To add to Ute Simon's reply.
The basic (pre-defined) animation effects can be combined to create complex
effects. The degree of combination varies with your Powerpoint version, and
with the installed add-ins.
For example, druing a presentation, the a user clicks on an action button (a
trigger object) causing a new object to appear on the slide (entrance-basic).
Immediately after the object's appearance the object begins to simultaneously
spin, shimmer (emphasis-basic+ emphasis-moderate), and spiral left (motion
path- lines & curves) across the slide. These effects take 10 seconds (effect
timing). At the end of the spiral the object remains visible (effect
property: after animation, don't dim).
Real examples of complex animations are available for viewing and download at
PowerPoint Heaven - The Power to Animate
<
http://pptheaven.mvps.org>