Different 3D file formats handle lighting and shadows differently, primarily based on their focus—whether on geometry storage or full scene composition.
Geometry-focused formats (e.g., OBJ, STL) mainly store 3D models and do not include lighting or shadow data. These must be configured separately in rendering software.
Scene-comprehensive formats (e.g., FBX, USD) support broader scene elements, so they can store basic lighting information, such as light positions and types. However, shadow details are typically computed dynamically during rendering using the stored light parameters.
To ensure compatibility, check a format’s scene data support to align with your rendering pipeline’s lighting and shadow needs.