     
     /**
      *  The parent container or component for this component.
-     *  Only visual elements should have a parent property.
+     *  Only visual elements should have a <code>parent</code> property.
      *  Non-visual items should use another property to reference
      *  the object to which they belong.
-     *  By convention, non-visual item objects use an <code>owner</code>
+     *  By convention, non-visual objects use an <code>owner</code>
      *  property to reference the object to which they belong.
      *  
      *  @langversion 3.0

import mx.geom.TransformOffsets;

/**
 *  The IVisualElement interface represents the common methods and properties between UIComponents and
 *  GraphicElements and the minimum properties/methods required for a visual element to be 
 *  laid out and displayed in a Spark application.
 *  
 *  @langversion 3.0
 *  @playerversion Flash 10

    function get depth():Number;

    /**
     *  Controls the visibility of this visual element. 
     *  If <code>true</code>, the object is visible.
     * 
     *  <p>If an object is not visible, but the <code>includeInLayout</code> 
     *  property is set to <code>true</code>, then the object 
     *  takes up space in the container, but is invisible.</p>
     * 
     *  <p>If <code>visible</code> is set to <code>true</code>, the object may not
     *  necessarily be visible due to its size and whether container clipping 
     *  is enabled.</p>
     * 
     *  <p>Setting <code>visible</code> to <code>false</code>, 
     *  prevents the component from getting focus.</p>
     * 
     *  @default true
     *  @see ILayoutElement#includeInLayout
