The tutorial demonstrates applying appearances in SOLIDWORKS and rendering with SOLIDWORKS Visualize. It begins by selecting a sample model, adjusting transparency, and accessing the appearance library via the task pane. Materials such as low-gloss plastics and glossy rubber are applied using drag-and-drop, with options to edit colours and customise RGB values. Lighting and backgrounds are controlled through scene settings for realistic reflections. Visualize is introduced for photorealistic rendering, supporting real-time updates and advanced outputs like animations and VR. The process includes applying metallic paint, setting environments, enabling ray tracing, and rendering in high resolution, highlighting the performance benefits of dedicated graphics cards.