Creating a Matrix from a Clash Set

A clash matrix is always generated from a published clash set. ClashWise reads the element properties captured when the set was published, works out the element classes involved, and generates a rule for every class pairing. You never build a matrix from scratch or type in rules one by one — generation does that for you, and you refine the result afterwards.

There are two ways to create a matrix:

On the web — a three-step wizard (the main path, described below).
In the Navisworks plugin, via Wise chat — the Wise AI assistant walks you through the same steps conversationally.

Note: there is no matrix button on the Navisworks ribbon. Matrices are created on the web or through Wise chat.

Before you start

You need a clash set that has already been published from the Navisworks plugin. If you have none yet, see the Publish, Update & Sync Clash Sets section.
Creating a matrix requires an active Clash Management subscription (a Pro or Business plan, or the trial).
The wizard works best when the clash set was published with a full property catalog. If the wizard warns about missing property data, re-publish the clash set with the latest plugin and try again.

Where to start the wizard

You can launch the same wizard from two places:

Clash matrices page — in the left drawer, click the + button (tooltip: Generate matrix from clash set), then pick a published clash set.
Clash sets page — with a set selected, use the Generate matrix pill in the set header (shown when no matrix is assigned yet), or open the More (⋯) menu and choose Generate matrix from this set….

Either way, the wizard opens as "Generate matrix from {clash set name}": you pick which captured properties identify each element's class and discipline, then review the consolidated class list before kicking off generation.

Step 1 — Pick properties

Tell ClashWise which captured properties describe your elements:

Choose a Source property, or choose Treat all elements as a single source if you don't need to distinguish source models.
For each source, pick the property that provides the element Class — this becomes the rows and columns of your matrix (for example "Walls", "Pipes").
Optionally pick a Discipline property for each source. Use Apply first to all to copy your first source's picks to the rest.

Watch for two banners on this step:

Missing property data — the set was published without the full property catalog; re-publish the clash set to capture it.
A matrix is already assigned to this clash set — generating a new matrix will replace that assignment when it completes.

Step 2 — Select classes

The wizard consolidates every class it found and shows each with an occurrence count, discipline chips, and example categories. Here you decide what the matrix covers:

Search the list, and use Select all / Deselect all to work quickly.
Optionally use segment extraction to clean up long property values: choose a Split on delimiter and keep the First, Second, Third, or Last segment, with a live preview of the result. For example, splitting "Basic Wall: Interior Partition" on ":" and keeping the first segment gives you the class "Basic Wall". Your extraction choice is saved with the clash set and re-applied automatically during analysis, so clashes keep matching your rules.
The summary line shows "{selected} of {total} selected → {N} rules". A rule is generated for every pair of selected classes, including same-class pairs (Walls × Walls), so the rule count grows quickly as you add classes.
A collapsible rule-matrix preview shows the pairings (the on-screen preview displays up to 30 classes, but all rules are still generated regardless).

Step 3 — Matrix details

Enter a name (3–100 characters). A timestamp is appended automatically, so reused names stay distinguishable.
Pick a Project type from the dropdown — this gives the AI context when it suggests rule priorities and statuses.
Note the tolerance units: rule tolerances use the clash set's source model units.
Optionally tick "Generate and assign tags to rules" — this lets AI suggest tags per rule and apply them to matched clashes during analysis. You can switch tags on or off later.
Click Generate matrix.

What happens next

Generation runs in the background: "Generating matrix from '{set}'. Watch progress in the matrices list." The matrix appears in the left drawer with a PROCESSING badge.
When it finishes you get a toast — "Matrix '{name}' generated with {N} rules." — with an Open matrix button.
If generation can't complete, the matrix shows a FAILED badge ("Unable to create all clash rules. Please try again"). Simply run the wizard again.
The new matrix is automatically assigned to the clash set you generated it from, ready for you to review the rules and then run AI analysis (see the Managing Clashes on the Web section).

Creating a matrix in Wise chat (Navisworks plugin)

If you're working in Navisworks, the Wise assistant can create the same web matrix for you conversationally:

Open the chat from the ribbon: Clash Management → Chat (requires sign-in and a Clash Management subscription).
When you focus the conversation on a published clash set that has no matrix, the set picker shows a No matrix chip with "Create one in this chat" — or just ask Wise to create a matrix for the set.
Wise presents a Property Mapping card ("Select which properties represent the class and discipline for each source.") — the chat equivalent of Step 1.
Next comes a Matrix Configuration card where you confirm the name and classes, edit disciplines (including a bulk find-and-replace), and click Generate Matrix.
A "Matrix created" card confirms success with Open matrix and Copy link buttons, and Wise can start analysis right away, showing a live progress card ("Analysis running…" → "Analysis complete").

The result is a normal web matrix — you can open and refine it at https://clashwise.ai exactly as if you had used the wizard.

Tips

Group before you publish. A well-grouped, well-named clash set produces a cleaner class list and a more useful matrix.
Be selective in Step 2. Every extra class multiplies the rule count. Start with the classes that matter for coordination; you can add more classes later without regenerating (see Keeping the Matrix in Sync).
Use segment extraction when your class property contains composite values — cleaner class names mean a smaller, more readable matrix.