Tim,
We are an old I-deas shop and have thousands of I-deas package files archived on DVD.
I had to contact my VAR and sign a form to be able to download the free CMM software from GTAC.
I run this CMM software in solo mode even though I have Teamcenter. I do not want to automatically bring in the I-deas data into my Teamcenter database.
After running the package file through CMM solo it will generate UG files in a directory that you specified.
It works very well since it keeps drawings associated to the parts/assemblies. You can even have the UG parts contain the history of your I-Deas parts. You also still have your configurations etc. In CMM7.5 even your user defined attributes were maintained, it was broken in CMM8, there is a new CMM8.5 but I have not yet tried it. I then run UG in stand alone mode and view the translated data.
If absolutely necessary then I will bring the data into Teamcenter using Import Assembly into Teamcenter.
What I think is a good feature of the CMM software is that I can select a single part/assembly or drawing to convert and not have to bring in the entire package file. You also do not need to have I-deas installed.
You need to get in contact with your VAR. It is free and you can get it without training.
If you run CMM in solo mode then there is no training required.
I personally would not want my entire I-deas TDM brought over into TC.