(item, false);
             }
         }
@@ -1572,13 +1580,16 @@ void ObjectsPanel::_blurChangedIter(const Gtk::TreeIter& iter, double blur)
                 SPFilter *filter = modify_filter_gaussian_blur_from_item(_document, item, radius);
                 sp_style_set_property_url(item, "filter", filter, false);
             } else if (item->style->filter.set && item->style->getFilter()) {
-                for (SPObject *primitive = item->style->getFilter()->children; primitive && SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(primitive); primitive = primitive->next) {
-                    if (SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(primitive)) {
-                        primitive->deleteObject();
+                for (auto& primitive: item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+                    if (!SP_IS_FILTER_PRIMITIVE(&primitive)) {
+                        break;
+                    }
+                    if (SP_IS_GAUSSIANBLUR(&primitive)) {
+                        primitive.deleteObject();
                         break;
                     }
                 }
-                if (!item->style->getFilter()->children) {
+                if (!item->style->getFilter()->firstChild()) {
                     remove_filter(item, false);
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/pixelartdialog.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/pixelartdialog.cpp
index 62e6bf591..b838b0842 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/pixelartdialog.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/pixelartdialog.cpp
@@ -366,8 +366,8 @@ void PixelArtDialogImpl::vectorize()
         return;
     }
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> const items = desktop->selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin(); i!=items.end();++i){
+    auto items = desktop->selection->items();
+    for(auto i=items.begin(); i!=items.end();++i){
         if ( !SP_IS_IMAGE(*i) )
             continue;
 
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/polar-arrange-tab.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/polar-arrange-tab.cpp
index 6324ec57f..c51881a96 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/polar-arrange-tab.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/polar-arrange-tab.cpp
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ static void moveToPoint(int anchor, SPItem *item, Geom::Point p)
 void PolarArrangeTab::arrange()
 {
 	Inkscape::Selection *selection = parent->getDesktop()->getSelection();
-	const std::vector<SPItem*> tmp(selection->itemList());
+	const std::vector<SPItem*> tmp(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
 	SPGenericEllipse *referenceEllipse = NULL; // Last ellipse in selection
 
 	bool arrangeOnEllipse = !arrangeOnParametersRadio.get_active();
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/spellcheck.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/spellcheck.cpp
index 61fa4c22b..045ce3459 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/spellcheck.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/spellcheck.cpp
@@ -227,14 +227,14 @@ GSList *SpellCheck::allTextItems (SPObject *r, GSList *l, bool hidden, bool lock
         return l; // we're not interested in metadata
     }
 
-    for (SPObject *child = r->firstChild(); child; child = child->next) {
-        if (SP_IS_ITEM (child) && !child->cloned && !desktop->isLayer(SP_ITEM(child))) {
-                if ((hidden || !desktop->itemIsHidden(SP_ITEM(child))) && (locked || !SP_ITEM(child)->isLocked())) {
-                    if (SP_IS_TEXT(child) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(child))
-                        l = g_slist_prepend (l, child);
+    for (auto& child: r->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_ITEM (&child) && !child.cloned && !desktop->isLayer(SP_ITEM(&child))) {
+                if ((hidden || !desktop->itemIsHidden(SP_ITEM(&child))) && (locked || !SP_ITEM(&child)->isLocked())) {
+                    if (SP_IS_TEXT(&child) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(&child))
+                        l = g_slist_prepend (l, &child);
                 }
         }
-        l = allTextItems (child, l, hidden, locked);
+        l = allTextItems (&child, l, hidden, locked);
     }
     return l;
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/svg-fonts-dialog.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/svg-fonts-dialog.cpp
index 87bab72e9..6a87f3714 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/svg-fonts-dialog.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/svg-fonts-dialog.cpp
@@ -113,11 +113,11 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::AttrEntry::set_text(char* t){
 void SvgFontsDialog::AttrEntry::on_attr_changed(){
 
     SPObject* o = NULL;
-    for(SPObject* node = this->dialog->get_selected_spfont()->children; node; node=node->next){
+    for (auto& node: dialog->get_selected_spfont()->children) {
         switch(this->attr){
             case SP_PROP_FONT_FAMILY:
-                if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(node)){
-                    o = node;
+                if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(&node)){
+                    o = &node;
                     continue;
                 }
                 break;
@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ void GlyphComboBox::update(SPFont* spfont){
     this->append(""); //Gtk is refusing to clear the combobox when I comment out this line
     this->remove_all();
 
-    for(SPObject* node = spfont->children; node; node=node->next){
-        if (SP_IS_GLYPH(node)){
-            this->append((static_cast<SPGlyph*>(node))->unicode);
+    for (auto& node: spfont->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_GLYPH(&node)){
+            this->append((static_cast<SPGlyph*>(&node))->unicode);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -306,10 +306,9 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::update_global_settings_tab(){
     SPFont* font = get_selected_spfont();
     if (!font) return;
 
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj=font->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(obj)){
-            _familyname_entry->set_text((SP_FONTFACE(obj))->font_family);
+    for (auto& obj: font->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(&obj)){
+            _familyname_entry->set_text((SP_FONTFACE(&obj))->font_family);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -412,12 +411,12 @@ SvgFontsDialog::populate_glyphs_box()
     SPFont* spfont = this->get_selected_spfont();
     _glyphs_observer.set(spfont);
 
-    for(SPObject* node = spfont->children; node; node=node->next){
-        if (SP_IS_GLYPH(node)){
+    for (auto& node: spfont->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_GLYPH(&node)){
             Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *(_GlyphsListStore->append());
-            row[_GlyphsListColumns.glyph_node] = static_cast<SPGlyph*>(node);
-            row[_GlyphsListColumns.glyph_name] = (static_cast<SPGlyph*>(node))->glyph_name;
-            row[_GlyphsListColumns.unicode] = (static_cast<SPGlyph*>(node))->unicode;
+            row[_GlyphsListColumns.glyph_node] = static_cast<SPGlyph*>(&node);
+            row[_GlyphsListColumns.glyph_name] = (static_cast<SPGlyph*>(&node))->glyph_name;
+            row[_GlyphsListColumns.unicode] = (static_cast<SPGlyph*>(&node))->unicode;
         }
     }
 }
@@ -430,13 +429,13 @@ SvgFontsDialog::populate_kerning_pairs_box()
 
     SPFont* spfont = this->get_selected_spfont();
 
-    for(SPObject* node = spfont->children; node; node=node->next){
-        if (SP_IS_HKERN(node)){
+    for (auto& node: spfont->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_HKERN(&node)){
             Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *(_KerningPairsListStore->append());
-            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.first_glyph] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node))->u1->attribute_string().c_str();
-            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.second_glyph] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node))->u2->attribute_string().c_str();
-            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.kerning_value] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node))->k;
-            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.spnode] = static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node);
+            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.first_glyph] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node))->u1->attribute_string().c_str();
+            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.second_glyph] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node))->u2->attribute_string().c_str();
+            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.kerning_value] = (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node))->k;
+            row[_KerningPairsListColumns.spnode] = static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node);
         }
     }
 }
@@ -491,11 +490,10 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::add_glyph(){
 Geom::PathVector
 SvgFontsDialog::flip_coordinate_system(Geom::PathVector pathv){
     double units_per_em = 1000;
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj = get_selected_spfont()->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(obj)){
+    for (auto& obj: get_selected_spfont()->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(&obj)){
             //XML Tree being directly used here while it shouldn't be.
-            sp_repr_get_double(obj->getRepr(), "units-per-em", &units_per_em);
+            sp_repr_get_double(obj.getRepr(), "units-per-em", &units_per_em);
         }
     }
 
