Heterogeneous Design Using TIMs
This method of heterogeneous design converts source information from design files that were authored in other CAD tools (for example, Creo Elements/Direct Modeling or CATIA V5) into Translated Image Models (TIMs) that can be assembled into a Creo Parametric design.
Briefly, in heterogeneous design non-native files can become source files for Creo Parametric-created files that are derived from them, which are referred to as image (also, TIM or translated image model) files.
The Source and Image table displays the sources or images for the object whose information page you are viewing, and it indicates in a status column if the source and image are in sync. No icon displayed in the status column indicates that the source or image is up-to-date with regard to the object version of this info page.
When the row in the report shows an image, this icon 
indicates that it is out-of-date with regard to the object version of this information page (which, in this case, is the source). This could happen, for example, when the source object has been iterated since the image file was derived. When the report shows a row with a source object, this icon 
indicates that there is a newer version of the source and the object version of this information page is out-of-date with regard to it.
indicates that it is out-of-date with regard to the object version of this information page (which, in this case, is the source). This could happen, for example, when the source object has been iterated since the image file was derived. When the report shows a row with a source object, this icon indicates that there is a newer version of the source and the object version of this information page is out-of-date with regard to it.It should be noted that both an original, non-native model and the TIM can be associated to the same Windchill part (though only one can have an owner association). Consequently, both can contribute to a BOM.
For more detailed information about heterogeneous design, refer to Creo Parametric documentation.