      * 
      *  As before the difference is due to the fact that flexible items are only
      *  guaranteed their minHeight.
-     * 
-    *  
-    *  @langversion 3.0
-    *  @playerversion Flash 10
-    *  @playerversion AIR 1.5
-    *  @productversion Flex 4
-    */
+     */
     override public function measure():void
     {
         var layoutTarget:GroupBase = target;
         if (!layoutTarget)
             return;
             
+        var hPadding:Number = paddingLeft + paddingRight;
+        var vPadding:Number = paddingTop + paddingBottom;
+
         if (layoutTarget.numElements == 0)
         {
-            layoutTarget.measuredWidth = 0;
-            layoutTarget.measuredHeight = 0;
-            layoutTarget.measuredMinWidth = 0;
-            layoutTarget.measuredMinHeight = 0;
+            layoutTarget.measuredWidth = layoutTarget.measuredMinWidth = hPadding;
+            layoutTarget.measuredHeight = layoutTarget.measuredMinHeight = vPadding;
         }            
         else if (useVirtualLayout)
             measureVirtual(layoutTarget);

    }

    /**
     *  Sets the <code>columnCount</code> property and dispatches
     *  a PropertyChangeEvent.
     * 
     *  This method is intended to be used by subclass updateDisplayList() 
     *  methods to sync the columnCount property with the actual number
     *  of columns in view.
     *
     *  @param value The number of columns in view.
     *  
     *  @langversion 3.0
     *  @playerversion Flash 10
     *  @playerversion AIR 1.5
     *  @productversion Flex 4
     */
    protected function setColumnCount(value:int):void
    {
        if (_columnCount == value)
            return;

     *  This function is intended for variable height elements.
     * 
     *  Returns the index of the element that contains x, or -1.
     */
    private static function findIndexAt(x:Number, gap:int, g:GroupBase, i0:int, i1:int):int
    {