@@ -522,7 +520,7 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::set_glyph_description_from_selected_path(){
         return;
     }
 
-    Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->reprList().front();
+    Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->xmlNodes().front();
     if (!node) return;//TODO: should this be an assert?
     if (!node->matchAttributeName("d") || !node->attribute("d")){
         char *msg = _("The selected object does not have a <b>path</b> description.");
@@ -564,7 +562,7 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::missing_glyph_description_from_selected_path(){
         return;
     }
 
-    Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->reprList().front();
+    Inkscape::XML::Node* node = sel->xmlNodes().front();
     if (!node) return;//TODO: should this be an assert?
     if (!node->matchAttributeName("d") || !node->attribute("d")){
         char *msg = _("The selected object does not have a <b>path</b> description.");
@@ -574,13 +572,12 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::missing_glyph_description_from_selected_path(){
 
     Geom::PathVector pathv = sp_svg_read_pathv(node->attribute("d"));
 
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj = get_selected_spfont()->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_MISSING_GLYPH(obj)){
+    for (auto& obj: get_selected_spfont()->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_MISSING_GLYPH(&obj)){
 
             //XML Tree being directly used here while it shouldn't be.
             gchar *str = sp_svg_write_path (flip_coordinate_system(pathv));
-            obj->getRepr()->setAttribute("d", str);
+            obj.getRepr()->setAttribute("d", str);
             g_free(str);
             DocumentUndo::done(doc, SP_VERB_DIALOG_SVG_FONTS, _("Set glyph curves"));
         }
@@ -597,11 +594,10 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::reset_missing_glyph_description(){
     }
 
     SPDocument* doc = desktop->getDocument();
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj = get_selected_spfont()->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_MISSING_GLYPH(obj)){
+    for (auto& obj: get_selected_spfont()->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_MISSING_GLYPH(&obj)){
             //XML Tree being directly used here while it shouldn't be.
-            obj->getRepr()->setAttribute("d", (char*) "M0,0h1000v1024h-1000z");
+            obj.getRepr()->setAttribute("d", (char*) "M0,0h1000v1024h-1000z");
             DocumentUndo::done(doc, SP_VERB_DIALOG_SVG_FONTS, _("Reset missing-glyph"));
         }
     }
@@ -736,12 +732,12 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::add_kerning_pair(){
 
     //look for this kerning pair on the currently selected font
     this->kerning_pair = NULL;
-    for(SPObject* node = this->get_selected_spfont()->children; node; node=node->next){
+    for (auto& node: get_selected_spfont()->children) {
         //TODO: It is not really correct to get only the first byte of each string.
         //TODO: We should also support vertical kerning
-        if (SP_IS_HKERN(node) && (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node))->u1->contains((gchar) first_glyph.get_active_text().c_str()[0])
-            && (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node))->u2->contains((gchar) second_glyph.get_active_text().c_str()[0]) ){
-            this->kerning_pair = static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(node);
+        if (SP_IS_HKERN(&node) && (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node))->u1->contains((gchar) first_glyph.get_active_text().c_str()[0])
+            && (static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node))->u2->contains((gchar) second_glyph.get_active_text().c_str()[0]) ){
+            this->kerning_pair = static_cast<SPGlyphKerning*>(&node);
             continue;
         }
     }
@@ -850,11 +846,10 @@ SPFont *new_font(SPDocument *document)
 
 void set_font_family(SPFont* font, char* str){
     if (!font) return;
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj=font->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(obj)){
+    for (auto& obj: font->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(&obj)){
             //XML Tree being directly used here while it shouldn't be.
-            obj->getRepr()->setAttribute("font-family", str);
+            obj.getRepr()->setAttribute("font-family", str);
         }
     }
 
@@ -871,11 +866,10 @@ void SvgFontsDialog::add_font(){
     font->setLabel(os.str().c_str());
 
     os2 << "SVGFont " << count;
-    SPObject* obj;
-    for (obj=font->children; obj; obj=obj->next){
-        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(obj)){
+    for (auto& obj: font->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_FONTFACE(&obj)){
             //XML Tree being directly used here while it shouldn't be.
-            obj->getRepr()->setAttribute("font-family", os2.str().c_str());
+            obj.getRepr()->setAttribute("font-family", os2.str().c_str());
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/swatches.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/swatches.cpp
index b3767f584..3012c5c26 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/swatches.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/swatches.cpp
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ static void editGradientImpl( SPDesktop* desktop, SPGradient* gr )
         bool shown = false;
         if ( desktop && desktop->doc() ) {
             Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
-            std::vector<SPItem*> const items = selection->itemList();
+            std::vector<SPItem*> const items(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
             if (!items.empty()) {
                 SPStyle query( desktop->doc() );
                 int result = objects_query_fillstroke((items), &query, true);
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/symbols.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/symbols.cpp
index de4e127bd..4840b897b 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/symbols.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/symbols.cpp
@@ -432,11 +432,6 @@ void SymbolsDialog::iconChanged() {
   SPObject* symbol = symbolDocument->getObjectById(symbol_id);
 
   if( symbol ) {
-    if( symbolDocument == currentDocument ) {
-      // Select the symbol on the canvas so it can be manipulated
-      currentDesktop->selection->set( symbol, false );
-    }
-
     // Find style for use in <use>
     // First look for default style stored in <symbol>
     gchar const* style = symbol->getAttribute("inkscape:symbol-style");
@@ -619,8 +614,8 @@ GSList* SymbolsDialog::symbols_in_doc_recursive (SPObject *r, GSList *l)
     l = g_slist_prepend (l, r);
   }
 
-  for (SPObject *child = r->firstChild(); child; child = child->getNext()) {
-    l = symbols_in_doc_recursive( child, l );
+  for (auto& child: r->children) {
+    l = symbols_in_doc_recursive( &child, l );
   }
 
   return l;
@@ -641,8 +636,8 @@ GSList* SymbolsDialog::use_in_doc_recursive (SPObject *r, GSList *l)
     l = g_slist_prepend (l, r);
   }
 
-  for (SPObject *child = r->firstChild(); child; child = child->getNext()) {
-    l = use_in_doc_recursive( child, l );
+  for (auto& child: r->children) {
+    l = use_in_doc_recursive( &child, l );
   }
 
   return l;
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/tags.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/tags.cpp
index 768e13d43..dfe71bddb 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/tags.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/tags.cpp
@@ -335,8 +335,8 @@ void TagsPanel::_objectsSelected( Selection *sel ) {
     
     _selectedConnection.block();
     _tree.get_selection()->unselect_all();
-    std::vector<SPObject*> tmp=sel->list();
-	for(std::vector<SPObject*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i)
+    auto tmp = sel->objects();
+	for(auto i = tmp.begin(); i != tmp.end(); ++i)
     {
         SPObject *obj = *i;
         _store->foreach(sigc::bind<SPObject *>( sigc::mem_fun(*this, &TagsPanel::_checkForSelected), obj));
@@ -386,26 +386,26 @@ void TagsPanel::_objectsChanged(SPObject* root)
 void TagsPanel::_addObject( SPDocument* doc, SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row* parentRow )
 {
     if ( _desktop && obj ) {
-        for ( SPObject *child = obj->children; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-            if (SP_IS_TAG(child))
+        for (auto& child: obj->children) {
+            if (SP_IS_TAG(&child))
             {
                 Gtk::TreeModel::iterator iter = parentRow ? _store->prepend(parentRow->children()) : _store->prepend();
                 Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *iter;
-                row[_model->_colObject] = child;
+                row[_model->_colObject] = &child;
                 row[_model->_colParentObject] = NULL;
-                row[_model->_colLabel] = child->label() ? child->label() : child->getId();
+                row[_model->_colLabel] = child.label() ? child.label() : child.getId();
                 row[_model->_colAddRemove] = true;
                 row[_model->_colAllowAddRemove] = true;
                 
