corona proxy and c4d render instance are different.
Corona proxy drasticaly reduce ram in c4d, but u need to convert each models ..
My workflow for a tree is :
- texturing the model in a different scene
- separate the model by meterial (for exemple bark,branch, leafs etc) cause the corona proxy dont work with c4d polygon selection tag ...
- Export each part in a corona proxy (pick from scene ur part, point cloud visibility, dont cache in ram)
- Apply tags and materials on proxy from ur base object. Just copy/paste.
- Put each parts in a nul object.
- Create a c4d instance of the nul object (tick render instance)
Now u can duplicate this instance many many times, with the best performances.
It saves a lot of ram. :)