FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0-rc"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0-rc-b94)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.6.0-rc-b94, mixed mode)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
An error in
getPreferredButtonSize(AbstractButton b, int textIconGap)
causes a NPE:
Component.getFont() returns the components font, if the components font is not set (is null) the parents font will be returned, but if the component hasn't a parent yet, null will be returned!!


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced often.

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Insert in class
   'BasicGraphicsUtils'
at method
   getPreferredButtonSize(AbstractButton b, int textIconGap)

after
        Font font = b.getFont();
the lines
if (font == null) // If components font is null
font = new Font(null); // use a default Font.