                 _tree.expand_to_path( _store->get_path(iter) );
 
-                TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, child);
-                child->getRepr()->addObserver(*w);
+                TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, &child);
+                child.getRepr()->addObserver(*w);
                 _objectWatchers.push_back(w);
-                _addObject( doc, child, &row );
+                _addObject( doc, &child, &row );
             }
         }
-        if (SP_IS_TAG(obj) && obj->children)
+        if (SP_IS_TAG(obj) && obj->firstChild())
         {
             Gtk::TreeModel::iterator iteritems = parentRow ? _store->append(parentRow->children()) : _store->prepend();
             Gtk::TreeModel::Row rowitems = *iteritems;
@@ -416,16 +416,16 @@ void TagsPanel::_addObject( SPDocument* doc, SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row*
             rowitems[_model->_colAllowAddRemove] = false;
             
             _tree.expand_to_path( _store->get_path(iteritems) );
-            
-            for ( SPObject *child = obj->children; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-                if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(child))
+
+            for (auto& child: obj->children) {
+                if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(&child))
                 {
-                    SPItem *item = SP_TAG_USE(child)->ref->getObject();
+                    SPItem *item = SP_TAG_USE(&child)->ref->getObject();
                     Gtk::TreeModel::iterator iter = _store->prepend(rowitems->children());
                     Gtk::TreeModel::Row row = *iter;
-                    row[_model->_colObject] = child;
+                    row[_model->_colObject] = &child;
                     row[_model->_colParentObject] = NULL;
-                    row[_model->_colLabel] = item ? (item->label() ? item->label() : item->getId()) : SP_TAG_USE(child)->href;
+                    row[_model->_colLabel] = item ? (item->label() ? item->label() : item->getId()) : SP_TAG_USE(&child)->href;
                     row[_model->_colAddRemove] = false;
                     row[_model->_colAllowAddRemove] = true;
 
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ void TagsPanel::_addObject( SPDocument* doc, SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row*
                     }
 
                     if (item) {
-                        TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, child, item->getRepr());
+                        TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher *w = new TagsPanel::ObjectWatcher(this, &child, item->getRepr());
                         item->getRepr()->addObserver(*w);
                         _objectWatchers.push_back(w);
                     }
@@ -446,12 +446,11 @@ void TagsPanel::_addObject( SPDocument* doc, SPObject* obj, Gtk::TreeModel::Row*
 
 void TagsPanel::_select_tag( SPTag * tag )
 {
-    for (SPObject * child = tag->children; child != NULL; child = child->next)
-    {
-        if (SP_IS_TAG(child)) {
-            _select_tag(SP_TAG(child));
-        } else if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(child)) {
-            SPObject * obj = SP_TAG_USE(child)->ref->getObject();
+    for (auto& child: tag->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_TAG(&child)) {
+            _select_tag(SP_TAG(&child));
+        } else if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(&child)) {
+            SPObject * obj = SP_TAG_USE(&child)->ref->getObject();
             if (obj) {
                 if (_desktop->selection->isEmpty()) _desktop->setCurrentLayer(obj->parent);
                 _desktop->selection->add(obj);
@@ -633,12 +632,12 @@ bool TagsPanel::_handleButtonEvent(GdkEventButton* event)
                     if (col == _tree.get_column(COL_ADD - 1) && down_at_add) {
                         if (SP_IS_TAG(obj)) {
                             bool wasadded = false;
-                            std::vector<SPItem*> items=_desktop->selection->itemList();
-                        	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+                            auto items= _desktop->selection->items();
+                        	for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
                                 SPObject *newobj = *i;
                                 bool addchild = true;
-                                for ( SPObject *child = obj->children; child != NULL; child = child->next) {
-                                    if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(child) && SP_TAG_USE(child)->ref->getObject() == newobj) {
+                                for (auto& child: obj->children) {
+                                    if (SP_IS_TAG_USE(&child) && SP_TAG_USE(&child)->ref->getObject() == newobj) {
                                         addchild = false;
                                     }
                                 }
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/text-edit.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/text-edit.cpp
index 5d50a6c30..50c6c1553 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/text-edit.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/text-edit.cpp
@@ -413,8 +413,8 @@ SPItem *TextEdit::getSelectedTextItem (void)
     if (!SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP)
         return NULL;
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> tmp=SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->itemList();
-	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i)
+    auto tmp= SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->items();
+	for(auto i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i)
     {
         if (SP_IS_TEXT(*i) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(*i))
             return *i;
@@ -431,8 +431,8 @@ unsigned TextEdit::getSelectedTextCount (void)
 
     unsigned int items = 0;
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> tmp=SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->itemList();
-	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i)
+    auto tmp= SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP->getSelection()->items();
+	for(auto i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i)
     {
         if (SP_IS_TEXT(*i) || SP_IS_FLOWTEXT(*i))
             ++items;
@@ -538,11 +538,11 @@ void TextEdit::onApply()
     SPDesktop *desktop = SP_ACTIVE_DESKTOP;
 
     unsigned items = 0;
-    const std::vector<SPItem*> item_list = desktop->getSelection()->itemList();
+    auto item_list = desktop->getSelection()->items();
     SPCSSAttr *css = fillTextStyle ();
     sp_desktop_set_style(desktop, css, true);
 
-	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=item_list.begin();i!=item_list.end();++i){
+	for(auto i=item_list.begin();i!=item_list.end();++i){
         // apply style to the reprs of all text objects in the selection
         if (SP_IS_TEXT (*i)) {
 
diff --git a/src/ui/dialog/transformation.cpp b/src/ui/dialog/transformation.cpp
index 5fb5bdfc4..7f1492cd7 100644
--- a/src/ui/dialog/transformation.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/dialog/transformation.cpp
@@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ void Transformation::updatePageTransform(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
 {
     if (selection && !selection->isEmpty()) {
         if (_check_replace_matrix.get_active()) {
-            Geom::Affine current (selection->itemList()[0]->transform); // take from the first item in selection
+            Geom::Affine current (selection->items().front()->transform); // take from the first item in selection
 
             Geom::Affine new_displayed = current;
 
@@ -617,19 +617,19 @@ void Transformation::applyPageMove(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
     if (!prefs->getBool("/dialogs/transformation/applyseparately")) {
         // move selection as a whole
         if (_check_move_relative.get_active()) {
-            sp_selection_move_relative(selection, x, y);
+            sp_object_set_move_relative(selection, x, y);
         } else {
             Geom::OptRect bbox = selection->preferredBounds();
             if (bbox) {
-                sp_selection_move_relative(selection,
-                                           x - bbox->min()[Geom::X], y - bbox->min()[Geom::Y]);
+                sp_object_set_move_relative(selection,
+                                            x - bbox->min()[Geom::X], y - bbox->min()[Geom::Y]);
             }
         }
     } else {
 
         if (_check_move_relative.get_active()) {
             // shift each object relatively to the previous one
-            std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->itemList());
+            std::vector<SPItem*> selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
             if (selected.empty()) return;
 
             if (fabs(x) > 1e-6) {
@@ -685,8 +685,8 @@ void Transformation::applyPageMove(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
         } else {
             Geom::OptRect bbox = selection->preferredBounds();
             if (bbox) {
-                sp_selection_move_relative(selection,
-                                           x - bbox->min()[Geom::X], y - bbox->min()[Geom::Y]);
+                sp_object_set_move_relative(selection,
+                                            x - bbox->min()[Geom::X], y - bbox->min()[Geom::Y]);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -704,8 +704,8 @@ void Transformation::applyPageScale(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
     bool transform_stroke = prefs->getBool("/options/transform/stroke", true);
     bool preserve = prefs->getBool("/options/preservetransform/value", false);
     if (prefs->getBool("/dialogs/transformation/applyseparately")) {
-    	std::vector<SPItem*> tmp=selection->itemList();
-    	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
+    	auto tmp= selection->items();
+    	for(auto i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
             Geom::OptRect bbox_pref = item->desktopPreferredBounds();
             Geom::OptRect bbox_geom = item->desktopGeometricBounds();
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ void Transformation::applyPageScale(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
             double y1 = bbox_pref->midpoint()[Geom::Y] + new_height/2;
             Geom::Affine scaler = get_scale_transform_for_variable_stroke (*bbox_pref, *bbox_geom, transform_stroke, preserve, x0, y0, x1, y1);
 
