Hi,
i'm also trying to set this production pipeline.
First, I bought a Dell laptop 9550 able to handle some great 3D files, but also to render some pics in low res to test.
Second, is having your assets & projects files on a server or NAS, with WAN access.
Third, imo, is organising your assets into proxies into library in .max or .c4d files. This allow you to have large amout of assets in small size of .max/.c4d files.
Then, when you merge them into your scene on your laptop far away on a trip, you basically download small proxies instead of heavy poly objects to merge them into your project, from your server / NAS.
Fourth, you will need a VPN to connect under security to your internet/server at your office.
Basically, your box/server allow you to enter a LAN network through a secured VPN connexion.
I'm actually facing this hard part : how to handle IP adress of LAN nodes, into a distant laptop into Max through a WAN connexion.... :D
Fifth, I think you need to set a FTP folder to save your final renders, then add it like a network drive onto your laptop (or through VPN ?) to easily get access to it.
I think in this way, you don't need a strong internet WAN line with optic fiber or high transfer, because you just send into rendering light .max / .c4d files, connecting to your assets on your LAN through proxies before rendering.
You just need to download then render elements, so less than a Gigoctet for a still pics in 4K.
Looking for somenone who can validate or correct my thinking !
JG