Hi,
fist, enable the variant in the PCB view via the dropdown menu. You can check if the component disappears in 3D view. Just to be sure the variant works.
I'm using AD 17, the component does not disappear or change appearance in normal 2D view, it only applies when you generate an "Assembly Drawing" output via an output job.
Make sure to enable the desired variant in the OutJob as well.
I can't check right now, but think it also does not change appearance in an "Composit Print"