-            sp_selection_apply_affine(selection, scaler);
+            sp_object_set_apply_affine(selection, scaler);
         }
     }
 
@@ -768,15 +768,15 @@ void Transformation::applyPageRotate(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
     }
 
     if (prefs->getBool("/dialogs/transformation/applyseparately")) {
-    	std::vector<SPItem*> tmp=selection->itemList();
-    	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
+    	auto tmp= selection->items();
+    	for(auto i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
             sp_item_rotate_rel(item, Geom::Rotate (angle*M_PI/180.0));
         }
     } else {
         boost::optional<Geom::Point> center = selection->center();
         if (center) {
-            sp_selection_rotate_relative(selection, *center, angle);
+            sp_object_set_rotate_relative(selection, *center, angle);
         }
     }
 
@@ -788,8 +788,8 @@ void Transformation::applyPageSkew(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
 {
     Inkscape::Preferences *prefs = Inkscape::Preferences::get();
     if (prefs->getBool("/dialogs/transformation/applyseparately")) {
-    	std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-    	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i = items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+    	auto items = selection->items();
+    	for(auto i = items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
 
             if (!_units_skew.isAbsolute()) { // percentage
@@ -843,7 +843,7 @@ void Transformation::applyPageSkew(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
                     getDesktop()->getMessageStack()->flash(Inkscape::WARNING_MESSAGE, _("Transform matrix is singular, <b>not used</b>."));
                     return;
                 }
-                sp_selection_skew_relative(selection, *center, 0.01*skewX, 0.01*skewY);
+                sp_object_set_skew_relative(selection, *center, 0.01 * skewX, 0.01 * skewY);
             } else if (_units_skew.isRadial()) { //deg or rad
                 double angleX = _scalar_skew_horizontal.getValue("rad");
                 double angleY = _scalar_skew_vertical.getValue("rad");
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ void Transformation::applyPageSkew(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
                 }
                 double skewX = tan(-angleX);
                 double skewY = tan(angleY);
-                sp_selection_skew_relative(selection, *center, skewX, skewY);
+                sp_object_set_skew_relative(selection, *center, skewX, skewY);
             } else { // absolute displacement
                 double skewX = _scalar_skew_horizontal.getValue("px");
                 double skewY = _scalar_skew_vertical.getValue("px");
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ void Transformation::applyPageSkew(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
                     getDesktop()->getMessageStack()->flash(Inkscape::WARNING_MESSAGE, _("Transform matrix is singular, <b>not used</b>."));
                     return;
                 }
-                sp_selection_skew_relative(selection, *center, skewX/height, skewY/width);
+                sp_object_set_skew_relative(selection, *center, skewX / height, skewY / width);
             }
         }
     }
@@ -890,14 +890,14 @@ void Transformation::applyPageTransform(Inkscape::Selection *selection)
     }
 
     if (_check_replace_matrix.get_active()) {
-    	std::vector<SPItem*> tmp=selection->itemList();
-    	for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
+    	auto tmp = selection->items();
+    	for(auto i=tmp.begin();i!=tmp.end();++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
             item->set_item_transform(displayed);
             item->updateRepr();
         }
     } else {
-        sp_selection_apply_affine(selection, displayed); // post-multiply each object's transform
+        sp_object_set_apply_affine(selection, displayed); // post-multiply each object's transform
     }
 
     DocumentUndo::done(selection->desktop()->getDocument(), SP_VERB_DIALOG_TRANSFORM,
@@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ void Transformation::onReplaceMatrixToggled()
     double f = _scalar_transform_f.getValue();
 
     Geom::Affine displayed (a, b, c, d, e, f);
-    Geom::Affine current = selection->itemList()[0]->transform; // take from the first item in selection
+    Geom::Affine current = selection->items().front()->transform; // take from the first item in selection
 
     Geom::Affine new_displayed;
     if (_check_replace_matrix.get_active()) {
diff --git a/src/ui/interface.cpp b/src/ui/interface.cpp
index 3c754be29..b47e66451 100644
--- a/src/ui/interface.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/interface.cpp
@@ -1210,7 +1210,7 @@ sp_ui_drag_data_received(GtkWidget *widget,
                 Geom::OptRect sel_bbox = selection->visualBounds();
                 if (sel_bbox) {
                     Geom::Point m( desktop->point() - sel_bbox->midpoint() );
-                    sp_selection_move_relative(selection, m, false);
+                    sp_object_set_move_relative(selection, m, false);
                 }
             }
 
@@ -2056,8 +2056,8 @@ void ContextMenu::ImageEdit(void)
     }
 #endif
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist=_desktop->selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
+    auto itemlist= _desktop->selection->items();
+    for(auto i=itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i){
         Inkscape::XML::Node *ir = (*i)->getRepr();
         const gchar *href = ir->attribute("xlink:href");
         
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/box3d-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/box3d-tool.cpp
index 9b5b264bc..94488a700 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/box3d-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/box3d-tool.cpp
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ static void sp_box3d_context_ensure_persp_in_defs(SPDocument *document) {
     SPDefs *defs = document->getDefs();
 
     bool has_persp = false;
-    for ( SPObject *child = defs->firstChild(); child; child = child->getNext() ) {
-        if (SP_IS_PERSP3D(child)) {
+    for (auto& child: defs->children) {
+        if (SP_IS_PERSP3D(&child)) {
             has_persp = true;
             break;
         }
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/calligraphic-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/calligraphic-tool.cpp
index 84c4adc89..d623035d9 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/calligraphic-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/calligraphic-tool.cpp
@@ -921,10 +921,10 @@ void CalligraphicTool::set_to_accumulated(bool unionize, bool subtract) {
 
         if (unionize) {
             desktop->getSelection()->add(this->repr);
-            sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection(), desktop);
+            sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection());
         } else if (subtract) {
             desktop->getSelection()->add(this->repr);
-            sp_selected_path_diff_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection(), desktop);
+            sp_selected_path_diff_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection());
         } else {
             if (this->keep_selected) {
                 desktop->getSelection()->set(this->repr);
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/connector-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/connector-tool.cpp
index 605b573d7..84f7f318c 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/connector-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/connector-tool.cpp
@@ -1107,9 +1107,9 @@ void ConnectorTool::_setActiveShape(SPItem *item) {
 
