I am into OBE and Astral Projection. What follows is my opinion only, and it shall remain until I get evidence of something else.
I believe AP and OBE is the same thing. And that the consciousness and subconscious become one and exit the body, into the physical plane, not into the dream world.
Everything seen and done in an OBE/AP is real, and can often be verified later. So thats my take on it. I don't really know what else to add. As for the methods, there are several around. I guess I will wait to see how this thread develops.