How do you create 2d models using 3d Studio Max or Lightwave?

A little more info plz?

Are you talking about making a flat billboard style character? If so, then one method is to create a 3D model, animate the movement of your character then render an AVI of it moving.
Open a new max scene up, and place the animated AVI onto a
2D plane or whatever shape u want really?
Not sure what you were askin, but this is one method of flat
animated characters. Hope thats of any use.
Gav.

Basicly, I mean what lighting filter do I use to make a 3d model look 2d? (Like what you use in Poser, only I''m wanting to know the more professional technique involved.)

for making 3d models look like 2d models (comic type), use cel-shading.

like the anonymous poster said, look up cel-shading. Its whats used in the Jet Set Radio games, that game 8, Road Rage, etc... you can get some great looking stuff with it, and it sounds like its exactly what you''re looking for.