         // The idea here is to try and add a group's children to solidify
         // connection handling. We react to path objects with only one node.
-        for (SPObject *child = item->firstChild() ; child ; child = child->getNext() ) {
-          if (SP_IS_PATH(child) && SP_PATH(child)->nodesInPath() == 1) {
-              this->_activeShapeAddKnot((SPItem *) child);
+        for (auto& child: item->children) {
+          if (SP_IS_PATH(&child) && SP_PATH(&child)->nodesInPath() == 1) {
+              this->_activeShapeAddKnot((SPItem *) &child);
           }
         }
         this->_activeShapeAddKnot(item);
@@ -1299,8 +1299,8 @@ void cc_selection_set_avoid(bool const set_avoid)
 
     int changes = 0;
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> l = selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=l.begin();i!=l.end(); ++i) {
+    auto l = selection->items();
+    for(auto i=l.begin();i!=l.end(); ++i) {
         SPItem *item = *i;
 
         char const *value = (set_avoid) ? "true" : NULL;
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/eraser-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/eraser-tool.cpp
index 838522b34..d18db8266 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/eraser-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/eraser-tool.cpp
@@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ void EraserTool::set_to_accumulated() {
                         }
                     }
                 } else {
-                    toWorkOn = selection->itemList();
+                    toWorkOn.insert(toWorkOn.end(), selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
                 }
                 wasSelection = true;
             }
@@ -697,7 +697,6 @@ void EraserTool::set_to_accumulated() {
                             item->deleteObject(true);
                             sp_object_unref(item);
                             workDone = true;
-                            workDone = true;
                         } else if (SP_IS_GROUP(item) || use ) {
                             /*Do nothing*/
                         } else {
@@ -708,7 +707,7 @@ void EraserTool::set_to_accumulated() {
                                 Inkscape::GC::release(dup); // parent takes over
                                 selection->set(dup);
                                 if (!this->nowidth) {
-                                    sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(selection, desktop);
+                                    sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(selection);
                                 }
                                 selection->add(item);
                                 if(item->style->fill_rule.value == SP_WIND_RULE_EVENODD){
@@ -719,9 +718,9 @@ void EraserTool::set_to_accumulated() {
                                     css = 0;
                                 }
                                 if (this->nowidth) {
-                                    sp_selected_path_cut_skip_undo(selection, desktop);
+                                    sp_selected_path_cut_skip_undo(selection);
                                 } else {
-                                    sp_selected_path_diff_skip_undo(selection, desktop);
+                                    sp_selected_path_diff_skip_undo(selection);
                                 }
                                 workDone = true; // TODO set this only if something was cut.
                                 bool break_apart = prefs->getBool("/tools/eraser/break_apart", false);
@@ -734,7 +733,7 @@ void EraserTool::set_to_accumulated() {
                                 }
                                 if ( !selection->isEmpty() ) {
                                     // If the item was not completely erased, track the new remainder.
-                                    std::vector<SPItem*> nowSel(selection->itemList());
+                                    std::vector<SPItem*> nowSel(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
                                     for (std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i2 = nowSel.begin();i2!=nowSel.end();++i2) {
                                         remainingItems.push_back(*i2);
                                     }
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/flood-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/flood-tool.cpp
index 2f125e6ed..0b893a7ba 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/flood-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/flood-tool.cpp
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ static void do_trace(bitmap_coords_info bci, guchar *trace_px, SPDesktop *deskto
                     ngettext("Area filled, path with <b>%d</b> node created and unioned with selection.","Area filled, path with <b>%d</b> nodes created and unioned with selection.",
                     SP_PATH(reprobj)->nodesInPath()), SP_PATH(reprobj)->nodesInPath() );
                 selection->add(reprobj);
-                sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection(), desktop);
+                sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(desktop->getSelection());
             } else {
                 desktop->messageStack()->flashF( Inkscape::WARNING_MESSAGE,
                     ngettext("Area filled, path with <b>%d</b> node created.","Area filled, path with <b>%d</b> nodes created.",
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/gradient-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/gradient-tool.cpp
index e4814c3de..a084a8fd9 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/gradient-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/gradient-tool.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ void GradientTool::selection_changed(Inkscape::Selection*) {
     if (selection == NULL) {
         return;
     }
-    guint n_obj = selection->itemList().size();
+    guint n_obj = (guint) boost::distance(selection->items());
 
     if (!drag->isNonEmpty() || selection->isEmpty())
         return;
@@ -485,10 +485,10 @@ bool GradientTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
             if (over_line) {
                 // we take the first item in selection, because with doubleclick, the first click
                 // always resets selection to the single object under cursor
-                sp_gradient_context_add_stop_near_point(this, SP_ITEM(selection->itemList().front()), this->mousepoint_doc, event->button.time);
+                sp_gradient_context_add_stop_near_point(this, SP_ITEM(selection->items().front()), this->mousepoint_doc, event->button.time);
             } else {
-            	std::vector<SPItem*>  items=selection->itemList();
-                for (std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i = items.begin();i!=items.end();++i) {
+            	auto items= selection->items();
+                for (auto i = items.begin();i!=items.end();++i) {
                     SPItem *item = *i;
                     SPGradientType new_type = (SPGradientType) prefs->getInt("/tools/gradient/newgradient", SP_GRADIENT_TYPE_LINEAR);
                     Inkscape::PaintTarget fsmode = (prefs->getInt("/tools/gradient/newfillorstroke", 1) != 0) ? Inkscape::FOR_FILL : Inkscape::FOR_STROKE;
@@ -890,7 +890,7 @@ static void sp_gradient_drag(GradientTool &rc, Geom::Point const pt, guint /*sta
         } else {
             // Starting from empty space:
             // Sort items so that the topmost comes last
-        	std::vector<SPItem*> items(selection->itemList());
+        	std::vector<SPItem*> items(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
             sort(items.begin(),items.end(),sp_item_repr_compare_position);
             // take topmost
             vector = sp_gradient_vector_for_object(document, desktop, SP_ITEM(items.back()), fill_or_stroke);
@@ -900,8 +900,8 @@ static void sp_gradient_drag(GradientTool &rc, Geom::Point const pt, guint /*sta
         SPCSSAttr *css = sp_repr_css_attr_new();
         sp_repr_css_set_property(css, "fill-opacity", "1.0");
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> itemlist = selection->itemList();
-        for (std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i = itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i) {
+        auto itemlist = selection->items();
+        for (auto i = itemlist.begin();i!=itemlist.end();++i) {
 
             //FIXME: see above
             sp_repr_css_change_recursive((*i)->getRepr(), css, "style");
@@ -924,7 +924,7 @@ static void sp_gradient_drag(GradientTool &rc, Geom::Point const pt, guint /*sta
             ec->_grdrag->local_change = true;
             // give the grab out-of-bounds values of xp/yp because we're already dragging
             // and therefore are already out of tolerance
-            ec->_grdrag->grabKnot (selection->itemList()[0],
+            ec->_grdrag->grabKnot (selection->items().front(),
                                    type == SP_GRADIENT_TYPE_LINEAR? POINT_LG_END : POINT_RG_R1,
                                    -1, // ignore number (though it is always 1)
                                    fill_or_stroke, 99999, 99999, etime);
@@ -933,7 +933,7 @@ static void sp_gradient_drag(GradientTool &rc, Geom::Point const pt, guint /*sta
 
