 	//  joints
 	//----------------------------------
 
-	private var _joints:String = null;
+	private var _joints:String = JointStyle.ROUND;
 	
 	[Bindable("propertyChange")]
 	[Inspectable(category="General", enumeration="round,bevel,miter", defaultValue="round")]
 
 	/**
 	 *  Specifies the type of joint appearance used at angles.
-	 *  Valid values are <code>"round"</code>, <code>"miter"</code>,
-	 *  and <code>"bevel"</code>.
-	 *  
+	 *  Valid values are <code>JointStyle.ROUND</code>, <code>JointStyle.MITER</code>,
+	 *  and <code>JointStyle.BEVEL</code>.
+	 *  
+	 *  @default JointStyle.ROUND
+	 * 
 	 *  @langversion 3.0
 	 *  @playerversion Flash 9
 	 *  @playerversion AIR 1.1

	 *  Indicates the limit at which a miter is cut off.
	 *  Valid values range from 0 to 255.
	 *  
	 *  @default 0
	 *  
	 *  @langversion 3.0
	 *  @playerversion Flash 9

						             alpha:Number = 1.0,
						             pixelHinting:Boolean = false,
						             scaleMode:String = "normal",
						             caps:String = "round",
						             joints:String = "round",
						             miterLimit:Number = 3)
	{
		super();

