      */
     public function get transformY():Number
     {
-        return layoutFeatures.transformY;
+        return (layoutFeatures == null)? 0:layoutFeatures.transformY;
     }
 
     /**


            // now adjust our tx/ty values based on the difference between our current transformed position and 
            // where we want to end up.
            x = x - topLeft.x + layoutFeatures.layoutX;
            y = y - topLeft.y + layoutFeatures.layoutY;
        }
        else
        {

     */
    public function set transformX(value:Number):void
    {
        var oldValue:Number = transformX;
        if ( oldValue == value)
            return;
            
        allocateLayoutFeatures();
            
        layoutFeatures.transformX = value;
        dispatchPropertyChangeEvent("transformX", oldValue, value);