         // status text; we do not track coords because this branch is run once, not all the time
         // during drag
-        int n_objects = selection->itemList().size();
+        int n_objects = (int) boost::distance(selection->items());
         rc.message_context->setF(Inkscape::NORMAL_MESSAGE,
                                   ngettext("<b>Gradient</b> for %d object; with <b>Ctrl</b> to snap angle",
                                            "<b>Gradient</b> for %d objects; with <b>Ctrl</b> to snap angle", n_objects),
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/lpe-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/lpe-tool.cpp
index ee85dd28c..29e4c9e74 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/lpe-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/lpe-tool.cpp
@@ -393,8 +393,8 @@ lpetool_create_measuring_items(LpeTool *lc, Inkscape::Selection *selection)
     SPCanvasGroup *tmpgrp = lc->desktop->getTempGroup();
     gchar *arc_length;
     double lengthval;
-    std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+    auto items= selection->items();
+    for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
         if (SP_IS_PATH(*i)) {
             path = SP_PATH(*i);
             curve = path->getCurve();
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/mesh-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/mesh-tool.cpp
index 32e70bc19..f2cf8c4a2 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/mesh-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/mesh-tool.cpp
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ void MeshTool::selection_changed(Inkscape::Selection* /*sel*/) {
         return;
     }
 
-    guint n_obj = selection->itemList().size();
+    guint n_obj = (guint) boost::distance(selection->items());
 
     if (!drag->isNonEmpty() || selection->isEmpty()) {
         return;
@@ -466,11 +466,11 @@ bool MeshTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
             if (over_line) {
                 // We take the first item in selection, because with doubleclick, the first click
                 // always resets selection to the single object under cursor
-                sp_mesh_context_split_near_point(this, selection->itemList()[0], this->mousepoint_doc, event->button.time);
+                sp_mesh_context_split_near_point(this, selection->items().front(), this->mousepoint_doc, event->button.time);
             } else {
                 // Create a new gradient with default coordinates.
-            	std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-                for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+            	auto items= selection->items();
+                for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
                     SPItem *item = *i;
                     SPGradientType new_type = SP_GRADIENT_TYPE_MESH;
                     Inkscape::PaintTarget fsmode = (prefs->getInt("/tools/gradient/newfillorstroke", 1) != 0) ? Inkscape::FOR_FILL : Inkscape::FOR_STROKE;
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ static void sp_mesh_end_drag(MeshTool &rc) {
         } else {
             // Starting from empty space:
             // Sort items so that the topmost comes last
-        	std::vector<SPItem*> items(selection->itemList());
+        	std::vector<SPItem*> items(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
             sort(items.begin(),items.end(),sp_item_repr_compare_position);
             // take topmost
             vector = sp_gradient_vector_for_object(document, desktop, SP_ITEM(items.back()), fill_or_stroke);
@@ -954,8 +954,8 @@ static void sp_mesh_end_drag(MeshTool &rc) {
         SPCSSAttr *css = sp_repr_css_attr_new();
         sp_repr_css_set_property(css, "fill-opacity", "1.0");
 
-        std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-        for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+        auto items= selection->items();
+        for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
 
             //FIXME: see above
             sp_repr_css_change_recursive((*i)->getRepr(), css, "style");
@@ -971,7 +971,7 @@ static void sp_mesh_end_drag(MeshTool &rc) {
 
         // status text; we do not track coords because this branch is run once, not all the time
         // during drag
-        int n_objects = selection->itemList().size();
+        int n_objects = (int) boost::distance(selection->items());
         rc.message_context->setF(Inkscape::NORMAL_MESSAGE,
                                   ngettext("<b>Gradient</b> for %d object; with <b>Ctrl</b> to snap angle",
                                            "<b>Gradient</b> for %d objects; with <b>Ctrl</b> to snap angle", n_objects),
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/node-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/node-tool.cpp
index bf18d4a2e..f7f09610c 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/node-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/node-tool.cpp
@@ -372,8 +372,8 @@ void gather_items(NodeTool *nt, SPItem *base, SPObject *obj, Inkscape::UI::Shape
         r.role = role;
         s.insert(r);
     } else if (role != SHAPE_ROLE_NORMAL && (SP_IS_GROUP(obj) || SP_IS_OBJECTGROUP(obj))) {
-        for (SPObject *c = obj->children; c; c = c->next) {
-            gather_items(nt, base, c, role, s);
+        for (auto& c: obj->children) {
+            gather_items(nt, base, &c, role, s);
         }
     } else if (SP_IS_ITEM(obj)) {
         SPItem *item = static_cast<SPItem*>(obj);
@@ -401,8 +401,8 @@ void NodeTool::selection_changed(Inkscape::Selection *sel) {
 
     std::set<ShapeRecord> shapes;
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> items=sel->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
+    auto items= sel->items();
+    for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end();++i){
         SPObject *obj = *i;
 
         if (SP_IS_ITEM(obj)) {
@@ -437,8 +437,9 @@ void NodeTool::selection_changed(Inkscape::Selection *sel) {
         }
     }
 
+    std::vector<SPItem *> vec(sel->items().begin(), sel->items().end());
     _previous_selection = _current_selection;
-    _current_selection = sel->itemList();
+    _current_selection = vec;
 
     this->_multipath->setItems(shapes);
     this->update_tip(NULL);
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/select-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/select-tool.cpp
index 34ca2926d..86a2dbed3 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/select-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/select-tool.cpp
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ bool SelectTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
         case GDK_2BUTTON_PRESS:
             if (event->button.button == 1) {
                 if (!selection->isEmpty()) {
-                    SPItem *clicked_item = selection->itemList()[0];
+                    SPItem *clicked_item = selection->items().front();
 
                     if (dynamic_cast<SPGroup *>(clicked_item) && !dynamic_cast<SPBox3D *>(clicked_item)) { // enter group if it's not a 3D box
                         desktop->setCurrentLayer(clicked_item);
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.cpp
index 3fafac2a7..3649008ff 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
  *   Jon A. Cruz <jon@joncruz.org>
  *   Abhishek Sharma
  *   Jabiertxo Arraiza <jabier.arraiza@marker.es>
+ *   Adrian Boguszewski
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2009 authors
  *
@@ -182,6 +183,7 @@ SprayTool::SprayTool()
 }
 
 SprayTool::~SprayTool() {
+    object_set.clear();
     this->enableGrDrag(false);
     this->style_set_connection.disconnect();
 
@@ -196,7 +198,7 @@ void SprayTool::update_cursor(bool /*with_shift*/) {
     gchar *sel_message = NULL;
 
     if (!desktop->selection->isEmpty()) {
-        num = desktop->selection->itemList().size();
+        num = (guint) boost::distance(desktop->selection->items());
         sel_message = g_strdup_printf(ngettext("<b>%i</b> object selected","<b>%i</b> objects selected",num), num);
     } else {
         sel_message = g_strdup_printf("%s", _("<b>Nothing</b> selected"));
@@ -577,7 +579,7 @@ static bool fit_item(SPDesktop *desktop,
     if (selection->isEmpty()) {
         return false;
     }
-    std::vector<SPItem*> const items_selected(selection->itemList());
+    std::vector<SPItem*> const items_selected(selection->items().begin(), selection->items().end());
     std::vector<SPItem*> items_down_erased;
     for (std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items_down.begin(); i!=items_down.end(); ++i) {
         SPItem *item_down = *i;
@@ -848,7 +850,7 @@ static bool fit_item(SPDesktop *desktop,
 }
 
 static bool sp_spray_recursive(SPDesktop *desktop,
-                               Inkscape::Selection *selection,
+                               Inkscape::ObjectSet *set,
                                SPItem *item,
                                Geom::Point p,
                                Geom::Point /*vector*/,
@@ -893,7 +895,7 @@ static bool sp_spray_recursive(SPDesktop *desktop,
         if (box) {
             // convert 3D boxes to ordinary groups before spraying their shapes
             item = box3d_convert_to_group(box);
-            selection->add(item);
+            set->add(item);
         }
     }
 
