Re: How does it compare?

Ah, that is starting to make things clearer. The one on subdivision is illuminating as well. It gives the impression that the final mesh can still appear a little angular but the model will be smooth and rounded. For artists used to having control over the most minute details, this can mean having to learn how to set things up so the software puts the right finishing touch on it.

Perhaps a good analogy is if a sculptor chisels a bust and leaves the exact surface still a bit chunky, then it gets dipped in a solvent that softens and smoothes the surface. You lose that last little bit of fine control, but as you get experienced doing it you learn how to set it up just right before dipping it to get what you need. Of course, that's part of how you get that impossibly smooth look of computer graphics.