Matrix Troubleshooting and FAQ

This article collects the most common questions and problems around clash matrices. If your issue isn't covered here, contact support@clashwise.ai.

Troubleshooting

I ran analysis but clashes got no recommendations

The two most common causes:

The matrix isn't assigned to the clash set. A matrix only affects analysis on clash sets it is assigned to. Open the clash set and check the matrix dropdown in the set header, or open the matrix's More → Manage clash sets… and confirm the assignment. Recommendation columns only appear in the clash grid when a matrix is assigned.
The clash set's properties don't line up with the matrix. If the matrix was generated from a different set, or the set was re-published with different property data, clashes may not match any rule. The most reliable fix is to generate the matrix from the clash set itself (see Creating a Matrix from a Clash Set) — this saves the property extraction choices with the set so analysis matches the rules.

Also check that the rules you expect to match are Active (the checkbox in the rules table) — inactive rules are skipped during analysis.

A clash shows "No matching rule found"

Individual clashes that don't fit any rule are flagged with a warning in the clash grid rather than silently given defaults. You can fix this in three ways: assign a rule to the clash manually (the Assign Rule control in the grid's Matched Rule column), add the missing classes to the matrix (More → Add classes from clash set…), or sync the matrix with the set and re-run analysis.

The wizard warns about missing property data

The clash set was published without the full property catalog. Re-publish the clash set with the latest plugin — the wizard banner says exactly this — then run the wizard again.

The matrix shows PROCESSING for a long time, or FAILED

Generation runs in the background, and large class selections produce many rules, so allow some time; use Refresh tables in the drawer to update the badges. If the matrix shows FAILED ("Unable to create all clash rules. Please try again"), run the generation again. If it fails repeatedly, contact support.

I can't edit anything on the matrix page

Viewing matrices only requires signing in, but every edit requires an active Clash Management subscription — a Pro or Business plan, or the trial. If your organization's trial has lapsed, the account is read-only until a plan is active. Editing is also temporarily locked while an AI re-evaluation is running ("Editing is disabled until the process completes.").

I can't find a button to add or delete a single rule

There isn't one — this is by design. Rules come from generation and the sync flows (Add classes from clash set…, Sync with clash set…, Regenerate from clash set(s)…). To retire one rule, untick its Active checkbox. To remove a whole class and all its rules, use More → Remove classes….

There's no Matrix button in Navisworks

Correct — the plugin's matrix button was retired. Matrices are created and edited on the web at https://clashwise.ai, or conversationally through Wise chat in the plugin (Clash Management → Chat). See Creating a Matrix from a Clash Set.

My clash set warns "PREVIOUS MATRIX DELETED"

The matrix that was assigned to the set has been deleted. Assign another matrix from the set header dropdown (or generate a new one from the set), then re-run analysis. This is also why bulk-deleting matrices warns: "Any clash set still pointing at one of these tables will need a new matrix assignment."

Recommendations look out of date after I edited the matrix

Editing a matrix does not re-classify clashes that were already analyzed. The clash grid marks affected clashes with a stale-analysis warning (⟳) on the Matched Rule column. Re-run analysis on the clash set to apply your changes. Clashes you manually edited and locked keep their values.

My contacts import is rejected or skips rows

The import accepts Excel files only (.xlsx or .xls) up to 20 MB. Start from the built-in templates (More → Download discipline template or Download category template) so the columns match. Rows for rules that already have a contact are skipped unless you tick "Overwrite existing contacts on rules that already have one" — the completion message tells you how many were updated vs. skipped.

Colors in Excel don't match what I expect

The web matrix and the Excel export always use each priority's configured hex color, so they can't disagree with each other. If a color looks wrong in both places, change it at the source: More → Manage priorities… (or Manage statuses…), edit the color, and re-download the export.

FAQ

How many rules should my matrix have? As many as your selected classes produce — a rule is generated for every class pair, so the count grows quickly. Practically: be selective about classes in the wizard. Focus on the pairings that matter for coordination; you can always add classes later. A focused matrix is easier to review than an exhaustive one.

Can I have multiple matrices? Yes. Create as many as you need — per project phase, per building, per coordination strategy. Each clash set has one assigned matrix at a time, managed via More → Manage clash sets… or the set header dropdown.

Can I create a matrix from scratch, without a clash set? No. Matrices are always generated from a published clash set (on the web, or via Wise chat in the plugin). This keeps the rules grounded in the element classes that actually exist in your model.

What's the difference between deactivating a rule and deleting it? Rules can't be deleted individually. Unticking Active keeps the rule but excludes it from analysis — you can re-enable it any time. Rules are only removed when their class is removed, on a sync where the class disappeared, or on regeneration.

What does the tolerance on a rule mean? It's a distance value your team records for the pairing — the clearance threshold you agreed — in the clash set's source model units. It documents your standard; it does not change what Navisworks detects (clash detection, including its tolerances, happens entirely in Navisworks Clash Detective).

Do matrix contacts receive email notifications? No. Assigning a responsible contact routes the recommendation onto the clash (visible in the grid, exports, and reports); it does not send that contact an email.

Can I export a matrix? Yes — as an Excel workbook mirroring the cross-tab view, via Download detailed matrix. See Matrix Excel Export.

Does matrix work consume my Wise actions allowance? No. Matrix generation and AI re-evaluation don't draw from your Wise action allowance, and running analysis has its own separate daily quota (shown on the USAGE QUOTAS card of your Profile page). Wise actions are consumed by chat requests and per-clash explanations — see the Wise — Your AI Assistant section for details.

Who can see my matrices? You, project members if you share the matrix with a project, and — if an org admin publishes it to the Company library (Business plan) — everyone in your organization can see and clone it. See Sharing and Company Library.

How often should I update my matrix? Sync it at project milestones or whenever a re-publish introduces new classes or disciplines, and re-run analysis afterwards. Review priorities and contacts when team members or coordination phases change.