@@ -982,23 +984,11 @@ static bool sp_spray_recursive(SPDesktop *desktop,
         }
 #ifdef ENABLE_SPRAY_MODE_SINGLE_PATH
     } else if (mode == SPRAY_MODE_SINGLE_PATH) {
+        long setSize = boost::distance(set->items());
+        SPItem *parent_item = setSize > 0 ? set->items().front() : nullptr;    // Initial object
+        SPItem *unionResult = setSize > 1 ? *(++set->items().begin()) : nullptr;    // Previous union
+        SPItem *item_copied = nullptr;    // Projected object
 
-        SPItem *parent_item = NULL;    // Initial object
-        SPItem *item_copied = NULL;    // Projected object
-        SPItem *unionResult = NULL;    // Previous union
-
-        int i=1;
-        std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-        for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator it=items.begin();it!=items.end(); ++it){
-            SPItem *item1 = *it;
-            if (i == 1) {
-                parent_item = item1;
-            }
-            if (i == 2) {
-                unionResult = item1;
-            }
-            i++;
-        }
         if (parent_item) {
             SPDocument *doc = parent_item->document;
             Inkscape::XML::Document* xml_doc = doc->getReprDoc();
@@ -1031,13 +1021,13 @@ static bool sp_spray_recursive(SPDesktop *desktop,
                     sp_item_move_rel(item_copied, Geom::Translate(move[Geom::X], -move[Geom::Y]));
 
                     // Union and duplication
-                    selection->clear();
-                    selection->add(item_copied);
+                    set->clear();
+                    set->add(item_copied);
                     if (unionResult) { // No need to add the very first item (initialized with NULL).
-                        selection->add(unionResult);
+                        set->add(unionResult);
                     }
-                    sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(selection, selection->desktop());
-                    selection->add(parent_item);
+                    sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(set);
+                    set->add(parent_item);
                     Inkscape::GC::release(copy);
                     did = true;
                 }
@@ -1132,9 +1122,8 @@ static bool sp_spray_recursive(SPDesktop *desktop,
 static bool sp_spray_dilate(SprayTool *tc, Geom::Point /*event_p*/, Geom::Point p, Geom::Point vector, bool reverse)
 {
     SPDesktop *desktop = tc->desktop;
-    Inkscape::Selection *selection = desktop->getSelection();
-
-    if (selection->isEmpty()) {
+    Inkscape::ObjectSet *set = tc->objectSet();
+    if (set->isEmpty()) {
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -1156,7 +1145,7 @@ static bool sp_spray_dilate(SprayTool *tc, Geom::Point /*event_p*/, Geom::Point
     double move_standard_deviation = get_move_standard_deviation(tc);
 
     {
-        std::vector<SPItem*> const items(selection->itemList());
+        std::vector<SPItem*> const items(set->items().begin(), set->items().end());
 
         for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end(); ++i){
             SPItem *item = *i;
@@ -1168,7 +1157,7 @@ static bool sp_spray_dilate(SprayTool *tc, Geom::Point /*event_p*/, Geom::Point
             SPItem *item = *i;
             g_assert(item != NULL);
             if (sp_spray_recursive(desktop
-                                , selection
+                                , set
                                 , item
                                 , p, vector
                                 , tc->mode
@@ -1262,6 +1251,11 @@ bool SprayTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
                 this->is_dilating = true;
                 this->has_dilated = false;
 
+                object_set = *desktop->getSelection();
+                if (mode == SPRAY_MODE_SINGLE_PATH) {
+                    desktop->getSelection()->clear();
+                }
+
                 if(this->is_dilating && event->button.button == 1 && !this->space_panning) {
                     sp_spray_dilate(this, motion_w, desktop->dt2doc(motion_dt), Geom::Point(0,0), MOD__SHIFT(event));
                 }
@@ -1285,7 +1279,7 @@ bool SprayTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
 
             guint num = 0;
             if (!desktop->selection->isEmpty()) {
-                num = desktop->selection->itemList().size();
+                num = (guint) boost::distance(desktop->selection->items());
             }
             if (num == 0) {
                 this->message_context->flash(Inkscape::ERROR_MESSAGE, _("<b>Nothing selected!</b> Select objects to spray."));
@@ -1370,6 +1364,8 @@ bool SprayTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
                                            SP_VERB_CONTEXT_SPRAY, _("Spray with clones"));
                         break;
                     case SPRAY_MODE_SINGLE_PATH:
+                        sp_selected_path_union_skip_undo(objectSet());
+                        desktop->getSelection()->add(object_set.objects().begin(), object_set.objects().end());
                         DocumentUndo::done(this->desktop->getDocument(),
                                            SP_VERB_CONTEXT_SPRAY, _("Spray in single path"));
                         break;
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.h b/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.h
index c81110b37..d5504d565 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.h
+++ b/src/ui/tools/spray-tool.h
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
  *   Vincent MONTAGNE
  *   Pierre BARBRY-BLOT
  *   Jabiertxo ARRAIZA
+ *   Adrian Boguszewski
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2009 authors
  *
@@ -120,8 +121,14 @@ public:
 
     virtual const std::string& getPrefsPath();
 
-
     void update_cursor(bool /*with_shift*/);
+
+    ObjectSet* objectSet() {
+        return &object_set;
+    }
+
+private:
+    ObjectSet object_set;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/tool-base.cpp b/src/ui/tools/tool-base.cpp
index f85744744..8a35882b9 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/tool-base.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/tool-base.cpp
@@ -1051,9 +1051,8 @@ void sp_event_root_menu_popup(SPDesktop *desktop, SPItem *item, GdkEvent *event)
     item = sp_event_context_find_item (desktop,
                               Geom::Point(event->button.x, event->button.y), FALSE, FALSE);
 
-    /* fixme: This is not what I want but works for now (Lauris) */
-    if (event->type == GDK_KEY_PRESS) {
-        item = desktop->getSelection()->itemList().front();
+    if (event->type == GDK_KEY_PRESS && !desktop->getSelection()->isEmpty()) {
+        item = desktop->getSelection()->items().front();
     }
 
     ContextMenu* CM = new ContextMenu(desktop, item);
@@ -1127,8 +1126,9 @@ SPItem *sp_event_context_find_item(SPDesktop *desktop, Geom::Point const &p,
     SPItem *item = 0;
 
     if (select_under) {
-        SPItem *selected_at_point = desktop->getItemFromListAtPointBottom(
-                desktop->selection->itemList(), p);
+        auto tmp = desktop->selection->items();
+        std::vector<SPItem *> vec(tmp.begin(), tmp.end());
+        SPItem *selected_at_point = desktop->getItemFromListAtPointBottom(vec, p);
         item = desktop->getItemAtPoint(p, into_groups, selected_at_point);
         if (item == NULL) { // we may have reached bottom, flip over to the top
             item = desktop->getItemAtPoint(p, into_groups, NULL);
diff --git a/src/ui/tools/tweak-tool.cpp b/src/ui/tools/tweak-tool.cpp
index fbf1b2a0b..a0394ecd4 100644
--- a/src/ui/tools/tweak-tool.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/tools/tweak-tool.cpp
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void TweakTool::update_cursor (bool with_shift) {
     gchar *sel_message = NULL;
 
     if (!desktop->selection->isEmpty()) {
-        num = desktop->selection->itemList().size();
+        num = (guint) boost::distance(desktop->selection->items());
         sel_message = g_strdup_printf(ngettext("<b>%i</b> object selected","<b>%i</b> objects selected",num), num);
     } else {
         sel_message = g_strdup_printf("%s", _("<b>Nothing</b> selected"));
@@ -373,9 +373,9 @@ sp_tweak_dilate_recursive (Inkscape::Selection *selection, SPItem *item, Geom::P
 
     if (dynamic_cast<SPGroup *>(item) && !dynamic_cast<SPBox3D *>(item)) {
         GSList *children = NULL;
-        for (SPObject *child = item->firstChild() ; child; child = child->getNext() ) {
-            if (dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(static_cast<SPObject *>(child))) {
-                children = g_slist_prepend(children, child);
+        for (auto& child: item->children) {
+            if (dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(static_cast<SPObject *>(&child))) {
+                children = g_slist_prepend(children, &child);
             }
         }
 
