while attempting a map i ran into a problem, i have no way to make the 3d files reqired to make the map and i am in no way rich enough to buy 3ds max 8 or even 6 or 7. the question is, is there any other program that can make .ass files. i would really appriciate help

Try Gmax, theGhost released a max script for exporting .ass files, and at someones request in the past, I quickly tossed in the part so it should work in gmax.

As far as I know, they never actually exported anything with it, but it should be fine.
Grab the MS file here or Here

Using gmax, you have to use the max listener to get the data (if your having difficulty, read a H1 gmax tutorial, and use this in the place of chimp or bluestreak)

because bungie likes joking amoungst each other with things in their programs (see H1 tool.. Trading kids for things, wheeling people around in wheelchairs, etc) some H2 thing responds to .ass files with a picture of an ass.

??
I've yet to encounter that one.