Architecture that enables the preservation of label readability in a scene (e.g., map, map tiles, graphical background, etc.) by way of label orientation relative to a fixed heading on a plane or curved surface. After identifying an initial fixed heading, movement of the camera (e.g., zoom-in, zoom-out, position change, etc.) in the scene along that heading without changing the camera heading as measured relative to a fixed point does not alter label orientation. In a mapping implementation, after identifying an initial fixed camera heading over terrain of the Earth, movement of the camera (e.g., zoom-in, zoom-out, position change, etc.) in the scene without changing the camera heading as measured relative to some fixed point does not change label orientation. The orientation of labels may be changed if the heading of the camera is altered, but this change is delayed until camera movement quiesces.