     //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     /**
-     *  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 validateSize():void;
    
    /**
     *  Called by the parent <code>Group</code> to redraw this element
     *  in its <code>displayObject</code> property.
     *
     *  <p>If the element is the first in the sequence (<code>displayObjectSharingMode</code>

     *  <code>sharedDisplayObject</code> of the sequence.
     * 
     *  <p>Typically implementers will return <code>true</code> when this
     *  IGraphicElement can cumulatively draw in the shared
     *  DisplayObject <code>graphics</code> property.
     *  In all cases where this IGraphicElement needs to set
     *  properties on the DisplayObjects that don't apply to the
     *  rest of the elements in the sequence, this method must return <code>false</code>.
     *  Examples for such properties are rotation, scale, transform,
     *  mask, alpha, filters, color transform, 3D, and layer.</p>
     *
     *  <p>When this method returns true, subsequent calls to the getter of the
     *  <code>displayObject</code> property must return the same display object.</p>
     *
     *  <p>In certain cases, the <code>sharedDisplayObject</code> property might be
     *  the parent Group itself. In the rest of the cases, the
     *  DisplayObject is created by the first element in the sequence.</p> 
     *  
     *  <p>When this IGraphicElement needs to rebuild its sequence,
     *  it notifies the parent Group by calling its
     *  <code>invalidateGraphicElementSharing()</code> method.</p>
     * 
     *  @return Returns <code>true</code> when this IGraphicElement can draw itself
     *  to the shared DisplayObject of the sequence.
     *
     *  @see #canShareWithPrevious
     *  @see #canShareWithNext
