[FLEX-32880] Null object reference error is thrown in AxisRenderer when showLabels and canDropLabels properties are set

• Type: Bug
• Status: Closed
• Priority: Minor
• Resolution: Fixed
• Affects Version/s: Adobe Flex SDK 4.1 (Release)
• Fix Version/s: Adobe Flex SDK 4.6 (Release)
• Component/s: Charts
• Environment: Affected OS(s): Windows; Affected OS(s): Windows 7; Language Found: English
• Assignee: Adobe JIRA
• Reporter: Adobe JIRA
• Created: 01/Oct/10 04:16
• Updated: 04/Aug/11 22:36
• Resolved: 08/Jun/11 00:51

Description

Steps to reproduce:
1. Use the component BubbleChart and feed it with appropriate data.
2.Use AxisRenderer for horizontalAxisRenderers/verticalAxisRenderers in BubbleChart.
3. Set the AxisRenderer properties showLabels="true" canDropLabels="true"

I have attached a sample app that demonstrates this issue.
Actual Results: During initialization app throws the following exception:
TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.
at mx.charts::AxisRenderer/measureHorizontalGutters()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\datavisualization\src\mx\charts\AxisRenderer.as:2277]
at mx.charts::AxisRenderer/calcRotationAndSpacing()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\datavisualization\src\mx\charts\AxisRenderer.as:1960]
at mx.charts::AxisRenderer/adjustGutters()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\datavisualization\src\mx\charts\AxisRenderer.as:1567]
at mx.charts.chartClasses::CartesianChart/updateAxisLayout()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\datavisualization\src\mx\charts\chartClasses\CartesianChart.as:2264]
at mx.charts.chartClasses::CartesianChart/updateDisplayList()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\datavisualization\src\mx\charts\chartClasses\CartesianChart.as:1391]
at mx.core::UIComponent/validateDisplayList()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\framework\src\mx\core\UIComponent.as:8709]
at mx.managers::LayoutManager/validateDisplayList()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\framework\src\mx\managers\LayoutManager.as:663]
at mx.managers::LayoutManager/doPhasedInstantiation()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\framework\src\mx\managers\LayoutManager.as:718]
at mx.managers::LayoutManager/doPhasedInstantiationCallback()[E:\dev\4.x\frameworks\projects\framework\src\mx\managers\LayoutManager.as:1072]

Expected Results:
Flex should not throw any error

Workaround (if any):
App works fine if the property 'canDropLabels' is removed from AxisRenderer. Even by setting the property 'canDropLabels' to fales throws the same exception.