Frequently Asked Questions
P4 One offers a simplified workflow compared to P4V, our traditional P4 Visual Client.
Both clients work seamlessly together with changelists and local workspaces, but they handle certain tasks differently on the same computer. The key difference is that P4 One lets you work locally and create versions that are not submitted to a P4 Server. These local versions are visible in P4 One, but P4V and plugins will not recognize them until a changelist is submitted to the server. Once on the server, changes can be synced between both tools.
P4 One is designed with creative teams in mind, focusing on non‑code digital assets such as 3D models, textures, and other large files. P4V, by contrast, is a full‑featured client that supports the complete Perforce workflow. Many advanced features, like streams management, shelving, merge/resolve tools, and revision graphs, are only available in P4V or through the CLI.
P4V is in active development and remains the core client for Perforce. P4 One is optional: it provides a lightweight, more visual interface that can be helpful for artists and designers who don’t need the full set of P4 features, but it does not replace P4V or the CLI for broader workflows.
P4 One stores file versions in a hidden folder inside the project workspace folder. For each version, P4 One only stores files that changed since the last version. If your workspace is connected to a P4 Server, your files can also be uploaded and stored remotely, providing shared access and an additional layer of backup.
Yes. P4 One is a client for Perforce P4 Server, so it interoperates seamlessly with other Perforce tools and third‑party integrations that connect through the server. As long as changes are submitted to the server, those tools can sync and access the latest updates as expected.
P4 One focuses on visual version tracking with a timeline view that lets you see and compare versions of your files through thumbnails and previews. It has built-in support for viewing 2D and 3D file formats with a 3D viewer.
No, P4 One does not support P4 VFS (Virtual File Service). P4 VFS is a separate Windows-only tool designed to work with P4V and P4 CLI that downloads file content on-demand to save disk space and sync time.