[en] Multistep transfer processes, proceeding through inelastic excitation of the colliding fragments, or through sequential particle transfer, are still direct in the sense that their time scale is much smaller than the typical time for compound reactions. Two-nucleon and one-nucleon transfer reactions are here disussed theoretically, and examples of such processes induced by light-ion and heavy-ion reactions on rotational and transitional nuclei of rare earth elements and tungsten are given. (JIW)