     //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     /**
-     *  Creates a new <code>DisplayObject</code> where this <code>IGraphicElement</code>
+     *  Creates a new DisplayObject where this IGraphicElement
      *  is drawn.
      *  
      *  Subsequent calls to the getter of the <code>displayObject</code> property must
      *  return the same display object.
      *
-     *  After the <code>DisplayObject</code> is created, the parent <code>Group</code>
+     *  After the DisplayObject is created, the parent <code>Group</code>
      *  will pass along the display objects to the rest of the elements in the sequence.
      *
-     *  <code>Group</code> will ensure that this method is called only when needed.
-     *
-     *  <p>If the element wants to participate in the <code>DisplayObject</code>
-     *  sharing, then the new DisplayObject must implement <code>IShareableDisplayObject</code>.
+     *  The Group ensures that this method is called only when needed.
+     *
+     *  <p>If the element wants to participate in the DisplayObject
+     *  sharing, then the new DisplayObject must implement IShareableDisplayObject.
      *  This interface is being used by the Group to manage invalidation and
      *  redrawing of the graphic element sequence and typically is not directly
      *  used by the Developer.</p>
      *
-     *  To reevaluate the shared sequences, call the parent <code>Group</code>
-     *  <code>invalidateGraphicElementSharing()</code> method.
-     *
-     *  To force the <code>Group</code> to remove the element's current
-     *  <code>DisplayObject</code> from its display list and recalculate the
-     *  display object sharing, call the parent <code>Group</code>
-     *  <code>discardDisplayObject()</code> method.
-     *
-     *  @return The display object created
+     *  <p>To reevaluate the shared sequences, call the parent Group
+     *  <code>invalidateGraphicElementSharing()</code> method.</p>
+     *
+     *  <p>To force the Group to remove the element's current
+     *  DisplayObject from its display list and recalculate the
+     *  display object sharing, call the parent Group's
+     *  <code>discardDisplayObject()</code> method.</p>
+     *
+     *  @return The display object created.
+     * 
      *  @see #displayObject
      *  @see spark.components.Group#invalidateGraphicElementSharing
      *  @see spark.components.Group#discardDisplayObject

    function setSharedDisplayObject(sharedDisplayObject:DisplayObject):Boolean;
    
    /**
     *  Return true if this <code>IGraphicElement</code> is compatible and can
     *  share display objects with the previous <code>IGraphicElement</code>
     *  in the sequence.
     * 
     *  <p>Note that in certain cases the element may be passed offered the parent
     *  <code>Group</code> itself in a call to <code>setSharedDisplayObject</code>.
     *  In those cases, this method won't be called.</p>
     * 
     *  @param element The element that comes before this element in the sequence.
     *  @return Returns true when this element is compatible with the previous

    function validateProperties():void;
    
    /**
     *  Called by the parent Group to validate the size of
     *  this element.
     * 
     *  <p>When the size of the element changes and is going to affect the
     *  parent Group layout, the implementer is responsible
     *  for invalidating the parent's size and display list.</p>
     * 
     *  <p>To ensure that this method is called, notify the parent Group
     *  by calling its <code>invalidateGraphicElementSize()</code> method.</p>
     * 
     *  <p>This method might be called even if this element has not
     *  notified the parent Group.</p>
     * 
     *  @see #validateProperties
     *  @see #validateDisplayList
