In this video, and from playing around myself, it appears that creating an edge loop and subdividing an edge ring are functionally equivalent. Is that true? Is there any time there might be a difference between the two? I feel like it would always just be easier to use the loop cut tool.
Hi Justin MMachonerd15 ,
I don't think there is a difference between the two, but there are situations, where subdividing Edges can be easier. In this image, the loop on the right cube, is made by subdividing the Edges on the left cube, which can't be done by only using CTRL+R (mind you, the Edges on the left cube do not form a single Edge Ring, but you can, for instance, box select them in Wireframe Mode):
In most cases, however CTRL+R is indeed the easiest way.