@@ -820,8 +820,8 @@ static void tweak_colors_in_gradient(SPItem *item, Inkscape::PaintTarget fill_or
     double offset_l = 0;
     double offset_h = 0;
     SPObject *child_prev = NULL;
-    for (SPObject *child = vector->firstChild(); child; child = child->getNext()) {
-        SPStop *stop = dynamic_cast<SPStop *>(child);
+    for (auto& child: vector->children) {
+        SPStop *stop = dynamic_cast<SPStop *>(&child);
         if (!stop) {
             continue;
         }
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ static void tweak_colors_in_gradient(SPItem *item, Inkscape::PaintTarget fill_or
         }
 
         offset_l = offset_h;
-        child_prev = child;
+        child_prev = &child;
     }
 }
 
@@ -882,8 +882,8 @@ sp_tweak_color_recursive (guint mode, SPItem *item, SPItem *item_at_point,
     bool did = false;
 
     if (dynamic_cast<SPGroup *>(item)) {
-        for (SPObject *child = item->firstChild() ; child; child = child->getNext() ) {
-            SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(child);
+        for (auto& child: item->children) {
+            SPItem *childItem = dynamic_cast<SPItem *>(&child);
             if (childItem) {
                 if (sp_tweak_color_recursive (mode, childItem, item_at_point,
                                           fill_goal, do_fill,
@@ -939,9 +939,8 @@ sp_tweak_color_recursive (guint mode, SPItem *item, SPItem *item_at_point,
                 Geom::Affine i2dt = item->i2dt_affine ();
                 if (style->filter.set && style->getFilter()) {
                     //cycle through filter primitives
-                    SPObject *primitive_obj = style->getFilter()->children;
-                    while (primitive_obj) {
-                        SPFilterPrimitive *primitive = dynamic_cast<SPFilterPrimitive *>(primitive_obj);
+                    for (auto& primitive_obj: style->getFilter()->children) {
+                        SPFilterPrimitive *primitive = dynamic_cast<SPFilterPrimitive *>(&primitive_obj);
                         if (primitive) {
                             //if primitive is gaussianblur
                             SPGaussianBlur * spblur = dynamic_cast<SPGaussianBlur *>(primitive);
@@ -950,7 +949,6 @@ sp_tweak_color_recursive (guint mode, SPItem *item, SPItem *item_at_point,
                                 blur_now += num * i2dt.descrim(); // sum all blurs in the filter
                             }
                         }
-                        primitive_obj = primitive_obj->next;
                     }
                 }
                 double perimeter = bbox->dimensions()[Geom::X] + bbox->dimensions()[Geom::Y];
@@ -1064,8 +1062,8 @@ sp_tweak_dilate (TweakTool *tc, Geom::Point event_p, Geom::Point p, Geom::Point
     double move_force = get_move_force(tc);
     double color_force = MIN(sqrt(path_force)/20.0, 1);
 
-    std::vector<SPItem*> items=selection->itemList();
-    for(std::vector<SPItem*>::const_iterator i=items.begin();i!=items.end(); ++i){
+    auto items= selection->items();
+    for(auto i=items.begin();i!=items.end(); ++i){
         SPItem *item = *i;
 
         if (is_color_mode (tc->mode)) {
@@ -1173,7 +1171,7 @@ bool TweakTool::root_handler(GdkEvent* event) {
 
                 guint num = 0;
                 if (!desktop->selection->isEmpty()) {
-                    num = desktop->selection->itemList().size();
+                    num = (guint) boost::distance(desktop->selection->items());
                 }
                 if (num == 0) {
                     this->message_context->flash(Inkscape::ERROR_MESSAGE, _("<b>Nothing selected!</b> Select objects to tweak."));
diff --git a/src/ui/widget/layer-selector.cpp b/src/ui/widget/layer-selector.cpp
index 7ee34f3b3..4432a6e09 100644
--- a/src/ui/widget/layer-selector.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/widget/layer-selector.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 #include "ui/dialog/layer-properties.h"
 #include <glibmm/i18n.h>
+#include <boost/range/adaptor/filtered.hpp>
+#include <boost/range/adaptor/reversed.hpp>
 
 #include "desktop.h"
 
@@ -346,27 +348,17 @@ void LayerSelector::_buildSiblingEntries(
     unsigned depth, SPObject &parent,
     Inkscape::Util::List<SPObject &> hierarchy
 ) {
-    using Inkscape::Util::List;
     using Inkscape::Util::rest;
-    using Inkscape::Util::reverse_list_in_place;
-    using Inkscape::Util::filter_list;
 
-    Inkscape::Util::List<SPObject &> siblings(
-        reverse_list_in_place(
-            filter_list<SPObject::SiblingIterator>(
-                is_layer(_desktop), parent.firstChild(), NULL
-            )
-        )
-    );
+    auto siblings = parent.children | boost::adaptors::filtered(is_layer(_desktop)) | boost::adaptors::reversed;
 
     SPObject *layer( hierarchy ? &*hierarchy : NULL );
 
-    while (siblings) {
-        _buildEntry(depth, *siblings);
-        if ( &*siblings == layer ) {
+    for (auto& sib: siblings) {
+        _buildEntry(depth, sib);
+        if ( &sib == layer ) {
             _buildSiblingEntries(depth+1, *layer, rest(hierarchy));
         }
-        ++siblings;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/ui/widget/object-composite-settings.cpp b/src/ui/widget/object-composite-settings.cpp
index c8ac20c54..1727660c8 100644
--- a/src/ui/widget/object-composite-settings.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/widget/object-composite-settings.cpp
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ ObjectCompositeSettings::_blendBlurValueChanged()
     const Glib::ustring blendmode = _fe_cb.get_blend_mode();
 
     //apply created filter to every selected item
-    std::vector<SPObject*> sel=_subject->list();
+    std::vector<SPObject*> sel = _subject->list();
     for (std::vector<SPObject*>::const_iterator i = sel.begin() ; i != sel.end() ; ++i ) {
         if (!SP_IS_ITEM(*i)) {
             continue;
diff --git a/src/ui/widget/style-subject.cpp b/src/ui/widget/style-subject.cpp
index 811ed2221..a779e6feb 100644
--- a/src/ui/widget/style-subject.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/widget/style-subject.cpp
@@ -54,11 +54,13 @@ Inkscape::Selection *StyleSubject::Selection::_getSelection() const {
     }
 }
 
-std::vector<SPObject*> StyleSubject::Selection::list(){
+std::vector<SPObject*> StyleSubject::Selection::list() {
     Inkscape::Selection *selection = _getSelection();
-    if(selection)
-        return selection->list();
-    else return std::vector<SPObject*>();
+    if(selection) {
+        return std::vector<SPObject *>(selection->objects().begin(), selection->objects().end());
+    }
+
+    return std::vector<SPObject*>();
 }
 
 Geom::OptRect StyleSubject::Selection::getBounds(SPItem::BBoxType type) {